There are similarities between Khao San Road in Bangkok and Carmel Market: both are intensely crowded, with exposed electrical cables replacing the open sky, and both offer authentic, delicious Thai food.
In recent years, Carmel Market has undergone a culinary transformation. Between the stalls and the calls of “grapes for 10,” Thai cuisine has taken over. Here are our recommendations for four of the market’s leading Thai restaurants:
Eisan
As its name suggests, the restaurant serves dishes based on the cuisine of Isan, the region in northeastern Thailand.
What to eat: It is a difficult question because the menu is so varied, with many salads, wok dishes, soups and desserts. In short, it has almost everything, from familiar noodle dishes to excellent grilled plates, as well as dishes designed for children. Many options can be made vegetarian, and some dishes are extremely spicy, so pay attention to the heat level.
Average price range: 50-70 ₪
Atmosphere: A proper restaurant. There is seating indoors and outside, and by Carmel Market standards the place is thoughtfully designed, with lampshades and wood paneling that help create the feeling of a genuine Thai restaurant. It is pleasant and clean, and the portions are generous.
Who is it for? Families, diners looking for a more polished Thai meal and anyone planning a longer outing rather than a quick bite. Come to sit, enjoy several dishes, fill the table and imagine for a moment that Carmel Market really might be Bangkok.
Good to know: Reservations are recommended on weekends.
Address: 22 Rabbi Akiva Street, Carmel Market
Open every day, including Saturday, 12:00-23:00
Khao-San
Khao-San sits in the very heart of bustling Carmel Market. You can recognize it by the line of people waiting for takeaway or hoping a table will become available. It serves classic street food with flavors that appeal to Israeli diners missing the taste of Asia.
What to eat: More straightforward Thai dishes, with a particular focus on pad Thai – every dish can be made vegetarian – and an excellent papaya salad.
Average price range: 40-50 ₪
Atmosphere: Street food, with seating available only indoors. Chairs cannot be placed outside because they would end up directly among the market’s many pedestrians. Diners who choose to sit will have to hope for space at one of the few tables. The food is served in disposable containers, reinforcing the quick eat-and-go atmosphere. No one will rush you out, but the people waiting in line will certainly appreciate the table once you finish. The market is always present, which is not a bad thing for anyone missing the sound of Khao San Road.
Who is it for? Diners seriously craving Thai food and looking for something on the go, people eating alone who do not mind sharing a table, or anyone who simply wants takeaway.
Good to know: The kitchen is fully visible, so you can watch your food being prepared, adding to the street-food experience.
Address: 5 HaCarmel Street, Carmel Market
Open every day, including Saturday.
Opening hours: 10:00-22:30
Ahan
Anyone who has traveled in Thailand will recognize the oversized photos of dishes displayed at restaurant entrances or across menus. They can look strange, but somehow the real dishes often match them closely in both size and flavor. Ahan uses the same bold photographs, and there is a clear connection between what you see and what arrives at the table.
What to eat: Straightforward Thai food, including excellent soups such as tom yum and tom yum gai for anyone who wants chicken in the soup. The portions are very large, so it is worth ordering several dishes to share.
Average price range: 45-60 ₪
Atmosphere: A mix of street food and a restaurant where you can sit comfortably without rushing through the meal. Seating is available outside only, but the restaurant is located in a market alley, away from the worst congestion of the main street. Service is in English, and the team should have no trouble understanding what you want.
Who is it for? Groups of two to four friends looking for affordable Thai food and a relaxed sit-down meal. It is less suitable for a large group expecting an immediate table for everyone, although it is always worth trying.
Good to know: A Thai massage spa is attached to the restaurant for anyone who wants the full experience. We cannot vouch for the massage, but the food is not in doubt.
Address: 45 Yishkon Street
Open every day, including Saturday
For opening hours, call: 054-585-5339
Giveret Kwaytiew
One thing is difficult to ignore about Giveret Kwaytiew: you will either love it or decide it is trying too hard and return to a familiar plate of pad Thai. This is not a street-food restaurant. Instead, it serves dishes such as duck-filled dumplings and refined versions of familiar favorites, made with high-quality ingredients, most of them sourced from Thailand.
What to eat: The restaurant is best known for its kwaytiew bowls, a take on Thai ramen. The menu is aimed at adventurous diners and meat lovers, and includes dishes with bacon, so it is clearly not suitable for kosher diners.
Average price range: 60-80 ₪
Atmosphere: Cool and immersive. The flags hanging overhead, photographs and background music make it feel as though you are in the middle of a Thai market, although it is hard to say exactly where in Thailand. It suits diners looking beyond familiar dishes and who are not afraid of spice.
Good to know: This is not just another Thai restaurant. It is a chef restaurant by Mati Nakash.
Address: 2 Yom Tov Street, Carmel Market
Open Monday-Thursday, 11:00-23:00
Friday: 09:00-16:00
Following the restaurant on Instagram for updates is recommended.
