24 hours Tel Aviv

First thing in the morning, grab a coffee to go from We like you too and then make your way to The Norman Boutique Hotel for breakfast. This is of course also an exceptional place to stay, as are The Brown Urban Beach House or the Indigo Hotel.

Since you’re already in the area, go and check out Rothschild Boulevard which is an interesting street to see. A real hotspot here is Rothschild 12. It’s one of the most “happening” places in town –  from 7am – 3am this place is buzzing, perfect for early morning meetings, great for brunches, and fun at night, this is a second home for everyone in Tel Aviv.
You’ll find a juice bar on every corner in Tel Aviv, so get yourself a fresh and yummy juice on your way to the beach. Another beautiful place to hang out is the Park Ha Yarkon. This is our equivalent of New York’s Central Park. It’s perfect for a weekend picnic or an early morning jog. If you have time you can also rent a little boat and cruise around the Yarkon lake.

If you’re up for exploring the city and maybe shopping for a unique piece here and there, two awesome shops are Helga Design and Flea Market Lara Rosynovsky. The last one is not an actual flea market, but a store located in the eclectic area of the Jaffa flea market. Lara is a local artist and designer whose endless travels to exotic destinations inspire her ethnic chic designs. Her dresses are the perfect fashion souvenirs for all ladies visiting Tel Aviv. Amazing prints with a mediterranean twist.

To really get a feeling for Tel Aviv and its culture and architecture, the best thing to do is to visit the Carmel Market or go on a Bauhaus tour. The Carmel Market is the best place to taste and feel the fresh and vibrant nature of our town. Then there are over 400 Bauhaus influenced buildings in Tel Aviv which were built in the early years of Israel by architects who immigrated from Europe and were influenced by this German method. The “White City” is a must see!

Gallery highlights for cloudy days (a rare occasion) are the Contemporary by Golconda which showcases promising contemporary artists, the Alon Segev Gallery which focuses on both young and established contemporary artists, and the Tel Aviv Museum of Modern Art which is the biggest contemporary art centre in town.

Before continuing your afternoon program, recharge with a nice lunch at Hotel Montefiore which is by far one of the most stylish places, or at Miznon, a little street food joint run by Israel’s most controversial chef Eyal Shani. It has the most delicious menu on earth.

On a perfect day, a stroll through the creative and artsy district Neve Tzedek would be on my bucket list for sure. That and a swim in the refreshing outdoor pool at the Gordon gym or a treatment at the Coola beauty spa inside the concept store Comme il Faut.

I’d then go for dinner at Port Said. This outdoor bar/restaurant is yet another genius invention of chef Eyal Shani. When you get there you might think this place is a bit bonkers (over crowded and noisy), but then you realize that there isn’t a better place in town. Expect fantastic food, vintage vinyl music, rude but hilarious service, and a lot of fun!

A fancier place for dinner would be Dinings. The restaurant, inside the Norman Hotel, presents a unique fusion of traditional Izakaya-style Japanese tapas and modern European cuisine. The third-floor rooftop view is enhanced by the option of summer dining on the open terrace, overlooking vibrant Tel Aviv.
Another magical dinner place is Kalamata. This must be one of my favourite restaurants in town, the location in the old town of Jaffa makes it very unique. It has breathtaking views of the sea, and the food only adds to the magic. Eating at Kalamata is like a trip to Greece without needing your passport. The food is so fresh and delicious it’s so hard to choose what to try, and I easily find half of the menu on my table. If you’re a seafood fanatic this will become your regular spot.

The day has been full of so much delicious food so now it’s time to move a bit, by which I mean, dance, dance, dance! The best beats are played at Kuli Alma which is a music and art-focused nightlife institution and the hub of all the “cool kids” in Tel Aviv. This is the perfect summer hangout spot with it’s open-air courtyard. The sound system blasts eclectic electronic, house, hip-hop and ethereal tunes via DJs or live acts on any given night of the week. Open till the last one leaves!

Before you start dancing the night away, have some drinks at either the The Library Bar (colonial style bar at the Norman Hotel), the Garden Bar (rooftop bar) or at the Bellboy Bar. Expect cocktails out of a seashell or a mini bath with a floating rubber duck. Bellboy is known for the quirkiest drinks in town. With it’s swanky 20’s decor and the well dressed (and super hot) bartenders, this is where you’ll want to spend at least part of your night.