Orna and Ella

Orna and Ella is a long-running cafe-restaurant at 33 Shenkin Street in the Lev HaIr district of Tel Aviv-Yafo. The restaurant has been a landmark of Shenkin Street, a bohemian strip known for boutiques, cafes and street life, and it has the reputation of a neighbourhood favourite rather than a chef-led or Michelin venue. The cuisine is Israeli, with a cafe-restaurant menu that covers breakfast, lunch and dinner. Signature dishes include savoury pies, salad plates, and baked goods and desserts, and the pies are the dish most associated with the place. Salads are generous and suited to sharing, and the menu includes vegetarian options. The dining room is cosy and informal, with a leafy, courtyard-style feel, a mix of indoor and outdoor tables, a moderate noise level that rises at weekend brunch, and no dress code. The crowd includes locals, families and tourists exploring Shenkin and the nearby streets. Drinks include coffee, fresh juices, beer and wine, but there is no notable wine programme. Prices are mid-range at $$, and a pie with a salad is a reasonable meal at a moderate cost. The restaurant opens in the morning and runs into the evening daily, with Shabbat hours that vary, so visitors should confirm before going. Reservations are not usually necessary, and walk-ins are typical, but queues form at weekend brunch, so arriving early helps. The location puts the restaurant a short walk from Rothschild Boulevard, Carmel Market and Nachalat Binyamin, so it suits a break during a walking day through the centre of the city. Requesting outdoor seating is worthwhile in pleasant weather.