Food & Drinks

1. תַּפְרִיט, בְּבַקָּשָׁה

   Tafrit, bevakasha

   The menu, please

   Usage

   Basic phrase to request a menu at a restaurant.

   Grammar Note

   "Bevakasha" means both "please" and "you're welcome" — a versatile word. Root b-k-sh means to seek or request.

2. חֻמּוּס עִם פִּיתָה

   Khumus im pita

   Hummus with pita bread

   Usage

   A staple Israeli dish loved by tourists and locals alike. The quintessential Israeli food experience.

   Grammar Note

   "Hummus" shares its origin with Arabic "ḥimmaṣ" (chickpeas). It's one of many food words shared across Hebrew and Arabic.

3. אֲנִי צַמְחוֹנִי

   Ani tsimkhoni

   I am vegetarian (male)

   Usage

   For a male speaker. Female: "ani tsamkhonit." Vegan: "tiva'oni" (m) or "tiva'onit" (f).

   Grammar Note

   Hebrew omits the copula in present tense. "Ani + noun/adjective" expresses "I am..." without a verb.

4. יֵשׁ לִי אַלֶרְגִיָּה לְבוֹטְנִים

   Yesh li alergiya levotnim

   I have a peanut allergy

   Usage

   Replace "votnim" with another ingredient. Gluten: "glutn", dairy: "mutsrei khalav".

   Grammar Note

   Hebrew has no verb "to have." Possession is expressed with "yesh" (there is) + "le-" (to) + the owner.

5. שַׁקְשׁוּקָה, בְּבַקָּשָׁה

   Shakshuka, bevakasha

   Shakshuka, please

   Usage

   Israel's famous egg dish — eggs poached in spiced tomato sauce. A popular breakfast and brunch item.

   Grammar Note

   "Shakshuka" is a loanword from Arabic or Berber. It has become a central dish in modern Israeli food culture.

6. הַחֶשְׁבּוֹן, בְּבַקָּשָׁה

   Hakheshbon, bevakasha

   The bill, please

   Usage

   Standard phrase to ask for the check after a meal.

   Grammar Note

   Root kh-sh-b of "kheshbon" means to think/calculate, also related to "khashiva" (thinking/importance).

7. בְּלִי גְּלוּטֶן, בְּבַקָּשָׁה

   Beli gluten, bevakasha

   Without gluten, please

   Usage

   For those with gluten intolerance or celiac disease. Useful to know alongside kosher dietary laws.

   Grammar Note

   "Bli" is the Hebrew preposition for "without." In Israel, "kosher" dietary laws are also important dietary context.

8. זֶה טָעִים מְאֹד

   Ze taim meod

   This is very delicious

   Usage

   Used to compliment the food — a great compliment to the cook or host.

   Grammar Note

   The copula is omitted in Hebrew present tense. "Ze + adjective" means "this is ..." without a verb.

9. מַה אַתָּה מַמְלִיץ?

   Ma ata mamlits?

   What do you recommend?

   Usage

   Used to ask a waiter for a recommendation. For a female waiter: "ma at mamlitsa?"

   Grammar Note

   Hebrew present tense verbs agree in gender. Male "mamlits", female "mamlitsa." Subject pronouns can be dropped but add clarity.

10. שֻׁלְחָן לִשְׁנַיִם, בְּבַקָּשָׁה

    Shulkhan lishnayim, bevakasha

    A table for two, please

    Usage

    Used to request a table at a restaurant. Swap in "shlosha" (3) or "arba'a" (4) as needed.

    Grammar Note

    "Shnaym" is the independent form of "two" in Hebrew. With preposition "le-" it becomes "lishnayim."

11. אורז

    orez

    Rice (cooked)

    Usage

    Point at this to order or check for rice; Hebrew uses one word for both cooked rice and raw grain

12. לחם

    lekhem

    Bread

    Usage

    For asking for bread; in Israel what usually arrives is flatbread — pita or laffa

13. אטריות

    itriyot

    Noodles

    Usage

    The word for noodles; Italian-style pasta is called "pasta" instead

14. חריף

    kharif

    Spicy (hot)

    Usage

    Chilli heat, not temperature. Say "bli kharif" to have it left out; Israel's standard chilli paste, schug, is very hot

    Grammar Note

    Masculine singular. With a feminine noun it becomes "kharifa", and in the plural "kharifim / kharifot"

15. מתוק

    matok

    Sweet

    Usage

    Describes sweetness; "pakhot matok" asks for it less sweet

    Grammar Note

    Masculine singular; feminine "metuka", plurals "metukim / metukot". Said of a person it means "sweet/cute"

16. לא מבושל

    lo mevushal

    Not cooked (raw)

    Usage

    Use this to check whether something was cooked. Menus write rare steak as "na", but that single word also means "please" on public notices, so use these two words instead when the question is raw versus cooked

    Grammar Note

    Masculine singular; with a feminine noun, "lo mevushelet"

17. מרק

    marak

    Soup

    Usage

    Point at this to order soup

18. פירות

    perot

    Fruit

    Usage

    The plural for fruit; the singular is "pri". Do not confuse it with "perot yam", which means seafood

19. גבינה

    gvina

    Cheese

    Usage

    For ordering or checking for cheese; the white cheese central to an Israeli breakfast is "gvina levana"

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