Sderot’s Food Scene Becomes a Symbol of Recovery After October 7

Nearly three years after Sderot became one of the defining symbols of the October 7 war, the southern city has turned into a destination for food tours, memory tours and new restaurants. The article describes a city where many residents still measure time as “before” and “after,” but where entrepreneurs say opening businesses is part of the recovery. As guide and food-tour operator Adi Rosen put it, “For us, telling the story and showing why we chose to come back and live here and how we return, that is the real rebirth.”

Rosen says her business has grown from one tour a day seven years ago to 2 to 8 tours daily, with seven additional guides. Recent missile fire from Iran briefly disrupted that boom, and 10 tours were canceled in one week, though groups quickly returned. The municipality has also launched an app for independent food tours. Yaki Shgai, owner of the Lullesh bakery and a resident of Kibbutz Be’eri, said, “The community drew us back to live here again, and the fact that people come here is all of our therapy.”

Among the new and revived spots are Milah, a dairy restaurant opened six months ago by 22-year-old Michal Trainis; Cafe Hili, opened a year ago by local pastry chef Ella Pinhasov and her husband; and Cafe Cultura at the Sderot Cinematheque, which opened after delays caused by war damage and renewed rocket fire. Cultura, run by Neta Kraus, Tomer Ades and Doron Harel, is the area’s only specialty-coffee place and also sells flowers, coffee beans, jams and wine. Kraus said they tried not to center bereavement, but acknowledged that every place carries memory.

Other featured businesses include Snatz, a viral toast shop opened by cousins David Abramov and Shlomi Isakov; Reseq, a cocktail bar and pizza place launched in early 2025 by Ella Dagan and Idan Yitzhak; Oryoss, the patisserie of chef Or Shukrun, who opened her cafe a month before October 7 and later hosted dignitaries including Uruguay’s president, a French presidential contender, an NBA player and 80 ambassadors; Pitsabich, serving a half-kilo sabich-schnitzel pita; Hummus Shel Tahina, reopened in February 2025 after 1.5 years shut; Sushimoto, known for ramen and morue patties; the burger pub Ze, which now serves specialty burgers and live music; and Le Burika, which has expanded thanks to the food tours.