If we had to choose one thing Israeli food is known for above all else, it would be the breadth and diversity of culinary influences from immigrant groups to Israel! Israelis regularly dine on staples drawing from regional influences and places like Poland, Greece, Turkey, Morocco, Iraq, Yemen, Central Asia and many, many more places - to create a uniquely Israeli cuisine. Despite Israel being home to a vibrant community of Ethiopian-Israelis (this includes both those born in Ethiopia and their descendants in Israel), Ethiopian cuisine has not yet integrated into the mainstream Israeli cuisine. Which is really a shame, because it has SO much to offer: Ethiopian cuisine is designed for communal dining and sharing, is hearty, vegetable-heavy, and friendly to all sorts of diets like Kosher, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, simply being health-conscious - or all of the above.
The process of making traditional injera bread, the backbone of Ethiopian cuisine, courtesy of Balinjra.
The basis of Ethiopian food is spiced (although not necessarily spicy) vegetable and/or meat stews, served atop a traditionally fermented, pancake-like bread called injera. Injera can be quite sour on its own, thanks to that super-healthy fermentation, and blends perfectly when used as a scoop to get all of those delicious stews - no other utensils needed. It is made with teff flour, a gluten-free grain, so traditional Ethiopian restaurants are almost always completely gluten-free.
When you order a dish at any of these restaurants, expect that you will receive your ‘main’ along with several side spread/stews served on top of injera (and perhaps with more injera on the side). Since fish and dairy are not featured heavily in Ethiopian cuisine, most vegetarian dishes are also vegan.
While we’re hoping this under-the-radar status changes soon, for now it means that our favorite Ethiopian restaurants are some of the city’s best-kept secrets. Check out any of these restaurants, trust your server to steer you in the right direction (you really can’t go wrong), finish off with Ethiopian coffee or tea, and we guarantee a delicious meal.
Balinjera
The outside of cozy Balinjera in the Yemenite Quarter (“Kerem Hateimanim”)
Tucked away in the quiet side streets of the Yemenite Quarter adjacent to the Carmel Market (aka the Delicious Israel office!) lies the unassuming Balinjera restaurant. This traditional and warm eatery serves up traditional Ethiopian dishes in a way that is accessible and accommodating for both Hebrew and English speakers.
The majority of the menu is vegetarian and vegan, with a few excellent meat offerings. If you are 2-3 people, we highly recommend getting the Balinjera Festival, which has all of the menu’s vegetarian offerings plus a few meat dishes.
While Tel Aviv restaurants are famously accommodating of vegans, vegetarians and those avoiding gluten - Balinjera takes the cake, as it is 100% Kosher and gluten-free, and comes at a reasonable price point.
A bit of trivia: “Balinjera” means “together”ness in Amharic! This represents the way Ethiopians traditionally eat, which is in large families/groups where everyone shares food served on injera on large trays. So, next time you’ve had your fair share of falafel, shawarma or anything else in a pita - grab a friend and hop over to Balinjera for something truly different.
Malan St 4, Tel Aviv-Yafo
Lalibela
This mouth watering beef stir-fry is called tibs - trust us, you won’t regret ordering it. Courtesy of Lalibela
As far as Ethiopian food goes, South Tel Aviv is without a doubt the place to be. Lalibela is located in a working-class (and gentrifying) area in Tel Aviv, and actually took over what used to be a Balkan restaurant that Israelis more traditionally associated with this neighborhood of the city - but this is always changing with newcomers to the neighborhood. Lalibela (named after an ancient city in Ethiopia) is spacious but cozy and has a wide range of individual dishes and platters for sharing, whether you’re looking for a meat festival, a vegan spread or anything in between. We loved the beef tibs, a stir-fried meat dish packed with flavor.
Service can be slow, but this lovingly-cooked food is worth the wait. Lalibela also features a small selection of literature relevant to the Ethiopian-Jewish community and their contributions to the state of Israel.
Ha'Aliya St 43, Tel Aviv-Yafo
Tenat
Tenat’s signature plate - need we say more?
Located just steps away from our beloved, hipster-meets-old school Levinsky Market, you will find Tenat. While we’ve written at-length about vegan trends in Tel Aviv, we must say Tenat has been well ahead of its time, having been open for years and serving the local community. The menu is small, with a few starters, a few mains and some desserts and drinks. Your best bet is to order their signature plate, which includes a variety of changing vegan offerings, such as split peas, spinach and fava bean stews.
Their injera is somehow sturdy enough to hold up the hearty dishes, but also so fluffy you can’t stop eating more. Like some other of our favorite Ethiopian restaurants, dishes are prepared to order, so don’t expect an in-and-out experience - but the freshness is unparalleled.
Chlenov St 27, Tel Aviv-Yafo
Tewodros
A veritable Ethiopian feast, courtesy of Tewodros.
For the hardcore Ethiopian food lover, Tewodros is the place to be. Without a website or a social media presence, Tewodros is the kind of restaurant that you’ll be sure to find Ethiopian-Israelis dining at for a taste of home. This eatery (named after a beloved Emperor of Ethiopia) is modest but warm and inviting, and expect to find Ethiopian artwork on the walls as you wait for your dishes to be prepared. Dishes are very authentic and traditional, meaning they are unfiltered for the Israeli palate, which is still generally unfamiliar with the flavors and spices of this delicious cuisine. Like with all Ethiopian restaurants, we recommend taking a large dish with many elements, but if we had to choose: for vegetarians, we love their shiro wat, a traditional Ethiopian puree of chickpeas or broad beans, and the doro wat is the ideal dish for meat eaters.
Allenby 13, Tel Aviv-Yafo
Got any recommendations of your own, questions about eating in Israel, or anything else? We are always here for you! Contact us at on Instagram (@deliciousisrael) or online here.
