While Israel is a haven for vegans, navigating the supermarket aisles can be tricky if you’re not fluent in Hebrew. And even if you can tell a product is vegan, how would you know it’s a good one?
Don’t worry, though—I've got you covered!
Vegan Tip 1: Look for the Vegan-Friendly Mark When you’re shopping, keep an eye out for the Vegan-Friendly logo on the packaging.
Vegan Tip 2: If you see any product that’s labeled Parve—a kosher mark that means it doesn’t contain meat or dairy—just make sure it doesn’t contain eggs, and that’s it!
Vegan Tip 3: Every Monday, all vegan products are 50% off at Victory Supermarket Chain, making it the perfect day to stock up on your favorite plant-based foods.
Vegan Stores in Israel
While most vegan products are available in regular supermarkets like Rami Levi and Shufersal, here are some specialty health stores with a fantastic selection of vegan items:
- Teva Castel (טבע קסטל)
- Anis (אניס)
- Nitzat Haduvdevan (ניצת הדובדבן)
Vegan Products in Israel
y "Italian add-ons."
Dairy Substitutes in Israel
Dairy is a big deal in Israel, so plant-based alternatives have to meet pretty high standards. They’re designed to match local flavors, so if you’re used to dairy substitutes from other countries, especially something like American cheddar, you might find them a bit different.
Mama Q Vegan Cheese
This new brand has taken Israel by storm! Mama Q’s vegan cheese is both simple and healthy, though it does have a short shelf life. But trust me, it's worth every bite!
Price: 22 NIS at Super Yehuda and vegan stores.
Gvinut Cheese by Plenty
Plenty offers a delicious range of vegan cheese spreads, including Labane, a tangy, creamy cheese. Their selection also features feta and other flavorful varieties, perfect for spreading on bread or adding to salads.
Tnuva Vegan Light Cream Cheese
If you’re missing the Israeli-style White Cheese (Gvina Levana), this light vegan cream cheese is your go-to. It’s perfect for sandwiches and veggie dips.
Price: 10 NIS, available in most supermarkets.
Important note: Buying vegan substitutes from Tnuva can be controversial for some vegans, as Tnuva is the largest dairy producer in Israel.
Tnuva Non-Dairy Milk (Soy or Almond)
Tnuva’s non-dairy milk options are a hit with the vegan crowd. They offer a range of choices including almond milk (red package) and unsweetened milk (green package), similar to Silk and Almond Breeze.
Price: About 12 NIS. Widely available.
Tnuva Vegan Yogurts
Tnuva’s vegan yogurts Flavors include raspberry & apple (my personal fave), banana & strawberries, and peach.
Good vegan yogurts can be tricky to find, especially since they tend to be sweeter than their non-vegan versions. However, I think Tnuva has done an excellent job with their variety of yogurts that aren’t overly sweet like most options on the market (The green one is my fav).
Tnuva offers flavors such as raspberry & apple (my favorite), banana & strawberries, and peach.
Price: Around 5 NIS. Found in almost all supermarkets.
Violife Feta Cheese
My latest obsession is Violife Feta Cheese. Its texture and saltiness are spot-on, making it a stellar addition to salads or fruit.
Price: About 20 NIS.
Violife Smoked Cheese
Violife’s Smoked Pastrami, more like smoked cheese, is a new find that hits the mark with its smoky flavor.
Price: About 20 NIS. Available in select supermarkets or vegan stores.
Whipped Cream for Cakes
This is one of those “accidentally vegan” products. It’s kosher Parve, meaning you can enjoy it even after a meat meal.
Coconut Cream
Ensure it has over 17% fat for the best results in whipped cream recipes. Sweets Bamba Filled with Nougat Bamba, a classic Israeli snack, has a nougat-filled version that’s out of this world. It’s a must-try while you’re in Israel.
Sweets
Panda Chocolate Bars
Started by a cute couple, Panda Chocolate bars come in flavors like nougat, hazelnuts, white chocolate with cookies, and salty caramel. They also have pralines for special occasions.
Bamba Filled with Nougat
Of course, I have to mention the most iconic Israeli snack—Bamba! Naturally vegan, Bamba is a must-try when you visit Israel.
In recent years, Bamba has evolved with some innovative variations. My absolute favorite? Nougat-filled Bamba. As far as I’m concerned, it’s the hottest thing since sliced bread. You can find it in any store!
Price: 3 NIS.
Biscoff Lotus Biscuits and Spread
Here’s another "accidentally vegan" delight. In Israel, you can get these luxurious biscuits, which are absolutely divine, or even purchase the caramel-like spread.
I often use both for baking cakes.
Argaliot
This is a unique Israeli treat you won't find anywhere else. Some might say that’s a good thing because it’s not for everyone, but I absolutely love it!
Whenever I lived abroad, I always asked visitors to bring me Argaliot with strawberry filling. They pair perfectly with tea or coffee in the morning, and they aren’t too sweet.
Black and White Cookies
These Elit cookies are divine—chocolate on the outside with creamy vanilla filling. Watch out, they’re addictive!
Chocolate Spread – Hashahar
This classic Israeli chocolate spread (Parve, yellow cup) takes me back to my school days. Perfect on a bun for lunch!
Hazelnut Spread – Chocketa
For a Nutella-like experience, Chocketa is your best bet. Just make sure to get the yellow cup version. Jaxx A newer sweet snack with a few variations. Only the yellow package is vegan, marked with a “P” for Parve.
Oreo
The classic Oreo is vegan—just stick to the original flavor. Argaliot A unique Israeli treat with strawberry filling. Great with tea or coffee, though some find it an acquired taste.
Dark Chocolate Bar (Elit/Vered)
Dark chocolate is a staple in Israel. Look for the "P" label to ensure it’s vegan-friendly. Biscoff Lotus Biscuits and Spread Another “accidentally vegan” delight. Enjoy the biscuits or the caramel-like spread in your cakes.
Vegan Salty and Savory in Israel
Tofu
In many countries, you'd need to visit a health store or an Asian market to find tofu, but not in Israel. Here, tofu is available in any supermarket, with about five different brands offering it.
Recently, Tnuva, the "dairy queen" (or monster), recognized the power of the vegan community and released their own tofu in various flavors. It's been a massive hit! My favorite is the Provence-style tofu (purple package).
Vegan Burekas
Burekas, a beloved Israeli pastry, is a savory, flaky treat filled with various ingredients like cheese, potatoes, or mushrooms.
Mashu Mashu now offers frozen vegan burekas in three flavors—just heat them up and enjoy this classic without the dairy! Perfect for a quick snack or light meal.
Pesto
Pesto seems like it should be naturally vegan, right? After all, it's just basil and nuts. But, surprisingly, most pestos contain dairy! And the percentage of dairy in these products is often so tiny, it makes you wonder if they add it just to keep it non-vegan. Fortunately, in Israel, thanks to Kosher rules, there are two vegan pesto options: Olivia's Italian Pesto and Presko's Classic Pesto. I prefer the latter for its straightforward, classic taste without an
Abadi Salty Cookies
This is another Israeli classic. It’s basically a salty, dry, round snack. So many jokes have been written about how it’s so dry you might choke. So yeah, you better have it with tea!
Meat Substitutes in Israel
Most meat substitutes will have the Vegan-Friendly mark.
Tivol and Zoglos are leading brands.
Tivol Grilled Chicken Breast
My top pick for meat substitutes. It’s got grill marks and a great texture! Hot Dogs Many vegetarian hot dogs are available, but check for the “vegan-friendly” mark to ensure they’re egg-free.
Rami Levi’s Thin Schnitzel
A recent vegan addition from Rami Levi, this schnitzel mimics the real deal with a crispy breadcrumb coating. Others Pesto Look for vegan brands like Olivia (Italian Pesto) and Presko (Classic Pesto). They avoid dairy, sticking to classic flavors.
Vegan Ice Cream in Israel
Cornetto (Tilon)
Strauss has released a vegan Cornetto! Available in packs of six, look for the purple or green package.
Solero
Strauss’s vegan version of the fruity Solero ice cream is a refreshing treat.
Fantasia
An ice cream cake with layers of vanilla and chocolate cream—perfect for gatherings.
