Bottarga

Bottarga ranks very, very high on my list. Naturally, this establishment originally caught my eye before I even moved to Tel Aviv one year ago. Simply because of the aesthetics presented via Instagram of the dishes itself and the food served on top of them - shocking that would draw me in, I know.

The feeling of eating in your family’s home is the whole concept behind this adorably appetizing shack in Shuk HaCarmel. Israeli home cooked food is no joke but Bottarga does a phenomenal job of rotating dishes daily and seasonally. The stuffed onions with chili oil were insane, administering pure comfort. I have to include a honorable mention for the combination of sweet melon and crisp herbs in the house salad, topped with flakey salt and accompanied by a perfect celery crunch.

Kubbeh is famously known for being Jewish dumpling soup and Bottarga’s personal spin on the traditional winter treat was a pumpkin broth with local spices, of course with the incredibly homemade (right in front of my eyes) meat stuffed dough balls. Need I say more?!

My recommendation is to experience the energy here on a Friday afternoon, which sets the appropriate scene for the vibe of the cuisine.