8 indie Tel Aviv restaurants you must try immediately

Hip and happening in the funky Florentin neighborhood, Dalida is a trendy place to see—and be seen. It offers a creative take on local fare with an eclectic menu that features an abundance of salads, colorful mezze and fresh seafood.

With an ever-changing menu, numerous specials and unique dishes, Brut is guaranteed to provide satisfying sustenance. The wine bar is run by professionals, so there is no need to hesitate to ask  any questions or seek tips and advice if you are not a wine expert. The environment is calm and charming while also feeling sophisticated and sexy, creating the perfect setting for a romantic night out or a casual evening with friends after work. The food menu is simple and tasty, offering warm pastas and crisp salads. When it comes to wining and dining, Brut is a no-brainer.

Chef Avivit Priel Avichai (formerly of Tapeo) and her partner Limor Lami opened Ouzeria less than ten years ago to much critical acclaim. Known as a modern "hamara", a meeting place to drink, play and discuss life, Ouzeria is the classic Florentin neighborhood joint. At Ouzeria Avivit and Limor serve original, Mediterranean-style cuisine accompanied by a simple decor and an appealing long bar offering a selection of anis beverages. Take a seat at the assorted tables beside large windows looking out on the colorful Levinsky district, and soak in the uniquely Israeli atmosphere of the neighboring market. The playlist of music travels from east to west, new to old, encompassing world music, Middle-Eastern music and on to innovative contemporary tunes. Avivit and Limor's goal was to create a refuge from the activities of the day, and they have successfully done so.

Effortlessly fashionable, this restaurant and bar serves up ethnic cooking with the best local ingredients and a meticulous attention to detail. Eclectic spices, fresh breads from the Tabun (clay oven) and modern takes on Mediterranean comfort food, make it one of the top prize winning restaurants in the city.  

Under the passionate direction of Chef Noa Levi, the daily menu is a celebration of tastes and textures. With Levi’s accurate and creative sense of the raw and the cooked, one can indulge in either rich stews or sparkling salads, Mediterranean sea-food or traditional Moroccan Shabbat dish - all based on the various cuisines & cultures found here in Israel. In 1998, Orit Revivo, then a radio broadcaster, and Alma Fogiel, then a film student, met in Jerusalem where they  opened their first restaurant. To much success they then moved to Tel Aviv, their current home, Stop by this special spot for beautiful food in a gorgeous setting.

Located in an alley just next to the Carmel Market, M25 features one of a kind Israeli dishes. Cooking up some of the freshest meat, direct from the market, carnivores can rejoice and enjoy the delicious and juicy flavors. The menu is changed daily and written on a blackboard on the wall usually featuring a large variety of meat dishes and a salad or two. Once comfortable in this bohemian environment, get your steak knifes ready as the delicious meats are going to be cooked to perfection. Those looking for an authentic Tel Aviv experience with food fresh from the market have found their home, so venture down the dark alleyway to this Middle eastern retreat and make sure to come hungry.