Monka restaurant is revived, with a window for the world's tastiest kebab-in-pita
The first Bulgarian restaurant in Jaffa, one of Israel's culinary institutions, has reopened. With a modern look, a reduced menu, and a street food window featuring the dish most identified with it. We visited, tasted, and returned in love with the 2026 version of Monka.
Last June, the Bulgarian community said goodbye to its veteran institution. The Monka restaurant, which had operated in Jaffa since the establishment of the state, closed its doors. In the 'We Are All Bulgarians' Facebook group, an entire community shared memories; the sadness was palpable. This restaurant didn't just offer tasty food; it was historical, and it fed entire generations from all over the country.
Michael Halfon, the grandson of the founders and the current owner, announced at the time that he was closing the restaurant due to years of neglect, but promised that he would reopen it in a new and upgraded version. Two months later, Halfon kept his promise. Now, Monka has reopened after a complete renovation, a branding update, and the opening of a street food window for pita with kebab.
A blend of history and minimalism
The new Monka is a restaurant with a minimalist design, featuring only chairs, tables, and a few decorations on the walls. The original charcoal grill from the 40s remains in place, now preserved with a new coating. On the tables are beautiful placemats detailing the story of Monka, while a Bulgarian playlist plays in the background.
We arrived specifically for the kebab window, and believe us: there is no other window like this and no such kebab. Your life will be divided into before and after you taste it, we promise.
What to eat at the new Monka?
At the new window, they offer the famous Bulgarian kebab—deliciously seasoned, amazingly grilled, and packed inside a simple pita 'like in the old days' with hummus, chips, and salad (40 NIS). There is also a pita with kebab patties made from the same meat mixture, seasoned a bit more aggressively, and shaped into round, flat patties (40 NIS).
In the grill section, you can find pargit shashlik, chicken hearts, and chicken liver. All these meats can also be served as a full meal while dining in the restaurant with a side dish (55–65 NIS). The menu also includes:
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Leek patties (40 NIS)
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Moussaka (40 NIS)
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Stuffed peppers, zucchini, grape leaves, and eggplant (30 NIS each)
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Salads: vegetable with Bulgarian seasoning, pickles, ikra, and lutenitsa (30 NIS each)
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Soups: goulash, shkembe, and tarator—a cold, refreshing yogurt soup (35–45 NIS)
'Monka is a family memory, a reminder that once everything was simple, when we were happy with a kebab patty, chips, and salad,' says Michael Halfon. 'This place reminds me of my grandfather sitting next to my father.'
