Tel Aviv’s bustling, colorful Levinsky Market is one of our favorite places in the city. Often overlooked even by local Tel Avivians and Israelis, this hidden gem is small in size but packed with a plethora of culinary delights. Its roots date back to the 1930’s when Greek Jewish immigrants moved to this south Tel Aviv area in large numbers, bringing along their flavors, spices and specialty foods. As they are later joined by other immigrants - in especially large numbers from the Balkans, Iran and North Africa - the market becomes known for culinary diversity and ethnic specialties. On top of all of this, today Levinsky Market is also the hipster headquarters of Tel Aviv - in between old-school, third-generation family run bakeries, expect to find vegan fine dining, tattoo parlors, dive bars and much more. This wave of newcomers to the neighborhood have also influenced the culinary scene in interesting ways that add new color and flavor to the market without sacrificing the authenticity and low-key style of this very special little corner of Tel Aviv.
Best of all - Levinsky Street (the main part of the market) has recently become pedestrian-only, meaning even more freedom to roam the tiny shops, snack along the way and take in the sights and smells.
Check out some neighborhood newcomers here:
Natashka
While Israel is home almost 2 million residents of Russian descent (including all Soviet Republics like Georgia and Uzbekistan), the world of Russian cuisine is often relegated to home cooking or specialty restaurants frequented by members of the communities. Unlike foods like shakshuka (see below), you won’t find Russian delicacies at every cafe in Israel - Russian food has rarely been seen as ‘trendy’ or ‘sexy’, but this is slowly changing , and Natashka is proof of that! This warm and cozy Levinsky joint is tucked away on a side street and specializes in Russian cuisine, including Ukranian, Bukharan and Kavkazi (Jews from the Caucausus region) specialties. Among other dishes, we love the delicate menti beef dumplings, the bright yellow walls and having a place to warm up with truly hearty food in this extra-cold and wet Tel Aviv winter.
Zvulun 30, Tel Aviv-Yafo
Jamila
Jamila takes the place of one of Levinsky’s hummusiyot - resaurants that only serve hummus! Do’t worry - hummus lovers can still get their fix at Gargar Hazahav or Mabsuta, both within 100 meters, because living in Israel means never being too far from hummus! The neighborhood made room for this bright burst of color and flavor into the neighborhood - featuring sandwiches/pizza made from Lebanese-style pita flatbreads that are perfectly shareable. These flatbeads are harder and thinner than a standard Israeli pita, making them more like wraps or tortillas, and the perfect base to experiment with toppings of proteins, veggies and sauces. Our favorite thing about Jamila is how the menu (currently featuring 7 types of pitas) plays with common Israeli street foods like sabich (Iraqi) and fricasse (Tunisian) that have been brought to the Israeli culinary scene by waves of immigrants. They also feature Indian and Thai pitas, two favorite destinations for backpacking Israelis post-military service who return home with a penchant for Asian flavors and spices! Check out their knafeh, malabi and baklawa too if you’re looking to end your Levinsky Market meal on a sweet note.
Levinsky 41, Tel Aviv-Yafo
Hashuka
If there are two foods Israelis love more than tahini (especially in Israeli hummus) and shakshuka, we’re having a hard time finding them! So it’s no surprise that Hashuka, a new cafe focusing on Shakshuka, takes the place of the recently-closed Hatahinia restaurant, a vegetarian joint that specialized in tahini-based dishes. Hashuka’s slogan is ‘Local cuisine in a pan’, a nod to their specialty of shakshuka, a North African dish of poached eggs in tomato sauce that has made its way not only to every Israeli cafe and home kitchen (whether you are Tunisian or not!), but also to Israeli-inspired/Israeli-owned restaurants around the world. You’ll find no less than 7 different types of shakshuka here! As with many Levinsky Market haunts (and in keeping with Tel Aviv in general), of course, vegan shakshuka is on the menu, made with chickpea instead.
Levinsky 33, Tel Aviv-Yafo
California Bar
California Bar is a welcome addition to the growing list of nighttime hotspots for young people in this area, known more for daytime spice shops and dried fruit vendors than nightlife activity. But this busy little side street now includes a tattoo parlor, a beloved local cafe (Tony ve Esther) and a sometimes-hours-long line for Mondo 2000, the adjacent rooftop bar. This low-key spot has a small but worthwhile food menu, and while beers and cocktails aren’t at the pinnacle of Tel Aviv innovation, California is certainly a worthy local watering hole. Expect to hear great music from the in-house DJ, see a lot of tattoos and pay standard Tel Aviv prices for this type of bar - and to have a great night.
Simtat Hashuk (off Merkhavya Street)
Mano Vino
Mano Vino is a small group of wine shops with three locations in Tel Aviv - including a new one at Levinsky Market. Located on the main part of the market on Levinsky street (across from the famous Cafe Levinsky), this shop is a welcome respite for wine seekers in the neighborhood, adding a cosmopolitan touch to the mom-and-pop stores surrounding it. The shop is small in size but features a wide selection of both Israeli and imported wines, as well as some top-quality Israeli spirits at reasonable prices, making this a great value-for-money shop. Staff undergo regular wine education training and are genuinely happy to help you find the perfect bottle for any occasion, all in a calm environment - something that is not to be taken for granted in crazy Tel Aviv!
Levinsky 32, Tel Aviv-Yafo
Delicious guides are not just Israeli food encyclopedias, but also neighborhood experts happy to show you every nook and cranny of this not-to-be-missed area.
Join our Levinsky Market tours and let us show you the magic!
