Culinary Tour at Levinsky Market

Tour Overview:

Duration

2.5 Hours

Guidance

Certified Guide

Accessibility

Partly

Difficulty

Easy

Tel Aviv is a relatively small city – but with the soul of a metropolis. It does not have a single cultural center, but different cultural centers in all kinds of areas, neighborhoods that differ in character, culture and markets.

One of the most interesting and beautiful markets in the city is the Lewinsky Market. Although somewhat remote from the city center, and kisses the more hipster scene of the city – near the colorful Florentine neighborhood. In the Lewinsky Market you will not find vegetable stalls or traders calling out loud. So why did the Lewinsky Market gain glory?

You are welcome to join a tour of one of the more colorful and fragrant markets in the city – Lewinsky Market.

Tour Highlights

Mesila Park – Introduction to Israeli Cuisine

We begin the tour at Mesila Park, a green promenade built along the historic Jaffa–Jerusalem railway line. Here we open the tour with a short introduction to the story of Israeli cuisine—a culinary culture shaped by immigration, tradition, and creativity. Before entering the market, we discuss how flavors from the Middle East, the Balkans, North Africa, and Europe blended together to create the diverse food scene that defines Tel Aviv today.

Levinsky Market – A Culinary Journey

We continue into the vibrant streets of Levinsky Market, one of the most authentic and colorful food markets in Tel Aviv. Unlike large food markets, Levinsky developed as a neighborhood market created by immigrants who brought their family recipes and food traditions with them. As we walk through the stalls, we taste a variety of local specialties—small bites that together replace a full meal—while learning how food reflects the story of the communities who built the neighborhood.

Balkan, Persian & Middle Eastern Flavors

Along the way we discover the strong culinary influences that shaped the market, including the rich traditions of the Balkan, Persian, Turkish, and Middle Eastern kitchens. Through spices, pastries, pickles, and homemade dishes, we explore how immigrant communities preserved their food culture while adapting it to life in Tel Aviv. Each stop offers a chance to taste something new and understand the history behind it.

Stories Behind the Food

Food in Levinsky Market is never just about flavor—it carries stories. As we move between stalls, we blend culinary experiences with local history and culture. We hear about colorful figures connected to the market, from beloved shop owners to surprising historical anecdotes, and discover how everyday dishes can reveal the social and cultural layers of the city.

Levinsky’s Unique Specialties

Levinsky Market is also known for its unusual and traditional shops. During the tour we encounter places that specialize in spices, herbal remedies, traditional sweets, and even handcrafted perfumes. These unique stores reflect the character of the neighborhood and offer a glimpse into trades and traditions that have been preserved for generations.

A Living Market Experience

The tour concludes with a deeper understanding of how Levinsky Market remains a living part of the city—where long-standing family businesses exist alongside new culinary ideas. By the end of the walk, visitors experience not only the flavors of Tel Aviv, but also the stories, communities, and traditions that shaped the city’s remarkable food culture.

Essential Information

Hotel pick up
Dress code:
Dress Code: Casual
What should I bring:
Food and water for the day
Hat
Comfortable\water shoes
Change of cloths (for water trips)

Tour Gallery

What our clients say

Jennifer S

Gal klil review We had an amazing time with Gal! She was so good with the kids and knowledgeable and very relaxed energy which we appreciated.

Ashley D

Unforgettable Gal is incredibly educated about Israel and the history this country has. She made sure all of us understood what was being said and she was responsive to any clarifying questions anyone had about the subject matter. We really lucked out with Gal as our guide. If you have the opportunity to take a tour with Gal, 1000% do it!!

Eden R

Virginia Colleges – Birthright Our group was incredibly fortunate to have Gal as our guide! She showed us Israel in a way that only a local could, sharing personal stories and experiences while thoughtfully tailoring her approach to our group’s level of knowledge. Our trip was very informative – Gal is deeply knowledgeable about the history of the country, and she shared that knowledge with genuine passion. I came away with a greater appreciation for my culture and the land of Israel. Gal played a key role in making this trip such a success, and I would recommend her to any group planning a trip to Israel.

Tiltan S

Amazing Guide, Wonderful Experience Gal was an amazing tour guide! She was incredibly kind, helpful, and knowledgeable, and she truly made the experience special

Emily S

Birthright Winter ‘25-‘26 I was lucky enough to experience Israel for the first time with fellow students on a Hillel Birthright trip. Gal exceeded my expectations as a tour guide. She is the perfect mix of funny, educational, passionate, understanding, and open. Gal’s love of Israel shines through and she truly cares about making your experience an incredible one. Forever grateful for this trip and for getting the best tour guide ever.

Zach

JMU Birthright Experience I went on a birthright trip from late December into early January and Gal was our tour guide! She gracefully gave swift and accurate remarks regarding every city and destination we went to through out this experience. Some of her feats included recounting 2,000 years of Jerusalem history in under 2 minutes and crafting an incredibly engaging story about the tribulations on Masada. Gal truly exemplified safety first and made sure everyone’s questions were answered. If you have the chance I would highly recommend booking her for your next visit to Israel!

Dara R

Bus 90 BR! Gal made the birthright experience so much more personal and eye opening than I could ever imagine. I really appreciated everything she had to say in every place we went. She made me feel safe to ask questions and dive into this experience head first. I will never forget her or this trip!

261shaie

An incredible trip that taught me so much more about our history! Wow what an INCREDIBLE trip and a lot of that had to do with our time spent with Gal! We thank you so much for being an amazing guide during our trip and educating us further on the history of Masada (never knew about king Herod!) , the kotel/old city history and the dead sea. I only knew so much as an American Jew visiting Israel but experiencing important parts with a guide that became a friend is HIGHLY recommended. will absolutely recommend Gal as a guide not only here but also to friends going to Israel. THANK YOU SO MUCH GAL!

hailey w

Birthright Gal was my tour guide for my birthright trip. I loved this trip so much. This was not my first time having an Israel trip with a tour guide, and Gal absolutely exceeded my expectations and previous experiences. Gal is AMAZING at explaining stories and making them personable and entertaining. I am so lucky to have had Gal as my tour guide. I would recommend her to anyone.

Матвей Т

Great Group Experience She was our guide at a Taglit trip and it was great! Really enjoyed her knowledge of different cities across Israel. Highly recommend for group trips

Additional Information:

Tours are covered by third-party insurance and do not include personal insurance.
Sites and tastings on the tour are subject to the tour guide’s decision and may change.

Cancellation Policy:

Our cancellation policy is designed with your convenience in mind.

Pivate tours:
Up to one week before the tour, you can cancel free of charge, with the reservation fee returned minus the processing fee – less than one week before the tour date – 50% of the total price of the tour. Less than 72 hours before the tour date – nonrefundable.

Public tours:

Up to 72 hours before the tour, you can cancel free of charge, with the reservation fee returned minus the processing fee. Less than 72 hours before the tour date – nonrefundable.

Cancellation without fees:
In case of unforeseen circumstances (natural causes, governmental or societal actions or infrastructure failures), no fee will be paid, and the reservation fee will be returned to the customer.

Please note that all open group tours are subject to a minimum number of participants. We make every effort to operate our scheduled tours and avoid cancellations whenever possible. However, if the minimum number of participants is not met, the tour may be cancelled. In such cases, participants will be notified no later than 72 hours before the scheduled departure, and any payments made will be refunded in full.