Just back from my trip and my top recommendation is the mixed grill in Jerusalem. It’s a bit intense with the chicken hearts and spices, but trust me, it’s worth every bite. It became my go-to spot whenever I was in the area.
The Best Street Food You Must Try in Israel
Israel's street food reflects decades of migration. Iraqi, Yemeni, Turkish, Balkan, North African and Arab food traditions have all shaped what you find at market counters today. Walk through Carmel Market in Tel Aviv or Mahane Yehuda in Jerusalem, and you will understand it within the first few stalls.
The Foods to Try
Falafel
Start with falafel. Crisp chickpea balls served hot in pita with tahini, hummus, Israeli salad, pickles, fried aubergine and chilli sauce. It is affordable, filling and available at counters across Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. A good falafel pita should feel fresh, hot, crunchy and creamy all at once.
Shawarma
Seasoned meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie and shaved into thin slices, served in pita or laffa. Turkey, lamb and chicken are all common. Laffa is a larger, flatter bread used for bigger wraps. The best shawarma shops are usually busy and fast.
Sabich
Sabich is a pita stuffed with fried aubergine, hard-boiled egg, tahini, hummus, Israeli salad, pickles and amba. Amba is a tangy pickled mango sauce that gives the sandwich its sharp edge. Rooted in Iraqi-Jewish food tradition, sabich is the local order at pita counters across Tel Aviv.
Hummus
In Israel, hummus is a meal. Served warm in a bowl with olive oil, whole chickpeas, tahini and fresh pita, it works as breakfast or lunch. Hummus shops often open early and close when the day's batch runs out. Abu Hassan in Jaffa is one of the most referenced stops for this dish. Masabacha, a rougher variation with whole chickpeas and tahini, is worth trying if you see it on the board.
Bourekas
Flaky savoury pastries filled with cheese, potato or spinach, linked to Balkan and Turkish-Jewish food traditions. Usually served hot with hard-boiled egg and pickles. Levinsky Market in Tel Aviv is a reliable place to find good ones. You will smell them before you see them.
Jerusalem Mixed Grill
This is Jerusalem's most distinctive meat dish. Chopped chicken hearts, liver and small cuts cooked on a hot grill with onions, cumin and spices. Served in pita, it is smoky and heavy. Best for adventurous eaters. Look for it around Mahane Yehuda Market.
Shakshuka
Eggs cooked in a spiced tomato and pepper sauce, served in a pan with bread for scooping. Best described as a casual breakfast or market-style morning meal. Dr. Shakshuka in Jaffa is the most well-known spot for this dish.
Knafeh and Malabi
For dessert, try both. Knafeh is a warm pastry of shredded dough, sweet cheese and syrup, topped with pistachios. Eat it fresh. Malabi is a cold milk pudding flavoured with rosewater, served in small cups with syrup and coconut. One is warm and syrupy; the other is cold and floral.
Where to Eat
Four markets cover most of what this blog describes.
- Carmel Market, Tel Aviv: Best for variety in one walk. Falafel, shawarma, fresh juice, bourekas and spices all in one place.
- Levinsky Market, Tel Aviv: Best for bourekas, old food shops and Balkan-influenced snacks.
- Mahane Yehuda, Jerusalem: Best for mixed grill, knafeh, kubaneh and market breads.
- Jaffa: Best for hummus, shakshuka and Arab-Jewish food influences.
Before You Go
Go early for hummus and bourekas. Friday markets are lively before Shabbat, but some stalls close early depending on the area. Carry cash, though many stalls accept cards. Ask about ingredients if you have dietary requirements.
Schug, the Yemenite chilli sauce served with falafel, shawarma and grilled meats, can be quite hot. Try a small amount first.
Israel's street food is best eaten at a counter, standing or walking through a market. Most dishes are layered: hot protein, fresh salad, creamy sauce and sharp pickles in one bite.