Whether you’re dreaming of Bangkok, missing Tokyo, or just looking for a bite that will blow your palate away – Tel Aviv has become a powerhouse of excellent Asian cuisine in recent years. The list before you doesn’t rely on guesswork, but is based on Ontopo’s real data and the places you love returning to again and again. We’ve selected the ten spots that manage to create a total experience – one that combines excellent food, electrifying atmosphere, and precision in the small details.
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And in practice, what’s worth knowing
| # | Restaurant name | Style | Area in the city |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thai House | Traditional Thai | Bograshov / The Sea |
| 2 | Gaijin Izakaya | Japanese / Izakaya | City Center / Lilienblum |
| 3 | Kab Kem | Thai Food Bar | Lincoln / Yehuda Halevi |
| 4 | ASA Izakaya | Neighborhood Japanese | The Old North / Ben Yehuda |
| 5 | Taizu | Asian-Mediterranean | Derech Begin |
| 6 | Yan | Sushi Bar | Ben Yehuda / North City |
| 7 | The Thai at Har Sinai | Thai / Street Food | Great Synagogue Complex |
| 8 | TYO | Japanese / Lounge | Shabazi / Neve Tzedek |
| 9 | Thai 148 | Modern Thai | Dizengoff / Old North |
| 10 | ZO | Sushi Wok | Habima Square / Rothschild Boulevard |
1. Thai House
A culinary institution that is much more than a restaurant. Chef Yariv Malili has succeeded in doing what few have done before him – educating the Israeli palate to authentic, spicy, and uncompromising Thai flavors. When you enter, the noise of Bograshov disappears and is replaced by the scents of lemongrass, galangal, and fresh coconut milk squeezed on the spot.
The magic here lies in the precise simplicity. There is no attempt to be clever, but a desire to bring Thailand as it is – colorful, full of flavors, and sometimes sweaty from the spiciness. This is the ideal place for a large family meal where the table is filled with shared plates, with sticky rice on the side that absorbs all the wonderful sauces.
Must-try dishes: Pad Krapow (minced meat with Thai basil and fried egg), Som Tam (classic spicy papaya salad), Sai Hua (Chiang Mai sausages rich in spices).
📍 Bograshov 8, Tel Aviv
2. Gaijin Izakaya
If you’re looking to feel like you’re in Tokyo for one evening, Gaijin is the answer. This is a modern and meticulous izakaya (Japanese bar) that brings a dim and sexy vibe to the heart of the city. The design based on dark wood and low lighting creates immediate intimacy, and the kitchen puts out Japanese dishes with surgical precision.
The experience at Gaijin ranges between upscale restaurant and relaxed bar. You can sit here at the bar, sip quality sake and nibble on small, precise skewers grilled on a Japanese charcoal grill, or indulge in sushi dishes that showcase fish at a rare level of freshness. This is a spot that’s perfect for a romantic date you want to impress with, or for an evening with friends who appreciate fine fish at a high level.
Must-try dishes: White grouper skewer (with tara and purple sweet potato), Nigiri Hamachi (seared fish belly with yuzu kosho), Smoked beet sashimi (a surprising dish with black garlic ponzu).
📍 Lilienblum 29, Tel Aviv
3. Kab Kem
The little, wild, and nocturnal sister of Thai House. Yariv Malili created here a place dedicated to Thai “food next to alcohol” culture. The music here is louder, the atmosphere more relaxed, and the food is meant to accompany glasses of gin and tonic or cold Thai beer.
The menu is built from dishes that are fun to eat with your hands or share, with a strong emphasis on spicy-sour flavors that open the appetite and the thirst. If at Thai House you come for a proper dinner, at Kab Kem you come to hang out, drink, and get a little messy from fish sauce and chili. The energy in the place is always high and the vibe young and vibrant.
Must-try dishes: Pla Tod Samun Prai (fried sea bass with a pile of herbs), Nam Tok Neua (spicy seared beef chunks salad), Morning Glory with crispy pork.
📍 Lincoln 11, Tel Aviv
4. ASA Izakaya
A neighborhood Japanese gem that manages to maintain authenticity and winning simplicity. ASA is exactly the place you want under your house – unpretentious, pleasant, and serving comforting and tasty Japanese food. The place focuses on the classic izakaya experience, with a menu that combines Japanese grill dishes (yakitori) with sushi and hot starters.
Sitting here is pleasant and not binding, very suitable for a spontaneous dinner in the middle of the week. The staff is friendly and the atmosphere exudes the warmth of a small Japanese eatery. This is the place to order a glass of beer, some skewers and a good sushi roll, and feel that life is beautiful and calm, at least for a short hour.
Must-try dishes: Yakitori skewers (chicken thigh/scallion), handmade gyoza, rotating special rolls from the board.
📍 Ahad Ha’am 54, Tel Aviv
5. Taizu
Chef Yuval Ben Neriah created at Taizu one of the most respected and consistent restaurants in Israel. This is not just another Asian restaurant, but a journey that deconstructs and reconstructs the flavors of Southeast Asia with a superior local interpretation. The impressive space and meticulous service turn every meal here into a festive event.
Taizu’s menu is based on local ingredients using Asian techniques, and each dish looks like a small work of art. The restaurant’s Indian Sundays have already become a Tel Aviv tradition, but any day of the week you’ll find food here that manages to surprise anew with textures and complex flavor combinations. A must for any self-respecting foodie.
Must-try dishes: Taizu tartare (in a crispy cone), Shanghai dumpling (veal cheek and clear broth), shrimp and calamari curry (with jasmine rice).
📍 Derech Menachem Begin 23, Tel Aviv
6. YAN
YAN brings to the table the winning combination of quality and accessible sushi with a diverse and warm Asian kitchen. The restaurant, located in the Old North, has become a crowd favorite thanks to its ability to satisfy a craving for good sushi without unnecessary ceremonies, but with plenty of flavor and attention to freshness.
The menu is wide and offers something for everyone – from lovers of raw fish to those who prefer a hot stir-fry from the wok. The atmosphere in the place is light and young, and the modern design makes sitting in the place fun, whether it’s for a quick lunch or an evening with friends. The sushi here is known for its generosity and creative combinations.
Must-try dishes: Baked salmon roll, Yuzu cream sashimi, Chicken thigh in red curry
📍 Sderot Ben Gurion 40, Tel Aviv
7. The Thai at Har Sinai
If you are looking for the roughness, noise, and strong flavors of a night market in Thailand – this is the place. Located in one of the coolest alleys near the Great Synagogue, this restaurant offers an experience that is the furthest from “stuffy”. You sit close together, drink beer from the bottle, and eat kicking food.
The kitchen here focuses on Thai street food, the kind that doesn’t apologize for spiciness or strong smells of fish sauce. The music is always cheerful, the crowd diverse, and the feeling is of a spontaneous party that happened in the middle of the street. The dishes come out fast, hot, and excite the palate.
Must-try dishes: Som Tam Isan (papaya salad in a rural and very spicy version), Yam Pla (deconstructed fried fish salad), Nam Tok (seared meat salad).
📍 Har Sinai 1, Tel Aviv
8. TYO
At TYO, Japanese chef Yama-san conducts a kitchen that combines ancient Japanese tradition with a glittering Tel Aviv nightlife atmosphere. This is the place to see and be seen, where the food doesn’t fall short of the luxurious atmosphere. The sushi here is considered among the best in the city, with fish of the highest quality and precise cutting.
The designed space in Neve Tzedek radiates luxury, and the large bar in the center is the beating heart of the place. In the evenings, the music rises and the restaurant turns into a kind of luxurious lounge that’s fun to spend long hours in. The combination of excellent cocktails, world-class sushi, and beautiful people makes TYO a highly sought-after destination.
Must-try dishes: Black Cod (in miso marinade, a classic dish), Aki Age (hearts of palm, soybeans, and crispy corn kernels – an addictive snack), Sashimi (a selection of raw fish from the sea).
📍 Shabazi 58, Tel Aviv
9. Thai 148
A restaurant that brings a fresh breeze to Dizengoff Street with colorful and cheerful Thai cuisine. Chef “Umi” (a graduate of Naam restaurant) serves here a personal and refreshing interpretation of Thai classics. The place wonderfully combines urban street atmosphere with meticulous plates and complex flavors.
Thai 148 excels in small and medium dishes that are fun to share, which allows tasting a wide variety of flavors in one meal. The use of fresh herbs and curry pastes made on-site is felt in every bite. The bar offers cocktails that correspond with the spicy food and complete the summery and light experience.
Must-try dishes: Miang Kham (a perfect bite on a betel leaf), Jumbo Shrimp (in chili and peanut sauce), Sticky Rice Mango (in season).
📍 Dizengoff 148, Tel Aviv
10. ZO
In a strategic location near Habima Square, ZO offers a perfect solution for those looking for quality Asian food in a young and casual atmosphere. The menu combines the worlds of sushi with rich wok dishes, so everyone can find what they love here.
The place is characterized by clean design and fast service, which makes it ideal before or after a show, or just when strolling on Rothschild Boulevard. The sushi rolls here are particularly creative, with combinations of seared fish and special sauces that give a modern twist to the familiar bite.
Must-try dishes: Samurai roll (with tuna and yellowtail), ZO Special (rich signature roll), Bun Asado (steamed bun with slow-cooked meat).
📍Sderot Rothschild 11, Tel Aviv
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