Best North American Eats According to Our Worldwide Connectors

Our Birthright Israel BEYOND travel community—Worldwide Connect—and our foodie network—Around the Table—are all about Taglit-Birthright Israel alumni building connections across the globe. Through travel tips and foodie recommendations to travel stories and in-person hang-outs, our communities love to share their experiences and recommendations with one another. 

Many of our Taglit-Birthright Israel alumni are based in North America, with many residing in the U.S. and Canada, and they were more than happy to share their favorite must-eat restaurants from their own hometowns and from places they’ve traveled to. Check out their recommendations below!

The United States of Foodies

Everyone loves Pizza

Arizona (Tempe)

It doesn’t get much hotter than Arizona, and we mean the flavor! 

Southwestern cuisine with a kick runs rampant through this desert state. So, if you like spice, this is the place for you! Tempe, Arizona, is a young and bustling college town where Arizona State University lives. With nightclubs, dive bars, and restaurants lining Mill Avenue, there’s always something going on and a snack to get you through. Shaindel Tomasovitch, a 2023 alumni, recommends checking out Spinelli’s Pizza, a one-stop shop for all things cheap, cheesy, and greasy. They’re open until 3 a.m. and are a common late-night stop for night owls. 

White and red pizzas, pizza fries, cheesesteaks, and fried s’mores are delicacies in a restaurant lined with graffiti art, skateboards, and one TV cycling through endless Thrasher skate clips. The restaurant even has its own skateboarding team! Whether you can front shuv or not, any passerby can satisfy their late-night cravings here.

Michigan (Metro Detroit)

Jerusalem Pizza is a popular kosher pizza spot in Hasidic Southfield, most known for its pizza (duh!), while also selling bagels, calzones, salads, and sandwiches galore that are equally as delicious. 

Tomasovitch explains that this pizza place keeps Kosher through the creative use of vegan meat that can be layered with real cheese to create delicious classics like the BBQ chicken pizza. The breakfast pizza is another vegetarian-friendly and decadent dish, along with the vegetarian meatball sub and potato calzone, all of which can also be veganized if you prefer. The next time you hit the Midwest, know that Jerusalem Pizza always has room at the counter for you!

Mediterranean in the Midwest (Downtown Detroit)

Named after the owner’s mother, Leila is an upscale spin on classic Lebanese dishes and lived histories in the heart of downtown Detroit. With a gorgeous wrap-around bar and seating from front to back, this restaurant is popular among locals and always busy. 

Pampas grass, leather reclining chairs, and pink velvet everything sprinkle the waiting and eating areas for a feel-good vibe. Even better than the vibe is the food; this spot is all about combining sweet and savory flavors in an unconventional way—just try the halloumi paired with watermelon, mint, lime, and jalapeno or the beetroot and feta dip! For a feel-good restaurant origin story, a cute hang-out spot, and a place where history and identity intersect, Leila is the perfect place for making memories, eating a home-cooked meal, and leaving happy.

New York City Has It All

Sheyna Ryvkin, a Taglit-Birthright Israel alum from 2019, is a native New Yorker, and she’s got two of the tastiest kosher recs in Brooklyn.

Falafel in Brooklyn

Falafel Tanami is a little slice of Israel right in Midwood, Brooklyn’s backyard. Handmade in-house and fresh-to-order, fried falafel patties line this tiny storefront’s counters. Native Hebrew speakers and Israelis own the store and work the line to bring NYC some seriously kickin’ Middle Eastern cuisine, giving you some of the friendliest and fastest food service in the city. 

Equally spicy and fragrant, their falafel sandwiches are up-to-par with what you’d find in the Shuk or what your Safta made you growing up. And falafel isn’t all this spot offers; you can line your pita with just about anything! Fried eggplant, boiled eggs, and lots of hummus are stocked up on the menu too. P.S. This spot is 100% kosher!

Brooklyn Sushi

Speaking of kosher, Sushi Meshuna is nestled in Hasidic Borough Park and is a favorite among kosher-keeping visitors. A quiet and small spot for counter-ordering take out and delivery, it’s full of yummy salmon dishes and tons of vegetarian options. The broccoli and potato eggroll, vegetarian cigars, and pizza sushi are notable appetizers among their massive sushi menu and their affordable prices (a reason to visit alone); if you’re a sushi-head, you know how pricey sushi can be! So with that, we recommend checking it out for lunch sometime: $16.25 gets you three rolls and a beverage, which says “lunch break” to us!

Manhattan Meets Egypt 

If you’d rather eat your lunch outdoors, try Casa La Femme. Egyptian street food meets bohemia here, and it’s an absolute must if you’re in Midtown Manhattan. With immaculate indoor dining options and an enormous outdoor space, you can’t go wrong with where you sit. 

In this intimate candlelit setting, outdoor tents with oriental rugs and fluffy pillows line the floors for dining, while decorative chairs, small tables, lanterns, and more big appetites line the inner walls. Known for their koshary (Egypt’s famous national dish), stacks of crispy fried onions, tomato compote abed lentils, macaroni noodles, and rice give your taste buds a spicy, savory kick. Their menu is filled with other classic dishes, too, like tajine, stuffed peppers, and crunchy kunefa. 

And if this isn’t enough to get you to stop in? Casa La Femme has belly dancing shows throughout brunch and dinner service for your entertainment. In fact, the dancers will even encourage you to join them! While words don’t do this gorgeous spot justice, we encourage you to see it for yourself.

U.S. “Country-Style” Dining (and Drinking) in Nashville Tennessee

Drunk Brunch in Nashville

Located in the Dream Hotel, Stateside Kitchen is where friends are made and mimosas are sipped. This place is so poppin’ that we have no choice but to encourage you to reserve a table beforehand! High glass-windowed ceilings, modern tile finishes, live plants, and loud pop music make this place incredibly desirable for Instagram photo ops with besties. 

Only $35 gets you an entree and a bottle of champagne, and if you go with your friends? There’s an endless mimosa option! Or, you can try their brunch special that includes up to eight drinks with your brekky—a steal for Nashville weekenders. Southern classics like shrimp and grits, hot chicken sandos, and biscuits and gravy line the menu and keep guests lined up at the door waiting. 

Dinner and Dancing at the Tennessee Saloon

Ready for dinner, drinks, and dancing? Put on your boots and head to Wildhorse Saloon. This hybrid bar, restaurant, and entertainment venue is the perfect down-south experience. Here, you’ll find cheap brews, delicious baked mac and cheese, a whole lot of Jason Aldean, line dancing, live music, and, yes, an electric bull! 

It’s the perfect place to pregame or keep the party going with loud music, a dark setting, and a whole lot of leather. This spot is great for friends, lovers, and families too!

Capital City Eats

Jason Langsner, a Taglit-Birthright Israel alum from 2006, shares two flavorful foodie spots in the heart of D.C. If you like spice, these spots are for you!

BBQ in Washington, D.C.

Char Bar is a go-to feel-good spot for kosher BBQ, stacked deli-style sandwiches, burgers, and top-dollar steaks. Family-friendly with fresh ingredients, this spot is frequented by kosher and non-kosher meat lovers. While Washington D.C. doesn’t have the most robust kosher scene, this spot is highly recommended, and the 5th Avenue sandwich is at the top of our list of what to try here: piping hot pastrami, mushrooms, caramelized onions, and mustard sitting atop a toasted sub roll with golden fries. Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? 

Vegan Eats in D.C.

Shouk is another kosher option in the D.C. area that’s completely plant-based, taking up a fast-casual dining setting. Think shawarma and fried chicken pitas, but with a vegan twist. You’d never know these wraps are vegan with their scary accurate flavor profiles and textures. This is a great place for a quick bite that’ll fill you up. 

West Coast Classic

California (Los Angeles)

Looking for good eats in L.A.? Odds are locals will ask: Have you tried Craig’s yet?

This popular restaurant is nestled in the heart of Los Angeles and is highly recommended by Brooke Baevsky, a Taglit-Birthright Israel alum from May 2018. If you’re seeking a simple yet consistently excellent dining experience, look no further.

Frequented by celebs for their ribeye steaks, Craig’s is one of the most popular LA steakhouses. Aside from their steaks, the menu features bountiful salads, perfectly cooked fish, and sumptuous proteins from the renowned farm shop in Brentwood.

With a warm and inviting ambiance, Craig’s sets the stage for delightful gatherings and unforgettable meals. 

Canada, Oh, Canada!

Brunch Behind the Falls (Ontario)

On the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, there’s a delicious secret spot known as The Flour Mill Scratch Kitchen. Tucked away in the Old Stone Inn, this beautiful brunch spot is perfect for a breakfast date, a meet-up with friends, or brunch with family! 

The Old Stone Inn has a gorgeous cabin feel with dark crown molding, polished stone walls, and velvet furniture. As you enter the lobby, behind it, you’ll find a high tea section with candle-lit sconces, silver-tiered towers of fancy finger foods, and tons of seating adorned with chic pillows. 

Once you exit the high tea area, The Flour Mill Scratch Kitchen dining room turns from a dark, luxurious space to a sunny, bright, modern setting. Pink cherry blossom trees line the indoor walls, and pots of fresh French press are delivered to every table upon sitting down. Brûléed French toast, perfectly poached eggs, and tart ricotta pancakes are favorites among their small but mighty menu. Our recommendation? Order all the items and split them with your tablemates—choosing just one is impossible!

There are 50 states, 10 provinces, and 32 federal entities across North America—so it’s safe to say that we’ve barely scratched the surface of this continent’s most delicious food finds. On the bright side, you have 12 new restaurants recommended from our community members coast-to-coast (and Canada) to kvell to your mother. Happy eating, foodie friends!