Chef Yossi Shitrit Opens Modern Tel Aviv Shifudiya Afrit
Renowned chef Yossi Shitrit has opened Afrit, a modern Tel Aviv shifudiya, blending high culinary standards with traditional Israeli street food culture and nostalgic flavors.
Renowned chef Yossi Shitrit continues to solidify his status as a leading culinary figure in Israel. Following the success of his fine-dining establishment Hiba and the bistro Bandit, Shitrit is launching his latest project: Afrit, a modern shifudiya (skewers restaurant) located at 12 Da Vinci Street in Tel Aviv. The new venue offers a refined, personal interpretation of the traditional Israeli spread, blending an informal atmosphere with high culinary standards.
The name Afrit, which translates to a demon or spirit in Arabic folklore, plays on the mischievous spirit of its sister restaurant Bandit. The culinary concept reaches back to Israel's most familiar roots. Explaining the motivation behind the opening, Shitrit noted that his goal was to make great food accessible to everyone and create a welcoming space where people can simply relax and enjoy themselves. He added a personal reflection: "When my parents took me to a shifudiya during my childhood, it felt like a true restaurant. That memory of glowing coals, simplicity, abundance, and a generous table has stayed with me all these years."
The Menu and Design
Operating for lunch and dinner throughout the week, the menu features a classic table-spread course for 48 shekels per diner, alongside starters such as falafel for 28 shekels, hummus for 36 shekels, and stuffed spleen with harissa and offal for 88 shekels. The highlights, naturally, are the skewers: Greek kebab with Kasseri cheese for 72 shekels, shishkebab for 66 shekels, and chicken liver skewers for 46 shekels. For larger appetites, the restaurant offers lamb sirloin for 120 shekels, lamb chops ranging from 130 to 180 shekels, and goose liver for 198 shekels. The interior, designed by architect Pitsou Kedem, features a dramatic aesthetic complete with a central grill, charred wood cladding, and impressive meat display cases.
A New Chapter in Television and Business
The opening of Afrit comes at a fascinating career crossroads for Shitrit, who is set to return to television screens as a judge on MasterChef on Keshet 12, following his departure from Reshet 13's Games of the Chef. Industry insiders estimate that building this trio of Tel Aviv restaurants required a cumulative investment of 10 to 15 million shekels. With his upcoming television exposure and strategic business expansion, Shitrit proves he is not only an exceptional chef but also a shrewd businessman leaving a permanent mark on the culinary landscape.
