Israel & Jordan 2023: Two Markets In One Morning

Our first full day in Tel Aviv started with the hotel's free breakfast. The breakfast offering is the usual you see everywhere, except that I liked it when they include pickled fish and sardines and grilled/roasted tomatoes with the traditional Continental breakfast.

Our breakfast plates.

Tomer came to pick us up. During dinner the previous night, the husband asked about the local market nearby. Naturally, Tomer mentioned Carmel Market, which is the touristy market (like Barcelona's La Boqueria) of Tel Aviv. However, the husband asked for one that has less tourists and more local so we were taken to Levinsky Market.

We came early enough that some of the stores are still closed while others are in the process opening up. This one is definitely geared for the locals, at least the part we went to. However, we found that many of the restaurants in this market are considered "trendy" and are open way way late. He added that there's always a party atmosphere here at night. We walked a few streets, saw some cats, fed a couple of them, and then waited until Tomer got his marketing done. Since he was already here, he decided to replenish his spice cabinet. We stopped for coffee and saw California nuts - almonds, walnuts, etc - being sold in the market. At one point, we passed by a hole-in-the-wall eatery with a couple of tables in front of it on the street. It was serving this red soup of some sort. Curious always about local delicacies, my husband persuaded Tomer to order one so he can taste. I did get a small bite and truthfully I don't remember how it tasted, not my bowl of soup. Turned out that Tomer liked this dish and a great breakfast food, according to him, so he finished it.

LEVINSKY MARKET

Beetroot kubbeh soup.

It was at this point that we suggested we split here, he can go to work while we walk to the famous Carmel Market, which according to Google maps is not very far from here, 1.2 km and only a 15 minute walk from here. However, Tomer was not having any of it and forced us to accept a ride, so we did.

He dropped us off the back of the market and we made our way through the market via the main aisle, passing stalls for produce, fresh squeezed pomegranate juice, baklava and other sweets, souvenirs, cheeses, meats, prepared food, fruits, clothing, etc. A sensory overload and a cacophony of local sounds. A wonderful experience. It would be a total slap to the market when I tell you that the hubs and I did not taste any of these offerings at all, despite the fact that my mouth was watering at the sight of baklava and Turkish delight. I was still (still am) following a strict caloric count (lol) and was limited my sugar and carb intake. Don't worry, we didn't feel any hunger the entire time, which only meant we ate more than we should at breakfast.

Worth mentioning is this stall selling Yemeni breads and sandwiches where the shopkeeper broke into a whole song and dance number when one of the customers mentioned that their little boy with them was having his birthday that day. Said shopkeeper performed to an audience and a captivated birthday boy. It totally made my day.

Shopping bags.

Fresh squeezed pomegranate & orange juice.

Turkish delights.

Jerusalem bagels.

Hamsa hand - popular souvenir.

Menorah.

Chestnuts roasting on ..... whatever this is.

I am guessing this diner is a celebrity, because these guys were watching him eat and also took photos of him. I'm guessing probably a soccer player maybe?