Israelis love their breakfasts. Did you know a typical Israeli breakfast consists of eggs, salad, cottage cheeses and toast? Yes, you read it right: salad. When I moved to Tel Aviv this was a bit of a culture shock for me, I couldn't understand why anyone would want to eat tomatoes and cucumbers for breakfast - but now I happily eat my veggies in the morning with tehina and toast.
This style of breakfast is eaten even more comprehensively in the weekends, in coffee places and restaurants, to share with friends and family. A basket of bread, plates of eggs, salads and many little plates with spreads ranging from avocado to goat cheese is the perfect breakfast to share while catching up on a Friday morning! This Israeli style breakfast is very unique in the world and if you are visiting Israel you should definitely try it.
Here is a list of my favorite breakfast and brunch spots in Tel Aviv. Are you vegan like me? Don't worry, there are enough veganized Israeli breakfasts available, some are in this list and a vegan list of restaurants in Tel Aviv will be available soon!
Lehamim - local kosher bakery chain with mouthwatering breakfasts
You can find the bakeries all over Tel Aviv but once a week, on Fridays, you can start the weekend with breakfast at the two sit-down locations (Hashmonaim 103 and Ibn Gvirol 125) and this is probably my favorite in the city. They are so generous with their bread basket and spreads and even serve a selection of local boutique cheeses and sweets for dessert! All this deliciousness only costs 118 ILS for two people, which is really affordable for Tel Avivian standards. Wake up early to catch their Friday breakfast, they only serve it until they run out. For more information, visit their website.
Bucke Cafe - chill local cafe with delicious shakshuka
Let me introduce you to shakshuka. In case you haven't heard of it: it's basically eggs cooked in a spicy tomato sauce, eaten with salad, tehina, cheeses and bread. This delicious dish is very popular in Israel and at Bucke they happen to have one of the best shakshuka's in town. Their traditional 'Israeli breakfast' is also one of my favorites, which is why I really recommend you to check them out. For more information, visit their website.
Address: Ahad Ha'am 91, Tel Aviv
Hotel Montefiore - for breakfast in style
The Montefiore hotel is one of Tel Aviv's classiest boutique hotels, based in one of the city's oldest mansions around Rothschild Boulevard. Their breakfast is much loved by locals, because of their upgraded, chic Israeli style breakfast. Next to the Israeli breakfast they serve a variety of European inspired breakfasts that are delicious too. To me, eating breakfast at the Montefiore always feels like the Middle East meets Europe - a little piece of home in the middle of Tel Aviv!
Reservations at the Montefiore hotel are recommended. The kitchen is not kosher. For more information, visit their website.
Address: Montefiore Street 36, Tel Aviv
Meshek Barzilay - vegan hotspot in town (also for non-vegans!)
This actually is my favorite restaurant in all of Israel! This originally farm-to-table restaurant is nestled in between beautiful old buildings in Neve Tsedek and serves upscale, delicious vegan food. Their 'Meshek Morning' Israeli breakfast is wonderful, but if you really want the full experience of Israeli style brunching, you must try their 'Royal couple brunch'. For 180 ILS, they serve you so much goodness - trust me you won't want to eat anything for the rest of the day! Below are some pictures of the dishes they serve with the brunch: calzones, five types of salads, spreads and eggs or shakshuka. Do I need to say more?!
This restaurant only serves vegan food and it is recommended to book ahead. For more information, please visit their website.
Address: Ahad Ha'am 6, Tel Aviv