one of the hardest parts of living far from home is missing the food you grew up with. the good news? tel aviv has a whole world of it — and a lot of it is cheap, generous, and cooked by people from your own community. we've gathered some of the best budget-friendly spots where international workers can enjoy a real taste of home without spending much. most are in south tel aviv, around neve sha'anan and the old central bus station, where these communities have made their home.
gorkha kitchen — indian & nepali
rosh pina st 16, south tel aviv. a small, always-busy spot serving south asian home cooking — momos, dal, curries, biryani and fresh tandoori breads — at very reasonable prices. the crowd of south asian regulars tells you everything about how authentic it is. cash only, with an atm around the corner.
cafe bollywood — indian
ma'on st 5, south tel aviv. a friendly, homey self-service place where the owners cook honest indian food. portions are small-to-medium and mostly cheap, so you can try a few dishes for very little. open midday to evening on weekdays — note it closes for the weekend, so it's best for a lunch or early dinner during the week.
bao buns — chinese
neve sha'anan st 24. a tiny neighbourhood favourite in the heart of the community, loved for its dumplings, dumpling soup and fried tofu rice. big portions made for sharing, kind staff and some of the best value in the area. bring cash.
hayam hasini — chinese
shenkar 3, south tel aviv. a larger sit-down chinese restaurant with generous, authentic dishes and warm hospitality — sweet-and-sour, dumplings, steamed egg with seafood and more. open every day, which makes it a good choice when the smaller places are closed for the weekend.
kainan ihawan — filipino
ein hakore st 4, south tel aviv. authentic, home-style filipino food at great prices, in a welcoming place where most of the diners are from the community. one thing to know: the opening days can be unpredictable — it's most reliably open thursday to saturday, so call ahead before making the trip.
kanu — vietnamese & southeast asian street food
herzl st 77. big bowls of pho and other southeast asian street food at very affordable prices, in a casual, easy-going space. a good option when you're craving thai- or vietnamese-style noodles and soups. open late, seven days a week.
balinjera — ethiopian & eritrean
malan st 4, near the carmel market. one of the most loved ethiopian kitchens in the city, with a generous shared platter that two people can fill up on for very little. warm service and a real sense of home for the east african community.
food has a way of making a new country feel a little more like home. we hope these spots bring you a familiar taste, a full plate and a warm welcome. far away — just got closer.
