The best Tel Aviv vegan restaurants

From its crisp, white-washed facade placed unassumingly in south Tel Aviv's Levinsky Market to its gorgeous interior (hat-tip to the design collaboration between Vered Kadouri and Emma and Ofer Shahar, the minimalist makers behind Craft & Bloom), Opa is a study in meticulous details. So it is no surprise that Chef Shirel Berger's main inspirations come from the whisps and whims of the planet kingdom - the way they can be delectably fused and funneled, and equally, how they grace a stunning ceramic plate.

Google “future of food” and you’re bound to see a plethora of articles and newsworthy stories describing plant-based restaurants. Today, culinary heavyweights in the likes of Jose Andreas, are opening plant-based restaurants from San Francisco, to Toronto, to Paris in what is sure to be a force that takes over the culinary world. Now Tel Aviv can proudly say that they join the ranks of a plant-based movement with an exemplary team leading the way. 

Slightly off the beaten track of Jaffa’s flea market is vegan restaurant Michelangelo, which still exudes the market’s vintage charm with its mismatched furniture and plates. Come for the generous breakfasts, with homemade polenta-egg shakshuka and cashew labane, or dinner where other hard-to-find-vegan local dishes like borekas are made from scratch. An all-day place serving breakfast to dinner, Michelangelo is a hidden vegan spot suitable for whenever hunger strikes.

A short walk from Tel Aviv’s port in the northern tip of the city is this all plant-based and gluten-free eatery where dosas (thin south Indian pancakes made from fermented rice and lentils) rule the menu. Get your dosa loaded with masala potatoes or cooked greens, beets or even cashew tzatziki. This casual spot is run by the same team as all-vegan Alegria, a diner in north Tel Aviv serving sandwiches, stews, and salads (the seaweed kebab sandwich is a popular hit).

If you want to feel like you’re being nourished by the Syrian grandmother you never had, Saffe is the place to be. Nestled in an alley behind popular Beit Romano, Saffe serves diners in a garden courtyard by day and streetside tables by night (when the alley is closed to traffic). The menu is a moveable feast based on what’s in season, but staples include the malfouf cabbage stuffed with rice over vegan labane, the saha chopped salad, and mauda potato fries seasoned with baharat spice blend. 

Here you’ll find innovative comfort food from a meatless shawarma to a creamy green risotto with edible flowers. The whole city is talking about the meatless steak that comes in a giant pan and the cocktails that are all made with fresh juices and local ingredients. The vibe is New York diner: this place is super-hot.

From the minute you lay eyes on Anastasia, you will feel at home. Everything is in superabundance at this spacious café: from the light shining through the windows to the health-savvy staff and the extensive menu of vegan, raw and gluten-free options and uber-nutritious dishes. The primary focus at Anastasia is healthful vegan food. Tasty menu options include: the sweet potato quiche with a spelt crust filled with a lush walnut-based cheese, buttery lima beans and Jerusalem artichokes, all served with lightly-toasted bruschetta. 

From the owner of vegan favorite HaShwarma HaTivonit comes Goodness, a vegan diner specializing in burgers. Omnivores and vegans alike will delight at the flavorful burgers, crafted to mimic the taste and texture of the real thing with a range of toppings and sauces available. For those looking for something different, try the crispy shawarma, fluffy crepe, juicy sloppy Joe, fish and chips, or one of the many delicious desserts. For vegans missing greasy, junk food and gooey, creamy desserts, Goodness is the place to try.

If you’re craving something truly different for lunch or dinner, you should definitely consider going to Balinjera. This kosher restaurant specializes in Ethiopian cuisine that offers many options for vegetarians, vegans, and meat-eaters alike. Choose from veggie casseroles, meat plates, and a wide selection of side dishes. Each dish is served with traditional, gluten-free bread called Injera, that is made with Ethiopian Teff flour. “Balinjera” translates to fellowship, as Ethiopian food aims to join together culture, flavors, and colors. Next time you’re roaming around the Kerem, make sure to give this unique place a try.