Sderot’s Culinary Revival Turns the City Into a Food Destination

Nearly three years after becoming one of the symbols of October 7, Sderot has transformed into a destination for food tours, memory, and resilience. The city, once under fire as militants drove through its streets, rockets fell overhead, residents were trapped for hours, and the local police station was destroyed, is now drawing busloads of food lovers from across Israel. The article describes a dense cluster of new and revived eateries, from street food to specialty coffee, as evidence that the city is rebuilding and growing again.

Tour guide Adi Rozen says she started leading food tours in Sderot eight years ago, but demand has exploded. “Seven years ago I had one tour a day, and even that surprised people,” she said. “Today I have between 2 and 8 tours a day and 7 additional guides working with me. We have become a powerhouse, no less.” She added that recent Iranian missile attacks caused 10 tours to be canceled in one week, though groups quickly returned. The municipality has also launched an app for self-guided food tours to meet demand. Yaki Shagi, owner of Laloosh bakery and a resident of Kibbutz Be’eri, said, “The community pulled us back to live here, and people coming here is all of our therapy.”

Among the new spots is Mila, a dairy restaurant opened six months ago by 22-year-old Michal Trainis, who has Crohn’s disease and had dreamed of a cafe since age 14. After saving money, planning while in the army, and working with chef Shnir Avraham, she created a place she says was meant for dates and dressing up. Kafe Hili, a dairy Italian cafe and bakery, opened a year ago by pastry chef Eella Pinhasov and her husband near the memorial square, while Kafe Kultora, a specialty coffee shop at the Cinematheque, opened after war-related delays and was destroyed by a mortar hit before reopening. Its owners, including Neta Kraus, serve dishes such as the popular caramelized salted bread pudding and say they wanted a refuge for the community.

Other standouts include Shnatz, a viral toast shop with extreme dairy and meat sandwiches; Resek, a cocktail bar with 30 and 45 cm pizzas and live shows; Oryosss, the patisserie of chef Or Shukron, who has won the President of Israel’s award and hosted world diplomats; and Pitsebbich, a famous street-food spot serving a half-kilo pita with sabich and schnitzel. The article also highlights Hummus Shel Tahina, reopened after a year and a half and known for its colorful “traffic light” hummus dish, Sushimoto for sushi, ramen, and fish cakes, the long-running burger pub Zeh, and Le Burika, which grew from a small stall into a larger stop for tasting platters. Together, the businesses present Sderot as a place where food tourism and remembrance now coexist.