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Passover in Tel Aviv is certainly a fun time to be in the city. There are hundreds of events going on around town, from festivals, parties and concerts to carnivals, cultural events and family fun.
However, if you’re a bread fan, it can also be a tough time because so many of the bakeries and restaurants in the city either close down, don’t serve bread and wheat or only make Passover-friendly breads and pastries, which really just aren’t the same. More than a few Europeans have been known to avoid Israel during Passover because they simply can’t imagine breakfast without bread, and sadly, matz0 (unleavened bread for Passover) has yet to catch on much outside of Israel and Jewish communities.
Don’t lose heart, though, because it’s actually quite possible to get your bread fix if you know where to look.
Let us be your guide…
Tel Aviv Bread Havens in a Post-Breadmageddon World
Jaffa
If pita, lafa and other Middle Eastern breads are your desire, then the mixed neighborhood of Jaffa is your destination. Since Passover is a Jewish holiday and Muslims do not observe, they are churning out bread like it’s any other day of the year.
Jaffa is probably the only place in the city where you’ll find the traditional meals of hummus and pita and shawarma and falafel pita sandwiches.
Bakery
If you’re looking for real, honest-to-god loaves of bread — rye, whole wheat, brioche, chala, focaccia, etc. — then head over to one of Bakery’s 3 locations in Tel Aviv. Alongside the bread, they’ll have their usual selection of delectable desserts in their full glory.
For those who are abstaining from the leavened good, however, Bakery will have an assortment of Passover-friendly treats to choose from, so come one and come all.
On a side note, this entry is particularly great news, as bakery supplies the fresh-baked bread, pastries and desserts to some of the best restaurants in the city, including Brasserie, Montefiore Hotel Restaurant, CoffeeBar and Delicatessen.
Bread Story
New York-style sandwich-lovers, rejoice! You’ll be able to get your fix at Bread Story throughout Passover as well as fresh loaves of Bread Story’s creative bread styles like curry bread, Dijon mustard ciabatta and salami bread, among others.
Restaurants
Photo: Dan Peretz
Unlike many places in Israel, the vast majority of the restaurants in Tel Aviv are not kosher, so most aren’t averse to serving bread on Passover.
A lot of budget and middle-of-the-road type establishments will refrain from doing so either because their usual bakery is closed or because they want to attract Passover-keeping clientele, but most of the non-kosher trendy and fine dining spots will be serving bread, pasta and so on.
And, of course, non-kosher Italian and pizza restaurants will keep things business as usual.
The Freezer
If you’re staying at a hotel or vacation rental with a freezer, you can always stock up on bread and stash it for use over the holiday. Just make sure you get it a couple days before the holiday starts because there will be a mad rush of locals looking to stop up and bakeries stop making real bread 1-2 days before Passover.
Buyer Beware
If you’re really jonesing for bread, watch out for places that look like they are serving bread, but actually using Passover-friendly bread. It will not satisfy your craving.
The rule of thumb is that anyplace that if a place is kosher and selling something that looks like bread from April 22-29, it’s probably serving the fake stuff. But you also have to be careful at some non-kosher places. It can be confusing because sometimes a place will be serving pasta, but still not have real bread.
If you want to avoid disappointment, make sure to always ask clearly.
