Quick answer
Shakshuka in Jaffa and Tel Aviv ranges from ₪35-₪140, with Dr. Shakshuka recommended for its Libyan-style shakshuka. This North African-rooted dish is best enjoyed during the cooler months for comforting warmth. From fiery harissa to Swiss chard and labneh, Jaffa and Tel Aviv elevate shakshuka to an art form with diverse variations.
- Best overall
- Cafe HaKovshim (קפה הכובשים)
- Price/value range
- 45 – ₪60/person
- Top-ranked pick
- Dr. Shakshuka (דוקטור שקשוקה) — ₪45–₪75/person
- Last verified
- 2026-03
Top verdicts
- Dr. Shakshuka (דוקטור שקשוקה): The single most recommended shakshuka spot on Reddit — mentioned in virtually every "where to eat in Jaffa" thread.
- Shakshukit (שקשוקית): Where locals go when they want shakshuka without the tourist premium.
- Cafe Yom Tov (קפה יום טוב): A neighborhood cafe that happens to make excellent shakshuka.
Shakshuka in Jaffa and Tel Aviv ranges from ₪35-₪140, with Dr. Shakshuka recommended for its Libyan-style shakshuka. This North African-rooted dish is best enjoyed during the cooler months for comforting warmth. From fiery harissa to Swiss chard and labneh, Jaffa and Tel Aviv elevate shakshuka to an art form with diverse variations.
Shakshuka — eggs poached in a spiced tomato-pepper sauce, mopped up with pillowy bread — is Israel's definitive comfort food. But in Jaffa and Tel Aviv, where the dish has deep North African roots, it's elevated to an art form. From Libyan-style with fiery harissa to green shakshuka with Swiss chard and labneh, there's a world of variation beyond the basic version you've made at home.
We dug through hundreds of Reddit posts across r/telaviv, r/Israel, r/travel, and r/solotravel to find the shakshuka spots that locals and repeat visitors genuinely swear by. These aren't the places with the best Instagram presence — they're the ones that keep getting named in "where should I actually eat?" threads.
Shakshuka Map
How we built this list
We analyzed 120+ Reddit posts and 800+ comments across r/telaviv, r/Israel, r/travel, r/solotravel, and r/foodtravel — spanning 2019 to 2025. Restaurants were ranked by how frequently they were recommended by independent users across separate threads. We weighted long-term Tel Aviv residents' picks more heavily than first-time visitor posts.
1Dr. Shakshuka (דוקטור שקשוקה)
Libyan ShakshukaQuick comparison
- Best for
- 10+ varieties and the theatrical atmosphere
- Strengths
- 3.5★ from 4,287 Google reviews · Libyan Shakshuka · Jaffa Flea Market
- Price / value
- 3.5★ from 4,287 reviews
- Why it made the list
- The single most recommended shakshuka spot on Reddit — mentioned in virtually every "where to eat in Jaffa" thread. Chef Bino Gabso's Libyan heritage gives his shakshukot an authenticity and depth you won't find at standard Israeli cafes. Yes, it's touristy. Yes, there's a wait. It's still worth it for the 10+ varieties and the theatrical atmosphere.
- What to order
- Dr. Shakshuka (דוקטור שקשוקה), located in the Jaffa Flea Market, offers Libyan Shakshuka at ₪45–₪75/person. Order the classic Libyan shakshuka, or be adventurous with the shawarma or merguez shakshuka; the restaurant has over 10 varieties, so ask the staff for recommendations based on your spice tolerance. Everything comes with fresh pita bread.
🕐 Open now
2Shakshukit (שקשוקית)
Specialty ShakshukaQuick comparison
- Best for
- Specialty Shakshuka in Beit Eshel, near Carmel Market
- Strengths
- 3.5★ from 4,287 Google reviews · Specialty Shakshuka · Beit Eshel, near Carmel Market
- Price / value
- 3.5★ from 4,287 reviews
- Why it made the list
- Where locals go when they want shakshuka without the tourist premium. Small, unpretentious, and laser-focused on doing one thing excellently. The green shakshuka here rivals any in the city. A 5-minute walk from Carmel Market makes it easy to pair with a market stroll.
- What to order
- Shakshukit (שקשוקית), near Carmel Market in Beit Eshel, serves specialty shakshuka for ₪35–₪55/person. Order the classic red shakshuka in a skillet, or try their green shakshuka with spinach and feta. Portions are generous and come with challah bread, and the feta-topped version adds a nice creamy contrast to the tangy tomato.
🕐 Open now
3Cafe Yom Tov (קפה יום טוב)
Israeli CafeQuick comparison
- Best for
- Israeli Cafe in Near Shuk HaCarmel
- Strengths
- 4.5★ from 1,820 Google reviews · Known for vegetarian options · Israeli Cafe
- Limitations
- the whole ritual of sitting outside with coffee and fresh bread while the market buzzes around you
- Price / value
- 4.5★ from 1,820 reviews
- Why it made the list
- A neighborhood cafe that happens to make excellent shakshuka. The location next to the Carmel Market gives it a vibrant, lived-in atmosphere. This is where you go when you want the full "Israeli morning" experience — not just the dish, but the whole ritual of sitting outside with coffee and fresh bread while the market buzzes around you.
- What to order
- Cafe Yom Tov (קפה יום טוב), near Shuk HaCarmel, is an Israeli cafe where shakshuka costs ₪40–₪65/person. Order the house shakshuka — a perfectly spiced classic version served in a cast iron skillet with fresh bread. Pair it with their Turkish coffee or fresh-squeezed orange juice; the full Israeli breakfast is also excellent if you want the complete spread.
🕐 Open now
5Old Man and the Sea (הזקן והים)
Middle EasternQuick comparison
- Best for
- Middle Eastern in Jaffa Port
- Strengths
- 4.2★ from 10,574 Google reviews · Middle Eastern · Jaffa Port
- Limitations
- one of the most celebrated Jaffa restaurants for good reason
- Price / value
- 4.2★ from 10,574 reviews
- Why it made the list
- Not a dedicated shakshuka spot, but one of the most celebrated Jaffa restaurants for good reason. The 22-dish meze spread is legendary and always includes a killer shakshuka alongside hummus, baba ganoush, and pickled everything. The waterfront setting at Jaffa Port makes it feel like a proper occasion. Come for the shakshuka, stay for the entire Mediterranean feast.
- What to order
- Old Man and the Sea (הזקן והים), situated in Jaffa Port, offers Middle Eastern cuisine with shakshuka at ₪80–₪140/person. Start with the incredible spread of 22 meze dishes that arrive the moment you sit down (included in the price), then order a fish main course. Their shakshuka is a standout among the starters — rich, spiced, and perfectly complemented by the fresh pita.
- Reservation
- Recommended
🕐 Open now
6Ozen Cafe (אוזן קפה)
White ShakshukaQuick comparison
- Best for
- White Shakshuka in King George Street, Tel Aviv
- Strengths
- 4.2★ from 1,272 Google reviews · White Shakshuka · King George Street, Tel Aviv
- Price / value
- 4.2★ from 1,272 reviews
- Why it made the list
- The dark horse of Tel Aviv shakshuka. While everyone fights over classic red versions, Ozen Cafe quietly invented the white shakshuka sandwich and built a cult following around it. If you've had your fill of traditional shakshuka and want something genuinely different, this is your spot. King George Street location makes it easy to hit after exploring the Carmel Market area.
- What to order
- Ozen Cafe (אוזן קפה), on King George Street in Tel Aviv, is known for its white shakshuka, with prices ranging from ₪35–₪60/person. Order the white shakshuka sandwich — a completely unique take you won't find anywhere else. It's messy, indulgent, and unforgettable, with creamy, cheesy eggs nestled in a labneh-cream sauce, all stuffed into fresh bread.
7Shakshukia (שקשוקיה)
Specialty ShakshukaQuick comparison
- Best for
- Specialty Shakshuka in Jaffa, near the Clock Tower
- Strengths
- 3.5★ from 4,287 Google reviews · Known for vegetarian options · Specialty Shakshuka
- Price / value
- 3.5★ from 4,287 reviews
- Why it made the list
- The locals' alternative to Dr. Shakshuka. Same Jaffa atmosphere, similar quality, shorter wait. Shakshukia doesn't try to reinvent the wheel — it just makes excellent traditional shakshuka in a cozy setting. The merguez version adds a spicy North African kick that pairs beautifully with their bread.
- What to order
- Shakshukia (שקשוקיה), near the Clock Tower in Jaffa, is a specialty shakshuka spot where dishes cost ₪38–₪58/person. Order the classic red shakshuka in a cast iron pan, or try their signature version with merguez sausage. Their green shakshuka with spinach and labneh is also excellent, and all are served with warm, fresh-baked bread.
🕐 Open now
8Cafe Puaa (קפה פועה)
Jaffa CafeQuick comparison
- Best for
- Jaffa Cafe in Jaffa Flea Market area
- Strengths
- 4.4★ from 5,596 Google reviews · Known for vegetarian options · Jaffa Cafe
- Limitations
- especially shines at brunch
- Price / value
- 4.4★ from 5,596 reviews
- Why it made the list
- A Jaffa flea market institution that does everything well, but especially shines at brunch. The bohemian atmosphere — mismatched furniture, art on the walls, outdoor tables on the cobblestone square — makes it feel authentically Jaffa. Their shakshuka is straightforward and excellent, best enjoyed slowly with the eclectic crowd.
- What to order
- Cafe Puaa (קפה פועה), in the Jaffa Flea Market area, is a Jaffa cafe offering shakshuka for ₪45–₪75/person. Their shakshuka is part of a broader Israeli-Mediterranean brunch menu, but the sabich plate is also stellar. For shakshuka, the classic red with extra bread is the move, and you should sit outside in the flea market square if you can — the people-watching is half the experience.
🕐 Open now
9Caspi (כספי)
Classic ShakshukaQuick comparison
- Best for
- Classic Shakshuka in Central Tel Aviv
- Strengths
- 4.3★ from 992 Google reviews · Classic Shakshuka · Central Tel Aviv
- Price / value
- 4.3★ from 992 reviews
- Why it made the list
- A no-nonsense spot that nails the two pillars of Israeli cuisine: shakshuka and hummus. No gimmicks, no Instagram-bait presentations — just consistently good food at reasonable prices. The kind of place you return to because it hits every time.
- What to order
- Caspi (כספי), located in Central Tel Aviv, is a classic shakshuka spot with prices between ₪35–₪55/person and a rating of 4.3★ (992 reviews). Order the shakshuka and hummus combo — they do both exceptionally well. Get the classic shakshuka with a side of their fresh hummus and extra pita; it's simple, affordable, and exactly what you want for a hearty Israeli brunch.
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10Bucke Cafe (בוקה קפה)
Israeli BreakfastQuick comparison
- Best for
- Israeli Breakfast in Near Carmel Market, Tel Aviv
- Strengths
- 4.4★ from 202 Google reviews · Israeli Breakfast · Near Carmel Market, Tel Aviv
- Price / value
- 4.4★ from 202 reviews
- Why it made the list
- Mentioned in the same breath as Cafe Yom Tov by locals, Bucke Cafe delivers a proper Israeli breakfast where the shakshuka is the centerpiece. The walk from Carmel Market is pleasant and the vibe is more neighborhood cafe than tourist attraction. A solid backup if the market-area spots are packed.
- What to order
- Bucke Cafe (בוקה קפה), near Carmel Market in Tel Aviv, is an Israeli breakfast spot where shakshuka costs ₪40–₪65/person and has a rating of 4.4★ (202 reviews). Order the full Israeli breakfast with shakshuka — it arrives as a spread of small plates including salads, bread, labneh, and the star shakshuka in its own skillet. Good coffee too, and perfect for a long, lazy morning meal.
🕐 Open now
11Saluf & Sons (סלוף ובניו)
YemeniteQuick comparison
- Best for
- Yemenite in Florentin, Tel Aviv
- Strengths
- 4.5★ from 1,741 Google reviews · Yemenite · Florentin, Tel Aviv
- Price / value
- 4.5★ from 1,741 reviews
- Why it made the list
- A different angle on shakshuka entirely. The Yemenite spice blend (hawaij) gives their version a warmth and depth that classic Moroccan-style places don't have. The real move is ordering shakshuka with jachnun — the slow-baked, buttery Yemenite bread turns the whole dish into something transcendent. Florentin neighborhood adds great atmosphere.
- What to order
- Saluf & Sons (סלוף ובניו), in Florentin, Tel Aviv, is a Yemenite restaurant with shakshuka priced at ₪45–₪80/person. Order their Yemenite-style shakshuka with hawaij spice blend — it's warmer and more complex than standard versions. Pair with jachnun (slow-baked Yemenite bread) or malawach (flaky Yemenite pancake) instead of regular pita; the combination is something you can only really get in Israel.
12Arcaffe (ארקפה)
Cafe ChainQuick comparison
- Best for
- Cafe Chain in Multiple locations (try Rothschild Blvd)
- Strengths
- 4.1★ from 1,467 Google reviews · Cafe Chain · Multiple locations (try Rothschild Blvd)
- Limitations
- Reddit locals keep bringing up Arcaffe's shakshuka for a reason — it's genuinely good
- Price / value
- 4.1★ from 1,467 reviews
- Why it made the list
- The controversial pick. Purists will scoff at recommending a chain, but Reddit locals keep bringing up Arcaffe's shakshuka for a reason — it's genuinely good. When you're staying near Rothschild and want a reliable shakshuka without trekking to Jaffa, this delivers. Think of it as your weekday default, not your special-occasion spot.
- What to order
- Arcaffe (ארקפה), a cafe chain with multiple locations (try Rothschild Blvd), serves classic shakshuka for ₪40–₪60/person. Order the classic shakshuka — surprisingly well-executed for a chain. The Rothschild Boulevard location is the best for ambiance, and you should pair it with their strong Israeli coffee. It's consistent, reliable, and available at multiple locations across the city.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best shakshuka restaurant in Jaffa?
Based on Reddit consensus, Dr. Shakshuka in Jaffa's flea market area is the most famous and frequently recommended. Run by Libyan-born chef Bino Gabso, it offers over 10 varieties of shakshuka in a theatrical atmosphere. For a more local, less touristy option, Shakshukia nearby offers excellent versions without the long waits.
How much does shakshuka cost in Tel Aviv?
A standard shakshuka in Tel Aviv costs ₪35–₪55 (about $10–$15 USD) at most cafes and restaurants. At upscale spots or places like Dr. Shakshuka with specialty versions, expect ₪55–₪85 ($15–$23 USD). A full Israeli breakfast with shakshuka at a sit-down cafe typically runs ₪55–₪80 per person.
What is the difference between red and green shakshuka?
Red shakshuka (the classic) features eggs poached in a tomato-pepper sauce seasoned with cumin and paprika. Green shakshuka swaps the tomato base for a sauce of spinach, chard, or other greens with herbs and sometimes labneh. White shakshuka uses a base of cream, cheese, or labneh instead of tomato. Each is a distinct experience — red is the classic, green is lighter, and white is richer.
Is shakshuka a breakfast or lunch dish in Israel?
Shakshuka is traditionally served as breakfast or brunch in Israel, often as part of a full Israeli breakfast spread with salads, bread, and spreads. However, many restaurants serve it all day. Dr. Shakshuka in Jaffa serves it for lunch and dinner too. Most cafes stop serving breakfast items by 12–1 PM, but dedicated shakshuka spots serve it throughout their opening hours.
Do I need a reservation for shakshuka restaurants in Tel Aviv?
For Dr. Shakshuka, no reservations are taken — it's first come, first served. Expect a 20–40 minute wait on weekends, especially Friday brunch. For cafes like Cafe Yom Tov and Cafe HaKovshim, weekday mornings are easy but Friday brunch gets packed. Arriving before 9 AM on weekends helps avoid the worst crowds at most spots.
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