The coffee culture in Israel is rich; both socially and economically. From small cups of traditional Israeli black coffee to the lattes and espressos, Israelis eulogize coffee to be more than just a drink. Over the years, the deep-flavored traditional Turkish coffees have been replaced by milder ones due to the European influence of the Jewish people in Israel. You will see successful chains of old and new cafes in Israel that provide an amazing social atmosphere to just sit back, enjoy a cuppa, debate on political issues, close business deals, or even just watch and relax.
10 Most Popular Israel Cafes
So, here is a list of some go to cafes in Israel that are sure to transform one into a coffeeholic, if you and your amour aren’t already one!
1. Cafelix
Cafelix is a small artisan roastery situated in the south Tel Aviv. Established in the early 2010s, the concept of Cafelix is to produce unique artisan coffee using bourbon arabica beans. The hand roasted coffee by the baristas here makes it one of the best cafes in Israel. The cafe is perfect for all those looking for a cozy space to work on their laptops or to spend some quiet time with their special ones.
Double shot espressos, frothy cappuccinos and cold brews such as iced frappes are the go-to drinks here. The cafe is pet-friendly and provides super fast free wifi to the customers. Food is not served here as they are mainly focused on the quality of the coffee. However, a few pastries, cookies and sandwiches can be bought alongside a steaming cup of cafe arabica.
Location: Rehov Shlomo Hamelech 12, Tel Aviv, Israel
Cost for two: INR 500
TripAdvisor rating: 5/5
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2. Ilan’s- The Alternative Cafe
Ilan’s claims to not being a mainstream cafe by providing the hot and cold brews with unique tastes. The best cups of coffee here are made by importing the finest coffee beans and processing them at different temperatures. Ilan’s was opened in the early 1990s and is considered to be the architect of the modern coffee culture in the Country. 20 different coffee beans are imported to brew a cup from Ilan’s specialty menu.
The cafe is famous for Ilan’s special brews such as orchid- an infusion of peanuts, coconut, and cinnamon that gives a mild Mediterranean flavor or a single origin coffee such as double espresso and cappuccino. Food served here provides for a great accompaniment to the hot and cold infusion drinks. One can opt between pastries, salads, sandwiches, hot dishes, tapas or breakfast.
Location: Kiryat Atidim, Tel Aviv, Israel
Cost for two: INR 800
TripAdvisor rating: 4/5
3. Aroma Espresso Bar
Aroma Espresso Bar is the biggest coffee chain in Israel that has also found its foothold in the other parts of the world. The first cafe was opened in 1994 in Tel Aviv while more than 120 cafes have popped up in Israel alone, to date. The frozen coffee slush and the Dutch hot chocolate are one of their signature coffee cups. The chain uses their own signature chocolate to accompany their hot brews. Food accompaniments such as salads, breakfast, sandwiches, toasts, and pastries are very delicious. For the best aroma coffee in Israel, Aroma Espresso Bar is a must-visit cafe.
Location: Dizengoff street, Tel Aviv, Israel
Cost for two: INR 1100
TripAdvisor rating: 4/5
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4. Cafe Xoho
Located near a beach, Cafe Xoho is an eclectic cafe filled with books and recycled products that gives a relaxed atmosphere to it. The cafe celebrates breakfast with some delicious hand-rolled bagels and banana bread along with some espresso, cortado and varied tea drinks. A soft music plays in the background while one sips the coffee and the cafe offers vegetarian choices.
Location: 17, Y L Gordon street, Tel Aviv, Israel
Cost for two: INR 1500
TripAdvisor rating: 4.5/5
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5. Cafe Bialik
Located in one of the quiet corners of Tel Aviv’s finest cultural centers, Cafe Bialik is a perfect place to make a stop from the sightseeing or just people watch. The cafe serves as a gallery to emerging artists as well as a platform to rising musicians. The ambiance is very inviting with the old chrome bar stools and a lot of young crowds is found in this quaint cafe. The cafe is known for its breakfast menu and hot brews such as the espresso, cappuccino, and Turkish coffee.
Location: 2 Bialik, Tel Aviv, Israel
Cost for two: INR 1000
TripAdvisor rating: 4/5
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6. Cafe Alkalay
It is hidden in the old north neighborhood in Tel Aviv. Located near the Basel Square, the cafe uses the best coffee beans in Israel to brew the perfect cup of coffee. It has an outdoor seating on the sidewalk giving a Parisian vibe to it. The cafe is a perfect place to hang out with friends or spend a lunch break with business associates. It has a wine bar attached to it which makes it a hotspot for those looking for a place to end the day. The croissants and cappuccinos here are to die for. It is also famous for some delicious sandwiches and pastries.
Location: 1 Alkalay street, Tel Aviv, Israel
Cost for two: INR 500
7. Lulu Cafe
Lulu Cafe is a patisserie and a cafe. For the best aroma coffee in Israel, head to the Lulu cafe in the old north neighborhood of Tel Aviv. It offers both indoor and outdoor seatings for people to spend some time devouring the famous eggs benedict or shakshuka from their menu. Single origin coffee such as espresso and latte are available here and iced frappes and shakes are also popular in this cafe. It is a dessert place that offers some heavenly pastries and cakes.
Location: Alkalay 5, Tel Aviv, Israel
Cost for two: INR 800
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8. Cafe Hillel
Cafes in Israel are the most frequented places in the Country. To provide the people with more hangout places, two brothers started this chain of cafes in the late ’90s in Jerusalem. The cafe specializes in the Italian coffees and uses only the finest blend of coffee beans. This place is vegan-friendly and all the dishes are made to order. The frothy lattes and cappuccinos are worth a visit here. The breakfast menu, soups, salads, and sandwiches are delicious. They have a bakery attached to the cafe that serves the best focaccias, pastries, cookies, and cakes.
Location: Hillel street, Jerusalem, Israel
Cost for two: INR 1600
TripAdvisor rating: 3.5/5
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9. Tony and Esther Cafe
Known for their lentil salads and pumpkin steak, Tony and Esther Cafe is located in the Levinski market in Tel Aviv. The market area is famous for shopping and sitting in a corner of the street is this cafe which provides a perfect time out from the busy shopping schedule. Though the cafe is famous for their brunches, Tony and Esther also provide afternoon snacks and full meals along with a drink in the evenings. This sidewalk cafe is one of the most popular cafes in Israel.
Location: 39 Levinsky, Tel Aviv, Israel
Cost for two: INR 1800
TripAdvisor rating: 4/5
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10. The Streets
The Streets cafe has a very uber-chic ambiance and is open 24/7. Whether one wants to close an important business deal or wants to grab a midnight snack, this cafe welcomes the cosmopolitan crowd of Israel, any time of the day. They have couches available on the top floor of the cafe giving one a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy their drinks and food. The cafe is famous for its juicy hamburgers and delicious pastries. The double espressos and macchiatos are made from the best coffee beans in Israel while some non-caffeine drinks are also available.
Location: 2 Ha-Nevim, King George Street, Tel Aviv, Israel
Cost for two: INR 2000
TripAdvisor rating: 4.5/5
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Further Read:
One can try the famous upside-down coffee in any of the cafes in Israel. For all the coffeeholics, Israel has more than 20 varieties of coffee to offer. Plan your trip with TravelTriangle and hop on a plane to relish the scintillating aroma of coffee beans roasting in the streets of Israel. And when you’re done, don’t forget to tell us about your experience.
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FAQs
Is Israel known for coffee? ›
It should not come as a surprise that coffee is one of the most traded commodities on the planet. Israel has through years of trials cultivated a coffee indigenous to Isreal called the Golda strain. The Israeli coffee industry has expanded so much that even Turkey imports coffee from Israel.
What is the history of coffee houses and cafe culture? ›Cafes rose to prominence in Europe during the late 17th century as a result of their importance in the social sphere, as well as their ease of convenience. While restaurants and eateries specialized in meals, cafes minimized their selection in favor of providing patrons with coffee and affordable admission.
What is the cafe culture? ›A place to meet friends… an oasis for the weary… a people-watching vantage point… a romantic hideaway… even a mobile office. For almost a century, cafés have fulfilled an important role in New Zealand society, constantly evolving with the times.
Does Israel have coffee shops? ›Tel Aviv is full of great places to drink coffee, each one with a different vibe. Sip an iced coffee by the beach as you soak up the sun, mingle with the locals in a sleek coffee shop among the famous Bauhaus buildings in trendy Neve Tzedek or relax with a latte at the revived Tel Aviv port.
What is the best coffee in Israel? ›- Cup O' Joe.
- Ilan's. ...
- Café Hillel.
- Café Neto. ...
- Café Café
- Espresso Bar.
- Coffee Shop. ...
- Greg. The only Haifa-based café on the list, Greg's Café was founded in 1994 by an American ex-pat in the Carmel center of the port city.
According to this myth, the name hafooch was coined because of how the cappuccino differed from the coffee Israelis were used to drinking beforehand. At the time, Israelis were accustomed to drinking coffee that consisted of more water, more espresso, and just a drop of milk.
Who was the first café? ›Coffee is introduced to Constantinople by Ottoman Turks. The world's first coffee shop, Kiva Han, open there in 1475.
Where was the first coffee culture? ›The history of coffee dates back to centuries of old oral tradition in modern day Jimma, Ethiopia. Coffee was first cultivated in Yemen, then later introduced to other countries. In the 15th century, Sufi monasteries in Yemen employed coffee as an aid to concentration during prayers.
What was the first culture to have coffee? ›Ethiopia is widely considered to be the epicentre of where coffee came from. If you've ever googled “coffee history”, you will have come across the famous story of how coffee was founded in Ethiopia by Kaldi, an Ethiopian goat herder, around 800 AD.
Why is coffee culture important? ›In addition to its economic significance, coffee also has a deep cultural significance. In many countries, drinking coffee is an important social ritual, and it is often consumed in a specific setting, such as a coffee house or café. Additionally, coffee has been the subject of art, literature, and music.
Why is coffee culture so popular? ›
The perception of coffee in popular culture has evolved over time, and today, it is widely regarded as a symbol of energy, productivity, and creativity. In popular culture, coffee is often associated with the early morning rush and the start of a new day. It is the drink that helps people wake up, focus, and get going.
What is the main purpose of café? ›From a cultural standpoint, coffeehouses largely serve as centers of social interaction: a coffeehouse provides patrons with a place to congregate, talk, read, write, entertain one another, or pass the time, whether individually or in small groups.
Is the coffee in Israel good? ›Gifts from the holy land
The natural climate of Israel is ideal for growing coffee beans. This means that are Israeli grown coffees are common. Israel also imports some coffee from countries like Vietnam. Making for some excellent coffee.
But while coffee, of all things, holds so much meaning across different sectors of Israeli society, Berger explained how cafe culture in Tel Aviv specifically came to be: “There were kinds of Arabic-style cafes which started opening up from the 16th century, more or less.
Do Israelis drink a lot of coffee? ›Almost a quarter of Israelis drink four to eight cups of coffee each day, above the world average. These were the findings from a survey carried out by the Israeli start-up Sleeprate, which also found that Israelis drink a staggering 3 billion cups of coffee per year.
What is Israel mostly known for? ›Israel is famous for its religious and natural landmarks, technological innovations and startup culture, strong military forces, as well as the Israeli-Palestine conflict. Israel is a land where ancient traditions meet modern innovation.
What drink is Israel known for? ›- Goldstar Beer. Goldstar beer is one of Israel's most instantly recognizable beverages. ...
- Arak Liquor. Arak is a clear, potent licorice-flavored liquor that is often served on ice or mixed with water, grapefruit juice, or lemonade. ...
- Limonana Cocktail.
1. Brazil. Brazil is a true powerhouse of coffee production. The country single-highhandedly produces nearly 40% of the world's coffee supply.