Jerusalem Restaurants

Jerusalem’s dining scene is smaller and more modest than Tel Aviv's, but is steeped in 4,000 years of culinary traditions. Among Jewish residents, more than a century of immigration has infused the local fare with the best of Kurdish, Moroccan, French, Polish, Yemenite, and Italian flavors. On the Palestinian side, most restaurants rely on a rich heritage of family cooking. On both sides, an elite class of chefs has begun combining the best of local ingredients with advanced cooking techniques and imaginative serving styles.

All this is to say that when you’re in Jerusalem you can enjoy the best of both worlds: hole-in-the-wall eateries brimming with aromatic stews and garlicky hummus or high-end dining rooms serving inspired and elegant riffs on the city’s flavors and produce.

Some cuisine designations are self-explanatory, but other terms may be confusing. A restaurant billing itself as "dairy" will serve meals without meat; many such places do serve fish, in addition to pasta, soup, and salads. "Oriental" usually means Middle Eastern (in contrast to Western), often meaning hummus, kebabs, and stews.

The term kosher doesn’t imply a particular style of cooking, only that the cooks followed Jewish dietary law in selecting and preparing the food. In Jerusalem, where there are many kosher standards from which to choose, the selection can be dizzying. But unless specific kosher standards govern your eating habits, don't worry. Jerusalem is home to dozens of kosher restaurants preparing excellent food. Remember that most kosher restaurants are closed for Friday dinner and Saturday lunch in observation of the Jewish Sabbath. A generous handful of nonkosher cafés, bars, and restaurants remain open all weekend.

Dress codes are pretty much nonexistent in Jerusalem's restaurants (as in the rest of Israel). People tend to dress casually—jeans are perfectly appropriate almost everywhere anytime. A modicum of neatness and modesty (trousers instead of jeans, a button-down shirt instead of a T-shirt) might be expected in the more exclusive establishments. In conservative neighborhoods, women will feel more comfortable covered up. If you brought the kids, you're in luck: nearly every Israeli restaurant is kid-friendly, and many have special menus and high chairs.

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  • 1. 1868

    $$$$

    In an old stone house with a delightful back garden, 1868 is Jerusalem's most innovative, exacting kosher restaurant, on par with the city's best. Chef Yankele Turjeman combines the flavors of the city with high-quality ingredients and exquisite cooking techniques to create an unforgettable dining experience. Most of the fruits and vegetables are organic, and the menu changes monthly to incorporate the best of the season. If it's on the menu, don't miss the charcoal-grilled veal sweetbreads, served with steamed slices of baguette and pickled onion. The duck is spectacular, served with fruits of the season. The whiskey selection is endless, as is the list of local Israeli wines. Cocktails are beautifully balanced and are also served alongside tapas versions of the menu at Zuta, a jewel box of a cocktail bar at the back of the restaurant.

    10 King David St., 9410122, Israel
    02-622–2312

    Known For

    • Modern Israeli cooking
    • Seasonal ingredients
    • Changing menu that may include duck or veal sweetbreads

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Fri. No lunch Sat., Reservations essential
  • 2. American Colony Hotel

    $$

    This upscale hotel is an elegant 19th-century limestone building with cane furniture, Armenian ceramic tiles, and a delightful courtyard. The Mediterranean menu is very good, with twists on local favorites such as avocado-stuffed kubbeh or an Oriental mazza of local salads, as well as tourist-friendly fare that includes the hotel burger and Wiener schnitzel, harkening back to the hotel's German roots. There's nothing quite as delightful as a light lunch or afternoon tea in the cool lobby lounge, at the poolside restaurant, or on the patio under the trees, making for a well-earned break.

    1 Louis Vincent St., 9720071, Israel
    02-627–9777

    Known For

    • Charming location
    • Local cuisine
    • Welcoming staff
  • 3. Austrian Hospice Café

    $ | Coffee

    This Viennese-style second-floor garden café in a guesthouse for pilgrims is a refined retreat from the chaos of the Old City markets down below. Lunch and dinner are available, and the deep burgundy walls, wooden tables, and classical music make this a lovely wintertime spot for light fare or dessert. Ask at reception about visiting the rooftop for a small fee: the views of the Old City are gorgeous.

    37 Via Dolorosa, 9762637, Israel
    02-626–5800

    Known For

    • The famous apple strudel, Sachertorte
    • A frothy coffee for a reboot while touring
    • Rooftop views of the Old City
  • 4. Azura

    $$

    Jerusalem is famous for its Kurdish kubbeh soup, made with softball-size meat-and-semolina dumplings, and Azura is the perfect place to try this classic dish. Tucked away in a plaza off the Machaneh Yehuda market, the cavelike kitchen is packed with massive pots simmering on kerosene burners. Try the velvety beet kubbeh soup, or the tangy hamusta soup made with lemon and chard. Delicious hummus is made daily, and on some days the oxtail stew has the pungent flavors of the market. If weather permits, grab an outdoor table to watch groups of old Iraqi men drink coffee and play backgammon on the benches nearby. The restaurant closes when the food runs out, so don't arrive too late.

    4 Haeshkol St., 9432204, Israel
    02-623–5204

    Known For

    • Comforting Israeli home cooking
    • Beet kubbeh soup
    • Outdoor dining

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sat. No dinner
  • 5. Azzahra

    $$

    On a quiet alley off the main East Jerusalem thoroughfare, this white-tablecloth restaurant in a hotel by the same name has long been popular with journalists, NGO workers, and local families, who flock here for pizzas from the olive-wood-burning brick oven and Palestinian favorites. High wooden ceilings, stone walls, and a simple outdoor garden create a lovely setting perfect for groups of any size. Enjoy a glass of wine or local beer along with the tasty mansaf, a regional lamb dish cooked in yogurt; or the mulukhiya, an earthy vegetarian stew served over rice. Save a little room for the complimentary Arabic sweets and hot tea served at the end of the meal by friendly waiters.

    13 Azzahra St., Israel
    02-628--2447

    Known For

    • Beautiful 100-year-old building
    • Delicious maklubeh dish
    • Outdoor seating
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  • 6. Cafe Kadosh

    $$ | Israeli

    This venerable pastry shop and café run by Itzik and Keren Kadosh is known for its array of airy croissants and inventive pastries, with an annual focus on doughnuts made during the Chanukah season, filled with fruit-based creams and topped with handmade confectionary.

    6 Shlomzion Hamalka St., Israel
    02-625--4210

    Known For

    • Cozy atmosphere
    • Delectable doughnuts
    • Airy croissants

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Fri. nights and Sat.
  • 7. Café Yehoshua

    $$ | Coffee

    Locals flock to Café Yehoshua at breakfast, lunch, and dinner for its Israeli take on American diner food. The menu includes everything from tahini pancakes to spaghetti tossed with shrimp. A laid-back yet vibrant atmosphere and a location just a few minutes' walk from the prime minister's residence make it a great spot for quality people-watching in one of Jerusalem's quaintest neighborhoods. In good weather, the rooftop dining area lets you enjoy the fresh air. Evening is a great time to stop by for a drink and a bite-size burger.

    17 Azza St., 92381, Israel
    02-563–2898

    Known For

    • Rooftop dining in one of Jerusalem's quaintest neighborhoods
    • Laid-back yet vibrant atmosphere
    • Israeli diner food

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner Fri. No lunch Sat.
  • 8. Chakra

    $$$$

    Despite being one of the city's best-known restaurants, Chakra still feigns anonymity: its name is nowhere in sight. It draws a lively thirtysomething crowd of hip Jerusalemites who appreciate the tasty fare from the open kitchen. The tables are arranged around the striking semicircular bar, and the patio enjoys a park view. Daily specials enhance the expansive menu, which changes every three months. Some good starters include focaccia, calamari with labane, or black tiger shrimp with chili. Try the sea bream, grilled to perfection on a mound of mashed cauliflower and wild mushrooms. The well-stocked bar includes Israeli boutique beers and bitters, along with a list of expertly balanced cocktails.

    41 King George St., 94261, Israel
    02-625–2733

    Known For

    • Indulgent tasting menu
    • Patio with a park view
    • Well-stocked bar

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch Sun.–Fri., Reservations essential
  • 9. Crave

    $$

    Locals rejoiced big time when this casual kosher spot opened, bringing with it a menu of creative street food (not to mention Jerusalem’s best artisan bread and meat purveyors). It's all complemented by craft Israeli beers and signature cocktails in a vibrant and loud "America in Israel" atmosphere. Get the duck fries, sliders, and a range of options on the "taco bar" menu, and then chomp in disbelief that the food is so delicious and kosher at the same time.

    1 Hashikma St., 9432301, Israel
    02-627–2830

    Known For

    • Gourmet street food
    • Lively atmosphere
    • Duck fries, sliders, and a "taco bar"

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner Fri.; no lunch Sat.
  • 10. Eucalyptus

    $$$$

    Chef Moshe Basson, repeated winner of international couscous contests, has mined the kitchens of older Jewish and Arab women to revive nearly forgotten recipes and ingredients. Grab a seat on the outside patio, adjacent to the Old City walls on one side and overlooking the picturesque Hutzot Hayotzer artists colony on the other. The appetizers are all tasty, but try the crepelike pastilla filled with duck confit and pumpkin jam, or the extraordinary stuffed mallow leaves (instead of the more conventional grape leaves). Two exquisite mains include traditional makloubeh with chicken and rice, and the clay-baked lamb with okra. Vegetarians will find plenty of options, and there are a few tasting menus if you want to try it all. Finish with unusual desserts and herbal tea. If you're in the mood, ask Basson to share some of his culinary lore. 

    14 Hativat Jerusalem St., 9411714, Israel
    02-624–4331

    Known For

    • One of the most acclaimed restaurants in Jerusalem
    • Traditional makloubeh with chicken and rice
    • Tasting menu

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Fri. No lunch Sat., Reservations essential
  • 11. Hasandwich Shel Rachelle

    $$

    This Tunisian hole-in-the-wall offers pillowy hand-rolled couscous, slow-cooked stews, and zingy tuna and egg sandwiches, served outside on tiny tables or packed up to go. There is no menu, just whatever owner Motti Hadad is cooking in the closet-size kitchen.

    17 Beit Lechem St., 9355309, Israel
    02-671–3918

    Known For

    • Quick bites
    • No menu
    • Tunisian favorites

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sat. No dinner Fri.
  • 12. Iwo's

    $$

    Consistently ranked among the country's best burger places, Iwo's was founded by a butcher and serves expertly grilled patties on pillowy rolls. Black-and-white-tiled walls evoke American diner traditions, but this is a sleeves-up, self-service destination. You can top your burger with sunny-side-up eggs, crispy bacon, grilled onions, and a rainbow of sauces. The veggie portobello option is just as good, and there are several salads as well. It's a great place to start or end an evening with a burger and a beer.

    28 Hillel St., 9458128, Israel
    02-622–2513

    Known For

    • Rich burger toppings like truffle butter and smoked goose breast
    • Diner vibes
    • Beer
  • 13. Jacko's Street

    $$$

    This is where Jerusalemites go to have a loud, raucous good time and eat great Israeli food all in one fell swoop. It's all about the twists on local meat dishes, especially the meat-stuffed ravioli and asado risotto. Be sure to check out the hidden bar, Jacko's Son, behind the "fridge of Tequila bottles." It's tough to score a reservation, so call way in advance.

    74 Agripas St., 9451301, Israel
    02-581–7178

    Known For

    • Dry-aged meats
    • Lively atmosphere
    • Delicious cocktails

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Fri.
  • 14. Jaffar Sweets

    $

    Jaffar specializes in kunafe, the Nablus sweet made of goat cheese topped with syrupy semolina crumbles. You may be tempted to split your first plate, but the treat soon grows addictive. Jaffar also makes sheets of golden baklava topped with nuts. It's a landmark, visited by locals and tourists alike, so anyone in the Old City can help you find it.

    Beit Hanina Road, Israel
    02-628–3582

    Known For

    • Massive portions
    • Addictive desserts
    • Value for money
  • 15. Machneyuda

    $$$$

    On the edge of its namesake market, this restaurant is considered one of the best in Jerusalem, possibly the country. Celebrity chef Assaf Granit grew up in Jerusalem and pays homage to the city's colors and cacophony in his elegant dishes. You can wait for your reservation across the street at Yudaleh, a lively cocktail bar by the same owners. Once in, grab a seat at the bar to watch the exuberant chefs slice, dice, and sauté while banging on the pots and pans to the beat of zippy music. The menu changes twice daily, but nearly always includes chamshuka, a fusion of chopped meat and hummus; a creamy polenta topped with crisp asparagus, mushroom ragout, and shaved Parmesan; and a raucous dessert ceremony of ice cream flung on tables covered in aluminum foil. To enjoy the full range of flavors, order the tasting menu. Reserve at least one month in advance. 

    10 Beit Yaakov St., 9432316, Israel
    02-533–3442

    Known For

    • Top restaurant in Jerusalem
    • Exuberant chefs
    • Changing menu that may include chamshuka, a fusion of meat and hummus

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner Fri. No lunch Sat., Reservations essential
  • 16. Menza

    $$$

    Sink into one of Menza's retro-style banquettes or take a seat around a robust wooden table for a deliciously prepared meal in this lovely café between downtown and Machaneh Yehuda market. Israeli breakfast or brunch dishes like croque monsieur are served as late as 1 pm, but be sure to stop by again in the evening to try the creative versions of bistro classics such as seared tuna niçoise salad. The menu also lists vegan options.

    10 Bezalel St., 9459110, Israel
    02-625–5222

    Known For

    • One of the city's best burgers
    • Bistro classics
    • Brunch
  • 17. Mona

    $$$$

    Nestled into a stone-walled garden, Mona has a working fireplace and a tree growing through the indoor section, creating a rustic setting for eminently modern Israeli cooking. Start your night with the light red tuna sashimi with chili or the award-winning crab bisque. Do not miss the beautifully prepared beef fillet with sweetbreads and purple cabbage. Vegetarians will seek refuge in various thoughtfully prepared salads. For dessert, try the sour cream and Szechuan sorbet over nectarine compote. Wait until later in the evening if you just want to order cocktails based on homemade liquor at the excellent bar. Brunch on Saturday is particularly decadent. Reservations are essential on weekends. 

    12 Shmuel Hanagid, 94592, Israel
    02-622–2283

    Known For

    • Beautiful location
    • Equally stunning food
    • Decadent brunch

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch Sun.–Thurs., Reservations essential
  • 18. Nadi

    $$ | Coffee

    Nadi has great food all day but shines in the morning, when the breakfast plates come crowded with mouthwatering spreads of sun-dried tomato, olive tapenade, local cheeses, tuna, and tahini, all meant to be slathered on fabulous sourdough bread. Other offerings are delicious, colorful salads; earthy asparagus and spinach pasta; shakshuka made out of tomatoes, spinach, or beets; croissant sandwiches; quiches; and fresh coffee.

    39 Hillel Street, 9426710, Israel
    02-625–1737

    Known For

    • Fresh, healthy, colorful breakfast spreads
    • Shakshuka
    • Coffee

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sat. No dinner Fri.
  • 19. Pinati

    $

    When aficionados of local standards like garlicky hummus, skewered shish kebabs, fried chicken schnitzel, and bean soup argue hotly about the merits of their favorite eateries, Pinati—which means "corner" in Hebrew—comes up as a leading contender. It's now a chain, but this simple downtown spot remains a convenient place to rub shoulders with locals while eating expertly prepared food. Not for long, though: your table will soon be in demand, and you will have to share at peak times.

    13 King George St., 9422913, Israel
    02-625–4540

    Known For

    • Local favorite
    • Hummus
    • Convenient

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sat. No dinner Fri., Reservations not accepted
  • 20. Rooftop

    $$$$

    On the top of the Mamilla Hotel, this open-air restaurant lays claim to one of the best views of Jerusalem, and you can enjoy it from a cushioned chair as you sip spiked iced tea and dine on seared sea bass or grilled lamb chops with Swiss chard. The extensive wine list features more than 20 local boutique labels. During the Sabbath, the Rooftop serves a cold menu of salads and fish. The atmosphere is lovely and the view is unbeatable, so advance reservations are a must in summer.

    11 King Solomon St., 9418238, Israel
    02-548–2230

    Known For

    • One-of-a-kind alfresco dining
    • Unbeatable views
    • Salads and fish

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch Sun.–Thurs., Reservations essential

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