Carmel Market is Tel Aviv’s most vibrant marketplace, established in the 1920s as a humble Yemenite market. It rose to prominence in the 1950s as the best place in Tel Aviv to procure fresh local produce and not much has changed since. The market today is home to a wide range of culinary treats, so to help you settle on a place to satisfy your hunger, we have picked our top ten.
There aren’t many things better in life than a fresh cheese stick straight out of the oven, which is exactly what you will find at Mafiyat Lechemim. An unassuming bakery located towards the middle of the market, Mafiyat Lechemim sells bread and a range of bakery treats that they warm up for you. For Purim they bake a range of savory hamantaschen with fillings such as sweet potato, goat’s cheese and walnut. Thankfully, their warm cheesy breadsticks are offered all year round and baked throughout the day—pick up a free sample or more inside.
There aren’t many things better in life than a fresh cheese stick straight out of the oven, which is exactly what you will find at Mafiyat Lechemim. An unassuming bakery located towards the middle of the market, Mafiyat Lechemim sells bread and a range of bakery treats that they warm up for you. For Purim they bake a range of savory hamantaschen with fillings such as sweet potato, goat’s cheese and walnut. Thankfully, their warm cheesy breadsticks are offered all year round and baked throughout the day—pick up a free sample or more inside.
This one-man bureka stand sells a range of vegan burekas served on their own or in a pita. The filings on offer are egg, potato or potato and egg which are surrounded by thin filo pastry and deep fried right before your eyes. Served with a dash of chili sauce, they are the perfect mix of oily, crispy, flaky outside and delectable spiced inside. You can also buy Moroccan donuts and eggs at the stand. At only ten shekels a piece, they are a real steal.
Café Basara is located in the meat section of the market and serves a variety of meats in a pita, baguette or roll. Your meat options are listed on a menu entitled ‘Roni’s Meats,’ suggesting he is the owner and chef extraordinaire of the small cafe. Your options include sabich, shakshuka, schnitzel, chicken kebab, chicken livers or hamburger all served with salad and sauce (Roni’s chili sauce is particularly good). Roni grills your meat as you like it, giving it a sensational smoky flavor. The baguettes are a meal for two, so bring a friend or get Roni to pack up half for your next meal.