Some places invite you to socialize, and some places invite you to eat. Mangal clearly belongs to the second category. No evening that drifts, no long sitting with alcohol, no attempt to stretch time. Mangal, meat, and plates arriving at the table without distractions. Come hungry, eat, finish.
The location atop Mount Carmel, adjacent to the parent restaurant Tzafririm 1, sharpens the distinction. At Tzafririm, people sit, drink, and talk; at Mangal, the focus is sharp and clear. It’s street food, but one that isn’t shy to also be a “restaurant.” There are tables, service, and a proper menu. The pace is fast, and the food is central. The place was established about three years ago as a premium skewer spot by the owners of Tzafririm 1, and Dor Tzimer, one of the partners, manages it daily, attentive to the small details and maintaining a clear line: Don’t try to be clever, don’t invent, just make good meat and a place that’s pleasant to be in.
The heart of the place is a large grill. Dominant and present, one that leaves no doubt about why we gathered. It’s not a design element but a serious work tool, and this approach is reflected on the plate. There’s no aggressive seasoning and no unnecessary noise. The meat is central, and the grilling is precise. Mangal doesn’t try to be “just another grill spot,” but a place that understands the gap between average and excellent is in the details: Correct cutting, precise timing, and lack of pretension.
We went for two classic business set meals and one shawarma dish. The business set at Mangal costs NIS 99 and includes two skewers of choice, one side dish of choice, and a set of salads served to the table as part of the meal. Additionally, there is a self-service bar with pickles, olives, hot sauce, house sauce, and preserved lemon, all made on-site, for anyone who wants to enhance flavors to their personal preference.
In the first set, we chose kebab and entrecôte. The kebab was fatty, not dense, juicy, and well-grilled. It felt homemade but precise, without excess seasoning and without dryness. The entrecôte came tender, with good sear and a clear meaty feel. It’s important to note that this was an extra NIS 28 to the set. Not cheap, but for anyone seeking real entrecôte and not “just a taste of it,” this extra is justified.
In the second set, we chose chicken thigh and merguez. The chicken thigh was clean, balanced, cooked properly, and unpretentious. The merguez, on the other hand, stood out more: Juicy, properly seasoned, with precise spiciness and presence that complements the plate rather than overwhelming it. As a side, we chose fries - simple and straightforward, not trying to be more than they are. Additionally, we ordered cauliflower for an extra NIS 10, which came well-roasted and tasty, not just as decoration but as a true side.
The salad set served to the table includes beetroot, tomatoes, tabbouleh, onion, and carrot, all made fresh on-site and without pretension. Fried eggplant is served on the side, tasty and crispy. Beyond that, the free pickle bar allows every diner to add sourness, spiciness, or depth to taste. The preserved lemon, made in-house, is sharp and precise, balancing the meat without stealing the spotlight.
Alongside the business sets, we ordered veal shawarma on a plate for NIS 79, served with two salads. The shawarma is assembled on-site from veal meat, delicately seasoned, and prepared precisely. It’s not shawarma that tries to impress by force but one that is properly built, balanced, and light. It relies on the quality of the meat and its handling, not an overload of spices. The shawarma is also available in pita (NIS 50) or laffa (NIS 59). For those seeking a full meal, there is also a shawarma business set for NIS 99, as well as a family portion to take away.
On Fridays, they also prepare schnitzel on challah, served with purple cabbage salad, matbucha, and preserved lemon. A flavor combination that always works (NIS 59 for a satisfying portion).
Mangal doesn’t try to be a fine dining restaurant or a neighborhood stand. It sits exactly in the middle, and that’s where it works. Serious street food, clear prices, good meat, and management that knows what it’s doing. No theatrics, no unnecessary stories. Come hungry, leave full, and understand why it’s a place you return to. Not kosher.
Mangal
Sun-Fri 11:00–17:00
Address: Tzafririm 1, Haifa