HaKosem

Falafel restaurant · Ṣummeil

HaKosem

Falafel restaurant · Ṣummeil

Shlomo HaMelekh St 1, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel

Highlights

This bustling spot serves up some of Tel Aviv's best shawarma, falafel, and hummus, with generous portions and a lively, friendly vibe.

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

google.com

₪40–60

@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

"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."

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

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@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

The 38 Essential Tel Aviv Restaurants

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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

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.

Debby

Google

HaKosem - I wanted to love your chicken schnitzel! It was just okay. Four stars since the falafel here is excellent and my falafel laffah in my last visit was excellent. The schnitzel (I got it with fried eggplant) isn’t that great (in my opinion). I’ll definitely be back for the falafel. The guys behind the counter are great and always giving a few falafel balls to you for free!

Jenn L

Google

There's always a queue here every time I pass by. So finally on a late Sunday night, there was a short wait. It's a clean venue (compared to other falafel institutions) and serves up some of the best traditional local street foods I've had. There are pita and plate versions so I always prefer the latter. Spices are not short in variety and when combined altogether, it's to die for. Will come back again and again.

Yam Mesicka

Google

Awesome food, in prices which range from low to medium. I tried both the Falafel and the Hummus with special meat (despite of the recommendations about Burika or Shawarma here, which I'll try in the future). Both were exceptionally tasty. Try the Falafel without Pita or Laffa. It will taste best without any additions. The only dessert here, Blancmange (Malabi), is one of the best Blancmanges I've ever tasted. The place is very crowded and sometimes you won't have a place to seat. 4.5/5

Rabiah Ryklief

Google

Hands-down the best falafel I have ever tasted! It is always super busy, but they hand out free falafel balls while you wait - so who's complaining!? HaKosem is an absolute must-visit if you are in Tel Aviv. Everything on the menu is amazing and delicious. It is usually crowded and noisy, difficult to find seating. The atmosphere is bustling and energised. I suggest to go on an empty stomach and with friends so that you can try a variety of items on the menu.

Yonatan Sivan

Google

The greatest thing I have ever put in my mouth, get the lamb shawarma in a lafa, Jesus Christ this place is an institution. If it closes down, i swear to God. This place is amazing in every sense of the word, any negative review has no idea what they're talking about, this place, is insane, he is truly a magician. I lived in the area for years, and it is the best shawarma ive ever had in any of the places I've lived in. Please, please, please try it at least once, everyone deserves this amazing food in their life.