After Tel Aviv’s culinary scene successfully adopted brunch as a now-popular dining option on weekends, more and more restaurants in the city are now also embracing the concept of “happy hour” in order to attract customers during the slower hours of the early evening (usually on weekdays).
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Below is a list of eight leading places offering discount deals on their regular menus if you beat the evening rush. (Note: As usual, the restaurants are not ranked, but rather listed in alphabetical order; all have English menus, and one is certified kosher.)
Beit Kandinof
Ambiance: Located in a picturesque alley alongside the grassy mound of ancient Yafo, this bar-cum-gallery has one of the more unusual layouts you will find anywhere – one [side] room dominated by a fully stocked bar, alongside a long corridor where many simple wooden tables comprise the main dining area. This corridor connects with another, perpendicular one which mimics an enclosed courtyard covered by a removable roof. Art exhibits grace the walls throughout, including in a number of side rooms that can serve as private eating spaces.
Happy Hour: Sunday-Thursday, 17.00-19.00. No less than 30% off on the entire menu.
Drinks: Specialty cocktails, including Happy Hour exclusives. There is a more than adequate international wine list, with just a few of the vintages available by the glass. Beit Kandinof is also one of the few places that serves San Miguel beer on tap, and a craft beer from the West Bank.
Menu: The seasonal menu by brilliant new chef Ohad Gur Herz, formerly of Pastel, comprises three untitled sections, the dishes of each progressing in size, and priced accordingly. There is a renewed emphasis on vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dishes; many of the vegetables served are harvested fresh daily, from the restaurant’s own garden. There is also a separate, new dessert menu, which lists four choices.
Recommended: Mediterranean bruschetta; yellow gazpacho; green mango and shrimp salad, kohlrabi and fennel salad; oyster mushrooms with grilled sweet corn; blondie ganache, Campari and citrus tart (desserts)
Beit Kandinof. Not kosher. 14 HaTzorfim Street, Jaffa. Tel. (03) 650-2938.
Cafe Popular
Ambiance: This bar-restaurant by celebrity chef Avi Bitton comprises two floors in the Jacob Sameul Boutique Hotel: a ground floor and sidewalk restaurant, and the downstairs bar. The Apero (from the French term for afternoon drinks and snacks) is served in the al fresco dining area on the strategic corner in the Old North of Tel Aviv formed by the intersection of Dizengoff and Arlozorov Streets. The comfortable leather chairs give the restaurant an upscale look and feel.
Happy Hour (Apero): Daily, 17.00-19.00. A special menu of light, Parisian fare, ranging from NIS 28-42 per dish, as well Frech and Israeli wines by the bottle, from NIS 90-120.
Drinks: The Apero features five wines by the bottle to share at reduced prices. Of course, it is also possible to order from the regular drinks menu, which offers four specialty cocktails, wines by the glass and a limited selection of imported and domestic beers.
Menu: The nine Apero dishes, counting the house bread (baguette) and one dessert, are tilted in favor of fish and seafood, although there are also meat, cheese and salad options. Vegans and vegetarians would be better off ordering from the restaurant’s regular menu.
Recommended: Buche [goat] cheese with herbs, pecans and nectarine confiture; yellowtail sashimi, shrimp croquettes with spicy crème fraiche; fresh vegetables (a coarse-cut salad with Iraqi cheese); tartare americaine on latticed roesti with a balsamic glaze; madeleine with crème patisserie, citrus syrup and fresh berries.
Cafe Popular. Not kosher. 197 Dizengoff St., Tel Aviv. Tel. (03) 555-2020.
Captain Hook
Ambiance: Conveniently located at the entrance of the Jaffa Flea Market, the outdoor tables are nonetheless able to catch some sea breezes. Ordinarily, there is a pleasantly rhythmic soundtrack; on Tuesday nights in the summer, the municipality sponsors live music performances that take place right opposite the restaurant – which styles itself as a Seafood and Cocktail Bar. Indoors, there are only a very few bar counter stools that are not really suited for sitting for very long.
Happy Hour: Sunday-Thursday, 17.00-19.00. 20% off on the entire menu, including alcohol.
Drinks: Specialty cocktails, two made with the house gin that is infused with ginger and sage. There is a limited but adequate selection of international wines, with a choice few available by the glass. Finally, there is a nicely curated selection of foreign and domestic craft beers, both on tap and in bottles.
Menu: The extensive menu reflects the emphasis on fish and seafood that appears in the restaurant’s name. Its seven sections are: Snacks (appetizers), the Captain’s Entrées, Salad, Fish and Chips, A la plancha (From the Grill), Specials and Desserts. There are limited vegetarian/vegan options, but many dishes are gluten-free. Prices are very reasonable even after happy hour.
Recommended. Ceviche, pickled eggplant, tzatziki; seared halloumi with apricot jam; shrimp falafel, calamari with spinach, musabaha and shrimps, rice pudding brûlée.
Captain Hook. Not kosher. 13 Amiad St., Jaffa. Tel. (03) 644-5440.
La Otra
Ambiance: Self-styled as a Mexican and Caribbean-inspired “House of Eats and Spirits,” La Otra is the sister to the adjacent, multi-award-winning Imperial Craft Bar. The atmosphere is dim and intimate, with three types of seating: at the bar, or at either low or high tables (the former with couch seating as well). There is a rather loud rock and techno music soundtrack.
Happy Hour: Daily, 18.00-20.00. All cocktails priced at NIS 34.
Drinks: Twelve Latin American-inspired cocktails from the regular “Spirits, Potions and Magic” cocktail list, plus four additional tequila-based cocktails in honor of the Mexican pop-up menu that is being featured this month and next. The fully stocked bar will also serve other spirits, along with only one wine (white). There is one imported draft beer (San Miguel).
Menu: The current pop-up Mexican menu comprises eight dishes, in categories titled Eats and Mexicana Eats), plus a “taco fiesta” featuring three different soft tacos. Among the limited food items, there are adequate vegetarian/vegan and gluten-free options. The accompanying regular menu has been pared down to accommodate the pop-up menu, but it can be accessed at the La Otra website. Finally, there are three desserts, when one combines the regular and pop-up menus.
Recommended: Arugula smash (a cocktail from the pop-up menu), Netflix and chili (a cocktail from the regular menu); champiniones (oyster and portobello mushrooms with crème fraiche), calabazas (acorn squash); lemon and agave semi-frozen mousse (dessert).
La Otra. Not kosher. 66 HaYarkon St., Tel Aviv. Tel. (073) 264-9464.
Norder
Ambiance: This handsome, upscale restaurant located on a key corner of upper Dizengoff boasts a modern decor, with an elegant marble bar dominating the small interior. Most of the seating is al fresco, at tables on two perpendicular sidewalks; the Nordau Boulevard section catches the occasional sea breeze, enhanced by fans in the summer. There are also seats at the bar and high tables indoors. A rather loud contemporary soundtrack plays inside; it is heard less in the main dining area.
Happy Hour (Promo): Sunday-Thursday, 17.00-19.30. Border’s Promo offers a choice of 30% off the regular main menu, or ordering one of three tasting menus: three dishes for NIS 89, five dishes for NIS 145, or seven dishes for NIS 198.
Drinks: The Promo features specially priced carafes of wine (two red, one white and one rose). There are also cocktail carafes – either white sangria or the gin-based Promo from Yule. The fully stocked bar also serves Imported and Israeli craft beers, exclusively on tap.
Menu: The tasting menus, by talented Chef Lior Cohen, feature selections from 11 original dishes, most of which also appear on the regular menu. There is a nice variety of salads, so there are plenty of vegetarian choices, with a few vegan options. Gluten-free is also available, if you can resist the excellent house sourdough. If you can not decide among the many tempting sharing dishes, the friendly and knowledgeable staff can advise.
Recommended: Promo from Yule (cocktail); sashimi, the alternating (between shrimp and calamari) seafood special, mussels, Hagai’s bruschetta; panna cotta labane with raspberries (dessert).
Norder. Not kosher. 245 Dizengoff St., Tel Aviv. Tel. (073) 331-9417.
Salon Yevani
Ambiance: Fittingly, there is a Greek taverna atmosphere, with a large, dimly lit main dining area, along with bar seating and long tables for large parties. There is an enclosed side terrace – i.e., not alfresco – that overlooks the sea in the distance and is partitioned to create a smoking area. There is dance-provoking live Greek music on Thursday evening (following the happy hour).
Happy Hour: Sunday-Thursday, 18.00-20.00. 25% off the entire menu, both food and alcohol.
Drinks: There are very few cocktails, and only one ouzo-based, although the Greek spirit is also available as shots. Wine by the bottle dominates, with a more than adequate selection of international (primarily Israeli) kosher vintages; a solitary few are available by the glass or half-bottle. There is one Greek beer – Mythos, in bottles – as well as one domestic draft beer. Greek digestifs are listed with the desserts.
Menu: Chef Guy Peretz, who spent years with the prominent Grecotel chain in Greece, has created an admirable kosher menu of authentic Greek dishes. The extensive menu comprises no fewer than nine sections: Bread and accompaniments, Hot mezze, Cold mezze, Salads, Raw fish, Hot starters, Feta specials, Fish main courses and Pasta main courses. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free menu items are clearly identified by familiar icons. Eight large desserts are itemized on a separate menu.
Recommended: Greek sesame pretzel-bagel with dips; grilled artichokes, fava Santorini, tuna Thessaloniki, grilled zucchini, leek and zucchini fritters, feta crunch; phyllo-based gelatopita (dessert).
Salon Yevani. Kosher. 12 Herzl Rosenblum St. (@ West Hotel), Tel Aviv. Tel. (050) 774-0025.
Taizu Town
Ambiance: Formerly Cafe Taizu, this is the fast-food outlet of acclaimed chef Yuval Ben Neriah (or YBN, for short) – as reflected in the casual atmosphere, from self-service with electronic ordering to disposable/recyclable bamboo dishes/bowls and plastic cups/cutlery. Most dishes are served to be eaten with wooden chopsticks (there are no knives). There is limited indoor seating at high tables or on backless stools at a small counter. Outside on Givon Square there is a small al fresco area with regular tables and chairs.
Happy Hour: Sunday-Thursday, 16.00-19.00. 30% off the dine-in menu (programmed in the electronic kiosks).
Drinks: There are pre-mixed, bottled cocktails and multiple sake options. There are also three houses wines, available by the bottle or the glass. The beer of choice is the private brand of the place – Birra Taizu, brewed especially for YBN by craft brewer Alexander – but there is also Asahi from Japan and other interesting imported beers (bottles only).
Menu: The menu comprises dishes representing all the major Asian cuisines – Thai, Indian, Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese – with the food prepared by Asian chefs. No MSG is used in the ingredients, with the exception of a few Chinese entrees. There is a plethora of vegetarian/vegan, gluten-free and even lactose-free options. Interestingly, there is also a kids’ menu featuring Asian dishes. There are only two desserts, one of which is Asian.
Recommended: The Taizu original – and exclusive – Koji burger (Japanese); sticky beef (Thai); chicken masala (Indian); sesame noodles (Chinese); papaya and shrimp salad (Vietnamese); Vietnamese-style tiramisu (dessert).
Ze Sushi
Ambiance: This popular neighborhood eatery is a cozy place in Basel Square in Tel Aviv’s Old North. Seating is outdoors only, at regular tables. The soundtrack plays low-key pop music. The restaurant does a brisk take-away and delivery service.
Happy Hour: Sunday-Thursday, 15.30-18.30. 20% off on the entire menu, including alcohol.
Drinks: There are no cocktails, as previously available pre-mixed, bottled cocktails have been discontinued. The limited wine list features primarily Israeli vintages, available by the bottle and the glass. There is a house sake available by carafe, plus three bottles of other brands. Finally, there are both Israeli and Asian bottled beers.
Menu: As can be deduced from the name, much of the menu is devoted to the entire range of sushi, sashimi and nigiri options – rolls, combinations, cones and more – but not only. There are also cold and and hot starters, salads, buns and hot main courses, including hearty, filling ramen and noodle dishes, as well as soup. There is an entire menu section devoted to vegetarian/vegan dishes, and plenty of gluten-free options. While there is no dedicated children’s menu, there are dishes eminently suitable for kids, such as crispy chicken nuggets and popcorn shrimp. There are three desserts, one Asian-inspired.
Recommended: Kinoko salad (wakame seaweed and shiitake mushrooms), Tom salad (cellophane noodles, shrimp and raw salmon); Kyushu rice paper roll, shrimp tempura temaki cone, special ga gun; lemon-pistachio mousse (dessert).
Ze Sushi. Not kosher. 12 Ashtori HaParhi St., Tel Aviv. Tel. 1-700-70-89-89.