TRAVEL / January
Healthy food and fitness are
part of the Tel Aviv lifestyle.
Bana, a vegan restaurant
Having dinner outside on a warm
evening is a local tradition.
Approximately 4000 Bauhaus-style buildings were
built in Tel Aviv in the 1930s. Superb examples of this
style can be found in several neighbourhoods, but
three areas have been listed as a UNESCO World
Heritage Site: Dizengoff Square and the northern
part of the city (Area A), the neighbourhood of Roth-
schild Boulevard from Nahmani Street to the Habima
Theatre (Area B), and the Bialik area (Area C).
Naturally, one example of the Bauhaus style is
the Bauhaus Museum (21 Bialik Street) with its
with sharp corners and strong three-dimensional
shapes. Built in 1934, the building now houses the
museum and a boutique gallery and is a must-visit
for architecture and art lovers.
Today, the city is restoring and renovating many
of its historic buildings to their former glory. Take a
quiet stroll through the streets to appreciate their
beauty. Bauhaus-themed walking tours are available
at the Bauhaus Center Tel Aviv (77 Dizengoff Street).
Choose between a self-guided audio tour and a two-
hour guided tour. The classic Bauhaus Tour starts
every Friday at 10:00.
FOOD: CUISINE FROM AROUND THE WORLD
Food is at the very centre of any trip to Tel Aviv.
The city has recently become one of the top foodie
destinations and will soon compete with such
metropolises as London, Paris, and New York City.
82
/ airBaltic.com
Israel is well known on the food scene for good
reason. Because of its geographic location, it offers
a very unique mix of Mediterranean, Balkan, Arab,
and North African flavours. From fresh seafood and
gourmet dishes to kosher food, Turkish delights, and
Asian cuisine, local eateries and restaurants cater
to all tastes. Tel Aviv is also one of the most vegan-
friendly cities in the world. Some studies report that
Israel has more vegans per capita than any other
country. And with a growing number of vegan res-
taurants providing alternatives, vegans are no longer
restricted to just falafel and hummus. For example,
Zakaim (20 Simtat Beit HaShoeva) and Bana
(36 Nahmani Street) offer exceptional vegan menus.
Does that make you want to smell, taste, and buy
some food and spices? Carmel Market is Tel Aviv’s
most famous market and the place to find everything.
But be ready to test your bargaining skills. Also
keep in mind that the market stalls are closed
on Saturdays.
There are likewise many street-food stands around
the city. Wherever you wander, you’ll always find a
place to try falafel or sabich (pita bread filled with
hard-boiled eggs, aubergine, and tahini). Locals love
falafel because it never gets boring with so many
toppings to choose from: carrots, pickled cabbage,
olives, spicy sauces, etc.
For breakfast, Israelis eat eggs, salad, and bread
with dips and spreads. For something more unusual,
order shakshuka – eggs baked in a tomato-onion
sauce seasoned with spices. Although many
countries claim it as their traditional dish, only in
Israel is shakshuka considered a national treasure.
Head out for breakfast to Manta Ray (703 Kaufmann
Street) or Dallal (10 Shabazi Street) to taste the
famous meal.
Those with a pronounced sweet tooth will
definitely like malabi. The creamy dessert flavoured
with rosewater and topped with a sweet syrup and