The definition of an Israeli restaurant is an inherently complex one to characterise. It’s best to start by understanding the culinary landscape of Israel, which is one heavily influenced by religion, migration, neighbouring culinary traditions, and the land on which the food is grown.
Founded in 1948, Israel was a strangely European country transplanted into the Levant, whose food was heavily influenced by Ashkenazi Jewish cooking. Recent years have seen the influence of diaspora Jewish cuisine from populations like Sephardic Jews, which brings a food heritage steeped in rich flavours and spices from the Mediterranean, Balkans and North Africa.
Beyond the impact of religion comes heavy influence from the rich culinary traditions of neighbouring countries such as Egypt, Palestine, Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and Jordan. The land and climate of Israel favours the cultivation of olives, grains, pomegranates, dates and figs, which so naturally lends itself to the Levantine cuisine of the Middle East.
Such diverse influences are perhaps easier to explain with examples. Take sabich, an Iraqi Jewish dish made by stuffing cold, fried aubergines in a pitta with hard-boiled eggs. Or shakshuka, a dish with origins in North Africa, brought to Israel by Tunisian Jews. Even ingredients such as amba, born out of the spice trade between India and the Middle East.
Given Israel is a country so young in political terms and its food is heavily influenced by the spectrum of factors mentioned above, defining Israeli cuisine or an Israeli restaurant can be difficult, at times overlapping with cuisines of the surrounding regions. However, given the vibrancy of the Israeli restaurant scene in London, with palpable influence from the talents of Yotam Ottolenghi, Josh Katz, Sarit Packer, Itamar Srulovich and Eran Tibi, to name a few, it feels worthwhile to shine a light on these exciting Israeli restaurants, whilst recognising the external influences to their menus. So without further ado, we’ve rounded up our pick of the best 14.
Coal Office
2 Bagley Walk, N1C 4PQ
Coal Office is a collaboration between Assaf Granit, of the multi-Michelin-starred Machneyuda and its spinoffs, and iconic designer Tom Dixon in Coal Drop’s Yard, and has remained one of the best spots for authentic Israeli flavours in London since launching. Head chef Dan Pelles worked alongside Granit in his native Israel either side of a stint in New York. Dishes are rooted in Israel and further across the Levant, from old city-style herb salads to grilled lamb and luscious hummus, but often draw inspiration from Europe, too, while there’s an incredible list of Israeli wines to go alongside it.
Miznon
Various Locations
You may leave Miznon wondering if you’re in your right mind – and I think that is the exact intention of owner Eyal Shani, an Israeli celebrity chef who has taken his chain across the globe. The menu – written in comic sans no less – talks about hemispheres, birthmarks and… ovaries? Yep, you read that right – it makes reference to ‘tomato ovaries’ more than once. Oh, and the inner parts of a cauliflower and something dripping on your shoes, because, of course. Insane menu antics aside, the food here is the real deal. It’s pure, unadulterated, deliciousness. Whether you go ‘classic’ and opt for a lamb kebab, or go full kilter into the theme and get the english breakfast pita, you’re sure to leave satiated and smiling – and with a question mark around your sanity.
The Palomar
34 Rupert Street, W1D 6DN
Arguably the first London restaurant to popularise modern Israeli bistro cooking The Palomar came from brother and sister Layo and Zoe Paskin, launched in partnership with chefs from legendary Jerusalem restaurant Machneyuda, and became quickly known and loved for its vibrant, contemporary cooking and long counter – the best place in the restaurant to eat. Having been one of Soho’s most loved spots since launching in 2014, The Palomar closed for renovation in 2022 and reopened with a bit of modernisation, but the ethos has remained the same, and the cooking remains reliably brilliant. The Paskins’ shared love of music and hospitality is evident, and dishes include everything from pillowy pita and dips to fattoush salads, ‘Jerusalem mix’ offal skewers and more.
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Honey & Co
54 Lamb's Conduit Street, WC1N 3LW
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Having moved from Fitzrovia to Bloomsbury, Honey & Co forms a part of the bourgeois-bohemian food triangle on Lamb’s Conduit street, next to Noble Rot and La Fromagerie. Owned by Israeli-born couple Sarit Packer and Itamar Srulovich who also run the much loved Honey & Smoke, Honey & Co takes inspiration from food across the Levant. It has acquired somewhat of a cult following over recent years, perhaps attributed to those with a dangerous affliction for their lavish mezze spreads, verdant pickles and pastries. The magnetism of Honey & Co is in the detail of its food. Every item on the menu here is laced with small gestures and thoughtful flavour pairings. Whether that be the addition of marinated chilli garlic chickpeas to elevate a bowl of hummus or the drizzling of greek thyme honey to pull together the feta cheesecake.
Bala Baya
Arch 25, Old union yard arches, 229 Union St, SE1 0LR
Headed up by Israeli-born chef Eran Tibi, Bala Baya can be found in a slinky, Southwark tunnel. There is an undeniably sexy vibe here, with the help of its bare brick walls, thump of house music and genuinely cool atmosphere. In essence, they’ve done their homework on the great date spots handbook. Aside from the vibe, the food is inventive, zany and vibrant. Choose between brunch or a selection of sharing plates for lunch and dinner, including prawn baklava, sumac salmon, beef brisket doughnuts and lamb kebab dumplings. Not to forget an obligatory plate of the burnt babka with crème anglaise. There’s also an excitingly large selection of cocktails on the menu, alongside gazoz (a refreshing, old-school Israeli soda infused with botanical herbs, ferments, fruits, and syrups), so party on.
Kapara
James Court, Manette Street, W1D 4AL
After the roaring success of Southwark spot Bala Baya, ex-Ottolenghi chef Eran Tibi is back with his second restaurant Kapara. It’s a lively and chic Soho dining spot which channels pure Tel Aviv hedonism. Be prepared to inhale a lot of seriously good food (as well as a menu full of innuendos), including small plates, large platters, and nibbles. Mop up billows of sumac topped hummus with hunks of pitta, tuck into a whole red snapper roasted on coals with burnt sage and fennel and stuff yourself with black sesame mille-feuilles. To wash it down there’s a selection of Israeli wines, alongside the much-loved Gazoz. With an alfresco terrace, lounge, bar, music stage and even a six-seater counter reserved for private dining and maximum chef intimacy, there is something for everyone at Kapara.
Oren
89 Shacklewell Lane, E8 2EB
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After a series of successful pop-ups and residencies, Israeli chef Oded Oren opened his first permanent solo venture, Oren, serving up small plates influenced by flavours of his homeland with traditional Mediterranean style cuisine. In true Dalston style, you are eating in a restaurant with a stripped-back aesthetic and low-level lighting, which is solely populated with good-looking people. The food here is characterised by enlivening heat, acidity, and spice, and embodies the beautiful simplicity of Oren’s cooking style. Some much-loved favourites include the Jerusalem mixed grill, amba chicken skewers and cured sardines with pink peppercorns. There’s also a large selection of cocktails including hazelnut sours, bergamot negronis and chilli mezcal margaritas, as well as aperitifs, wines, and vermouths.
Shawarma bar
46 Exmouth Market, EC1R 4QE
It’s a known fact that London is not short of good kebabs, and Shawarma bar is no exception to this rule. Located in Exmouth Market, Islington, Shawarma bar is a primarily walk-in restaurant by Josh Katz, which serves up Tel Aviv inspired street food and cocktails for lunch and dinner.Shawarma bar specialises in the art of spit roasting and slow-cooking meat, so expect some seriously tender and flavoursome hunks of meat, packed into pittas. Although, rest assured there are ample vegetarian options beyond this meaty affair, including mezze such as babaganoush, muhammara and confit okra, as well as the cauliflower shawarma. Be sure to pile on the lashing of toum (a mouth-numbing garlic sauce common to the Levant), just don’t plan on smooching anyone afterwards.
The Barbary
16 Neal's Yard, WC2H 9DP
In the land of artisanal cheese, Birkenstocks, and aromatherapy oils otherwise known as Neil’s Yard, lives Barbary. Owned by Zoe and Layo Paskin, the Barbary specialises in grilling and baking from Jerusalem to the Barbary Coast (the stretch of North Africa from modern-day Morocco to modern-day Egypt). Barbary is a 24-seat horseshoe-shaped restaurant with no bookings, so be prepared to be incredibly English and queue. Although a wait for the table is almost definitely written in the stars, the rewards you reap for your patience are worth it.The menu showcases food from the Atlantic Coast through to the Mediterranean Sea leading to the Middle East, and is categorised by dishes from the land, sea, earth, and heaven (puddings). Some menu highlights include the labneh hatzil, chicken shawarma, fattoush salad and knafeh.
The Good Egg
Various Locations
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The Good Egg is an all-day restaurant serving up a winning trifecta of Jewish deli goods, Tel Aviv street food and ultra-stylish decor. Located in both Stoke Newington and Kingly Court, Soho, it’s the perfect spot for those wanting to expand their brunch horizons. With challah french toast with blood orange syrup, salt beef bagels and a zoug fried egg cornbread on the menu, you can leave the shackles of avocado on toast behind you. But it doesn’t stop at brunch. With a whole host of options from the menu including mezze plates, dips, grills, bakery goods, cocktails and even tahini milkshakes, you really can chow down from dawn till dusk. That said, whatever time you visit, ordering a huge slice of their oven-warm and pillowy chocolate babka is non-negotiable.
Balady
Various Locations
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Hailed the home of London’s best falafel by some big names in the industry, there is certainly deserved hype around this now four-strong group of restaurants. Make no mistake, Balady isn’t going to win any interior design awards, but the Jewish-Morrocan food served up here is simple, comforting and ridiculously delicious. There are multiple Balady sites across London, including Barnet, Farringdon, Camden, and Finchley. Choose between soft laffa or pitta breads, stuffed with the filling of your choice and loaded with herb-packed salads, pickles, and generous helpings of silky hummus. Arm yourself with a stockpile of napkins, because tucking into a Balady pita is far from a tidy affair.
Shuk
Various Locations
Purveyor of pittas, Shuk is a market food stall located in both Seven Dials and Borough Market. Serving up killer falafel, fluffy flatbreads, grilled meats, and silky dips, Shuk is the place to go if you want to mop up a hangover or soothe the soul with family-style recipes. Shuk, which translates to street market in Hebrew, was created by childhood friends Mark Jankel and Richard Littman and is inspired by the multicultural street food markets of Tel Aviv. It’s unpretentious, well-executed street food, with an emphasis on good quality ingredients, whether that be the best tahini, amba or date, honey. At just £10 for a warm beef brisket, lamb meatball, sabich or chicken shawarma pita, packed with pickles, herbs and continents, you’d be a fool not to visit.
Haya
184A Kensington Park Road, W11 2ES
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Haya is a neighbourhood Mediterranean restaurant, serving up sunny plates of Israeli-inspired food in Notting Hill. Inspired by owner Victoria Paltina’s lively and spirited visits to Tel Aviv, Haya focusses on simple and well-executed Mediterranean sharing dishes. Expect to tuck into plates of silky baba ganoush, thick goat labneh, homemade kebabs and challah bread, from brunch through to dinner. The restaurant is light-filled, stripped back and plant-adorned making it the perfect spot for a shakshuka brunch or date night dinner. Israeli inspired cuisine is having somewhat of a moment on London’s restaurant scene, and so is Haya.
Ottolenghi
Various Locations
Undoubtedly one of the most influential Israeli chefs in the UK, Yotam Ottolenghi has assembled a small restaurant empire in London, with restaurants Rovi, Nopi and delis in Chelsea, Marylebone, Notting Hill, Spitalfields and Islington (the latter two also serve dinner). As many can testify, the windows of Ottolenghi delis are almost hypnotic, filled with colourful spreads of salads, breads, pastries and meringues. For those looking for something more formal, Rovi and Nopi are great dinner spots serving up Mediterranean, vegetable focussed plates like celeriac shawarma, smoked artichokes, and sumac marinated beetroot. They’re also the perfect party spot with a £69 three-course set menu on offer for large groups.
