Kugel, cholent, chopped liver and chicken soup – these are just several of the classics that holiday tables around the country will boast during the upcoming High Holidays. Nothing brings together families and friends more than sharing a meal. Thus, Israel Hayom has paired up with Datilishness culinary Facebook page to hear from members about their favorite delis across the country.
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Community members visited, tasted and tested the food themselves, and here are their recommendations:
A taste of days gone by
The first to open our list is the veteran of the group. Shmulik Cohen restaurant is located in southern Tel Aviv and has been serving visitors Easter-European Jewish foods for over 80 years. Yes, you read it right, Shmulik Cohen has been around longer than the Jewish state. If you are looking for comfort food like grandma or mom used to make, Shmulik Cohen's menu – with its chicken soup and kneidlach, chopped liver, kishke, slow-cooked cow tongue and herring – is bound to satisfy your craving. Tzipi – whose parents founded the restaurant – is in charge of the kitchen, and her son Tomer runs the place. Tzipi grew up in the Shmulik Cohen kitchen and ran the place for many years. She is the daughter of THE Shmulik Cohen, who, together with his wife Carmela, established the restaurant in the 1930s.
Address: 146 Herzl St., Tel Aviv
Tel: 972-3681-972-222
Traditional Polish Jewish cuisine in urban Tel Aviv
Not far from Tel Aviv's popular Levinsky market, you will find Sender, which like Shmulik Cohen, has been serving customers since before the establishment of the state. It is run by Zemi Schreiber, whose grandfather, after whom the restaurant is named, founded the place. With its small tables, simple design and intimate atmosphere, Sender is sure to offer you the most authentic experience of Polish Jewish cuisine. But don't let the humble interior fool you, for Israel's greatests have set foot in the small deli to taste Jewish recipes that have been passed down throughout the generations. Schreiber – the chef – faithfully follows in the footsteps of his ancestors and prepares the classics of Eastern European Jewish delicacies every day – cholent, kishke, chopped liver, egg salad and a hint of grandma's schmaltz.
Address: 54 Levinsky St., Tel Aviv
Tel: 972-3-537-1872
Traditional Jewish cuisine meets 21st century
The Hahashmonaim deli in Bnei Brak is unlike anything we traditionally associate with a Jewish deli. It is neither small nor simplistic. Located on the outskirts of Bnei Brak, next to the luxurious BRS towers, Hahashmonaim deli is run by young and energetic chef Chaim Bloch, who combines traditional Jewish recipes with innovative cooking techniques and creative plating designs. Baked goods, salads, dips, meat, rice, you name it, Hahashmonaim deli has it all.
Address: 7 Hahashmonaim St., Bnei Brak
Tel: 972-54-830-5588
Deli by accident
Legend says that the Bnei Brak Deli became a deli by accident. The Gavrielov family, who lived in the city, made such delicious food that people simply began to put through orders. Slowly but surely, it grew into a business that customers affectionately began to call "The Bnei Brak Deli."
It is located in a narrow alley just off the main street of Bnei Brak, with countless visitors rocking up from across Israel to try the dishes they had heard about through the grapevine. If you are looking to stock up on classic homemade Jewish foods before Shabbat or the holidays, the Bnei Brak Deli is perfect for you. Hummus, salads, cholent, and any Jewish food in the best of Polish traditions, you name it – it is there.
Address: 14 Yona Hanavi St., Bnei Brak
Tel: 972-3-570-1228
A taste of Jewish cuisine with a peek into Ultra-Orthodox life
By visiting Muchan Umezuman in Bnei Brak, not only will you experience the Jewish food scene of the city, but also get to know the nuances of Haredi life. Run by the Kornik family, whose ancestors established the place, Muchan Umezuman is filled with visitors throughout the week, especially toward the weekend, when dozens stand in line to make sure they can bring home some of the delicious cholent and a variety of other traditional dishes that are displayed in refrigerators and food trays. The Korniks preserve the traditions of Polish Jewish cuisine. No shortcuts. No innovation. Just good old shtetl recipes.
Address: 17 Hazon Ish St., Bnei Brak
Tel: 972-3-618-8526
Ritz hotel chef turned deli chef
Asparagus Delicatessen is a relative newbie on our list. Run by well-known Israeli chef Eli Pinslet, it is a deli where gourmet Jewish food and beloved dishes are enriched with precise flavors and creative innovation. Pinslet has had an extensive culinary career having worked in the world's most prestigious restaurants and hotels, most recently at Herzliya's Ritz Carlton. A spacious and inviting space, Asparagus Delicatessen carries any Jewish dish you can think of, and then some. Looking to stock up ahead of the High Holidays? Make sure to head to Asparagus Delicatessen, which has a special menu just for the upcoming festivities.
Address: 32 Dangur St., Bnei Brak
Tel: 972-3-3730040
Catering to all taste buds
With its prestigious location and upscale customers, Goldstein's Delicatessen is where traditional Jewish cuisine is brought into the 21st century. Elran Goldstein, who fell in love with cooking at a young age, combines his love for traditional Jewish food and meticulous innovation. By visiting Goldstein's Delicatessen, you will find a variety of homemade dishes in different styles and refrigerators lined with the most beloved classics. And for those who are "crazy about smoked meat, pickled fish and pickles," rest assured, Goldstein's will have what to offer you.
Address: Savyon Junction/Road 4622, Savyon
Tel: 972-3-533-972-304
A plethora of Jewish cuisine
The name of the Shefa Shabbat deli located in Beit Shemesh and Bnei Brak can be translated as "The Bounty of Shabbat." And boy, does it live up to its name. Several years ago, Yehudah Cohen, a kind and energetic Chassid, came up with an idea to create a foodstore chain throughout Israel that would carry the entire plethora of traditional Jewish foods. The first such branch was opened in Beit Shemesh, and following its success, another one was launched in Bnei Brak. Think of Shefa Shabbat as a kind of supermarket – large stores, hundreds of products of different types – Polish, Hungarian, Moroccan, Algerian, and more.
Address: 4 Sderot Harav Herzog, Beit Shemesh and 35 Hashlosha St., Bnei Brak
Tel: 972-50-758-8115
Versatile and delectable
Zelda is also a relative newbie on our list, and contrary to most delis, was established by a group of young people who wanted to provide a place for those nostalgic for traditional Jewish foods. Think of any country Jews have lived in through the years and created recipes, Zelda will have it. Tired of Eastern European cuisine? Come to Zelda to try recipes inspired by Middle Eastern cooking. Try a variety of salads, soups, fish, main and side dishes and desserts in as many as two branches, in Givat Shmuel and Raanana.
Address: 77 Hanasi St., Givat Shmuel and 22 Schwarz St., Raanana
Tel: 972-73-744-3544
As traditional as it can get
A Jerusalem classic, Deutsch is perhaps the most well-known deli on our list. Located in the heart of the ultra-Orthodox Mea Shearim neighborhood, Deutsch will not impress you with a fancy design – as its simple interior consists of wooden chairs and plain rectangular tables – but what the deli lacks in style, it more than makes up with Hungarian Jewish cuisine and atmosphere. Established in 1978, it is now run by the two red-headed Deutsch brothers and their uncle. Visit Deutsch and you will see that the three are always busy – pouring chicken soup and kneidlach, filling plates with kugel, gefilte fish, and blintzes and giving out seconds of delicious chocolate cakes.
Address: 32 Mea Shearim St., Jerusalem
Tel: 972-2-582-9529
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Experience the magic of Safed and traditional food
If you are looking for a restaurant that offers traditional Jewish foods in a hamishe atmosphere, Mendi's is the place for you. It is a welcome recent addition to Safed's choice of restaurants, established by students who moved to the northern city from Jerusalem. Located in a large building just above the Old City, it has all the classics of an established deli – chopped liver, schnitzel, beef – as well as some unusual items, like schnitzel stuffed with vegetables or the very popular stuffed beef and eggplant. Coming to Safed from out of town? Order your Shabbat meals in advance or stop by to pick them up when you arrive. With a full Shabbat menu choice of fish, chicken soup, cholent, kugels, chicken or meat, as well as side dishes, you are sure to have plenty to please everyone.
Address: 35 Jerusalem St., Safed
Tel: 972-77-410-800
Bon Appétit
