"Welcome to our curated list of recommendations for traveling and dining in Israel. These suggestions have been gathered from our personal networks. While these recommendations are not personally vetted by us, they come highly recommended by those within our network. Please feel free to add your own favourite spots or share any updates in the comments section below. If you come across any information that may have changed, such as closures or updated details, we would greatly appreciate your feedback. Let's build a community-sourced guide to ensure that everyone can enjoy the best of what Israel has to offer." Marco van Embden, Cape Town
1. Tour Operators / Travel Agent Recommendations
- Julian Resnick
Contact number: +972 50-767-4260
Email: resnicj@gmail.com - Tova Wald Ltd Boutique Travel & Events
Contact: Tova Wald
Email: tova@tovawald.com - Superb - "Superb Israel private tours – is driven by a passion for creating unforgettable experiences and custom tours in our beautiful country of Israel. For your next visit to Israel, Travel Israel Your Way with exceptional Private touring services and VIP options that only Superb delivers.
- Shavit Productions - "Shavit Events Productions is a boutique retreats & event planning company based in Israel and operates worldwide. Their prestigious programs and events has won “The best of the best” retreat awards by the global YPO/WPO organization."
Index
- Touring Israel - "Touring Israel offers you exceptional custom tailored private tours of the Land of Israel with your own expert tour guide. We create itineraries focused on your specific guidelines and interests."
- Jordan Select Tours - "Jordan Select Tours is a tour operator who continues to maintain the best client loyalty track record in the national tourism industry for a number of reasons; unsurpassed creativity, perfect planning and energetic, European trained staff."
- Rafi Shibolet rafishibolet@gmail.com - "he has been fantastic to work with!"
2. Dining Recommendations
Dining in Jerusalem:
- Azura - Kurdish/Jewish lunch spot in the Machane Yehuda market. Super
- Lina Restaurant - old school hummus spot in the Old City (between Muslim/Christian quarter)
- Machneyuda - Fun/hip spot inside the Machane Yehuda market. Great for dinner (need to reserve)
HaSalon, Tel Aviv
HaSalon, Tel Aviv
Dining in Tel Aviv:
- 16 Herzl Street
- ALENA
- Aria Restaurant & Lounge Bar
- Beit Romano
- Cafe Noir
- Coffee Bar
- Claro
- Mashya
- Peppino
- Dalida
- Dallal Restaurant
- Dok - "A slightly “upscale” spot doing new Israeli cuisine but really worth it. Reservations needed"
- Hanan Margilan - "Little Bukharan spot in south Tel Aviv"
- Hummus Abu Adham — "great little old school spot for fantastic hummus"
- M25 - "Grilled meat place in shuk" HaCarmel (again, kind of hip, but a fun scene and great food)"
- HaBasta - "fun/quirky little Israeli-style tapas bar at the edge of Shuk HaCarmel"
- Haj Kahil
- HaSalon Restaurant
- Hotel Montefiori Restaurant
- Hatikvah Market - "a better version of Shuk Hacarmel and without tourists in S. Tel Aviv. Many Kurdish/Iraqi/Yemenite vendors. Highly recommended"
- The Norman Hotel
- Manta Ray
- Mashya Restaurant
- Miznon - great little spot for pita sandwiches (hipster but fun)
- Meat Market M25
- Milgo Milbar
- Nev Tzedk - A place for Meat
- North Abraxis Restaurant
- Nehama Yemenite restaurant - Hole in the wall in the Yemenite Quarter run by a sweet Yemenite lady. Great food
- Ouzeria (from somewhere in the Mediterranean)
- Port Said Restaurant
- Pronto Restaurant
- Rendez-Vous Restaurant
- Saluf and Sons - Hipster Yemenite spot with nice food and fun vibe and near Levinsky market, which is fun to explore
- Segev chef restaurant
- Shila
- Santa Katarina
- Thai at Har Sinai
- The Brothers Restaurant & Food
- The Delicatessen Group (Omri Abel)
- The Vera Hotel
- Toto Restaurant
- TYO Restaurant
- Topolopompo
- Yaffo Restaurant
ToTo's Restaurant
ToTo's Restaurant
Dining in Nazareth/Galil:
- Al Zaim - "a little shack that specializes in “Arayes” (kofte grilled inside a pita)"
- Alreda - "interesting take on Palestinian cuisine. Very atmospheric."
- Fauzi Azar Inn - "great place to stay in old city"
- Hummus Abu Ghanem - "Best hummus I’ve had anywhere. They grow their own vegetables and basically make everything themselves"
3. Bar Recommendations
- Dalida Bar – “Levinsky Market gem offering delectable cocktails, shared plates, and a vibrant atmosphere perfect for socializing.”
- Nilus – “Exotic escape in a 1920s hotel setting featuring spiral staircases, palm trees, and a curated DJ lineup, ideal for evening indulgence.”
- Port Said – “Effortlessly cool hangout by the Teder Crew and culinary experts, blending Egyptian and Eastern European styles with top-notch DJs.”
- Shafa Bar – “Relaxed Jaffa alleyway favorite, serving eclectic cuisine and lively beats in a laid-back atmosphere.”
- Whisky Bar (club for whisky fans)
Dalida Restaurant
Port Sa'id
4. Activities Recommendations
Activities in Acco:
- Visit Acco including the Knight Hall
Activities in Golan Heights:
- Drive ATV to Bental Hill observation point overlooking the Syrian border
- Hot Air Balloon in the Galillee area
Activities in Jerusalem:
- Enjoy a private workshop course at a local bakery to learn how to bake “Challah bread” a traditional bread eaten on Friday night
- Drive to Mammilla Hotel accompanied by a sommelier taste and learn about Israeli wine.
- Drive to the Western Wall to observe the singing and dancing welcoming the Shabbat
- Mt of Olives
- Gethsemane
- Jewish Quarter
- View the Temple Mt.
- Room of Last Supper
- King David’s Tomb
- Via Dolorosa
- Holy Sepulcher
- Exit via colorful arab market
- Visit Holocaust Museum Yad Vashem
- Israel Musuem
- Drive by the Knesset Israel’s Parliament and Supreme Court
- Segway Tour
Activities in Petra:
- Night tour with candles of Petra
Activities in Ramon:
- Ramon Crater - Guided tour of the area by a professional guide to this unique region
- A popular hiking route is the Ein Saharonim route, which starts in the middle of the valley near the Be'erot camp, 20 minutes south of Mitzpe Ramon, which is run by a tribe of the Bedouin family. Enjoy fresh mint tea and black coffee. From the camp site, the circular walkway is 5 kilometers long and finally reaches the ruins of Saharonim Fortress, a 2,000 - year - old fortress
- BBQ lunch in the desert
- Jeep tours exploring the East African Great Rift Valley extending from the Ramon Crater
Activities in Rosh Hanikra:
- Drive to Rosh Hanikra + tour of Grottos
- Tornado Boat in Rosh Hanikra
Activities in Tel Aviv:
- Explore the Bauhaus architecture of Tel Aviv
- Graffiti Tour of Tel Aviv
- Visit the Tel Aviv Museum of Arts
- Tour Neve Zedek neighborhood
- Enjoy food tasting tour at one of the markets of Tel Aviv
- Carmel market
- Visit Sarona Market
Activities in Tiberius:
- Helicopter flights form Tiberius to Masada
Activities in Wadi Rum:
- Wadi Rum Tour with jeeps
- Visit Degania Aleph Kibbutz - This is the earliest Kibbutz in Israel, founded in 1910. Visit the Kibbutz Museum to learn about the unique commune history and culture
- Private boat tour on the Sea of Galillee
- SPA, Mud Treatment and floating in the Dead Sea
5. Accommodation Recommendations
In Jerusalem:
In Tel Aviv:
In Petra:
- Overnight and Dinner Petra Marriott Hotel
In Ramon:
- Beresheet Hotel, Mitzpe Ramon
In Tiberius:
- Setai Hotel, Tiberius
- Herods Hotel in the Dead Sea
In Wadi Rum:
- Wadi Rum Night Luxury Camp - Overnight and Dinner
6. Art Gallery Recommendations
- Alon Segev – “showcasing diverse installations and artworks by Israeli and international artists.”
- Braverman Gallery – “specializing in video art and installations, promoting both local and international artists.”
- Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA) – “featuring large-scale exhibitions and dynamic programming challenging artistic norms.”
- Chelouche Gallery – “Historic gallery in Tel Aviv exhibiting traditional and innovative works by artists from around the world.”
- Dvir Gallery – “Cutting-edge art space in Tel Aviv representing contemporary Israeli and international artists.”
- Gordon Gallery – “Vanguard of Israeli avant-garde art, boasting a vast collection and representing leading Israeli artists.”
- Hezi Cohen Gallery – “Innovative space in Tel Aviv showcasing diverse contemporary art forms and international talent.”
- Noga Gallery – “Renowned for groundbreaking exhibitions and championing emerging artists working across various media.”
- Rawart Gallery – “Cutting-edge hub in Tel Aviv's artistic compound, showcasing emerging talent through solo and group shows.”
- Rosenfeld Gallery – “Long-standing institution discovering and nurturing new talent in Tel Aviv's contemporary art scene.”
- Sommer Contemporary Art – “ fostering dialogue between Israeli and international artists, with a focus on emerging talent through its S2 project room.”
Alon Segev - Shir Moran,Self Portrait with a Mask 2023
RawArt Gallerey & Showroom