A huge influx of Eastern Europeans came to Israel beginning in the mid-1800's to live out Thedor Herzl's dream. They set up kibbutzes, began speaking the Hebrew language insisted upon by Eliezer Ben-Yehuda, and, of course, brought shtetl-style food along with them. In the 1920's and 30's, more Eastern Europeans came to Israel, some from wealthier families, and broadened the spectrum of cuisine. After World War II ended, a large number of survivors from Eastern Europe made their way to Israel, and two huge aliyah waves of immigrants from Russia doubled Israel's Russian population within 20 years. Of course there is Eastern European food here!!! It's easy to find. Many menus in Israeli restaurants offer chicken soup, kugel, tzimmes and the like. But there are also a number of restaurants that serve just Eastern European food, like Keton on Dizengoff, a Polish restaurant with the same menu for over 40 years.
35 Wolfson
Old neighborhood pub, Jewish soul food...
78 Herbert Samuel Street
Bagels, blintzes and shakes; breakfast of champions!...
197 Dizengoff Street
Old school Jewish restaurant...
2 Lilenblum Street
From Russia with Love...
64 Ben-Yehuda Street
Innovative East European cuisine...