Jasmino- You Had Me at Pita

A bit of a hole in a wall, extra smokey, with always an endless line of people and utterly delicious – it only takes four adjectives to properly describe Jasmino, a street food stand in the middle of Allenby street next to historic Rothschild street. It seems only suitable to use four adjectives when the menu consists of only four items (kebab, chicken thighs, spicy sausages and calf hearts) and where each pita is carefully stuffed with only four basic ingredients (not including the meat): fresh salad, roast vegetables, tahini and amba.

Jasmino looks like your classic street food, with its classic Tel Aviv shawarma stand feel to it. There is just one catch, there is a constant long line of hungry foodies looking to fuel their appetite, due to amazing reviews by both locals and tourists.

Having only 2 or 3 stools, you can either carry your pita across the street and sit on the stairs leading to Tel Aviv’s Great Synagogue (as most people here do), or you can try and act like a local and devour you meal standing up, slightly leaning forward as to prevent any drops of tahini and the delicious meat juices from staining your clothes.

When asking most regulars at Jasmino what to order, they tend to suggest the kebab. This isn’t surprising as a quarter of the dishes on the menu are kebabs (30 NIS), spicy sausage (29 NIS ), grilled spring chicken (NIS 30) and for those with tough stomachs spicy calf hearts (28 NIS).

All you now need to decide is what to put in the pita along with the meat. We suggest everything. All the additions – roasted tomatoes, a simple salad, grilled onion, roasted hot peppers, fresh and delicious tahini and of course,  to top it off, amba sauce. With choices of meat, vegetables, and various sauces, it is served in a thick, soft pita. With each bite, you ask yourself, “Should I order another one?” Luckily, you can also ask for an additional half portion.

The place is conveniently located close to many of the Tel Aviv’s hippest night spots, which makes it perfect for either a quick, satisfying pre-drinking meal or for a light night snack.

Jasmino isn’t your classic Tel Aviv dinner option where you can spend a whole evening with your friends over a long meal. But, if you occasionally crave a perfect piece of meat in a pita with lots of tahini, Jasmino is going to become your new best friend.

NOT KOSHER

Address: Allenby St 99

Lager & Ale- It’s Always Happy Hour

When people think of Tel Aviv, the first few things that come to mind is the beach, delicious street food and the great nightlife. With its attractive tropical Mediterranean climate, seaside location, and exciting vibes, it’s no surprise Tel Aviv is well known as the party capital of the Middle East. From the trendy cocktail bars ( Bellboy is our favourite) to the late night parties which go to the wee hours of the night, the white city is the ideal party city.

Unfortunately, despite all the praise of Tel Aviv’s attractions, all this comes with a cost, and the price isn’t cheap. Boozing around Tel Aviv can be a lot more expensive than you would think. Most bars will charge for a half litre of draft beer 28-32 NIS and cocktails will start from 35 NIS and can even go up to 60 NIS. These high prices can put a damper on partygoers starting their night out at one of the many bars in Tel Aviv. Luckily, there is Lager & Ale to help us start Thirsty Thursday at the right price.

Located in the popular tourist destination Sarona Market, Lager and Ale provides the best bang for your buck in Tel Aviv when it comes to drinks and bar food. In early 2018, they introduced to Tel Aviv a new and innovative bar concept which people compare to a London-style pub. Instead of ordering drinks from waiters, it’s all self-service where you order your drinks and food straight from the bar. The food menu is typically prepared quickly and is served within a few short minutes of ordering. You’ll get notified by a text message when your food is ready and then “Bon Appétit”.

Among the many different drinks they offer, the obvious choice is beer. They offer over 15 draft beers on tap with much more cold bottled beer. You will find your favourite draft beers such as Guinness, Hoegaarden, Stella, Weihenstephan and many more on tap. We suggest you pay homage to the Israeli craft beer scene and try out the Negev beer. You will thank us later on.

What makes this bar different from the rest of the bars in Tel Aviv? It’s simple, the price of a cold beer. The prices are a key part of the DNA of Lager & Ale. Most ⅓ litre beers will cost you 12-15 NIS while ½ litre will cost you 18-22 NIS. They offer nice deals on “chasers” for Whiskey, Arak and Vodka as well.

Like most bars, they provide a nice selection of bar food. The menu is based on many different street foods from around the globe. From their food options, we recommend you try their plate of cold meats (38 NIS), corn beef sandwich (38 NIS) and their nachos (28 NIS). It should be noted that the size of the dishes were personal and suitable to accompany a good cold beer of your choice, but I would suggest treating these dishes as a bar snack rather than a meal. As mentioned above – the main focus is the drinks and not the food.

Lager & Ale is open every weekday from 2 pm to 1 am, which makes it a nice affordable option before or after a party or a nice chill night out with friends or family.  

NOT KOSHER

Address: Rav Aluf David Elazar St 27

Who Doesn’t Love Fried Eggplant in a Pita- Top 5 Sabich in Tel Aviv

In Israel, when people think of street food, the first things that come in mind are falafel, shawarma and hummus. One of the more affordable and tastier dishes you are forgetting about is Sabich. Throughout Tel Aviv, there are many places that offer Sabich. This dish consists of fried eggplant, an egg, and amba with hummus and tahina. Here are our top 5 Sabich locations in Tel Aviv for under 20 NIS.

Sabich Tchernichovsky

This hole-in-the-wall Sabich restaurant makes a delicious sabich that you will keep you coming back for. Despite the long lines, the staff takes their time creating each and every Sabich sandwich (18 NIS).  Each ingredient is prepared cleverly in the fresh and tasty pita, providing the ideal blend of flavors in every bite.  The delicious eggplant is thin and crispy, providing an appetizing kick with its exceptional and unidentifiable seasoning.  It mixes well with the soft and creaminess of the boiled egg and pickled flavored sauce known as “amba”.  Sabich Tchernichovsky also includes red cabbage, a astonishingly crunchy addition to the stuffed pita. On the wall behind the staff, a sign that reads in Hebrew, “No sale of sabich without eggplant”, showing how serious they are about their Sabich with a taste of their Israeli humor.

2 Tchernichovsky Street

Hakosem

Truth, the falafel here is great, as is the shakshouka and shawarma, but note the best dish at Hakosem is the Sabich (18 NIS). It starts with a pita baked on site, warm and fresh, full of strongly flavored tahini equipped with lemon and excellent hummus (also prepared on site). From there the eggplant steals the show: lovely thick slices, floured and fried, giving the portion an addictive crunch and flavor. The boiled potato comes as a salad with parsley, olive oil and black pepper. For the egg they use a special knife that spreads and distributes it to all parts of the pita. Is it any wonder that the result is no less than excellent?

1 Shlomo Hamelech Street,

Sabich Deluxe

From the Tel Aviv culinary scene, this was a very controversial Sabich. First of all, the key word here is cumin and other seasonings. Some people will be less indulged by the seasoning, but Tel Aviv locals love it. Without a doubt this is one of the more unique and tasty Sabich sandwiches I have encountered in Tel Aviv. This is all thanks to the delicious fresh pita, which did a brilliant job of soaking up all the sauce and the eggplant slices provided a perfect crispy but not oily taste.

1 Mikveh Israel Street

Sabich Frishman

Rather than deep fried chickpeas, Sabich Frishman fills your pita with eggplant, egg, and potato. In addition to this are the familiar accompaniments of hummus, tehina, tomato, parsley, cucumber, purple cabbage and onion, which are all loaded on generously. The mango based, spicy, and rich in flavor sauce called amba makes this dish a game changer. The combination of egg and hummus is a very interesting and creates a satisfying interplay of flavors that will leave your taste buds yearning for another bite. Be sure to stock up at the salad bar with portions of pickled cabbage, peppers and carrots. It also should be noted that the sharp flavor of vinegar contrasts and enhances the flavors in the Sabich.

42 Frishman Street

Sabich Hasharon

If this name sounds familiar to you, you have apparently seen it on the streets of Hod Hasharon or Ramat Gan. The secret of the Sabich here lies in two factors:  First, the fresh handmade pita; and then the heavenly fried eggplant. The slices of eggplant are doused in the fryer till they rich a golden crispness which provides a crunchy but smooth taste in the pita. Alongside the eggplant is a small fried potato, hummus, brown egg, salad, onion and parsley. I noticed right away that cumin was missing in the Sabich which was a bit shocking. This Sabich is for the extraordinary eggplant enthusiasts who want to go the distance.

68 Nahalat Binyamin

Taqueria- A Mexican Oasis in the Heart of the Desert

With summer around the corner, beach days just beg for authentic tacos and margaritas. Tel Aviv is filled with bustling cafes, restaurants and falafel stands, but there seems to be a shortage of authentic Mexican and Asian foods. This is where Taqueria comes in; a Mexican restaurant in the heart of Tel Aviv.

You can choose to sit either outside or inside, which is an intimate space with colorful chairs that match the collage on the wall. Color is scattered artistically throughout the restaurant, highlighted with various pots of cacti and succulents. High wooden ceilings with paneling, ceiling fans and a combination of low hanging light bulbs and deck chairs (hanging over the first-floor balcony) all add to its sleek, modern-contemporary design. The specials of the day are written on a large chalkboard on the wall, take note and give them a try! The atmosphere buzzes in the evening, when it comes alive with its dimmed lighting and cool beats, a great place to sit, drink and eat with friends. We recommend giving yourself at least 20 minutes ahead of time as there is always a queue. They don’t provide the option of making reservations ahead of time, except on Fridays.

Nachos have been hard to find here in Tel Aviv. Usually, they just come as chips and salsa. Anyone from abroad will tell you that chips and salsa are surely no replacement for the wonder of real nachos; fresh melted cheese on hand-made corn tortilla chips, topped with an assortment of guacamole, sour cream, pickled jalapenos, salsa, cilantro, and green onions. Taqueria’s nachos (39 NIS) do not disappoint.

When it comes to ordering the main course, people first think about burritos and tacos, I recommend trying their quesadillas for a change.  Taqueria offers four different types of quesadillas: Classico (cheese, cilantro, spring onions and jalapenos -28 NIS), Pollo Plancha ( chipotle marinated chicken breasts, cheese, cilantro, spring onions and japenos-34 NIS), Camrones ( Adobo marinated shrimp, cheese, cilantro, spring onions and japenos-36 NIS) and the vegan quesadillas.

Despite mainly ordering burritos at Taqueria for years, after being recommended, I tried the less heavy and delicious fish or carne asada tacos. The Pescado Frito (fish) Tacos were the first to grab my attention; beer-battered cod served with fresh guacamole, salsa verde, tartare, cilantro and cabbage. Unlike other Mexican restaurants in Tel Aviv, when you order tacos at Taqueria, you can decide between either a corn or flour soft tortilla. These were perfected sprits of lime and a bit of Taqueria’s smoky salsa. The fish was delightfully moist and appetizing and the guacamole was dazzling and fresh, a creamy additional delight to the crispy fried fish.

Taqueria’s beloved burritos are served in a tightly wrapped foil and then cut in half. Prepare yourself to make a mess with the foil as there is no way to keep this neat presentation an art piece. Each burrito is generously packed with the choice of vegan option/ vegetarian option/marinated steak/ pulled roasted marinated chicken/slow cooked pork/marinated shrimp in lime and tequila, filled with rice, black beans, lettuce, Salsa Roja, cheese and sour cream. Each burrito is worth the price of 39 NIS.

Whatever dish you try, again, have it with a frozen margarita – they are strong and flavorful and incredibly refreshing. Besides the beers that they also offer, you’ll find a variety of Tequilas. Their desserts vary, but they always have the popular Churros, fried Oreos, chocolate mousse and Paleta hand-made ice-cream popsicles.

NOT KOSHER

Address: Levontin 28

Hours: Sunday-Tuesday 12PM-Midnights and Wednesday-Saturday 12PM-1AM

The Absolute Best Fries in Tel Aviv

If it’s served with a hamburger, schnitzel, a pint of beer or with hummus, French Fries made to perfection, can steal the show. Tel Aviv last year was rewarded with a new wave of restaurants whose sole purpose is to fulfill people’s craving of fries. Although they tend to be a simple dish which is served alongside a main course, if not cooked with the correct texture and crispness, they can ruin a whole meal. Here are my five favorite places to order fries in Tel Aviv:

Vitrina- The Best

Some people say they come to Vitrina for their famous burger which has recently been anointed as the best burger in the white city. They are famous for its variety of delicious handmade sausages, but what is the main reason they is so popular? It is their 50/50 fries! They serve a large portion of fries – a mix of potatoes and sweet potato fries seasoned with garlic, salt and lemon zest. Hands down they are the best fries you can find in Tel Aviv.

Price: Small – 12 NIS  Large- 18 NIS

Location: lilienblum 40

Patat- Newest addition

Patat recently opened their doors on King George Street in the heart of the city. Unlike most restaurants in Tel Aviv, they leave the potato peel on their fries adding texture and a crispier bite. Before cooking the fries, they cut each potato into slices, refrigerate them for half a day, and then cook them. Once cooked, they provided another dose of oil before being served to the customer. The real surprise is the variety of sauces they offer – made fresh every morning with some being extremely spicy. Among the sauces available are a warm goose cream sauce, pepperoni, four cheese and peanut butter.

Price: Small- 12 NIS Large 18- NIS

Location: King George 30

Zakaim- Vegan Friendly

When people think of fries the first things that come to mind is a hamburger. Zakaim helps you forget that illusion; offering some of best vegan friendly fries found in Tel Aviv. Their chips are like no other. First, they shred the potatoes and then soak them in water before cooking. The results of this process are a semi cracked potato fry which is a bit sweet and hot inside. Their fries are so good that for them alone, it’s worth the trip to Zakaim.

Price: 36 NIS (served with vegan friendly mayonnaise made from organic soy milk)

Location: Simtat Beit HaSho’eva 20

Brasserie M&R – 24/7

The fries served at Brasserie are a great side dish alongside their signature dishes. Brassiere is known for their burgers and very elegant dishes, but I recommend keeping your order simple. Brasserie is open 24/7, so you can order your beloved newspaper wrapped fries anytime, no matter the occasion. Due to their popularity, it’s recommended to make a reservation ahead of time.

Price: 24 NIS

Location: Ibn Gabirol 70

ChipStar- Belgium Style

Chipstar, originally from Amsterdam, is a worldwide brand of French Fries shops offered throughout Europe. The only item on the menu is French Fries, cut crisp once a day offered with 15 unique types of sauces! My favorites are mayonnaise and ketchup, a Greek sauce, a Mexican zesty sauce, and in light of the fact that it’s in Israel, a hummus sauce.

KOSHER

Price: Small- 15 NIS Medium- 20 NIS Large- 25 NIS

Location: Ibn Gabirol 90

Poke- A Taste of Hawaii in the Heart of Tel Aviv

Over the past year, Ibn Gabirol Street has become the culinary center of Tel Aviv.  Among its gems are Chef Eyal Shani’s masterpiece Miznon, the best burger in town Vitrina  and the most recent, Joseph n Sons  Fish n’Chips. The newest street food addition to Ibn Gabirol is Poke, who made aliyah all the way from Hawaii.

Meet the dish that had taken over the world this past year. Around the world, from LA, NYC and all the way to Australia, there are over 65 Poke-themed restaurants. Now, Tel Aviv has been added to this list! Poke, located on Ibn Gabirol, features a dish originally from Hawaii which is a delicious bowl of rice (white or whole wheat) with your choice of fresh fish or tofu, vegetables ,and sauces, with the main ingredient being a type of protein presented in small cubes. The restaurant has only been open for a few weeks, but already has a strong following. The service is a bit slow, but I believe over time they will speed up the process.

Upon entering the restaurant, the staff will ask which rice you prefer – I recommend the whole wheat. Next, you decide which seasoned vegetables you want in your Poke, the trendy choice is broccoli or kale. You then choose the type of fish- white fish ( 40 NIS ) , tuna ( 44 NIS ) or salmon ( 38 NIS) , or a vegan option – tofu ( 34 NIS ) or Portobello mushrooms ( 34 NIS ) . I recommend for those who like fish that you order a mixed fish where you can select two different kinds of fish ( 45 NIS).

Then you move on to the vegetables that will be added to the dish , including broccoli , green beans , soybeans , avocados , fruit in season , wakame seaweed and many others. The dish is completed with the house dressing as well as a variety of sauces such as spicy mayo , chimichurri , and citrus vinaigrette , mango chili , wasabi avocado and more. The final step is adding the topping to the dish – I recommend the black sesame and peanuts toppings. Some of the other toppings available are tobiko , black/white sesame, nori powder , chia seeds , peanuts and more. They also offer fresh juices they make in house.

Overall, the dish is filling and very affordable and, with time, the speed of delivery will improve. For people looking for a unique healthy lunch or a light dinner, Poke is a great option

NOT KOSHER

Address: Ibn Gabirol 20

Hours:  Sunday-Thursday 10AM-Midnight, Friday 10AM-3PM and Saturday 3PM-Midnight

 

Dosa Bar- A Taste of India in Tel Aviv

In the past few years, a new trend has hit Tel Aviv and is taking over the White City. Organic vegan food is the new “it” food in Tel Aviv.   Even though there have been many vegan options in Tel Aviv, only recently are we seeing this trend at its full force. One of the newest additions to the vegan-friendly community is Dosa Bar.

Dosa Bar, an Indian street food restaurant, opened shop about 9 months ago and the Tel Aviv vegan community hasn’t stopped raving about their delicious and affordable vegan-friendly menu. The creation of Dosa Bar was the result of a conflict between the owners of an Indian restaurant and Israeli Top Chef participant Jonathan Roshfeld.

Dosa Bar offers four types of dosas. Those who have visited India are familiar with dosas. This is a street food characteristic of southern India and available worldwide. Dosa is a rice crepe made with black mung beans which is both vegan and gluten-free. Dosa comes in four varieties – yellow with potatoes, onions, carrots and spices (38 NIS), orange with sweet potato, carrot, onion, Indian spice and green onions (40 NIS), green with swiss chard, squash, onions and Ag’oan (44 NIS) and dosa mediterranean (46 NIS). All dosas come with sambar – a lentil soup, salton of cabbage and carrots and chutney coconut dip. You can also find desserts that are more on the sweet side such as spirulina cream, peanut butter crème and more.

For those looking to enhance their delicious meal with some alcoholic beverages, the chef has you covered. The combination of a shot of Arak ( 14 NIS ) and a glass of Blue Moon with a slice of orange( 20 NIS ) creates the perfect combination with this delicious food.The fact that all the dishes are very filling and priced well provides the niche for vegan-friendly customers to lure non-vegan diners to experience a healthy and tasty meal.

Closed on Shabbat but no kosher certification

Address: Ben Yehuda 188

Hours: Sunday-Thursday 12PM-11PM and Friday 12PM-4PM

Safta- Not Your Typical Grandma Homemade Deli Sandwich

Is it just me or has the Rabin Square area transformed into a land of delicious sandwich restaurants?? Among them is Hamosad, with their unique pulled beef meat sandwich, and many more sandwich restaurants to choose from. For close to a year, Safta has blessed the residents of Ibn Gabirol with unique freshly made, baked in-house sandwiches served on fresh rolls.

Safta’s menu is relatively simple and includes a variety of sandwiches;  each is served in a unique handmade soft bun, a combination of a challah roll and a chocolate bun. Before the staff starts to fill the bun with delicious meats and vegetables, they roast the bun just to make sure it’s a little crispy (for those who are looking for a healthier bread choice they offer rye bread). All ingredients in each of their sandwiches are prepared on site, including the sauces and salads. One of the staff’s favorite sandwiches is the turkey sandwich; prepared with mayonnaise, mustard, garlic, turkey, roasted peppers, tomatoes and lettuce on rye (30 NIS). My favorite sandwich is the roast beef sirloin. The roast beef sirloin sandwich is made with homemade mayonnaise, fried onions, hardboiled egg, mustard, tomato, and lettuce (42 NIS). Another sandwich which I recommend is the grilled sausage sandwich. This Italian salami and sandwich is cooked with BBQ and curry sauce with spicy tomato (32 NIS). For those who are vegetarians or vegan, they offer a mushroom sandwich made on a vegan roll. The mushroom sandwich is served with onions, peppers, guacamole, tahini, walnut pesto, tomato and arugula (NIS 30).

In the busy sandwich area of Ibn Gabirol, there any many options where to dine. However, if you are looking for a quality and affordable sandwich, Safta is the place to try.

Address: Ibn Gabirol 65

Hours: Sunday-Thursday 10AM-11:30PM, Friday 10 AM-4PM and Saturday 6PM-11PM

The Top 4 Shawarma Stands in Tel Aviv

Lately shawarma has had a resurgence in interest among the street food community, resulting mainly in a significant improvement in quality and freshness of the meat and salads. As with falafel and hummus, everyone has a preference for the place and style. With each recommendation where to try fresh shawarma, the same questions come up: lamb or turkey? Served in a pita or a lafa or a beget? Add the local favorite flavored fat which is cooked on top of the meat or avoid it? Here are my top 4 shawarma stands in Tel Aviv.

Hakosem
Hakosem originally opened its doors as a small falafel stand almost 15 years ago. Though they are famous for their falafel and hummus, you must try their shawarma as well.

I recommend you try the lamb shawarma, each serving includes extra crispy brown lamb meat, which provides amazing juicy flavors, thanks to the lamb fat which is dripping on the meat from above. Each shawarma is served in a handmade pita with fresh hummus , green salads , spicy onions, cucumbers , garlic and to top it off, they add their famous falafel balls on top of this tasty delight in a pita

Price: 30 NIS

Address: Shlomo ha-Melekh St

Shawarma Bino

Almost seven years ago, the owner of famous shakshuka restaurant Dr Shakshuka, decided it was time to spread his creative wings and open a shawarma stand. This had been his dream for close to 40 years and he hasn’t looked. This veal shawarma is possibly the best shawarma in Jaffa and well worth the trek. When people ask which shawarma to order, it’s a no brainer that you go with the veal. This dish includes touches of beef and lamb fat, which makes it more delicate and a fragrance that will not leave you indifferent.  Each shawarma in a pita is served with such excellent quality meat there is no need to indulge in side dishes. They serve the shawarma with a few different spices and vegetables in fresh pita. This dish is so full of flavor and delicious you will never have to think what to order at this establishment again.

Price 28 NIS

Kosher

Address: David Razi’el St 26,

Torek  Lahmajun
For years people would wait in line at Torek Lahmajun for shawarma. After years of waiting, they got their wish with a more central location next to Dizengoff Center. The lines are more reasonable now and if you have to wait in line don’t worry, it’s worth the wait. While waiting in line, you will see their trademarked three giant skewers of lamb, turkey and chicken.
I recommend you try the lamb shawarma; each lamb shawarma is sliced to perfection with a strong and juicy flavor which are cooked with endless amount of spices that give it the perfect flavor. Add to that a little onion and a little fat of the lamb which cooks on top of each skewer (which provides great flavor) and it is hard to surpass. Each dish is served in a fresh pita with generous amount of meat, tahini, onion and different types of vegetables.

Price 26 NIS

Kosher

Address: Nahalat Binyamin St 77 and King George 51

Keter Mizrach

Keter Mizrach was established in 1952 based on recipes from their Syrian family recipe, and it is one of the oldest operating restaurants in Tel Aviv. With 64 years of experience, they continue to offer us a delicious kebab , schnitzel and meatballs , and shawarma . While eating at Keter Mizrach you have to try the turkey shawarma. Unlike other shawarma stands in Tel Aviv, you notice they use a special ingredient unlike no other – the use of pistachios in their shawarma skewer. The use of pistachios enhances the meat flavor and the fragrance, also it helps to keep its distinctive tastes as well as it’s juices. The downside of the shawarma is the relatively small size of the pita, but they make up for it with fries and fresh salads, which include something different – a unique onion salad with dill which provides great flavor for the whole shawarma.

Price 30 NIS

Kosher

Address: 115 Ibn Gabirol

Totuma- A Taste of South America in Tel Aviv

The trend of authentic Mexican food has dominated the Tel Aviv culinary scene over the past few years. However, now it’s time to make room for representatives from South America – this time from Venezuela. Totumi is a Venezuelan street food restaurant created by Dalia Alhadef, who competed in the TV show Master Chef two years ago. Now he has fulfilled his dream and opened the restaurant he has always wanted in Tel Aviv. Totumi (a species of tree that grows in America) is bringing the Latin Venezuelan kitchen with additional influences from South and Central America.

The main ingredient in many of the dishes coming from the Totuma spicy kitchen is the Arepa, a gluten-free pita bread made of cornmeal, and is one of the cornerstones of Venezuelan kitchens.  The owners dreams that all types of palates can come and enjoy this new and exciting food genre that most locals haven’t seen before- “I want everyone to find themselves in my restaurant – first of all, most of the dishes are gluten-free, which both also worried vegetarians, who feel that they want to eat something as well. I want everyone to enjoy here.”

The appetizer menu offers the following – Takinios, which are salty cheese sticks wrapped in dough of wheat flour with passion fruit sauce spicy mango (32 NIS), Casa Limniyah- Peruvian dish consisting of layers of mashed potatoes, shrimp, tomato, egg, avocado and sauce tartar (32 NIS), the Venezuelan empanadas filled with cheese, corn flour / chicken / vegan ( 24-28 NIS), and Katz’afh- corn pancakes stuffed with cheese salted with the addition of sour cream (NIS 31) and more.

The dish we all will be asking for is the beloved Arepas which you can choose to stud with 8 different fillings. Pabelion- beef pepper sauce, tomato and onion with black beans, cheese, salted and Flantiin (38 NIS). Reina Peplada- chicken salad and avocado (36 NIS), Asado Negro – beef marinated vegetables and wine, blackened sugar cane and cooked in cooking long with salty cheese (42 NIS), Los Muchachos- burger Dalia, melted cheese, avocado, tomato and lettuce (47 NIS), Costa- fish fillets coated with quinoa and braised with tomato salad and onion sour, brother spicy and tartar sauce (42 NIS), Kariba -Spicy shrimp served with Indian curry sauce (NIS 44) and more.

Totuma provides the atmosphere to sip on a few cold beers or to sample from various tropical cocktails. There is a respectable assortment of cold beers from Mexico and Argentina, as well as the well-known domestic brands. But the house cocktails looked just too appealing, and the staff recommended trying the Pura Vida: a frozen rum mixture made with pineapple, banana, coconut, ginger and lime. Another rum-based drink we recommend you to try is the Caribbean Ginger Beer: Rum with Totuma’s homemade ginger honey, lime and ginger beer, topped off with a slice of ginger. It was a enjoyable strong drink, perfect for fans of ginger.

Totuma may have the design, experience and prices of a local street food restaurant, but the excellence of the food lines up there with the nearby pricey Dizengoff restaurant.

NOT KOSHER

Address: Dizengoff 265

Hours: Sunday- Monday 12PM-11PM and Friday 12PM-5PM