Last Updated on November 3, 2021

Eating out in Jerusalem – Favorite Restaurants, Cafes, Pubs & Eateries

Hebrew: מסעדות ומקומות לאכול בירושלים

There are hundreds of places to eat in Jerusalem; fancy restaurants, informal home-style kitchens as well as some real ‘dives’. These are a few that stand out for our Facebook group members:

Little Jerusalem

9  Harav Kook St.

Built in Jerusalem city center in 1880 as a private villa the house became the home of the artist Anna Ticho and her husband in the early 1900’s. Ticho House is filled with the atmosphere of old Jerusalem and the artworks of painter Anna Ticho. You can sit inside and imbibe the atmosphere or experience the wonderful air of Jerusalem outside in the beautiful garden. Little Jerusalem offers a great selection of dairy meals and  a special breakfast menu served from 10am till noon. Prices are very reasonable.

Kosher: Badatz Mehadrin

Chakra

King George 41 (under Coffee Joe)

Chakra offers an appetizing and fulfilling experience with a diverse Mediterranean menu ranging from classic Italian to creative dishes of local origin.  In addition to the regular menu the restaurant offers a varied daily menu according to the current availability of fresh produce. Together with a great menu a large selection of the best Israeli wines rounds off the culinary experience. In short, delicious food spiced with love.  Reservations are recommended.

Rachmos

Ha’Eshkol St. 5 off Agrippas Mahane Yehuda/Nachlaot

For nearly 70 years this eatery has been serving Iraqi/Kurdish and other traditional Jewish food to shoppers & merchants in the Mahane Yehuda Market.  Business people eat there regularly and tourists come from all over the world for the experience.   You don’t go to Rachmo’s for the ambiance, the décor or the gourmet menu.  You go to Rachmo’s for delicious, warm, soul food.   Be prepared to stand in a line for a while you wait with your tray.  Take a peek into the kitchen: gigantic pots of soup and goulash, koubbeh and hummus supply the generous portions of delicious food onto practical crockery. It is not the service that makes people keep coming back, just the delicious, reasonably priced food. Schnitzel, stuffed peppers and grape leaves, steak and anything else you can think of think of.  Prices are low, making this an excellent place if you are on a budget.

Kosher – rabbinate

Jackos Street Resturant

Also in the Mahane Yehuda Market, you’ll find Jackos.  Owned by world-renowned chef Zakai Hooja he goes out to the market daily to purchase the very best fresh produce.  Fantastic starters, entrees and main courses are imaginative and unusual.  Nothing to top the Krembo Kadaif desert served with Lemoncello flavored cream.  This restaurant is a must for a special occasion. Top marks on Tripadvisor.

Nocturno

Bezalel 7

This café operates all day long serving aromatic coffees and a variety of dairy and vegan dishes, all made from the freshest, highest quality ingredients, and all prepared before your eyes. As evening falls, the cafe transforms into a dynamic pub, offering live musical acts, art, beer from the keg and good alcohol.

• More on eating out in Israel

Learn Hebrew words & phrases

English, Hebrew & Transliterations