Highway 1 feels a lot shorter when you know there’s a good meal waiting at the end of it, and the truth is Jerusalem serves up plenty of worthy culinary experiences. From the hottest new openings (hi Assaf Granit) to institutions you simply have to taste at least once (hi Assaf Granit)
If we forget thee, O Jerusalem, may our tongues cleave to our palates – and that’s a big problem, because our palate is pretty crucial to our job. So we will not forget. In fact, every year we make a pilgrimage to the capital, map the local food scene in a quick state visit, and return to civilization armed with a trove of recommendations. We did the same this year for Tel Avivians who suddenly find themselves on Highway 1 – and Tel Avivians, as we know, are hungry people. Time Out’s picks: come eat Jerusalem; your palate won’t forget it.
>> לנשנש את הבירה: 31 מקומות מומלצים לאכול בהם טוב בירושלים
1. Zhenzheria
The Machneyuda Group and chef Assaf Granit continue their takeover of Jerusalem with the Ramban Hotel: a beautiful kosher boutique hotel that opened in Rehavia (say hi to the neighbors with the cigar), featuring a dairy restaurant and a rooftop bar, and the cherry on top (parve) is Zhenzheria – a meat restaurant on the seam line between Jerusalem and the whole world, which is basically Granit’s kingdom anyway.
20 Ramban St, Jerusalem,reservations
2. Racheli & Nir’s Patisserie
Racheli & Nir’s patisserie, winners of the reality show “The Perfect Dessert,” serves elegant, laminated pastries you can’t stop staring at – and wanting all of them. Sweet and savory croissants that show serious craft and layers of flavor, ultra-flaky cheese bakes, a seductive tiramisu tart, maritozzo, profiteroles, and many more greats. Come on, as if you needed more than that.
105 Jaffa St, Sun–Thu 9:30–17:00, Fri 9:30–14:30
3. Azia 19
A new Japanese restaurant has landed on Azza Street, one of Jerusalem’s most iconic avenues. Its name winks both at Asia (the inspiration for the menu) and the address itself. The menu features fresh, vibrant, excellent sushi – kosher, yes, but lacking nothing. There’s also an izakaya section with small, thrilling Japanese-style bites like veal sweetbread gyoza, a classic kyuri sarada cucumber salad, or mazemen – wheat noodles in chicken broth with black sesame paste and a cured yolk in tare.
19 Azza St, Sun–Thu from 18:00 until last guests. Closed Fri. Sat night from 21:00. 02-5877722
4. Amaia
There isn’t a Jerusalemite who didn’t know the institution “Etzel Rashel” on Derech Beit Lehem, where for 35 years Rashel served couscous, a legendary Tunisian sandwich, stuffed vegetables, and other dishes with unmistakable Jerusalem soul. She passed away recently, and her granddaughter Oshrat Basson, a chef in her own right, has reopened the place as an intriguing fusion bistro – while on Fridays, as a tribute to her grandmother, she still serves couscous. Basson, raised at her grandmother’s stove, became a chef, worked at Raphael and at Catit, and now at Amaia is crafting a unique culinary language influenced by home cooking alongside innovative, original techniques and a clear family heritage, with her mother and brother involved in the operation. Despite the lineage, this is a chef’s restaurant with curious, unconventional dishes like a “sea sausage” in bouillabaisse sauce with roasted fennel, black spinach ravioli stuffed with molokhia, carrot carpaccio with kaymak, and more.
17 Derech Beit Lehem, Mon–Thu 11:00–16:00 and 17:30–22:30. Fri 10:30–16:00
5. Nagid 12
Nagid 12 is Mona’s new wine yard, set in the restaurant’s front courtyard, pouring unique, head-spinning wines from around the world and a tight snack menu that swings from light to filthy-good: croquettes, oysters, a cheeseburger, and a corned-beef toast we’re lusting after. Plus: sexy vibes, good music, and that blessed Jerusalem dusk breeze like nowhere else.
12 Shmuel Hanagid St, Tue-Thu from 18:30. Sat from 13:00. Reservations: 054-989-5943
6. Mona
With white tablecloths, sultry atmosphere, and excellent service, Mona easily ranks among the best restaurants in the country. Chef Moshiko Gamlieli (Bar 51, Bob) created a place that can just as deftly host a couple on a romantic night, a solo sipper at the bar, or a hungry family. The menu draws inspiration from global kitchens and translates them into fluent Jerusalemite.
Mona, 12 Shmuel Hanagid St, Jerusalem
7. Satya
Chef Ilan Garussi is one of the fathers of the new Jerusalem cuisine, and his restaurants are perennial crowd-pleasers. The food is local and seasonal, reflecting a love of hospitality and a keen sense of the Jerusalem palate. Satya is among the few Jerusalem spots that serve shellfish – meaning shrimp, a single dish – and are open on Shabbat, a species dwindling in an ever-more-observant city.
Satya, 36 Keren Hayesod St, Jerusalem
8. Chakra
The veteran bar-restaurant isn’t trying to reinvent the culinary wheel, and maybe that’s exactly why it remains relevant and beloved – dare we say a blue-chip stock. On the menu you’ll find mainstream dishes (hello, fish tartare with toasted almonds and labneh) and classics executed with care, alongside shrimp – which, as noted, are hard to find in the capital (other seafood might as well be full-on untouchable). Best to grab a stool at the bar and watch a place that’s been running like a well-oiled machine for years.
Chakra, 41 King George St, Jerusalem
9. Chakra Pizza
As noted, this old-timer doesn’t rest on its laurels and keeps evolving. One of the most exciting additions is the pizzeria from the Chakra stable, a terrific pie that opens every chakra you’ve got. First, it’s simply fun and pleasant to sit here, and yes, it’s open on Shabbat. Second, the pizza is excellent, with inventive toppings, landing somewhere between crisp-and-Neapolitan and New York-style thin. Third, there are fresh, bright salads and a proper tiramisu for dessert.
30 Hillel St, Sun-Thu 16:00-23:00, Fri closed. Sat 12:00-23:00. 077-980-0427
10. The Kiosk
Pastry chef David Laor’s bakery in Mevaseret is a magnet for food nerds. At The Kiosk, a satellite opened for downtown dwellers, you’ll find sweet and savory bakes plus stuffed baguette sandwiches and croissants, toasts, and handmade sweets.
Gidon Garden, Baka, Jerusalem
11. Ofaimme Farm
A café-deli built on the produce of Ofaimme Farm for sustainable agriculture – a model that handles the food chain from seed to plate, embedding values of organic practices, fair trade, and animal welfare. Ofaimme branches share a nostalgic design and a menu where there’s always something good, from breakfast and proper coffee to a cheese board and a glass of wine. And yes, even if Tel Aviv has branches now, that’s no reason not to get excited about a visit to the original.
Ofaimme, 19 Beit Hakerem, Jerusalem
12. Aso Salon
On one of Jerusalem’s sweetest little streets – Yanai, of course – hides chef Eyal Asoulin’s Aso Salon: an intimate space that doubles as a wine bar and a living-room salon for culinary and cultural evenings. The menu rotates constantly with seasonal tapas, pop-ups drop in from time to time, and there’s Friday brunch. Asoulin is currently decamping to Rosh Pina, and it’s hard to know exactly how that will affect Aso, which will keep operating – but based on past experience, it’s absolutely worth giving it a chance.
3 Yanai St. Mon–Thu 19:00–00:00, Fri 12:00–16:00. Reservations 052-5092676
13. Tacos Luis
A small, charming, authentic taqueria serving tacos in handmade corn tortillas, with fillings spanning meats, fish, and plenty of salsas – some mild, some wild.
Tacos Luis, 11 Shlomtzion HaMalka, Jerusalem
14. Beit HaAm
Every Jerusalemite knows Gerard Behar, but for the uninitiated: it’s a cultural center that’s become a city landmark. Recently Beit HaAm opened on its plaza, serving coffee with fresh pastries and sandwiches by day, and turning into a winey bar-restaurant by night with a very Jerusalem menu at very friendly prices. You don’t even need a reservation.
Sun–Thu 8:00–23:00, Fri 8:00–15:00. 11 Bezalel
15. The Sushiya
Don’t wrinkle your nose at the name like a Tel Avivian – the Jerusalem Sushiya is one of the city’s most fun and popular spots. A tiny, cool place with just the right dose of hipster, thanks to a crowd that’s likely Bezalel or Sam Spiegel adjacent. Expect fresh, excellent sushi, a fish bowl you’ll dream about at night, generous sake pours, and an electric vibe – especially at the bar.
1 Yosef Trumpeldor. Sun-Thu 11:45-22:00, Fri 11:30-14:00. 02-6259055
16. Cafe Kadosh
No need to over-explain the institution run by Itzik and Keren Kadosh, pastry and media royalty. The line is always long, but at the end await boutique desserts, sexy yeasted cakes, beloved pasta plates, and the “Sunbeam” dessert – a ray of light to bring the hostages home.
Cafe Kadosh, 6 Shlomtzion HaMalka, Jerusalem
17. 02
Not long ago – under cover of the war – 02 at the Inbal Hotel pivoted from a kosher steakhouse to a seasonal bistro, a concept the capital sorely lacks. Chef Avraham Fraizen strikes a balance between kosher constraints and crowd-pleasing flavors, with dishes drawing inspiration from Jerusalem, Madrid, Paris, and New York – managing to feel both current and classic. Right nearby, behind a hidden heavy door, you’ll find Bar 22 – a new, sexy speakeasy-style bar with cocktails and small plates to keep the drinks gliding.
3 Jabotinsky St. Sun-Thu 18:00-22:00. 02-675-6649
18. Talbiya
Tucked beneath the Jerusalem Theater, this wine bar – call it a gastrobar in Tel Aviv terms – has had a stellar reputation for years. In the morning there’s a lineup of salty fish plates, eggs Benedict, or French toast; by midday the kitchen shifts into full brasserie mode. Success has spawned sister spots under the Talbiya umbrella: a French patisserie with a local twist, the Varigato gelateria, and Fringe, a restaurant that merits praise in its own right.
Talbiya, 5 Chopin St, Jerusalem
19. American Colony
From the moment you step inside, the historic American Colony Hotel whisks you to another era—richer, calmer, softer around the edges. In the blooming patio you can settle in for a proper British afternoon tea with finger sandwiches and scones on a tiered stand and a pot of tea – a concept perfectly suited to Jerusalem’s weather (daily 15:00–18:00, advance booking required). To avoid ending on too prim a note, slip into the bar, designed like an ancient cave, and sip something top-shelf.
1 Louis Vincent St, Jerusalem, 02-6279777
20. Grill Room
The big brother to the New York-style steakhouse from the Dan chain offers almost the same menu – only kosher. Even so, the steaks are perfect, as are the fries and starters; and what you lose in butter and crêpes Suzette is more than made up for by the elegance you only find in institutions like the King David Hotel. Best enjoyed with a rich uncle – or at least a properly grand reason to celebrate. A regional peace accord, say.
23 King David St, Jerusalem, reservations
21. Waldorf Astoria
The city that doesn’t need air-conditioning brings its famously mild weather to a peak atop the Waldorf Astoria. THE TERRACE summer bar looks out over the city and wraps guests in a garden backdrop that makes everything else fade away. Despite the lavish setting, prices are relatively restrained – so a glass of wine with a little nibble won’t cost you a kidney. And the crisp air? Priceless.
26-28 Gershon Agron St, Sun-Thu, 18:30-23:00
22. Porta
A breezy, fun wine bar on Schatz Street spinning records, hosting cultural nights, serving tasty, cheap food, and most importantly – all bottles are sold at a flat 104 NIS. Not much more to add; at those prices, you don’t need to.
8 Schatz St
23. Rachel Bashdera
Yes, technically it’s a sandwich shop – but the sandwiches by MasterChef alum Rachel Ben Elul are anything but “grab-and-go.” Spreads, vegetables, cheeses, and herbs stack high into mega-sandwiches that are a delicious challenge. Worth the line – even though Tel Avivians might find it easier to hit the Sarona Market branch.
Rachel Bashdera, 13 Ben Maimon Blvd, Jerusalem, 02-6644122
Mahane Yehuda Market
Almost every week, new eateries and hangouts open in the market, joining the old guard (Machneyuda, Azura, Steakiyat Hatzot). If you’ve decided to pop by – and how could you not – here are a few stops worth your attention.
24. Ishtabach
Few places better capture what “new Israeli cuisine” can be than this bakery built around shamburak, a Kurdish/Syrian staple, piled with pickled vegetables, spreads, and Indian-Jewish chutneys. The result is simple, fast, surprising, and joyful – the kind of place we wish we had in Tel Aviv.
25. Sabich Aricha
You can count Jerusalem’s sabich joints on one hand. The best is Itay Aricha’s on Agripas, and it easily goes toe-to-toe with the center’s most storied sabich institutions. Eggplant fried to order, warm pitas that never tear, a range of toppings – everything minimal, fresh, precise. A Tel Aviv branch opened briefly and was excellent, but didn’t survive the war. Worth a visit.
26. Dwiny Pita Bar
Into the hottest niche in Israeli food right now stepped Dini Kasorla – ex-media pro and MasterChef alum – who, in a tiny nook on the market’s edge, stuffs soft pitas with minute steak, h’raime, cauliflower, and a vegan mixed grill, with plenty of heat and fresh herbs. Regulars swear by the fries-in-a-pita, and whatever you do – don’t forget arak mixed with rosetta.
27. Pizzeria Flora
A charming bar and a tight menu form the base of this little spot, whose name has spread beyond Jerusalem on the strength of a crisp, excellent pizza and pastas that feel like a trattoria in Italy. A Flora pie with fresh arugula and an Aperol Spritz against the market’s bustle (or without the bustle at the Rehavia branch) is a small, happy carb-and-alcohol joy.
28. Azura
Everyone knows Azura—and not just Jerusalemites. This veteran restaurant’s name is whispered with longing by foodies who come to demolish a nostalgic, memory-steeped spondra/superito. A place of honor goes to the kubbeh soups ladled out amid the scent of paraffin stoves.
29. Rahmo
Two words this time: rice and beans. And if you don’t know—shame on you, go sit in the corner.
30. The Machneyuda Group
Mahane Yehuda is synonymous with chef Assaf Granit’s group: the iconic Machneyuda, the adjoining Yudale bar, and Tzemah, the vegetarian–vegan spot that became kosher a few months back. Just to stay in the loop, you owe yourself at least a taste of one of them.
31. Noa
Technically outside the city—but here’s a perfect stop for those heading to Jerusalem who want to pull over at a brand-new, intriguing restaurant with a country vibe and a chance to breathe mountain air before diving into the city’s din. Meet Noa from acclaimed chef Eldad Shmueli (who ran a wonderful pâtisserie-boulangerie under the same name this past year), now in soft-opening. Yes, the doughs are very much still here, joining seasonal vegetables, fruit from nearby trees, fresh fish, and local meats.
Noa Local Baking – just type it into Waze and you won’t get lost. Soft-opening hours Mon-Thu 18:30–23:30. 02-565-5390
