Jeannine and I are heading to Israel and Jordan to visit our son in March. Neither of us have been before. Looking for more current hotel and restaurant reservations primarily in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa and Eilat. Not looking for high end accommodations on this trip and apartment and house rental advice is also welcome.
Thanks in advance.
I cannot help with Haifa and Eilat. I note you are not looking for āhigh endā accommodation; can you share how much you want to spend on hotels per night? PM me if you would prefer. Also what type of restaurant interests you. There is a wide range of restaurants in Tel Aviv, less so in Jerusalem, where the most interesting food is centered around the Mahane Yehuda market area, plus a few places closer to the more upmarket hotel area.
Blog of mostly more casual places.
Hotels - the Dan gets good review for a reasonable value for a top hotel, similar story on the Orient in Jerusalem.
Donāt have a hotel budget, per se, since we arenāt familiar with the accommodations market. I think we have zoomed in on a couple of AirBnB type apartments in Jerusalem which are US$200ish per night (near the market). Tel Aviv is next.
We probably are not aiming at Michelin starred-type restaurants since both of us love food of the āregular peopleā of the Levant, but we would consider upgrading it for illuminating opportunities
The Dan is not a good hotel. The Orient in Jerusalem is decent.
Also, it looks like our last full day in Israel will be the first night of Passover in Tel Aviv. I heard that Chabad has Pesach on the beach that night. Any other public celebrations we should consider?
Ethan, I say this with all friendliness and respect, but have you eaten at these places? For the most part they are very average and not visit worthy, in my opinion. I will post some alternatives when I get back home tomorrow.
Ha no, this is not my blog.
I havenāt been to Israel in a while but hopefully returning this winter.
Iāve stayed at the Dan in both TLV and Jerusalem. I wouldnāt stay at either again.
We stayed at the Inbal in Jerusalem in January of 2024 and thought our room was very nice. But we were with a group and our room seemed nicer than others so we might have just gotten lucky. Weāve stayed at the Carlton in TLV twice. In 2017 we thought it was very nice. In 2024 we found it to be fine, but tired. I like that the Carlton is on the beach. If I was going and it wasnāt beach weather, Iād stay in town near Neve Tzedek or in some area that has abundant night life. My wife was in TLV for 11 days at the end of October. She stayed at some small hotel near Shila (restaurant) and loved the area. Said it was absolutely hopping at night.
Jerusalem
Dinner
Lunch
Tel Aviv
Dinner
I have not pointed out Thai/Japanese/Italian places, because I assume that you are looking for something that speaks of the place.
There are many other more casual places to eat for lunch and dinner. It depends where you are going to be. The area around the Carmel market is full of good spots (and you should visit the market anyway ā Friday is peak time) as is the Levinsky district. Take a look at the places shown in Secret Tel Aviv; they are all pretty good and give you a useful guide for places as you stroll the city
Thanks, Jonathan Very helpful
I should add, if you go to Azura, get the Kuba Hamusta Soup.
Any preferred hotels in Tel Aviv? This is for a group tour but we have not locked in hotels yet.
Thanks to all. We have our housing (going all AirBnB type except for Eilat)
We visited three times when our daughter lived there although havenāt been since 2019. We had lots of great meals but itās been 7 years. I do recall a fun dinner at The Old Man and the Sea in Jaffa. Casual fish/seafood on the water. Not a restaurant but we did a terrific walking food tour in Tel Aviv through an outfit called Delicious Israel. It took 2-3 hours as I recall and everyone had a great time.
Jim
Until about 15 years ago, hotels were concentrated along the beach strip. That has changed in the last decade as the center of Tel Aviv, around Rothschild Blvd, Nachalat Binyamin and Lillenblum streets has become the most interesting part of town for restaurants, night life, culture etc, resulting in significant hotel development in that area. Most of these hotels tend to be small scale, but there are exceptions.
Given that you are on a group tour, you may have a fixed and intensive itinerary, so I donāt know how much down time you will have to enjoy the hotel and surrounding area. The choice should be between being on the beach and taking a short journey into the centre or the opposite. Feel free to drop me a PM if you want to ask any questions about the hotel your travel adviser is suggesting, and I will try and help.
I have Tel Aviv recommendations for food - I havenāt been to most since before the pandemic, but I expect they are just as I left them, and all were great for what they are. There is a lot of amazing food here.
Nicer
George and John - really nice spot in a classy hotel lobby, great food.
Claro - 2nd the rec Jonathan made above. Always good. Big food bar surrounding kitchen is fun if you dont want a table.
Shila - also great across board espec for fish and seafood. 2nd this rec. More farm fresh or global than Israeli to me, but very good.
M25 - great meat dishes espec stuffed and fried pita. Patio, in Shuk Carmel.
Haachim - great lively atmosphere and very solid Israeli food.
Street food
Yasmino on Allenby - excellent kebab and also non standard meats you may have to ask what they habe ir look for a paper sign. Chaotic to order but others will help you.
Panda Pita - great falafel in Shuk Carmel. They have half size if you want to eat other stuff in the market.
Hakosem - also great falafel. Touristy but worth it.
Bars
Bellboy is fun with creative drinks and a back bar you can ask about. Food not so much.
Giaconda was one of the only good wine bars outside of restaurants for bottles, which can also be a good option.
Hope this is helpful. Some of my faves closed since the pandemic, and the war, and the times, I am sure. Enjoy!
Nice list.