Tel Aviv's Pizza Laila Returns Home as Sheinkin Bistro Opens
Tel Aviv's iconic Pizza Laila has returned to Levinsky Market while transforming its Sheinkin Street popup into the new Bistro Laila. Chef Ran Belfer offers a seasonal menu blending casual favorites with refined dishes next to the Sheinkin Garden.
Pizza Laila, established in 2018, has become a Tel Aviv pizza icon known for its thin crust, signature schug served with every slice, and late-night hours. When the Levinsky Market building collapsed last April, the pizzeria lost its home. While owners worked on a small bistro at the corner of Sheinkin and Nafcha streets, they turned it into a temporary popup. Meanwhile, their Ramat HaSharon branch on Sokolov Street continued normal operations. Now, the popup era has ended, the pizzeria has returned to Levinsky following a successful crowdfunding campaign, and Bistro Laila has officially opened at the Sheinkin location.
A Neighborhood Bistro with European Flair
Bistro Laila is situated next to the Sheinkin Garden, blending seamlessly into the local atmosphere. In the early evening and Saturday lunch hours, it attracts families with strollers and children playing in the park. As darkness falls, the lighting dims, and the garden takes on the feel of a European piazza. Inside, the atmosphere is that of a Tel Aviv food bar, striking a balance between effortless trendiness and cozy neighborhood warmth. The staff radiates positive energy, bar service is professional, and watching the open kitchen adds to the vibrant, joyful ambiance.
Seasonal Menu and Culinary Highlights
Chef Ran Belfer relies on seasonal produce, offering a diverse menu that bridges casual dining with refined bistro fare. Standout appetizers include meatball pizza for 78 shekels; figs with Naomi cheese, nuts, and honey for 48 shekels; bluefin tuna ceviche with mango, passion fruit, cilantro, and lime for 92 shekels; and beef tartare on brioche toast with bone marrow for 88 shekels, hailed as one of the best and most original recently tasted.
Other menu highlights feature a tomato and shrimp salad for 84 shekels; a grape and bresaola salad for 76 shekels; eggplant lasagna for 54 shekels; cavatelli pasta in tomato butter and stracciatella for 74 shekels; pumpkin and chestnut tortellini with butter and sage for 78 shekels; and a pasta combining cacio e pepe with bacon, egg yolk, and parmesan for 88 shekels. Meat lovers can order a butcher's cut with fries for 120 shekels, while purists can enjoy a classic margherita or anchovy marinara pizza ranging from 68 to 92 shekels.
For dessert, the dreamlike torta caprese costs 46 shekels, and the almond cream tart is the epitome of perfection at 48 shekels. Notably, tiramisu is absent, much to the menu's credit. A 20 percent discount applies to the entire menu daily between 17:00 and 19:00, and those seeking a more intimate vibe can grab a seat at the bar.
Design and Atmosphere
Designed by Guy Goldberg, the bistro translates the rough character of the Levinsky pizzeria into a more mature, refined setting. The effortless look pairs raw concrete and exposed walls with touches of marble, glass, and Nordic-toned wood mixed with industrial metals. Graffiti receives a fresh interpretation through a massive mural by tattoo artist Eden Kalif, keeping the result Tel Avivian and informal yet sophisticated and engaging.
Bistro Laila is located at 3 Nafcha Street, corner of Sheinkin, Tel Aviv. Open Sunday through Thursday from 17:00, and Saturday from 13:00.
