After 20 Years of Success, Israel’s Most Popular Restaurant Faces Real Threat of Closure

“Oved BaKfar,” widely hailed as Israel’s most successful restaurant and famously dubbed “the celebrity hotspot,” is now facing a serious risk of closure after two decades of operation in the culinary hub of Or Yehuda.

According to a Channel 12 News report, the restaurant has been served a six-month cessation order by Israel’s Enforcement Authority. The legal measure follows an indictment for violating land use regulations under an outdated zoning plan, one that city officials say will soon be replaced with a new, more accommodating blueprint.

Despite the indictment, the restaurant currently operates under a valid business license and with the municipality’s full knowledge. The restaurant’s management responded by stating, “The court ruling is not final, and we intend to file an appeal.”

In a further statement, the restaurant added: “With the new city plan, it is very likely that the restaurant’s operation will comply with zoning regulations, as even the former city engineer testified. ‘Oved BaKfar’ is a cornerstone of the city, attracting visitors from across the country and employing dozens of staff.”

Loved by locals and frequented by Israeli celebrities, the fate of “Oved BaKfar” is now uncertain, but its owners remain committed to fighting for its future.