By Ori Shaked

Israel doesn’t have the culinary heritage of France or Italy, or the wealth of choice of culinary hot spots like New York, but it is gradually (and rapidly) developing a local culinary scene, offering the best of many kitchens at the highest standards.

Israeli dish in the German Colony in Haifa, Israel

The undisputed queen of the Israeli culinary scene is the city of Tel-Aviv, the unofficial capital of the Israeli nightlife. It provides foodies (or just people who love to eat well) fine dining and chef restaurants that elevate the dining experience to a whole new level in terms of atmosphere, taste and service.

Fortunately, great chef restaurants can be also found outside of Tel-Aviv. They’re operated by bold chefs who chose to make the extra mile (literally…) and offer a unique dining experience far away from the big city. That’s why we’ve collected several great options all across the country.

Here are some chef restaurants you should check out:

1. The hip: Machneyuda, Jerusalem

1. 

   Dining in Machane Yehuda Market, Jerusalem

The charm and freshness of the market, the quality of a chef restaurant

Warning: don’t even think of  just dropping by, you have to get reservations to enjoy this trendy place. This vibrant, noisy, joyful place offers guests great food at the highest standards. Located in the middle of the busy market, this place is run by the celebrity chef Assaf Granit, a TV persona and highly appreciated chef operating successful restaurants in Israel, London and Paris. This fun (and fine) restaurant offers excellent, fresh and unpretentious food inspired by the famous Mahane Yehuda market. It offers dishes from the Israeli kitchen, turned and elevated into gourmet food. 

Where: 10 Beit Ya’akov St , Jerusalem

Why: The crazy noisy atmosphere, the music and the delicious polenta

2. The oriental: Taizu, Tel-Aviv

Prepare your chopsticks: Asian fine dining at its best

Asian in the Mediterranean – it’s sushi time

If you love excellent Asian food, great service and a lot of finesse, you have come to the right place. Taizu is considered by many as the best restaurant in Tel-Aviv today, setting the bar up-high in terms of accuracy, innovation and sticking to the basics of real fine dining.

Operated by the highly acclaimed chef Yuval Ben-Neriah, this restaurant gets great scores and reviews by critics and customers, positioning it at the top of the local culinary scene. The spotless design and the awesome trendy dishes turn it to a sure thing if you are looking to get the perfect night out.

Where: 23 Derech Menachem Begin st., Tel Aviv-Yafo

Why: A place for those who can appreciate the finer things in life

Restaurants in northern Israel

3. The Middle Eastern delight: Rola, Haifa

The Arab kitchen as you never tasted before

Due to its unique spot on the map, Israel is mainly influenced by the Arab kitchen. In fact, many of the dishes that are considered “Israeli” by nature are actually a mix of the wonderful middle eastern cuisines around. This excellent restaurant, operated by chef Muain Halabi, is a small culinary paradise located at the center of Haifa, which represents the essence of the Israeli coexistence. It is considered by many Arab food fans as the best of its kind in the category. You can find here traditional Arab food, served with utter care to details and constant usage of fresh ingredients and produce. 

Where: 33 Ha-Namal St., Haifa

Why: Because you haven’t really eaten in Israel until you tried the local fine Arab kitchen

Dining on a bar in Tel Aviv

4. The far side of israel : Whale (Livyatan), Eilat

A perfectly good reason, besides the sun and sea, to visit Eilat

When people think of Eilat they think of strong sun, zero humidity and great beaches. Well, this restaurant is a hidden gem in the far-away-from-everything place at the edge of the map. Livyatan is operated by the two talented chefs, Lior Refael and Inbar Shapira (who are also a couple). The chefs provide awesome food based mainly on French cooking techniques with modern twists. If you are in Eilat and want to eat well, don’t miss this one.

Where: 6 Hayam st., Eilat

Why: because this is the real deal when it comes to a chef restaurant in Eilat.

Mediterranean dish in a restaurant in Eilat 

5. For fish and seafood lovers: Uri Buri, Akko

The winner of 2017 tripadvisor is waiting for you

This restaurant is somewhat of a landmark in terms of restaurants in Israel. Located in the old port of Akko on the north of Israel, this well-known restaurant serves the best of what the sea has to offer. It carries the name of its famous owner, Uri, and his iconic long white beard which he made his trademark. The dishes are not Kosher as you can find shrimps and other sea fruit based delicatessen.

Where: Ha-Hagana St., Acre (Akko)

Why: The seafood and the location are a perfect authentic port city experience