There was a time, not all that long ago, when the kindest thing visitors could say about dining in Israel was that "they serve great breakfasts". Israelis still serve and eat breakfast but with the advent of a generation of talented chefs, recent years have seen the blossoming of dozens of truly excellent restaurants.

From simple and inexpensive but excellent ethnic eateries to the most sophisticated of French, Italian and Mediterranean restaurants, and even to such culinary treats as restaurants that specialize in seafood, in fusion cuisine, or in Santa-Fe cuisine, dining out can now be one of the very exciting parts living in or visiting Israel.

The restaurants listed here all meet my standards for one combination or another of fine or fun dining. Reflecting changes in ownership or chefs, openings or closings, and changes in the ambiance, service and quality of the dishes served, these pages will be updated on an ongoing basis

The Best Restaurants

Recommended Restaurants

Specific Dishes and Styles of Dining

© Daniel Rogov