Quite often on holiday it is hard to keep to the strict diet I stick to, so plenty of research was needed in advance
I used http://www.israelinsideout.com/Gluten-Free-Restaurants/gluten-free-restaurants-tel-aviv.html & http://www.celiac.org.il/ to do all my background reading as well as having my trusty Gluten Free Hebrew Card
It was very interesting to find that actually Israeli's understood Coeliac more often than trying to explain Gluten Free so I ended up just telling places I was Coeliac - it is always interesting to read peoples reactions and some looked very confused (confirming it was probably best not to eat there)
Supermarkets tended to have small gluten free sections but trying to read Hebrew is not my forte so I tried as much just to stick with the basics when shopping
So onto the restaurant reviews - and places to check out
Let's start central and just by the main beach in Tel Aviv - Dizengoff Street is home to lots of good places to eat...
Falafel Hipo - 70 Dizengoff
Gluten Free Lafa (a wrap specially made by the staff there) with some excellent falafel, houmus, tahini and Israeli salads gave you the real flavour of Israel and didn't leave you feeling left out (there are lots of falafel places in the centre) - worth a visit if you are going as it was superb
La Lasagna - 170 Dizengoff
An entirely gluten free menu to choose different pizzas and pastas, it has everything from ravioli, penne, fusilli and also plenty of pizza choices. As far as gluten free pasta goes it was nice but it was a bit like an average Italian restaurant here in England, as a Kosher place it also doesn't serve any meat
Lobi - 300 Dizengoff
This was by far the best meal we had in Tel Aviv, not listed as gluten free I spoke with the staff and they were able to show choices, adapt dishes and were very helpful. An excellent steak, followed by a Banana and cream crumble (minus the crumble but with caramelised bananas) this is a must eat place in Tel Aviv up by the Port
Bread Story - 86 Dizengoff
We stumbled across this place on a Friday night as most other places were full - I basically went in and asked if they could do a burger with no bun to find they served gluten free rolls and bread...it's nice for a lunchtime snack and obviously anywhere that sells fresh GF bread is good in my book
Moving further afield and on the recommendation of a fellow Coeliac we took a trip down to Old Jaffa
Itzik Hagadol
Heading to Itzik Hagadol was an experience, all you can eat unlimited Israeli salads placed on your table with nice meat to compliment it, quite touristy, but worth the trip down to Jaffa. They have GF listings on the menu (but be careful the mixed grill is not GF even though it is not on the banned list) and are very aware of Coeliacs - pop down here and leave very full
Best of the rest
Giraffe is an excellent place to eat with plenty of gluten free options, though the gluten free menu is in Israeli so the waiting staff will have to explain what is and isn't
Cafe Aroma was ok but I still don't like having to pay an extra pound for a roll, and they basicall give you the ingredients and you have to make your own sandwiches
MeatBar serves steaks but is limited on dessert options
I was also turned away from several places that didn't know if they had gluten on the menu or simply said not suitable for Coeliacs on initial booking discussions
Hashdera 34 a buzzing bar and grill said salads only, which is like being a veggie at Nandos
Haifa Karmel Beach bars didn't have a clue about gluten free - but that's not a huge surprise as Haifa tends to be more locals than tourists
So that's Tel Aviv (with a small bit of Haifa thrown in) - remember do your research and I would say head to Lobi and Itzik Hagadol for gluten free feasts (especially the desserts at Lobi)
No more holidays planned for me for a while so let's hope more samples are sent through for me to share some more gluten free news
