Yoezer Wine Bar is one of the best places to dine well in Tel Aviv, and also one of the city's most unique restaurants. Dark and almost distrubingly quite, and situated in an old stone building, this restaurant offers an outstanding but pricey culinary experience
In a picturesque alley of Jaffa, stands a large stone structure which looks like a cellar. This is one of the best restaurants in Tel Aviv. The motto of the place is simplicity and excellence, using fresh and high quality ingredients to make classic French and Italian dishes. The restaurant is very well-known for its superb selection of wines, and probably has one the finest wine menus in Israel.
The prices are quite steep but the meals are usually impeccable. The outstanding steaks and the "40 eggs-yolks Pasta", which is served with Botardo (a Turkish delicacy of dried fish roe), are a good reason to come back again and again. Another dish that shouldn't be missed is the Crodo, a wonderful serving of veal tartar with fresh truffles. Gorgeous.
On Fridays and Saturdays visitors can enjoy a 110 NIS brunch. There are plenty of things to choose from on the menu, but the Bloody Mary and Eggs Benedict are a safe bet and will both be able to compete with the best you'e had anywhere in the world. Another less pricey option is the Tel Avivian business lunch available on weekdays (25% off the regular menu prices) and the new Sandwich menu the retaurant has launched. Also, Yoezer occassionally tries out various "deals", such as a full staek dinner for 190 NIS pp.
On occasion there may be slight inconsistency in quality (Israel's restaurants chronic malady), but disappointment is rare.The atmosphere may also not be to everyone's taste: the interior is dark, the only sound is the mild vibration of the air-conditioner and the walls are covered in black marks made by candles that burnt years ago. But if this discription doesn't intimidate you, you are in for a treat...
Open: Sun-Thu 12:30-1:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-1:00
Address: 2 Ish-Habira St. Jaffa (near the Clock's Square).
Tel: (03) 683-9115
I have been eating at Yoezer since 1997: a frequent visitor when I lived in Tel Aviv (until 2003) and a once-a-year diner now I live in Australia. It is one of the most perfect dining experiences in Israel. Very meat heavy, admittedly (hence restaurants with a more varied menu feature higher on 'top 5' lists) and as a result a veritable 'book' when it comes to the (red) wine list. But the meat is best quality, the atmosphere is wonderous, service incredibly friendly and relaxed (but do not expect silver service perfection - that's not what Yoezer is about). It's not cheap but so worth it.