Table no 8 and a first date: Benjamin Netanyahu reveals how an Indian restaurant 'Tandoori Tel Aviv' played cupid for Israel PM and his wife Sarah

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recalled his first date with his wife Sarah and revealed how an Indian restaurant played a key role in their relationship. During a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Netanyahu said he "owes India great personal debt" because he met his wife in an Indian restaurant in Israel's Tel Aviv, adding that the food was "unbelieveable". He recounted that one of his first dates with Sarah had taken place at an Indian restaurant where she tried Indian cuisine for the first time.

“First of all, the food was unbelievable. Sara was introduced to it for the first time, it made for a great first date, not only was the food excellent, the date was excellent too. Obviously, I am indebted to you, as are my children,” Netanyahu said.

Table No 8 and a first date

Netanyahu revealed that the restaurant was run by one Indian restaturateur Reena Pushkarna in Tel Aviv. "I owe India a great personal debt. When I met Sara (his wife) for the first time, I think our first or second date was in an Indian restaurant in Tel Aviv. It was Reena Pushkarna,” he said.



With a smile, Netanyahu shared that it was Sarah who picked the Indian restaurant for their date — a meeting that ultimately led to their marriage. The couple tied the knot in 1991 and later welcomed two sons, Yair and Avner.

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Reena Pushkarna, the owner of the restaurant, popularly known as Tandoori Tel Aviv, in a 2022 interview spilled beans about the couple's early visits to the restaurant. “The first date of PM Netanyahu and his wife Sara Netanyahu was on this, Table No 8,” Reena Pushkarna had told news agency ANI. She also noted that Netanyahu is a regular patron of Indian cuisine. According to Pushkarna, Netanyahu orders Indian food at least twice a week and is particularly fond of butter chicken and karahi chicken.

IANS quoted Reena Pushkarna saying, “About 25 years ago, the first date was in my restaurant. I never speak about it, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Mrs Netanyahu, as well as his sons, are very fond of Indian food. So that is a very, very big compliment to foreign cuisine. I haven’t seen any Prime Minister in the world compliment Indian cuisine the way Prime Minister Netanyahu does…"

IANS quoted Reena Pushkarna saying, “About 25 years ago, the first date was in my restaurant. I never speak about it, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Mrs. Netanyahu, as well as his sons, are very fond of Indian food. So that is a very, very big compliment to foreign cuisine. I haven’t seen any Prime Minister in the world compliment Indian cuisine the way Prime Minister Netanyahu does…"

Earlier, in an interview with ANI, Pushkarna had said, "We could not prepare much Gujarati food items while he came here last time. His visit heralds a new beginning and we are hopeful about the visit. Both sides- Israel and Palestine are PM's friends, so he will help in long-term peace efforts."

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More about Tandoori Tel Aviv

Tandoori Tel Aviv stepped into the spotlight after PM Narendra Modi was served a specially curated Indian meal during his recent visit to Israel and also after shared one of his early dates with his wife happened there.

Tandoori Tel Aviv is among Israel’s oldest and most loved Indian restaurants. For more than three decades, it has introduced Israelis to authentic Indian cuisine and built a strong reputation among locals, tourists, and visiting dignitaries. The restaurant is also a favourite of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, particularly for dishes such as butter chicken and kadhai chicken.

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Israel, he was hosted for a private dinner at the King David Hotel. The elaborate vegetarian menu — curated under the supervision of chef Reena Pushkarna — featured comforting Indian dishes including tadka dal, Nargisi kofta, idli-sambar, dal khichdi, kurkuri bhindi, khandvi, dhokla, thepla, and a variety of paneer preparations. Pushkarna ensured the entire spread followed kosher guidelines while maintaining authentic Indian flavours.