Jaffa Flea Market, also known as Shuk HaPishpeshim is one of the most exciting markets in Tel Aviv-Jaffa. Located in picturesque Jaffa at the southern end of Tel Aviv beachfront promenade Jaffa Market spreads out across a network of alleyways, covered narrow walkways, and streets.
This is a market where you can literally find everything including the kitchen sink! The market has been around for about 100 years and is open from Sunday to Friday from sun up to sundown. The items on sale; the colorful characters; hidden gems and cacophony of sounds, sights and smells in this market make it a must-do for visitors and residents alike.
In the market, you can find conventional stores that have opened up their storefronts and spilt onto the sidewalk. Goods are displayed hanging from every possible hook and nail. The items on sale range from brand new quality goods, trendy fashion items, and the latest fashions to antiques, large furniture, and junk.
You can find second-hand clothing, new clothing, handmade goods, art, copper items, brass, Judaica, genuine antiques, furniture, carpets, lamps and light fittings, musical instruments, toys, kitchenware, and much more. There are even stores selling Israeli Army memorabilia.
Among the stores and stalls are art galleries, cafes, and restaurants which have become some of the hottest “in” places to dine. There is a wide range of cuisine on offer and a range of different styles of eateries from cozy neighbourhood cafes to chef’s restaurants. At Jaffa Flea Market you’ll find Thai beer; an authentic Greek tavern; excellent bakeries; falafel stores and freshly squeezed juices.
Among the stores and stalls to visit there is Palestine, Land of Israel, an iconic market landmark selling nostalgic items from Israel’s history and army memorabilia, some going as far back as 1948. In Taos, you can find a treasure trove of Hollywood memorabilia, pieces from film sets, kitsch life-size sculptures of famous movie stars or characters, and among all of this schmaltz also the odd genuine antique or collector’s item. Halleluyah is the store to visit for musical instruments from around the world.
From the regular guitars and wind instruments to the more unusual traditional instruments like the Australian rain stick or the Thai wooden frog. Get handmade, one-of-a-kind jewelry at Alma; original home decoration ideas at Sofi, and a range of antique decorative items spanning several centuries at Renaissance.
At Cyrus, there are more antiques, mainly wooden figures, and porcelain and at Aki, you’ll find an Aladdin’s cave of light fixtures new and old, antiques, and one-off items. For more recently made items (mostly Made in China) visit Niso’s Decorative Goods and for unique tile carpets of exceptional quality visit Mansur Carpets. Don’t forget while shopping in Jaffa Flea Market feel free to bargain!
In the last few years, the Jaffa Shuk HaPishpeshim area has become not only a fun and unique place to shop and people watch but also a hidden gem for foodies. Among the junk and antiques are several outstanding restaurants some of which are housed in historic buildings and serve both local and international food. Here are just a few of the many Jaffa Flea Market’s finest dining establishments.
This unique restaurant/café is in the heart of the flea market. It was established in 1999 and is named after the owner. The place is magical, with décor featuring many authentic antiques and memorabilia including the furniture, pictures on the walls, and tableware. The menu is unpretentious and the food wholesome and homely yet unique and innovative.
There are dishes like broccoli and cashew pasta, spinach with raw tahini and faro, and date syrup salad. There is a good selection of Israeli boutique wine. On Tuesday nights you can get amazing fish and seafood cooked on the grill situated on the outside porch and in winter there are live performances on Thursday evenings.
The décor of this restaurant will take your breath away. The eclectic furniture comes from flea markets in Israel and abroad; the ceilings are high and the walls feature exposed brick and dark wood. Fleamarket has a large bar with an open kitchen. The restaurant is managed by top Israeli restaurateurs led by Shy Gurevitch. Fleamarket serves mainly seafood and an Asian menu with several local and European dishes. The restaurant has a breakfast, brunch, and evening menu.
At Fleamarket they give some classic Israeli dishes a gourmet twist like adding truffle to Israeli shakshuka. They also give an Israeli twist to some international classics like adding mangold to eggs Benedict. The menu reads like a European fine dining establishment with dishes like beef Carpaccio, sea bream tartare, and mushroom and truffle risotto. There are kid’s dishes and vegetarian dishes as well as a good selection of alcohol and cocktails.
This is one of the more recent additions to the Jaffa flea market culinary scene yet it has been attracting the attention of local foodies. It is located down a narrow lane full of character. The restaurant was opened in 2011 and is run by Chef Idan Mezner. As the name implies they specialize in seafood – si (sea) fo (food).
The flavors and styles of the dishes are diverse including fusion dishes that blend Middle Eastern flavors with international flavors. Diners have the option of eating from the cold kitchen, hot kitchen or chef specials, and desserts. Popular dishes on the menu include the fish patties with Ethiopian tahini, the red mullet fish in Arak, and the kubbeh soup with seafood.
In among the market stalls is this modest street bar. The bar was named after Noah’s father in the Bible who lived to an incredible age of 777; maybe because he took things easy and enjoyed a good drink like this bar’s patrons. The bar serves Thai beer on tap and simple dishes from the Far East and the Middle East. The bar often hosts live musical performances.
This Greek restaurant celebrates the Greek culture in every way – from the décor and music to the menu. On the walls are framed photos of the owner and his family plus some celebs that have eaten here.
The tables of this popular seafood and Greek restaurant spill out onto the cobbled streets of the market. It is always buzzing with people coming here for the food, music, and atmosphere. Indoors there is a large bar and a few tables while on an upper level you’ll find an area for large groups.
The atmosphere is created by great music, dim lighting, and an upbeat vibe. Food is prepared by Chef Yossi Shitrit and on the menu, you’ll find fish, seafood, meat, and vegetarian dishes. Don’t miss happy hour on Saturdays from 4 pm to 6 pm.
You’ll smell the delicious aroma of BBQ meat before you even reach this restaurant. The chairs and tables are spread out over the cobbled stones of a narrow lane as diners wait to sample delicious smoked and barbecued meat as well as handmade sausages.
If you’re a confirmed carnivore then this is the place for you. If you prefer fish or pasta you can find some non-meat dishes on the menu as well. The best time to come here is on weekends after 10 pm when the music is loud and the crowd turns the place into a street party.
Where Japan meets Peru! Lima Nippo is a sleek fine dining establishment with refined décor and artistically presented food. The menu includes Japanese and Peruvian fusion dishes, a new trend in the culinary world. When the Japanese immigrated to Peru in the 20th century the Nikkei cuisine was born. Dishes on the menu include pineapple duck, beef tartare with miso and truffle sauce, ceviche, and sashimi.
There is no other flea market in Israel like Jaffa’s Shuk HaPishpishim. It is not just the goods on sale that attract visitors to the market but the sights, sounds, smells, and characters you’ll see on the streets. You will truly feel like you are in the Middle East and for photographers, it is a wonderland with unique, unusual characters and cultural oddities wherever you look. On Friday mornings there is a “sub-market” in the southern area of the regular market. Here you will find the really unusual items.
When: The flea market operates from Sunday to Thursday 10 am-6 pm and on Fridays, 10 am-2 pm.
Where: Enter Jaffa from Tel Aviv and when you reach the famous Clock Tower in the middle of the main road (Yefet Street) head left away from the sea (east) down the narrow lanes and explore to your heart’s content.
You can visit Jaffa Flea Market on our Private Tel Aviv tour.