The list is based on the annual vote held by the magazine Time Out (we did the same this time last year; they list theirs in Hebrew, we give it to you in English). Some of last year’s winners hold on to their top spots this year, some don’t. We’d definitely recommend having a look at some of the great Tel Aviv restaurants on last year’s list that didn’t make it this year…

Here they are, Tel Aviv’s finest eateries!

Restaurant of the Year 2011 – Toto, Berkovitz 4 (Tel: 03-6935151). A classy Italian restaurant that serves up some awesome appetizers, pastas and pizzas, among other things, all prepared by one of the best chefs in town. Prices aren’t cheap, as you’d expect, but the quality and service are simply excellent! Website

Fanciest Restaurant 2011 - Mul Yam, Tel Aviv Port (Tel: 03-5469920/30). One of Israel’s very best restaurants, serving up some amazing seafood with views of the Port to complement.  Expensive, but they do a good deal on a Business Lunch (160 shekels). Website

Best New Restaurant 2011 - Mizlala, Nachalat Binyamin 57, (Tel: 03-5665505). A narrow but happening place which translated means something like “stuff your face”. Go for the signature “shot and a bite”! Website

Best Meat Restaurant 2011 – Neve Tzedek, Shabazi 64 (Tel: 0579444023). As they call themselves, “A Place for meat”, with a very meat-focused menu. Home to the best steaks in Tel Aviv, as many will testify. Website

Best Fish & Seafood Restaurant 2011 – Rokach 73, Rokach Boulevard 73 (Tel: 0579443209). Leading chef Eyal Levi’s elegant bistro, this is the place to come for great seafood and fish food. Extensive wine list too. Website

Best Italian Restaurant 2011 – Pronto, Hertzl 4 (Tel: 03-5660915). Started over 20 years ago and the place to come for lovers of all things Italian. A past winner of Ristorante Italiano, the award given to supreme Italian restaurants worldwide. Not overly expensive. Website

Best Asian Restaurant 2011 – Beit Thailandi (as per last year), Bograshov 8 (Tel: 03-5178568). A great place for real Thai food, and not the kind that has been watered down for Western tastes.

Best Tapas Restaurant 2011 – Tapeo (last year’s winner), Ha’arba’ah 16 (Tel: 03-6240484). The leader of the pack in terms of tapas bars in Tel Aviv, this place has a great range of those small, tasty dishes and a great atmosphere, even in mid-week. Website

Best Bar 2011 – HaMinzar, Allenby 60 (Tel: 03-5173015). A legend among Tel Aviv bars, though at first glance hard to see why! Often crowded, with some good music, the service has been known to be on the ropey side. Terrific Tel Aviv atmosphere.

Best Beer Bar  2011 – Porter & Sons (last year’s winner), Ha’arba’ah 14 (Tel: 03-6244355). This place has over 50 kinds of beer on tap and 70 kinds of bottled beer; if you can find a better stocked bar in the whole of the Middle East, let us know! Website

Bar with the Best Food 2011 – Messa (last year’s winner), Ha’arba’ah 19 (Tel: 03-6856859). A creative menu backed by a very well-stocked and cool bar. Great design (see the pic on the left), well worth having a drink and a bite to eat here. Website

Best Wine Bar 2011 – Juno, Da Haz 1, Kikar Milano (Tel: 03-5446620). Awesome selection of wine, and food if you’re peckish. Great ambiance in the heart of Tel Aviv, in a quiet side street. Website

Best Cafe 2011 – HaTachtit (The Basement – also won last year), Lincoln 9 (Tel: 03-5618759). Open 24 hours, this place has fast become known for its vibe (usually great music), its food and its service. Not exactly on the regular tourist route, but worth a visit.

Best Bakery 2011 – Dalal Bakery (last year’s winner), Shebazi 10 (Tel: 03-5109292). Awesome location (the Neve Tzedek ‘hood) – try those gorgeous muffins and some of the tastiest bread in Tel Aviv. They also do a very tasty breakfast. Website

Best Street Cafe 2011 – HaMiznon, Ibn Gvirol 23 (Tel: 03-7168977). This cute little street cafe serves up great stylish meals in a pita bread. Quality, and fairly cheap, you might have to queue to get your hands on some nosh here…

Best Bistro 2011 – Brasserie (last year’s winner), Ibn Gvirol 70 (Tel: 03-6967111). A top restaurant with a menu that changes three times a day. Some even go far as to say it has redefined the Tel Aviv culinary scene. Website

Best Natural/Vegetarian Restaurant 2011 – 24 Rupee (last year’s winner), Shocken 16, 2nd floor (Tel: 03-6818066). A cute Indian restaurant that has long been a fave with those looking for genuine, great value, and very tasty Indian food. Website

Best Ethnic Restaurant 2011 – Dr Shaksuka, Beit Eshel 3, Jaffa (Tel: 0579444193). Long one of our faves, Dr Shakshuka is a Kosher Tripolitanian restaurant specializing in home cuisine and traditional dishes, but renowned for its shakshuka (spicy tomato, egg and peppers dish, served at your table in the pan, as in the pic on the right). Great atmosphere.  Website

Restaurant with the Best Yard 2011 – Vicky Cristina, Building 17, HaTachana complex (Tel:  03-7367272). A hip new tapas restaurant and bar located in HaTachana, Tel Aviv’s new entertainment complex. Vicky is the tapas restaurant, Cristina the wine bar. Website

Best Romantic Restaurant 2011 – Mel and Michelle, Ben Yehuda 155 (Tel: 03-5293232). Last year’s Best Italian winner, this is a great little place in the heart of busy Tel Aviv. Great styling, great food, and yes, romantic! Website

Best Restaurant by the Sea 2011 – Manta Ray (last year’s winner), Alma Beach (Tel: 03-5174773). The restaurant with the killer location, is how we reviewed it. Things haven’t changed – great, cool place, delish food, awesome beach view. Website

Best Hummus Bar 2011 – Ali Caravan/Abu Hassan (last year’s winner), Shvatay Israel 14 (Tel: 03-6828355). The legendary hummus joint, for hard core hummus fans only. No real surprise this place is No.1 on our list of top 10 hummus joints in Israel.

Best Pizzeria 2011 – Tony Vespa (last year’s winner), Rothschild 142 (Tel: 03-6858888). Great pizza sold by the weight (yes!), not by the slice. Very tasty pizza that has become a Tel Aviv fast food icon.

Best Hamburger Bar 2011 – Agadir (last year’s winner), HaTaarucha 3 (Tel: 03-5444045). Now with 6 branches, this hamburger joint that first started flipping burgers some 15 years ago has taken over Tel Aviv. Great hamburgers in a great atmosphere. Website

Best Ice-Cream Bar 2011 – Vaniglia, 5 branches in Tel Aviv, including Ibn Gvirol 98 and the ground floor of Dizengoff Center. Delicious ice-cream that has won over most of Tel Aviv. Lots of great flavors and sorbets too. Don’t look at their Belgian Dark Chocolate over to the right…don’t… Website

Best Value for Money Restaurant 2011 – Goocha, Dizengoff 171, Ibn Gvirol 14, and HaBarzel 7 (Tel: 03-5222886, 03-6911603). A great little fish and seafood restaurant, now with 3 branches in Tel Aviv. Cheap, fresh, and great quality – what more do you need? Website

Best Deli 2011 – Hinnawi (last year’s winner), Yeffet 180, Yafo (Tel: 03-5075618). A long-time family business that is without doubt the most popular deli in The City That Never Sleeps. Website

If you come across any great restaurants in Tel Aviv that aren’t on this list, let us know in the comments below!

Bon appetit!

Perhaps not the finest cuisine in the Holy Land, the transforming experience is what it’s all about…

Originally opened in 2007, Na Laga’at (which translates to “Please touch”) was founded by the Nalaga’at non-profit organization, which in turn was founded on the ideal that every human being has the right to contribute to the society in which he or she lives. The Center is the first of its kind in the world and its main aim is to promote interaction between deaf-blind, deaf, and blind individuals and people able to hear and see, regardless of cultural or social distinctions.

The Na Laga’at Center has three main experiences to enjoy:

• Nalaga’at Theater: home to the deaf-blind Acting Ensemble, and which has seen over 500 performances of their much talked about play Not by Bread Alone, in addition to their kids show, Prince Rooster.
• Café Kapish: a regular Tel Aviv-style cafe but with deaf waiters who communicate with you in…Sign Language (you’ll pick up a few words along the way!). The cafe is Kosher (and therefore closed on Friday evening/Saturday), and is open from 09:00 to 23:00 every day, except Fridays when it closes at 16:00.
• BlackOut: the pitch-black restaurant (yes, complete darkness – so don’t wear your Sunday best!) with a staff of blind waiters. Here your ability to taste and smell are taken to the extreme – some find it uncomfortable, many find it transforming. By the way, the restaurant is Kosher, there are vegetarian and fish menus, and it’s open Sunday to Thursday, evenings only.

As they put it on their website (www.nalagaat.org.il – see the site for menus and performance schedules): A visit to the Center will change the way you think, the way you feel, the way you are…

You can also find them on Facebook.

Here’s a glimpse at what you can expect at Na Laga’at…

Click here to view the embedded video.

Cafes in Israel are the best place to sip on a coffee, and are definitely worth checking out for the experience. For the ultimate cafe experience, check out the incredibly strong cafe culture in Tel Aviv; it’s no accident Tel Aviv is now known as the cafe capital of the world.

There is an incredible mix of cafes to choose from (here are some of the best cafes in Tel Aviv): once you’ve settled on one, it’s time to start practicing your new lexicon of coffee terms…

First things first, ordering yourself “a coffee” will not result in the typical milky coffee you will have gotten back home. If you order a coffee you’ll get the Israeli version, a rich, black Turkish coffee. You might actually get to love those Turkish coffees (also known as botz, or mud!), but just be careful when first ordering. To get that milky coffee you’re after (the standard type, not the espresso/cappuccino style we’ll talk about below), you’ll want to order a Nescafe. Yes, yes, you’ll need to order a Nescafe (and no, Israeli coffee isn’t sponsored by Nestle’s Nescafe brand many of us know and love…) if you want a regular coffee.

Moving on to ordering an espresso, you’ll want to take the following in mind:

• A “regular espresso” (espresso regil in Hebrew) will give you a short Italian style espresso.
• A “long espresso” (espresso arokh in Hebrew) will give you what you probably know as a regular espresso.
• A “double espresso” (espresso kaful in Hebrew) will give you a double regular espresso. Our chosen poison :-)

Ordering tips for other coffees:

• An “americano” is what Americans will be familiar with as it has the same name in the US; in other words, an espresso “enhanced” with hot water.
• A “cappuccino” (espresso hafukh in Hebrew) is the legendary coffee with hot frothy milk. You can order a big or small one, and don’t be surprised to see your barista’s artistic work in the froth at the top!
• An “ice coffee” (ice cafe in Hebrew) is one of the very best ways to cool down in the hot summer months. If you need a coffee fix, and fancy something a little more creamy, even milk-shakey, an ice cafe could be your tipple. Almost rich enough to call a dessert…

These are the basics, and should be mastered by any coffee aficionado worth his milk and visiting the Holy Land for the first time…bear in mind there are a variety of other coffees to savor but these should see you through any visit to Israel. And if you ever get stuck, most cafes have pretty decent service, with waiters more than happy to help out a tourist in distress…

Read Scott’s great article about the woes of finding good coffee in Israel…not so easy!

This guide has since been updated for 2011, click here to read more.

The list includes the main players in the annual vote for the best of Tel Aviv eateries held by Time Out (they list theirs in Hebrew, we’ve brought it to you in the Queen’s English).

Without further ado, let’s tuck in…

Restaurant of the Year 2010 – Herbert Samuel, Koifman 6 (Tel: 03-5166516). Seasonal and local produce crafted into delicious meals by the very talented chef Jonatan Roshfeld. Expensive.

Fanciest Restaurant of 2010 – Citit, Hichal HaTalmud 4, Neve Tzedek (Tel: 03-5107001). Rich in fresh ingredients like lamb, beef and fish, enhanced with local vegetables, fruit, herbs and spices. Kiss goodbye to around 400 shekels per person, minimum. Pic on the right.

Best New Restaurant 2010 – Ehad Ha’am Tapas, Ehad Ha’am 27 (Tel: 03-5666966). This new Tapas restaurant, again managed by Jonatan Roshfeld, has put existing Tapas bars in town to shame…

Bar with the Best Food 2010 – Messa, Ha’arba’ah 19 (Tel: 03-6856859). A creative menu backed by a very well-stocked and cool bar. Great design (see pic on the left), well worth spending some time here.

Best Italian Restaurant 2010 – Mel and Michelle, Ben Yehuda 155 (Tel: 03-5293232). A cute little corner in the heart and bustle of Tel Aviv. Nicely styled place, with a romantic feel.

Best Meat Restaurant 2010 – Yoezer Wine Bar, located in the picturesque alleys of Old Jaffa (Tel: 03-6839115), this place has plenty of character, and plenty of pricey food/wines.

Best Asian Restaurant 2010 – Beit Thailandi, Bograshov 8 (Tel: 03-5178568). This is your destination for authentic Thai food that hasn’t been watered down for Western palates.

Best Seafood Restaurant 2010 AND Best Restaurant by the Sea 2010 – Manta Ray, Alma Beach (Tel: 03-5174773). The restaurant with the killer location, that’s how we reviewed it last year. And it hasn’t changed. Great, cool place, great food, awesome view.

Best Tapas Restaurant 2010 – Tapeo, Ha’arba’ah 16 (Tel: 03-6240484). One of the original tapas bars in town, this place has a great range of those small, tasty dishes and a great atmosphere, even in mid-week.

Best Bistro 2010 – Brasserie, Ibn Gvirol 70 (Tel: 03-6967111). A classy joint with a menu that changes three times a day. Some say it has redefined the Tel Aviv culinary scene.

Best Kosher Restaurant 2010 – Liliot (or Lilit), Dafna 2 (Tel: 03-6965658). One of the few truly tasty kosher restaurants in Tel Aviv that has been around for years, this place has a large, varied menu and is also very nicely designed.

Best Ethnic Restaurant 2010 – Edna, Yermiyahu 52 (Tel: 03-6289000). After many years in Ramat HaSharon, they opened a branch in Tel Aviv this year. Great, unpretentious home cooking in a cosy atmosphere.

Best Health/Natural/Vegetarian Restaurant 2010 – 24 Rupee, Shocken 14 (Tel: 03-6818066). This cute Indian restaurant has some great, cheap curry dishes.

Best “Value for Money” Restaurant 2010 – Segev Express, HaBarzel 38 (Tel: 077-4142025). Fast, stylish food that won’t disappoint.

Best Restaurant Chain 2010 – Giraffe, Ibn Gvirol 49 (Tel: 03-6916303). The original branch is still the one to beat, with other branches throughout Tel Aviv and the rest of Israel. But if you come across one, know you’ll get a large-sized portion of Asian-fusion style food. Very tasty.

Best Sandwich Bar 2010 – Ruben, Yehuda HaLevi 112 (Tel: 077-4908050). A sandwich bar on a par with the best of Europe. Try those juicy cuts of beef or turkey placed intricately between slices of fresh brown bread. Delish.

Best Child-Friendly Restaurant 2010 – Moses, Rothschild 35 (Tel: 03-5664949). Good menu, plus loads of activities (and food!) for the kids, including stickers and drawing books.

Best Pizzeria 2010 – Tony Vespa, Rothschild 142 (Tel: 03-6858888). Rule breaker that sells pizza by weight, rather than by slice. Delish pizza that has taken Tel Aviv by storm.

Best Hamburger Bar 2010 – Agadir, HaTaarucha 3 (Tel: 03-5444045). The original hamburger joint in town that started 15 years ago, now has 6 branches. Delish hamburgers and a funky atmosphere.

Best Ice-Cream Bar 2010 – Anita, made up of three successful branches in Florentine and Neve Tzedek (Tel: 03-5170505 for the Shabazi branch in Neve Tzedek). Great, great ice-cream, especially buzzing on hot, summer days.

Best Hummus Bar 2010 – Ali Caravan/Abu Hassan, Shvatay Israel 14 (Tel: 03-6828355). The long legendary hummus joint, for hard core hummus addicts only (beginners might find it a bit “sloppy”).

Best Cafe 2010 – HaTachtit (The Basement), Lincoln 9 (Tel: 03-5618759). Open 24 hours, this place has fast become known for its vibe (usually great music), its food and its service. Not exactly on the regular tourist route, but worth a visit.

Restaurant with the Most Happening Vibe 2010 – Nanuchka, Lilenblum 30 (Tel: 03-5162254). Georgian cuisine, with plenty of good tunes and ambiance, at first glance it might not seem like the coolest place in town but it’s definitely one of the most popular, and is always fun to visit (check out the entrance in the pic on the left).

Best Restaurant for Taking a Date 2010 – Nana Bar, Ehad Ha’am 1 (Tel: 03-5161915). Stylish and cool bar but this is the place you should try if you’re looking for a quiet romantic corner with a loved one (or potential loved one!).

Best Wine Bar 2010 – HaBasta, HaShomer 4 (Tel: 03-5169234). Around for 3 years, this place has a huge wine menu, mainly focused on Italian and French wines. And yes, the food is great too.

Best Bar in Tel Aviv 2010 – Porter & Sons, Ha’arba’ah 14 (Tel: 03-6244355). With over 50 kinds of beer on tap (pic on the left) and 70 kinds of bottled beer, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better-stocked bar in the Middle East.

Best Bakery 2010 – Dalal Bakery, Shebazi 10 (Tel: 03-5109292). Great location (Neve Tzedek ‘hood) – try those tasty muffins and some of the finest bread in Tel Aviv. They also do a mighty fine breakfast.

Best Deli 2010 – Hinawi, Yeffet 180, Yafo (Tel: 03-5075618). Long run family business that has probably become the most popular deli in Tel Aviv.

Best Breakfast 2010 – Benedict, Ben Yehuda 117 (Tel: 03-5440345). Now three branches strong, Benedict has a storming 24-hour breakfast menu. We reviewed it here, and can’t wait to revisit!

Best Late Night Meal 2010 – Dixie, Yigal Allon 120 (Tel: 03-6966123). Long established as one of the best late night eateries for those in need of some late (early?) munchies. Renowned for burgers and wings.

Restaurant with the Best Bar 2010 – Social Club, Rothschild 45 (Tel: 03-5601114). A modern bistro owned by one of Israel’s main restaurateurs in the heart of Tel Aviv, with a bar that is always packed and always happening. Lots of cocktails and a great wine list.

Of course, the real coffee drinker in Israel has never had it so easy. In cities like Tel Aviv there is an amazing array of great coffee shops to choose from, with that variety ever-expanding and becoming ever more sophisticated. Some might say Tel Aviv is on course to be the coffee drinking capital of the world but I’ll leave that up to the real coffee professionals to decide…

For those of you who prefer to brew your own (and once you’ve been here for a while, a coffee machine is a must), the coffee experience is a little more troublesome, what with a real lack of decent ground coffee and beans locally available.

A few days ago I came across a great little coffee boutique store in Tel Aviv, called Coffee Express Israel. Even if I’m not hard-core, I couldn’t deny the aromas coming out of that place, they were something else!

I guess you could say Coffee Express Israel is a “coffee supermarket”, or “coffee boutique”, whichever grabs your fancy. I just know that Coffee Express Israel sells good coffee, and if you love coffee – and love brewing your own – this place is for you.

I was there with a friend who is more of a coffee connoisseur, and he was impressed with the service and knowledge of the owners (of course, I’m still a newbie when it comes to all that coffee jargon). He ended up getting himself a fancy coffee-machine!

Coffee Express Israel sells pretty much everything a coffee lover would need: of course, they have a large variety of gourmet coffee beans; Bossa Caffe Boutique, a freshly roasted coffee (which you can have grounded on the spot), seemed to stand out from the rest. They also have pods and capsules, as well as green and organic coffee. And if you need one of those cool coffee machines, they’ve got them all – makinettas; modern espresso machines; complementary accessories and more. All those familiar brand names are there: Segafredo, Lavazza, Gaggia, Bossa Café Boutique, Mauro, etc.

Boaz, the owner of Coffee Express Israel, also told us they have quality beans of “Single-Origin”, which come straight from the country of origin, including South-America (Guatemala, Costa-Rica, Colombia, Brazil, Honduras) and Africa (Kenya, Ethiopia), and other countries across the world.

After overdosing on coffee, I did mention to Boaz that coffee was very well catered for in Israel, but tea not so much (us Brits and their tea, eh?). He told me that they are also planning to expand that side of the business. In fact, they have just imported some “classic ceremonial teas” from Europe called THEODOR from a teahouse in Paris, which will complement their existing range of teas and tea accessories.

And yes, they deliver all across Israel. Just give them a call. They also have a website in English and in Hebrew through which you can order, and a Facebook page where you can keep updated of any new coffees coming in. But you really should give them a visit.

Coffee Express Israel is situated on Sderot Yehudit 3 (near the Azrieli Shopping Mall), Tel Aviv. Or give them a bell on: 03-5233777.

And don’t forget to say that Ashley from igoogled sent you!

One of my favorite places of late is the beach in Tel Aviv (what a surprise!), especially on Friday nights at HaTzofim Beach (Jerusalem beach). It’s not exactly pumping with hot single guys and girls if that’s what you’re after. But if you’re after a good time, some beers, a bit of a latin kick-off to your evening, and even a spot to bring the kids after yet another glorious Tel Aviv sunset, you could do a lot worse than spend a couple of hours here.

I shot a quick movie before I got exceedingly drunk, the band in the clip play here every Friday night, between 7-9pm. And although I hate latin music, there’s something damn fine about dancing barefoot on a sandy dancefloor, beer in one hand, toddler in the other…

Well, yes it does, and here’s our little guide to the cafes and bars in Jerusalem that have wireless Internet, just so you’ll never have to go Internet “cold turkey” while on your visit to Jerusalem. Note that there are some areas of Jerusalem that are completely hooked up (and free to access), most notably in the center of the city around Ben Yehuda street, Nahalat Shiva, and Shlomzion Hamalka (and also including The Knesset, Israel’s parliament buildings, and other buildings belonging to national institutions), and not just to specific cafes and bars.

Those listed below provide FREE Internet, as far as we know. Be aware that most hotels in Jerusalem also have Internet access but most will require payment. And yes, if you know of any little gems to add to this list, please let us know!

Jerusalem cafes with Internet – the coffee shop chains

• Aroma, one of the most popular coffee shop chains in Israel:
  @ Pierre Koenig 24 (Hadar Mall, Talpiot)
  @ Hebrew University, Har HaTzofim (Goldshmidt building)
  @ Hillel HaZaken 18
  @ Malcha Mall
  @ King George 14
  @ Emek Rafaim (open 24/7)
  @ Yafo 40
  @ Yafo 224
• Coffee Shop, a chain of Jerusalem only cafes:
  @ Rachel Imenu 2
  @ Aza Street 40
  @ Hillel Street 24
  @ Emek Rafaim
• Cafe Hillel, another popular chain of coffee shops with branches throughout Israel:
  @ 54 Emek Rafaim
  @ 7 Avi Zohar (Beit HaKerem)
• Yellow, the one-stop shops you can find at most Paz petrol stations:
  @ Derekh Bet Lechem 11 (German Colony)
  @ Bet HaDfus, Givat Shaul
  @ King David 19 (just north of the King David hotel)
  @ Sderot Weizman (on the exit to Road 1 to Tel Aviv)

Jerusalem cafes, bars (and restaurants) with Internet

• Adom (Red) @ 31 Yafo Street (restaurant)
• Belinda @ 9 Diskin Street
• Ben Cafe @ 2 Ben Yehuda
• Blazer Cafe @ 5 Shmeul HaNagid
• Bolinat @ 6 Dorot Rishonim
• Burger King @ 10 Ben Yehuda
• Cafe Esti @ Yafo, Capital Studio Building 206
• Cafe Faza @ HaPalmach
• Cafe Nona @ 30 Aza Street
• Cafe Net @ 232 Yafo (New Central Bus Station)
• Cafe Paradiso @ 36 Keren HaYesod
• Caffit @ 35 Emek Rafaim
• Castel @ 32 Lechi (in the Regency Jerusalem hotel)
• Conus Ice-cream bar @ 24 Agripas Street
• Diaz @ 1 Shlomtzion HaMelka (restaurant)
• Elvis American Diner @ Neveh Ilan petrol station (restaurant)
• HaMishpacha (The Family) @ 12 Salomon Street (restaurant)
• Joy @ 24 Emek Rafaim (restaurant)
• La Cuisine @ 20 Aza Street (restaurant)
• Masaryk @ corner of Emek Refaim and Rehov Masaryk in the German Colony
• McDonalds @ 208 Yafo Street, @ 4 Shamay Street, and @ 44 Emek Rafaim
• Olive @ 36 Emek Rafaim (restaurant)
• Olive and Fish @ 2 Jabotinsky Street
• Parpar (Butterfly) @ Dania Square (restaurant)
• Pina BeShamai @ 8 Shamai Street (restaurant)
• Polly @ 1 Yehuda Street (restaurant)
• Rastobar @ 1 Ben Maymon (restaurant)
• Resto Cafe @ 20 Marcus Street (Jerusalem Theater)
• Rimon @ Ben Yehuda promenade
• Shwarma Moshiko @ 10 Ben Yehuda (restaurant)
• Spagettim @ 35 Hillel Street (restaurant)
• Tal Bagels @ 46 Emek Rafaim
• Tmol Shilshom @ 5 Salomon Street
• Village Green @ 33 Yafo Street (restaurant)

UPDATE: The list has been updated thanks to some great feedback from Jerusalemites HarryR and Rebecca.

So here’s our little guide to the cafes and bars in Tel Aviv that have wireless Internet, just so you’ll never have to go Internet “cold turkey” on your visit to Tel Aviv. If you’re not only looking for Wi-Fi, check out our guide to the best cafes in Tel Aviv.

Most listed below provide FREE Internet, though some require payment (where indicated). And yes, if you know of any little gems to add to this list, please let us know!

Tel Aviv cafes with Internet – the coffee shop chains

• Aroma, one of the most popular coffee shop chains in Israel:
  @ 88 Yigal Allon (corner of HaShlosha)
  @ 30 Sheinkin Street
  @ 9 HaMasger (Ampa House)
  @ Azrieli Mall, 2nd floor
  @ 132 Dizengoff
• Arcaffe, another of Israel’s leading coffee chains:
  @ Arenia, corner of Arba’ah Street
  @ HaBarzel 21
  @ Ramat Aviv Mall, 40 Einstein Street
  @ Azrieli Mall, 132 Begin Road
  @ 35 Bazel Street
  @ 31 Rothschild Street
  @ Mircaz Shuster Ramat Aviv, 7 Achimeir Street
• Coffee Bean, another of the cafe big boys in Tel Aviv:
  @ Mircaz Shuster Ramat Aviv, 19 Achimeir Street
  @ Ziv Towers, 24 Raul Wallenberg
  @ 75 Ibn Gvirol
  @ 57 Yehuda Maccabee
• Cafe Cafe, yet another leading light in the Israeli coffee shop biz:
  @ Azrieli Mall, 2nd floor
  @ Mekido Center, 8 Aharon Becker Street
  @ 38 Ibn Gvirol Street
  @ 1 Maserik Square
  @ 95 HaHashmoniam Road
  @ 9 Rothschild Street
  @ 27 Bograshov
  @ Yigal Allon, the corner of HaShlosha
  @ 61 Yehuda Maccabee
  @ 3 Nefcha (off Sheinkin Street)
  @ 247 Dizengoff Street
  @ 11 Openheimer
  @ 110 Ibn Gvirol Street
  @ 31 Tchernichovski Street
• Ilan’s, not quite as widespread as the others above:
  @ 14 Ehad Ha’am
  @ 91 Ibn Gvirol Street
  @ 20 Carlibach Street
  @ Kiryat Atidim, Tower 4
• Yellow, the one-stop shops you can find at most Paz petrol stations:
  @ HaKiryah, 148 Begin Road
  @ HaShalom, 13 Shalom Road
  @ HaTikva, 42 HaHagana Road
  @ Sderot Rokach (opposite the Luna Park)
  @ 35 Eilat Road
  @ 24 Sadia Gaon
  @ 46 Sderot Ben Zvi

Tel Aviv cafes, bars (and restaurants) with Internet

• Espressonet @ 22 Frishman Street (corner of Sirkin)
• X-Ray @ 31 Bograshov Street
• Olive @ 35 Bograshov Street
• Interfun @ 20 Allenby Road
• Manta Ray @ Alma Beach
• Ben Cafe @ 2 Ben Yehuda Street
• Internet Login @ 21 Ben Yehuda Street
• Arbeter Cafe @ 3 Shlomo HaMelech
• Lehem Erez @ 120 Ben Yehuda Street
• Ginzburg Cafe @ 55 Ehad Ha’am Street
• Tazza D’oro @ 6 Ehad Ha’am Street
• Evita @ 31 Yavne Street
• Gabriel @ 42 Montefiore Street
• Lenny’s @ Vital 7 (Florentin)
• Chocolate Boutique @ 15 Yad Harutzim
• GoalTime @ 24 HaTaaysim
• Messa @ 19 HaArb’ah Street (restaurant)
• MeatBar @ 52 Sderot Chen (restaurant)
• Little Prince @ 3 Simta Palonit (off King George Street)
• Brasserie @ 70 Ibn Gvirol
• Dominos Pizza @ 143 Ibn Gvirol
• Assuta Hospital (Coffee-to-go) @ 62 Jabotinsky Street (Payment required)
• Cafe Latte @ 34 Bazel Street
• MASH pub @ 275 Dizengoff Street
• Boya @ Namal Tel Aviv (restaurant)
• Henrietta @ 186 Arlozorov Street
• Beta Cafe @ 15 Brodetski Street
• Seatara @ Tel Baruch Beach, Sea and Sun (restaurant)
• University Tel Aviv @ Haim Levnon Street (various buildings and eateries, most of which require payment)
• Burger King @ Top Dan Center, 72 Pinhas Rosen

Coming real soon: Our guide to Jerusalem bars and cafes with Wireless Internet.

So if you ever have that bagel moment again, don’t let it slip, because Tal Bagels have the best bagels in town. Not bad coffee either, and definitely some of the finest yogurt in town.

Tal Bagels isn’t, admittedly, one of the cool, to-be-seen in places in Tel Aviv, it’s more of a lunchtime spot where the hungry gather. I’ve even had a breakfast or two there on my way to various places throughout Tel Aviv in the early morning rush hour. At that time the place isn’t steaming, the staff have time to explain everything to you and you can just watch the traffic flow (Ha! Flow?? In central Tel Aviv?!) past your window seat.

The bagel is, of course, the staple ingredient at Tal Bagels. You can buy just a bagel, without any fillings, if that’s what floats your boat: however, once you’ve seen their dairy display chocka with all sorts of delicious fillings, you won’t be going away with just a plain old bagel…then again, when I say plain, that does include their freshly baked onion AND sesame seed AND poppy seed AND cinnamon AND herb bagels…

Apparently, they have also recently just invested a fortune in a top-of-the-line yogurt machine, one that makes real yogurt, not the crap some of these supposed “yogurt shops” are selling. And I can tell you, the Tal Bagels yogurt might just knock your socks off. If it doesn’t, at least go away with the knowledge that you’ve eaten some real yogurt…

Tal Bagels also has branches in Jerusalem (the only kosher branch in Israel) and the Cinema City complex at the Glilot junction. Check out the menu for the Jerusalem branch here (in English), I should imagine the Tel Aviv branch is exactly the same. FYI, at Tal Bagels there is also a big range of light lunches and breakfasts, including a very tasty muesli.

What I like most about Tal Bagels: no pretensions and no smart-arse waitresses with an attitude. It’s relaxed, the food is good, coffee good and you’re pretty free to stop and take a seat or just take your order away with you. You can even call to order if you can’t make it over there.

Tal Bagels, Tel Aviv: Carlibach 41, 03-5610564
Tal Bagels, Cinema City: Glilot Junction, 03-6990718
Tal Bagels, Jerusalem: Emek Refaim 46, 02-5666666

And, of course, you might well be tempted by one of the unique Magnum ice-creams on sale here, as they are apparently unavailable elsewhere. Holy Moses, Magnums coated with Brownies and Chinese pecan nuts – stop, stop, keep it away from me!

The good thing about the Magnums on sale here (and here they are, in all their glory, but unfortunately descriptions in Hebrew only – but hey, who needs Hebrew!), they are Mini sized. And only 8 shekels each. Oh dear, that means I might have to have another one…

The bar is only open until the 27th of July, so get down there as quick as you can. You can be as old or as young as you like, it’s FREE to get in, and the music and air conditioning are worth your attention, at least for a few minutes! Go on, take a break from your walk along the deck of Tel Aviv Port and check it out!

The bar is open from Sunday to Thursday from 5pm to 1am, Friday from 10am to 4pm, and on Saturday from the end of Shabbat to 1am.

Kids definitely welcome!

Café Noach – a book-lined café in the heart of Tel Aviv that’s popular with writers. 93 Ahad Ha’am (corner of HaHashmonaim). Closed Friday night / Saturday.

18 Balfour Street  - tucked away on a quiet corner, this beautiful little café looks like something out of Paris during the belle époque. The croissants are better than Paris, though. Closed Saturday.

Café Ben Ami – Full of models and media types,during the day, this café serves some of the best pastries in the city. 22 Nachmani Street. Closed Friday night / Saturday.

Café Tachtit – Open 24 hours, this cozy little café attracts a bohemian / artsy crowd that includes some well known media types. 9 Lincoln Street.

LovEat – I don’t usually recommend cafes that require customers to order at the cash register, but the coffee at LovEat – their own blend – is so fantastic that I have to mention it. The wooden deck out back is also a lovely place to sit. The coffee can be purchased by weight to take away – ground or in whole beans. 37 Nachalat Binyamin, near the Carmel Market.

Horace Café – Just a few steps away from Jaffa’s legendary flea market, this stunningly beautiful café-cum-art gallery serves upscale café food and excellent homemade French pastries. 34 Olei Zion Street, Jaffa.

Puah Café – Located right in the middle of the flea market, this charming café is decorated in an appropriately eclectic style to reflect the surrounding atmosphere. The food is truly special, with a combination of Levantine and European influences. 3 Rabbi Yohanan Street, Jaffa.

Suzanna – In the heart of Neve Tzedek, opposite the Suzanne Dellal Center for Modern Dance, Suzanna specializes in Mediterranean and North African cuisine. 9 Shabazi Street.

Bialik Café – A charming place that attracts a lot of musicians and writers, Bialik is located on a noisy corner of Allenby, but Bialik Street itself is a lovely cul de sac, worth exploring for its museums and boutiques. The food is mediocre, but the coffee and drinks are excellent. 2 Bialik Street.

Café Michal – Michal’s Levantine/North African food is memorably delicious; it tastes as though it was prepared especially for you by a loving mother or aunt. The décor is upscale flea market, and the regulars include some famous authors and poets. 230 Dizengoff Street (corner of Jabotinsky).

Café Mersand – The ultimate hipster hangout, Mersand was until recently a dusty old café owned by cranky, aged German refugees who served bad coffee with a sneer. Then it was purchased by some local guys that employed tattooed and pierced waitresses who are a tad friendlier. The service hasn’t improved much in terms of efficiency, but the food and coffee are excellent – although the breakfast is a bit odd: eggs are hard or soft boiled only, with no fried or scrambled available. 70 Ben Yehuda Street (corner of Frishmann).

Shine – Sleek and modern, Shine is a trendy hangout with an interesting menu that includes a sweet-and-sour tofu salad. Nice touches include water glasses filled with chunks of orange and lemon. At night, Shine turns into a happening bar scene. 38 Shlomo Hamelech.

In addition to all the independent cafes, there are several homegrown chains that are so successful that Starbucks went broke one year after trying to enter the Israeli market. There was just too much competition from local cafes that offered a better product for a lower price.

Arcaffe – Upscale and expensive. Counter service for the first order, but second orders will be taken by the waiter.

Café Café – Friendly table service and good – though not great – coffee. The menu is standard Tel Aviv café food – nothing special, but not bad.

Hillel – originally a Jerusalem chain, Hillel is kosher. It offers counter service only. The quality is similar to Café Café.

Aroma – With its signature red-black-and-white motif and sleek design, Aroma cultivates a young clientele that tends to go for the sweet, Starbucks-style frozen coffee drinks. All beverages are served with a cube of chocolate. Try the house coffee with whipped cream and melted chocolate.

Ilan’s – There are only a few branches around Tel Aviv, but Ilan’s is known for its superior product and knowledgeable staff. The cafes also sell a range of coffee makers and beans.

Espresso Bar – A pioneer in the local café business, Espresso Bar goes back to the mid-1990’s – ancient history for Tel Aviv, the ultimate modern city. Its staying power is testament to its quality. Unlike most of the local café chains, Espresso Bar offers table service at all its branches.

Did I miss a gem? Let us know…

Most striking is that they are all packed with customers, from early in the morning until late at night. On quiet days like Saturday, the sound of hissing espresso machines replaces the roar of diesel buses. In Tel Aviv, it seems that there’s no such thing as a saturated market when it comes to cafes: as soon as a new one opens, it attracts a loyal clientele. If you really want to soak up the city’s dynamic, creative and laid-back atmosphere, the best place to hang out is at a local café.

In Tel Aviv, cafes are an extension of the living-room and a replacement for the office. They are a place to hold business meetings, read newspapers, write a novel or an article, or work on a new program for a high-tech start up. Once you’ve visited a café two or three times you are a regular. The waiters and the bartender will smile and greet you by name, and they will remember your coffee preferences – light on the foam, two shots of espresso, skim milk, etc.

In Tel Aviv everyone has a favorite café – whether it is the local hangout just down the street, or a particular literary café where young poets and critics gather to read and discuss their work. There are cafes that are favorite gathering places for musicians and actors, or journalists and novelists or models and television show hosts. Some are unpretentious neighborhood joints with formica-topped tables and mis-matched chairs culled from the flea market, while others cultivate a sleek, Levant-meets-Europe look for the north Tel Aviv, SUV-driving crowd. Most serve a variation on the salad-quiche-sandwich-pasta type of menu, with various interpretations of the classic Israeli breakfast that range from good to excellent. But they all have one thing in common: they serve consistently great coffee.

Even the Italian tourists are impressed by the coffee served in Tel Aviv cafes. True, this might have something to do with the fact that we use coffee beans imported from Italy; but it takes skill to make a perfect cappuccino, and the café owners of Tel Aviv have turned coffee making into an art – nay, a science. They have trained a whole generation of Israelis to appreciate a perfectly brewed and pulled espresso, and expertly frothed milk.

For a first-time visitor, the sheer number of Tel Aviv cafes can be a bit confusing. Where are the best ones? Or where are the cafes that suit your style? Well, my guide to the best cafes in Tel Aviv should help you out…unfold your newspaper, get out your laptop, and get your tastebuds ready!