New Culinary Ventures Open Across Israel Including Ambitious Italian Restaurant in Afula

Several new dining establishments have recently opened across Israel, offering diverse culinary experiences from north to south. In Afula, a notable Italian restaurant launched in a historic Ottoman-era building near the old train station, backed by chef Roy Halevi, a finalist on the reality show "Chef Games." The project took seven years and a 6 million shekel investment, featuring a kosher menu with dishes like risotto, arancini, and unique skewers, alongside a wine cellar formerly used as a detention room and a private event space. The restaurant operates Sunday to Thursday from 17:00 to 23:00.

In the Gilboa region, the long-standing Kimel restaurant transforms into a bakery every Friday morning, offering a buffet of pastries, savory pies, and sandwiches with a scenic view. Meanwhile, in Netanya, the Serena Beach Club opened on Sironit Beach, providing Mediterranean cuisine, fresh fish, cocktails, and live DJ events throughout the summer.

Tel Aviv has seen several new openings: Monroe bar offers an elegant seafood-focused menu with an oyster and champagne display and a happy hour from 18:00 to 20:00. No. 2 restaurant at the Brown Beach House hotel serves Mediterranean and Italian sharing plates under chef Ness Gabai. RiseByMoria, a new bar in Nachalat Binyamin, offers a simple menu of snacks and drinks. Additionally, the Pop Up Wine Bar rooftop has resumed activity, hosting wineries from northern and contested regions, accompanied by a summer menu from chef Yehonatan Gutman.

In Ashdod, the ninth branch of Cafe Laloosh opened on the promenade, led by chef Avi Naamani Luxembourg, serving Italian brasserie fare with wood-fired dishes and homemade desserts. Chef Idan Pompi Boushari returned to the culinary scene with Sato, a kosher rooftop venue that shifts its concept throughout the day from coffee and light meals to charcoal-grilled fish and nighttime entertainment with DJs. The venue overlooks the sea and includes a half-Olympic pool.

Finally, in Kiryat Gat, singer Eliav Zohar and renowned pizzaiolo Raanan Nosel opened Pizza Top 100, offering New York-style pizza with various toppings and delivery service. These openings reflect a vibrant and evolving Israeli food scene with a mix of traditional and innovative concepts.