This tiny restaurant and wine bar, just a clutch of round tables on an alley just off Carmel Market, draws its inspiration from the market's fresh offerings (the name is Hebrew for "market stall"). The choices change daily, and the kitchen is well-known for dishing out organ meats you might not see much back home. For the less adventurous, the seafood and pork options are sure to be fresh and aesthetically appealing.

Choose a main dish then revel in the small plates that flow to the table before it arrives: vegetables, bread, Taramosalata, potato salad with horseradish, msabaha, root vegetables, and more. The main menu includes blissful sins in the form of pork shawarma, steak and eggs, and more. In the alcohol department: Bloody Maries, Spritzes, and more.

Rounding out Israel’s award-winning restaurants this year is HaBasta, a local favorite beloved by Israelis for its casual, unpretentious atmosphere, accessible fine dining, and consistently excellent quality. At its venue in the heart of the storied Carmel Market, HaBasta, which in Hebrew means “the market stall,” is Chef Eilon Amir’s vehicle for his meticulous market creations. With almost all their ingredients sourced from the stalls that surround them, HaBasta provides unrivaled freshness and serves everything from black truffle pizza to organ meat delicacies.

HaBasta is a cozy, bustling hole in the wall right off Carmel Market (which is where chef Elon Amir finds inspiration for his daily menus). Scribbled onto a piece of paper on the wall before service, the seemingly simple menu is actually rather mind-blowing: potato dumplings are elevated beyond conception, succulent baked crabs come in fresh from the Mediterranean sea, and the winter beef tongue mushroom stew warms you from within. Don’t miss the smart wine list, which boasts a variety of natural wines and international bottles.

Vegetables are the star of Israeli cuisine, and HaBasta (HaShomer Street 4, Tel Aviv), which means “the stall” in Hebrew, is located just a leek’s throw away from Tel Aviv’s beating heart, the Carmel Market. The menu changes daily based on whatever grabs the attention of chef Alon Amir at the nearby stalls. The emphasis is on simple dishes, like charred okra with preserved lemons or spinach fatayer (savoury hand pies), but seafood gets a special nod, including HaBasta’s famed crab bourekas.

HaBasta (no.48): HaBasta restaurant is an exciting blend of a bustling market and dining restaurant, with daily handcrafted menus and informal waiters. With dishes changing daily depending on the influx of local market produce, the cuisine produced is extremely authentic to the nearby Carmel Shuk, Tel Aviv’s biggest produce market. Whilst the restaurant is renowned for its food, the resident sommeliers will also help guests pair some of the finest Israeli wines to their cuisine.

Ask a chef where they like to eat on their night off and many will recommend HaBasta. Located at the west corner of the Carmel shuk, some of the most creative and delicious food in the city is served at HaBasta, an eatery recognized as one of the Middle East North Africa 50 Best Restaurants. Chef Elon Amir champions local ingredients with his inventive interpretations of Israeli classics that incorporate influences from around the globe.

A neighborhood favorite famous for its focus on fresh fish and local seafood, HaBasta’s seasonal delicacies more than makes up for its small space. Close to the Shuk HaCarmel in the Kerem HaTeimanim, all of the ingredients in the restaurant come straight from vendors to the kitchen. Founded by Maoz Alonim, this cult favorite’s market to plate cuisine draws in visitors from all over.

Other Israeli restaurants included in this year’s list are OCD (14), which ranked 3rd last year; A Restaurant (24), which made the list for the first time; Animar (32), dropping from 17; Milgo & Milbar (40), which receives the same ranking as last year; and HaBasta (48), which expressed disappointment after falling from 14 in last year’s list.

HaBasta: a little place tucked in off a side street of the Carmel Market with a handwritten daily changing menu. Sit outside on the street with eclectic red checked tableclothes, and book if you can. A bit pricy, but probably worth it if market-to-table, local ingredients, wines and interesting flavour combinations are your thing.

For lunch, head over to Basta, located right in the heart of the Carmel Market. This spot is particularly special because you’re dining amidst the bustling market — it’s a very unique experience. They source all of their ingredients from the market, and their handwritten menu changes according to the seasons.

This small but cosy restaurant in a side street of the Carmel market is truly special. The menu by chef Elon Amir is different every day. You find it scribbled on a piece of paper, because he gets everything fresh from the market that day and uses his creativity and vision to bring something unique to life.

Take a seat outside Ha Basta (22) (00972 3516 9234, facebook.com/Habasta), a lovely little restaurant where you can enjoy a farm to fork Israeli brunch. Plates of labna, roasted aubergine and cured beef are served with spinach and Tulum cheese baked eggs. Brunch served on Saturdays only, 11am to 5pm.

HaBasta Restaurant – Situated on a aspect avenue of Carmel Market, is HaBasta, a gourmand market contemporary restaurant. They served us some very contemporary and fascinating dishes. The crab was scrumptious, and the fried veal mind was superb, however I particularly cherished the cherry salad.

HaBasta offers outdoor seating right in the heart of the Carmel Market. Nothing says summer in Tel Aviv like an evening sitting outdoors at HaBasta with a glass of wine. Don’t let the grunge façade deceive you though, you will be paying for one of the best restaurants in Tel Aviv.

HaBasta is where all the hustle and bustle are happening, and a place considered the must-go spot for Tel Aviv's wine aficionados. It is located on a side street, just a few steps from the Carmel Market. The menu is changing daily according to what the market has to offer.

📍 HaShomer St 4 💲 from $12 USD🏆 Middle East’s 50 Best Restaurants. HaBasta is a vibrant restaurant located next to Tel Aviv’s bustling Carmel Market. Its name, meaning “The Stall,” is fitting, as it brings the market’s fresh ingredients straight to the table.

Chef Tomer Tal's "George and John" was ranked ninth, followed by chef Elon Amir's "HaBasta" (14), chef Hillel Tavakuli's "Animar" (17), chef Yachi Geno's "Pescado" (24), and chef Motti Titman's "Milgo & Milbar," which rounded up the top 40.

:D Seriously, a funny fact but true: the last day, the departure day was a tough one after much of local tasty white & rose at Habasta הבסטה restaurant… What was I told to do?!. Go and eat the best sabich in the city – at Sabich Frishman!

Eclectic menu inspired by the nearby Carmel Market and changes daily. The day we were there we had very spicy tuna sashimi, pork shawarma and artichoke raviolis. All very good, but adds up $$.

Right next to the shuk, they are totally seasonal, changing dishes daily depending on the market produce- the chefs really know what they are doing. Perfect for a special date.

Igra Rama won “best local cuisine,” the best wine menu went to HaBasta and the best food bar is Kab Kem – all in Tel Aviv and all non-kosher.

Around for 3 years, this place has a huge wine menu, mainly focused on Italian and French wines. And yes, the food is great too.

The food is always fresh and amazing and the dishes change every night. It is right in the middle of Shuk HaCarmel.