Ordering Food in Israel-the complete guide

Here’s a complete guide to ordering food in Israel, covering various scenarios and types of food establishments, including restaurants, street food stalls, and delivery services:

1. General Tips for Ordering Food

• Language: Hebrew is the primary language, but English is widely understood in tourist areas. Learning a few Hebrew phrases can be helpful.

• Kosher Rules: Many restaurants adhere to kosher laws, meaning they may separate meat and dairy or close on Shabbat. Check if this matters to you.

• Tipping: In restaurants, tipping is customary (around 10-15%).

2. Useful Hebrew Phrases for Ordering

• Menu - תפריט (Tafrit)

• I want... - אני רוצה... (Ani rotzeh... if male / Ani rotzah... if female)

• Please - בבקשה (Bevakasha)

• Thank you - תודה (Toda)

• Is this spicy? - זה חריף? (Ze charif?)

• I am allergic to... - אני אלרגי ל... (Ani alergi le...)

• Check, please - חשבון, בבקשה (Cheshbon, bevakasha)

3. At Sit-Down Restaurants

1. Entering the Restaurant:

   • Ask for a table: "Can we have a table for [number]?" - אפשר שולחן ל... (Efshar shulchan le...)

   • Check if reservations are needed, especially for upscale restaurants.

2. Reviewing the Menu:

   • Look for an English menu or use a translation app.

   • Common categories:

     • Starters - מנות פתיחה (Manot Pticha)

     • Mains - מנות עיקריות (Manot Ikariot)

     • Desserts - קינוחים (Kinuchim)

     • Drinks - משקאות (Mashkaot)

3. Ordering:

   • Specify any dietary preferences (e.g., vegetarian - צמחוני Tzimchoni; vegan - טבעוני Tivoni).

   • Popular dishes to try:

     • Hummus and Pita (חומוס ופיתה)

     • Shakshuka (שקשוקה)

     • Sabich (סביח)

4. Paying:

   • Request the check: "Check, please" - חשבון, בבקשה (Cheshbon, bevakasha).

4. At Street Food Stalls

1. Popular Street Foods:

   • Falafel: Deep-fried chickpea balls, served in pita or laffa.

   • Shawarma: Rotisserie meat (often chicken or lamb), served with salads and sauces.

   • Sabich: A pita stuffed with fried eggplant, hard-boiled egg, and tahini.

2. How to Order:

   • Choose your base: Pita, laffa (flatbread), or plate.

   • Pick toppings and sauces: Hummus, tahini, pickles, amba (mango sauce), spicy sauce.

   • Example: "Falafel in pita with tahini and salad, please" - פלאפל בפיתה עם טחינה וסלט, בבקשה (Falafel be'pita im techina ve'salat, bevakasha).

5. Coffee Shops and Bakeries

1. Popular Items:

   • Borek: Savory pastries filled with cheese, potato, or meat.

   • Rugelach: Sweet pastries.

   • Israeli coffee: Order a "Hafuch" (similar to a latte).

2. Ordering Tips:

   • Ask for takeaway: "For takeaway, please" - לקחת, בבקשה (Lakachat, bevakasha).

   • Mention size: Small (קטן Katan), Medium (בינוני Beinoni), Large (גדול Gadol).

6. Food Delivery

1. Apps to Use:

   • Wolt: Offers a variety of cuisines, user-friendly for non-Hebrew speakers.

   • 10Bis: Popular among locals, especially for lunchtime delivery.

   • Gett Delivery: Used for specific meal deliveries.

2. Steps for Ordering:

   • Download the app and set the language to English.

   • Browse categories or cuisines (sushi, pizza, burgers, etc.).

   • Pay via credit card or in cash upon delivery.

7. Kosher Considerations

1. Kosher Terms to Know:

   • Meat (בשרי Besarí): No dairy served.

   • Dairy (חלבי Chalaví): No meat served.

   • Parve (פרווה Parve): Neutral (neither meat nor dairy).

2. Identifying Kosher Establishments:

   • Look for a kosher certification sign or ask the staff.

8. Additional Tips

• Special Diets: Many places accommodate gluten-free and vegan diets; just ask!

• Water: Tap water is safe to drink, but restaurants often serve bottled water.

Would you like specific recommendations for restaurants or dishes to try in Israel? 😊

4o