For most, Gelato is not what first comes to mind when thinking about Israeli food. However, walking down the streets of Tel Aviv you will find numerous gelato spots for a sweet treat at the end of a hot day. And let’s face it - most days are hot here!

While gelato is typically an Italian tradition, it is still special here in Israel as it is made with local ingredients. From hearty dark chocolate to sweet strawberry, each gelato spot has its own unique flavors, inspired by the Israeli kitchen while maintaining traditional Italian techniques.

Here are a few of our favorites:

Anita

If you’re looking for a wide array of flavors, you should definitely try Anita! Always a popular spot for locals and tourists alike, Anita’s is a must try while you are in Tel Aviv. While they have a few branches, we recommend the Neve Tzedek location on picturesque Shabazi street. Get your over-stuffed (but who’s complaining?) cup here, complete with a branded wafer cookie made for that perfect Instagram shot.

Shabazi St 40, Neve Tsedek Tel Aviv

Arte Glideria

Arte Glideria is a great place to stop when you’ve finished strolling through Carmel Market. Made by Italian chefs from Tuscany and Sicily, this is as authentic as it can get. Stop by on a Thursday night for live jazz while you enjoy your dessert. Arte is a special favorite for their unique flavors - think bread and butter or peach lavender - made from the next-door market’s best ingredients.

Nahalat Binyamin St 11, Tel Aviv

Leggenda

Leggenda is full of both vegan and dairy flavors and they are very generous with their portion sizes! You can choose to mix and match flavors or load up on your all-time favorite. Leggenda is great if you’re looking to spend time with friends or family in a relaxed environment, as they offer a lot of both indoor and outdoor seating.

Dizengoff St 94, Tel Aviv

Otello

With a tagline of “80% ice cream, 20% chocolate”, what could go wrong? Opened in 2017, Otello is one of the newer players to the Tel Aviv gelato scene, and we are sure are glad to have them. With a focus on chocolate (think two gorgeous chocolate fountains and a decadent chocolate sauce) and other exceptional flavors, we highly recommend stopping by.

Dizengoff St 165, Tel Aviv