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Previous issues for Tel Aviv

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Israel : Tel Aviv - August 2008

Country Code: Dial 2 for Israel

With the autumn holidays just around the corner, Tel Aviv is gearing up for its festive season. While temperatures still sizzle, visitors can fi nd respite along the shores of the Med or take refuge in the city’s best restaurants, bars and museums. David Kaufman cools off

Getting around

Ben Gurion International Airport is 20km south-east of Tel Aviv.

Train: There’s a train station outside the terminal. The journey to the city centre takes 20 minutes and a single ticket costs €2/NIS 12.
Taxi: A taxi from the airport to the city centre takes about 20 minutes and should cost no more than €17-21/ NIS 100-120.
Tourist information: The main office is at 46 Herbert Samuel Street (tel. , visit-tlv.co.il).

WHITE CITY

With its trove of classic Bauhaus buildings, Tel Aviv’s historic White City was officially declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2003.

Sleep soundly – Make a night of it at the newly opened Hotel Montefiore. Dine on pan-Asian goodies such as crispy chicken or spice shrimp salad in its restaurant, then retire upstairs to one of 12 classically designed rooms.

Culture vultures – The new Bauhaus Foundation Museum (21 Bialik Street), is set in a meticulously renovated Bauhaus gem and houses iconic pieces from Breuer to Van der Rohe.

Must eat – Try celebrated chef Ronen Dovrat Bloch’s haute seafood menu at his eponymous restaurant RDB (27 Montefiore Street, tel. ). Try the scallops on cauliflower purée, or shrimp ravioli with leek fondue.

Shop til you drop – After a minor makeover, Gavriel (42 Montefiore Street) is back, stocking a compelling collection of Provençal-style homeware.

FLORENTIN

The Florentin neighbourhood is slowly coming into its own, with a new clutch of high-style arrivals.

Sleep soundly – Inspired by the owner’s many trips to Paris, Nina Cafe Suites Hotel is a fivesuite retreat hidden within an original, red-tiled building.

Must eat – Head to the water for a slow-paced sunset meal at Manta Ray (Almah Beach, tel. ). Begin with one of the innovative Mediterranean small plates, such as shrimp and mango salad or smoked aubergine purée, and follow up with fresh seafood or grilled meats.

Dance the night away – Florentin is home to Tel Aviv’s most cutting-edge nightspots – louche clubs such as Haoman 17 (88 Abarbanel Street) and Lima Lima (42 Lilenblum Street), a low-key joint popular with the 20-something set.

Shop til you drop – The recently relocated Kastiel (36 Alfasi Street) fuses a renovated Ottoman-era corral with a 1950s warehouse. Inside, look for the company’s range of contemporary furniture, as well as modern artworks from local artists who have studios upstairs here.

GAN HAHASHMAL

This is the district to head to if you need a dose of retail therapy.

Must eat – LovEat (1 Barzilai Street, tel. ) does fairtrade and freshly made sandwiches, and its frozen caffeine-laced drinks will keep you going for hours. End your day with dinner at Joz v’Loz (51 Yehudah Halevy, tel. ), which has a homey menu of regional and Eastern Europeaninspired dishes.

Shop til you drop – Gan HaHashmal’s name has been made by creative designers. You can pick up soft leather bags, totes and wallets at Kisim (8 HaHashmal Street), while Mishi (17a Levontin Street) sells larger pieces of luggage perfect for quick getaways. Tap into Tel Aviv’s still-evolving evening looks at Shine (12 Harakevet Street) and Sharon Brunsher (12 Harakevet Street), which do well-cut womenswear that’s surprisingly affordable.

NORTH TEL AVIV

This most classic of districts is mainly residential, but there’s still plenty to do here.

Sleep soundly – For people wanting a more occidental start to their day, Benedict serves the best breakfasts, including an unending range of fresh egg dishes.

Must drink – The waterfront Shalvata (3 Hata’arucha Street) is where locals relax after a long day at the office. Take a seat, order a fresh, fruity cocktail and watch the sun set over the Med.

Shop til you drop – Add polish to your look with a visit to Luck (5 Alkalay Street), a chic salon that does a long list of manicures, pedicures, massages and beauty treatments, and is located right in the heart of the district.

Compiled by David Kaufman