One of the things Israel truly excels at is its fantastic coffee shops. In the north of the country, we love sipping our coffee while taking in the lush, green scenery. Around Jerusalem, we often head to the cafés in the small towns and communities just outside the city. And in Tel Aviv, there’s nothing better than exploring the hip, local coffee spots.
Cool cafes in Tel Aviv
Edmund Cafe – Tel Aviv
The hidden Edmund Cafe near Allenby Street and the Carmel Market, is one of those places that just seems to have cracked the code, with an excellent little food menu, attention to style, excellent music, and a light atmosphere that attracts all the Tel Aviv hipsters to the place and makes it a place to see and be seen in the city. In addition, as mandatory to be included on this list, they serve particularly good coffee here – with an emphasis on successful cold brews.
The atmosphere here really varies, as when you come here in the middle of the week you can sit comfortably in the quiet garden and forget that you are in the heart of busy Allenby Street, and on busy times like Friday morning, the place can sometimes feel like a kind of noisy and continuous party.
CafeXoho- Tel Aviv
CafeXoho is just one of those places in Tel Aviv that can really feel like a different country. As a cafe that’s very popular among English speakers and visitors, and is just a short walk from the Tel Aviv beach, there’s just a unique feeling of freedom in the air here. This well-designed cafe is known for its great coffee, served alongside Great value cookies and an American-style bagel that makes it a perfect way to start the day in Tel Aviv.
Cafe Zorik – Tel Aviv
Cafe Zorik is one of the oldest and most highly-regarded cafes in Israel and in Tel Aviv in particular. Located in Milano Square in the old northern part of Tel Aviv, Zorik is known for having a regular and loyal clientele. This neighborhood cafe will provide you with a kind of pause from the hustle and bustle of the city and at the same time can really feel like the right place to be when you want to feel the Tel Aviv vibe. The menu here offers great breakfasts, salads, sandwiches, pastries, and hot dishes. The loyal clientele has grown up along with the place and you will almost always see families with children here, who just dropped by from their nearby apartments.
Best small-town cafes next to Jerusalem
David Laor – Mevaseret Zion
David Laor is an expert confectioner, a graduate of the prestigious “Cordon Bleu” culinary school in Paris. There he learned the ropes of baking and brought them all the way from Paris to his own cafe and bakery, located in the magical town of Mevaseret Zion, just west of Jerusalem. The cafe is small and intimate, such that as soon as you step foot in it, you will feel as if you have entered a Parisian patisserie. This is the perfect place to visit for those who love French pastries, as among others, you will find here airy eclairs and crispy croissants, filled with French cheeses, truffle butter, and more.
Cafe Derech Hagafen – Beit Zeit
If you’re anything like me—an Israeli who’s always on the lookout for a new foodie delight—Cafe Derech Hagafen in Moshav Beit Zeit is a place you’ll end up visiting more than once. next Jerusalem mountains, this cafe feels like a perfect little getaway from the city buzz.
As a devoted breakfast person, I can’t help but gush about their morning menu: they’ve got the classic Israeli breakfast if you’re craving something familiar, but they also serve a tasty vegan version and heartier options like Croque Madame, eggs benedict, or frittatas—perfect if you’re in the mood for something indulgent. But trust me, even if you arrive later in the day, you won’t end up hungry. Their salads, pasta dishes, fish entrées, and risottos are all top-notch.
One dish that I never skip is their famous Beit Zeit salad: mushrooms, asparagus, and cherry tomatoes in a sweet balsamic sauce, all laid out on a bed of fresh lettuce and red onion. Then they top it off with goat cheese, Parmesan shavings, and candied pecans. It’s a perfect mix of flavors and textures: earthy from the mushrooms, tangy from the balsamic, creamy from the cheeses, and sweet crunch from those pecans. Honestly, it’s worth the trip just for that salad alone.
Cafe Derech Hagafen, located in Moshav Beit Zeit is the ultimate place to enjoy a good meal when you are in the Jerusalem mountains area.
Best cafes with views in north Israel
Makom Yafe Le’cafe – Kahal
Anyone who drives on Route 90 towards Rosh Pina cannot miss the big sign saying “Makom yafe le’cafe”, which simply means “a beautiful place for coffee”. And this simple name certainly suits the place, located at a great vantage point over the Sea of Galilee, with large windows that bring the view in and a spacious balcony that overlooks the lake. The cafe itself is quite nice, with mostly simple = items on the menu (sandwiches, quiches, soups, and of course coffee), but it’s the magnificent view that definitely justifies stopping for coffee here.
Cafe Yodfat – yodfat
The beautiful Cafe Yodaft in the Galilee is mostly known as a place for healthy food and gorgeous views that can be seen from all sides of the place. The menu includes plenty of gluten-free dishes, low-lactose dishes, and vegan dishes. Among other things, you can taste there a great beetroot salad, a vegetable stew with tofu shakshuka curry, and a buckwheat crepe filled with chard leaves, caramelized onions, and mozzarella cheese. Long story short, if you’re craving some healthy food while you’re in Northern Israel, this is the place for you.
Kama Cafe – Harduf
Kama Cafe, located in the unique village of Harduf, is a special cafe that employs people with special needs. The cafe is part of the Kama Center, a beautiful space surrounded by incredible green Galilean vegetation that also features an art gallery. The menu here offers light meals based on fresh, natural, and mostly organic ingredients, harvested from the local vegetable garden of the town.
They also offer a regular and vegan breakfast there, homemade granola, sandwiches, sweet pastries, and a selection of smoothies made from fresh fruits and vegetables.
