Maganda Restaurant, middle-eastern Yemenite Kitchen

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Maganda in the Ha'carmel shook
At 26 Rabbi Meir street, one block from Shook Ha'carmel (open air market) you will find this elegant eatery, the Maganda Restaurant (HE website). The restaurant has a reputation of the best Yemenite food in this part of Tel Aviv. After all, this part is also called Kerem Ha'teymanim, the Yemenite Vineyard, where you can find an old community going back three generations. This is the oldest Yemenite neighborhood in Tel Aviv and one of the oldest area in Tel Aviv as a city. In addition, Maganda is known for its hospitality from three Habora brothers: Tsadok, Haim and Ami.
Maganda is the largest and most prominent restaurant in this part of the city. The area is sometime mistaken as jut the "shook" (open air market). So most people do not think of this area as a place to eat a great meal in a nice restaurant. After all, the shook closes at sundown and that's it, 'everybody just go home'. But Maganda is one example of how a neighborhood can be more than just one thing. The "shook" area is still active at night, and Magenda is a place to enjoy. The reputation of this place goes back years, ask anyone and they will tell you. So you are not alone in exploring this place.

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Quiet afternoon meal at the Maganda

Maganda is a large restaurant that accommodates a couple of hundred patrons. The menu is in Hebrew and English features main courses between 35 and 72 shekels. You are offered a variety of lamb, beef, turkey and fish dishes. A choice of soups are offered for 18 shekels. There are also a variety of salads including eggplant, Turkish, Greek and green salads for about 20 shekels. Another choice is an assortment of stuffed veggies for 15 shekels. Soft drinks are 8 shekels, credit cards accepted. Magenda is a restaurant where you can have a real authentic Yemenite meal in a nice place. It is also a restaurant where you can feel the warmth and tradition of the Yemenite community in Tel Aviv, something most people miss on a short visit. The food is great and will let you sample this cuisine that was hidden from most westerners, unless of course you have a Yemenite family friend who will invite you to dinner at their home.
On busy evenings call ahead, Magenda will be full during the peak hours, +972-3-517-9990 or +972-3-510-8235. I am sure you will enjoy your Yemenite dining experience at the Maganda. //sam-d-man