HaKosem

Falafel restaurant · Ṣummeil

HaKosem

Falafel restaurant · Ṣummeil

Shlomo HaMelekh St 1, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel

Highlights

Flavorful falafel, shawarma, and sabich with fresh pita

Shlomo HaMelekh St 1, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel Get directions

google.com

₪50–100

@afar

"Enjoy Traditional Israeli Dishes One can find falafel on just about every street corner in Tel Aviv, but Hakosem, which means "the magician," is considered to be the best purveyor of the delicious fried chickpea balls. Opened in 2001, Hakosem is clean, colorful, and fun while still being authentic. No matter the time of day, the eatery is bustling with locals and tourists ready to try its trademark green falafel. Another of itssignature dishes is homemade hummus, which is made fresh throughout the day.Each plate is served with a fresh pita, onions, pickles, spicy hot pepper, garlic, and lemon sauce. Other staple Israeli dishes are also served, including shawarma, shakshuka (eggs cooked in a spicy sauce of tomatoes, onions, peppers, garlic, and seasoning), sabich (pita filled with eggplant), salad, and chicken schnitzel."

The Best Restaurants in Israel

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@cntraveler

This Stretch of Tel Aviv’s King George Street Has It All, from Falafel to Footwear

"Even with a branch of Eyal Shani's famed street-food restaurant Miznon down the street, the patio benches of Falafel HaKosem are always packed."

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/tel-avivs-king-george-street-has-it-all

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@eater

The 38 Best Restaurants in Tel Aviv | Eater

"Falafel can be found on just about every street corner in Tel Aviv, but Hakosem is in a league of its own, offering perfectly plump pita and deep-fried balls of chickpea mash studded with fresh herbs, alongside impeccably fresh salads. Also try the hearty shawarma or the Iraqi breakfast known as sabich — wedges of fried potato, golden eggplant slices, hardboiled eggs, and amba, a sunshine-yellow pickled mango sauce that seals the deal. [$]" - Keren Brown

https://www.eater.com/maps/best-tel-aviv-restaurants-38

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Henri Keesje

Google

✨ The creator of this concept has truly mastered Middle Eastern cuisine, adding that unique Israeli touch that makes all the difference. 👏 A big bravo for such an achievement! 🍴 In my opinion, this is simply the best restaurant in Israel—refined, thoughtful, and brilliantly executed. 💡 And if the idea of opening another branch ever comes up, I’d be more than open for business. Henri Keesje

Lauren

Google

I love eating here and deliberately wanted to make this restaurant my first stop for shawarma once I landed in TLV back in my first-ever visit to Israel. Very easy service where they handle the long lines efficiently and are helpful behind the counter. Even better quality food and at decent prices. It's nice to sit outside to eat when it's not so hot out.

Kiariladyboss

Google

OMGGG🤤🤤🤤 Hands down to one of the best place for falafel pita and hummus in Tel Aviv. There was a short line when we got there around 2pm on a Tuesday. They were passing free falafel as we were waiting. For a plate of hummus, 2 half pita and a coke we only spent 80 ILS, really good prices in my opinion. I recommend it to anyone

Nina Verzhbolovich

Google

Not a big fan of falafel, but that’s probably the best one in Tel Aviv. Simple yet delicious menu with all-times Israeli favorites- hummus, falafel, Israeli salad. Both plate and pita serving options are available. Lunch dishes are huge, so it’s ok to share it for two. Pretty busy during lunch hours

Jean Du

Google

There’s always a queue and that’s what my gett driver said. The name means “Magic,” Even he knows of its notoriety even though he’s never tried the food himself. Alright I got there and the queue was soso waited maybe 8-10 minutes. It’s a fast food/casual joint with outside seating. I ordered the shawarma mix plate containing chicken shawarma and falafel and various dips. I had no idea of the size but I kind of wish the server would’ve told me. I got my plate and it’s definitely for 2 people. I was hungry but I knew I wouldn’t be able to finish. Falafel was probably the best I’ve ever had. Hands down paired with the hummus and dips just perfection. However, the chicken shawarma was just soso. I would come here for falafels but for meat probably not. All in all plate+drink it’s a little over 120 shekels

Olga Parshukova

Google

HaKosem truly lives up to its name — everything was amazing! The food was flavorful and perfectly cooked, and the portions were generous. What really stood out was the service: super friendly, fast, and attentive without being overbearing. You can feel the passion in both the food and the atmosphere. A must-visit spot in Tel Aviv!

Bogdan Dumitrescu

Google

Best possible falafel and humus: delicious, super tasty and always a good sign: lot of locals eat here. You can even feel the taste only from good it smells staying in the queue - yes, usually jt will be a small queue, but it moves fast and you even get some falafel samples on the way. Portions are huge, so I recommend getting the pita one ( which is smaller ) if you’re not really really hungry. I got falafel and humus - being hungry ( only meal of the day ) and I could finish only half. You order at the counter and everything is made in front of you, fresh. Humus will come after 1-2 minutes and you get a ringer to inform you it’s time to check the counter Can also get sauces and pickles salad free of charge from the right side. Definitely recommend, I had the most amazing arabic food ( falafel or humus ) so you must check it out.

Etai Jacob

Google

Shawarma is dry and too salty. They put too little in the pita given the price you pay. Not enough salads. Falafel tastes good!