HaKosem — Restaurant in Tel-Aviv

People take note, I extremely recommend paying attention who's this place best suited for and who's not. This is my general take on the place, and after that what I actually recommend to do. Shawarma - the meat is soft and tender but very seasoned, far beyond whats needed, and presonally my stomach didnt react well to it, only cause of the seasoning. The owner is extremely cheap, no salad on the side even if you ask. The amount of meat he puts inside the laffa is also very cheap. Whats customary in Israel is to have fries on the side when you order shawarma, and in a 'all you can eat' salad bar to have pickles, cabage, onion, and other vegs, all those not included in his cheap stand. Over priced due to all of the above. This place recieves good reviews but all in all it is not justified due to other places giving you a better return for your money.

For example, if you're looking to have shawarma in Israel a better choice would be - Hertzel 2 shawarma, located in Rishon Letziyyon. You're get all you can eat salad bar, fries, dressings, eggplant and more, and The amount of meat in the pita/laffa will be much more genereous.

Who's this place is for: if you got no choice and only able to sit in tel aviv area, and seasoning doesnt bother you, then by all means dine in, but if you can drive else...

We arrived for a late dinner around 9:15pm. There was a long line as soon as we got there. It took us about 20 minutes to order but the kitchen sent out a few waves of falafels to hold over the people that were waiting. I ordered the shawarma wrap, which I got with everything on it - tahini, hummus, garlic, tomatoes, pickles, onions - and my wife got the spicy fish pita, which isn’t very spicy. You could ask to have them make it spicier. The guys behind the counter are friendly and like to have a good time. I also got the fried eggplant, which is fried goodness. We ordered the pomegranate lemonade and so should you. It’s the bomb dot com. I wouldn’t say the food is cheap, but then again I heard a chef friend once tell me that food never costs as much as it takes to prepare it. Idk if I fully agree but the quote provides some context as to how much work goes into making a good meal. These people make an awesome meal. We heard this place recommended to us by 5 friends back home. I can see why. Even the Tel Avivians next to us told us that HaKosem is the best shawarma place in town. It’s the only place that I’ve been to so far, so I...

Best possible falafel and humus: delicious, super tasty and always a good sign: lot of locals eat here.

You can even feel the taste only from good it smells staying in the queue - yes, usually jt will be a small queue, but it moves fast and you even get some falafel samples on the way.

Portions are huge, so I recommend getting the pita one ( which is smaller ) if you’re not really really hungry. I got falafel and humus - being hungry ( only meal of the day ) and I could finish only half.

You order at the counter and everything is made in front of you, fresh. Humus will come after 1-2 minutes and you get a ringer to inform you it’s time to check the counter

Can also get sauces and pickles salad free of charge from the right side.

Definitely recommend, I had the most amazing arabic food ( falafel or humus ) so you must...