How to Order Food in Hebrew Like a Local

Ordering food in Hebrew isn’t just about getting the words right - it’s about nailing the tone, the slang, and the little cultural quirks that make locals nod in approval. Whether you’re grabbing a sabich in Tel Aviv or sitting down for a hummus feast in Jerusalem, here’s how to do it like someone who belongs.

Basic Phrases You’ll Need

Ani rotzeh/rotzah… (אני רוצה/רוצה…) – "I want…" (rotzeh for masculine, rotzah for feminine)
Efshar et…? (אפשר את…?) – "Can I have…?" (polite and common)
Kama ze oleh? (כמה זה עולה?) – "How much does it cost?"
Toda raba (תודה רבה) – "Thank you very much"

Tip: Israelis appreciate directness. Don’t overdo the politeness - just ask for what you want clearly.

Ordering Street Food

Street food is where Hebrew shines. Here’s how to order the classics:

Falafel

/faˈla.fel/

Deep-fried chickpea balls, usually served in pita with salads and tahini.

Try: "Falafel b’pita, bevakasha" (פלאפל בפיתה, בבקשה) – "Falafel in pita, please."

Shawarma

/ʃaˈwaʁ.ma/

Spiced meat (usually turkey or lamb) sliced from a rotating spit, served in laffa or pita.

Try: "Shawarma b’laffa im kol hatosafot" (שווארמה בלאפה עם כל התוספות) – "Shawarma in laffa with all the toppings."

Dining in Restaurants

In sit-down spots, you’ll need a few more phrases:

Ha’menu, bevakasha (התפריט, בבקשה) – "The menu, please."
Ani muchan/muchana l’hazmin (אני מוכן/מוכנה להזמין) – "I’m ready to order." (muchan for masculine, muchana for feminine)
Efshar et ha’cheshbon? (אפשר את החשבון?) – "Can we have the bill?"

Avoiding Tourist Traps

Locals don’t ask for "hummus with pita" - they ask for "hummus masabacha" (חומוס מסבחה), a chunky, garlicky version. If you’re in a café, skip the cappuccino and ask for a "hafuch" (הפוך), Israel’s frothy take on a latte. For more on coffee culture, check out our guide on Thai coffee customs.

Pronunciation Tips

Word	IPA	Tip
Sabich	/saˈbiχ/	The "ch" is a guttural sound, like clearing your throat.
Malawach	/ma.laˈwaχ/	Again, that guttural "ch" at the end.
Burekas	/buˈʁe.kas/	Roll the "r" lightly.

Don’t stress over perfect pronunciation - Israelis will appreciate the effort even if you mess up the guttural sounds.

When Things Go Wrong

If your order arrives wrong, say: "Zeh lo ma she’hizmantī" (זה לא מה שהזמנתי) – "This isn’t what I ordered." For more tricky situations, our guide on navigating Israeli bureaucracy might help.

Now go forth and order with confidence. And if all else fails, point and smile - it works wonders.