Between the ancient stone alleys and the breeze from the sea, culinary experiences are hidden in Yaffo that combine history, style and flavors that cannot be found anywhere else. Where is it worth grabbing a table for a romantic date and where is the atmosphere most suitable for an evening with friends? All the recommendations are waiting for you here
Yaffo has been undergoing a fascinating culinary renaissance in recent years. It’s no longer just hummus and fish facing the sea, but a vibrant scene of young chefs, updated kitchens and breathtaking locations. At Ontopo we see the numbers: the demand for places in Yaffo is constantly increasing, and the table reservations tell a story of an audience looking for a complete experience, not just food. The following list is based on Ontopo’s real data and reflects the places you loved to book a place in most recently. Get ready to fall in love again.
In practice, what’s worth knowing:
| # | Restaurant name | Style/Cuisine | Area in the city |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cichukai | Asian-Yaffo | Flea market |
| 2 | Raisa bar | Modern Yaffo market | Flea market |
| 3 | Gemma | Italian | Noga complex |
| 4 | Beit Kandinof | Contemporary Mediterranean | Old Yaffo |
| 5 | Kalamata | Greek | Kikar Kedumim |
| 6 | Par Derriere | Wine Bar / Bistro | Noga complex |
| 7 | Giardino | Mediterranean / Hospitality | The Jaffa Hotel |
| 8 | Faruk Bashuk | Israeli / Street Food | Flea market |
| 9 | Jasia | Asian | Old Yaffo |
1. Cichukai
Every time we think Yaffo can’t surprise us anymore, Cichukai comes along and proves otherwise. This is the “crazy little sister” of Selas restaurant, and the vibe here is exactly the combination of a rough Yaffo alley and precise Japanese precision. Chef Or Ginsberg has created a menu here that plays between worlds in a virtuoso way – imagine fresh fish from the nearby port meeting cutting techniques and flavors from the Far East.
The atmosphere in the place is electric, crowded (in a good way) and full of style. This is the perfect place for those looking for an evening that is both high culinary and entertainment with high energies. The dishes come out at a pace, the colors on the plate are mesmerizing, and the combinations – like the use of ponzu snowflakes – turn every bite into a small adventure of textures and temperatures.
Must-try dishes: Steamed bao buns filled with slow-cooked meat, black mamba – crispy bubble twill, refreshing and tingling chopped tuna tartare and a sashimi dish of three types of fish that comes in a box.
📍 Address: Amiad 10, Yaffo (Flea Market)
2. Raisa bar
In the beating heart of the Flea Market, Raisa bar manages to be both and both: both a happy bar that is fun to drink in until late, and a restaurant that serves serious and reasoned food. The kitchen here takes the raw materials of the market – the vegetables, the fish, the spices – and gives them a modern and sexy interpretation. Sitting at the bar is an experience in itself, as the music and the street blend into the plate.
The magic of Raisa bar lies in its ability to be effortless but precise. The chef manages to create dishes that are “comfort food” but in its highest version. Whether you come for a drink and a snack or for a full meal, the feeling is always of a local Yaffo party that is happy to host you.
Must-try dishes: Arais – pita quarters filled with spiced meat and other good things, white fish tartare on avocado, and the famous “Raisa bar bagel” with Meatbal dips.
📍 Address: Rabbi Yochanan 8, Yaffo
3. Gemma
A little outside the hustle and bustle of the market, in the magical and renewed Noga complex, hides a real Italian pearl. Gemma (“gem” in Italian) brings to Yaffo the scents of Naples and Rome, but with a local twist. Chef Rami Aminov conducts here a kitchen where the tabun is the beating heart, and the doughs are the main stars.
The interior space is beautiful, with high ceilings and stone arches, and the atmosphere is romantic and relaxed. This is the place to escape to when you want to feel a little in Europe without going through Ben Gurion Airport. The pastas are handmade, the sauces are rich, and the combination between the Italian classic and the Yaffo character creates an experience that is simply “finger-licking”.
Must-try dishes: Fresh polenta with mushrooms and parmesan, green pizza with baby zucchini and roasted cherry and radiatori sintta.
📍 Address: Tirza 14, Yaffo (Noga complex)
4. Beit Kandinof
If walls could talk, the walls of Beit Kandinof would tell love stories of hundreds of years. The restaurant is located in a breathtaking historical building in the heart of Old Yaffo, and the space itself is an integral part of the experience. This is a place that combines art, history and food in a way that feels completely natural.
The kitchen here is contemporary Mediterranean, one that takes inspiration from the Yaffo locality but is not afraid to use modern techniques. The dishes are beautiful, almost like the works of art that hang on the walls (the place also serves as a gallery), and the atmosphere in the evening, when the lighting dims, is one of the most romantic you will find in the city.
Must-try dishes: Shishbarak dumplings in goat yogurt, Dennis fillet with miso pecorino, roasted kohlrabi with achu blanco.
📍 Address: Hatzorfim 14, Old Yaffo
5. Kalamata
There are places where the view is the most important spice, and Kalamata is exactly such a place. Located in Kikar Kedumim with a huge window facing the Mediterranean Sea, this restaurant is an ambassador of Greek cuisine in Yaffo. But make no mistake, it’s not just the view – the food here is happy, fresh and intoxicating, just like in a quality tavern in Greece.
The menu offers a culinary journey between the Greek islands, with a strong emphasis on fresh fish and seafood. The atmosphere is of eternal freedom; The breeze from the sea, the blue in the eyes and the ouzo poured into the glasses turn every meal here into a small celebration. Perfect for sunset or sunny afternoons.
Must-try dishes: Grilled manouri cheese on the plancha and warm leek salad, sea bass ceviche and loukaniko – handmade Greek sausage.
📍 Address: Kikar Kedumim 10, Old Yaffo
6. Par Derriere
What started as a small and intimate wine bar has become over the years a real institution in the Noga complex. The “Par Derriere” (behind, in French) offers one of the most magical backyards in Tel Aviv-Yaffo. It is an urban oasis, disconnected from the noise of the city, where time seems to have stopped.
The menu is a classic bistro with local touches, and it is accompanied by a fine wine list that has been carefully selected. The atmosphere here is “no pose” but with a lot of style – a place where you can sit for hours with a good bottle of wine, jazz music in the background and dishes that are fun to share or eat alone. Their brunch on the weekend has long become a household name.
Must-try dishes: Eggs Benedict at brunch, Florentine pizza with truffle béchamel and spinach, and Par-Burger with brioche bun and chips.
📍 Address: Bat Ami 7, Yaffo (Noga complex)
7. Giardino
Inside the luxurious “The Jaffa” hotel, Giardino is hidden, offering an experience that is a bit beyond the sea. The location in the inner courtyard of the historical building, surrounded by citrus trees and neo-Renaissance architecture, gives the meal a backdrop of a movie.
The kitchen here, led by Chef Bar Tzenger, corresponds with the environment – elegant, precise and uses the best local raw materials. This is the place for a more “fancy” meal, one that you dress up for and enjoy every moment. The service is meticulous (to international hotel standards) and the quiet of the inner courtyard is a rare commodity in bustling Yaffo.
Must-try dishes: Beef kubania with chard, lobster tartare with shrimp and surprising yuzu colli and hamoosta grouper in a mixture of local spices.
📍 Address: Louis Pasteur 2, Yaffo
8. Faruk Bashuk
If you are looking for the authentic, happy and colorful Yaffo – Faruk Bashuk is the address. Located in the heart of the Flea Market, this restaurant brings the concept of “Farm to Table” in its Yaffo version. Fresh raw materials that come straight from the market turn into happy and generous Israeli dishes.
The atmosphere here is relaxed, the music is happy, and sitting outside allows you to absorb all the energy of the market. This is the perfect place to open a table with friends, order lots of small and large plates and wipe the plate with fresh challah.
Must-try dishes: Market breakfast with scrambled eggs, breads and Meatbal dips, beef Hamburg with onion jam and lamb bacon, and tomato salad with burrata.
📍 Address: Rabbi Nachman 6, Yaffo (Flea Market)
9. Jasia
In an ancient Yaffo stone building with high arches, Jasia offers a surprising combination: Asian cuisine in the heart of Old Yaffo. The contrast between the local architecture and the flavors from the Far East creates a unique experience. The restaurant is spacious and designed in a way that preserves the character of the original building.
The menu is varied and includes all the favorite classics from Asian cuisine – from sushi to hot wok dishes. This is a great place for families and groups, looking for accessible and tasty food in a slightly different atmosphere, one that connects East to East (the Middle and Far East).
Must-try dishes: Volcano futomaki roll with salmon and tuna, satay noodles with chicken, and shrimp tempura.
📍 Address: Louis Pasteur 7, Yaffo
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