Hakosem

Hakosem, whose name means the magician, is a falafel and shawarma shop at 1 Shlomo HaMelech Street, near Dizengoff Square in central Tel Aviv-Yafo. It is among the best-known falafel stands in the city and is a staple of local street food rather than a chef-led restaurant, with no Michelin context. The menu is short and focused: falafel in pita, shawarma in laffa flatbread, and sabich, the Iraqi-Israeli sandwich of fried eggplant, egg, tahini and amba. Falafel balls are fried to order and stuffed into pita with salad, pickles, tahini and sauces, and diners usually add toppings from a self-service salad bar. Shawarma is carved from the spit and wrapped in laffa. The place is a small counter operation with limited standing or stool seating, a loud and fast environment, and no dress code. Many customers take their food away, but some eat at the narrow counter and benches. There is no wine or cocktail programme; drinks are soft drinks and water. Prices are low at $, and a falafel or sabich meal typically costs roughly NIS 25 to 40, one of the most economical lunches in the city. The shop is kosher and closes for Shabbat, so Friday hours finish in the early afternoon and the shop is shut on Saturday. Opening is from about 9:00AM on weekdays, and visitors should confirm hours. Reservations are not taken and service is at the counter. Lines form at lunch and in the evening after the workday, but turnover is quick. The location is close to Dizengoff Square, Dizengoff Street shops and Rothschild Boulevard, so it fits a quick stop between sights.