Eating in Jerusalem​

• Ishtabach is our favorite casual restaurant in Israel. Very casual but scrumptious. Rehov HaShikma, next to Machane Yehuda. They open at noon, open thru dinner. Go early before it gets too crowded. One veggie selection, mostly meat.

• The best steak I've had in Israel: O2 at the Inbal Hotel. This is a first-class restaurant where you can have a quiet dinner with great service. Delicious fish, asian sides, gorgeous desserts.

• We really love the brunchy food at Cafe Nadi on Hillel St downtown. Delicious platters of Israeli dips, cheeses, bread.

• This new restaurant is fabulous! Nah'man at Kikar HaMusika (off Rh' Yoel Solomon downtown). Delicious Mediterranean fish and pasta (dairy) in a fresh little restaurant. 

• BEST sandwich I've had in my life: Rachel BaSdera.  Casual (dairy) cafe that makes the most amazing (large) sandwiches on homemade bread. Their salads are also incredible. They deliver too!   

• Great new (meat) restaurant outside Jlm, Naya. Modern, chic, Asian restaurant in the hills near Sataf. Delicious Thai buns with meat, dumplings, etc. Beautiful vibe and great service.

• Also new: In Kiryat Anavim (same exit off Route 1 as Abu Ghosh) there are several fun new outdoor restaurants. We love Pop Up Cafe!

• Best hummus at Hummus Ben Sira, downtown, Ben Sira St 3, off Rehov Jaffa. Open until 2am.

• Gan Sippur at Gan Sacher has a welll deserved reputation for excellent food and a fun place to eat next to playgrounds, a park and beautiful lawns.

• Touro at the Jerusalem Press Club is expensive but superb French North African food: below Mishkenot Shananim (walking distance from the luxury hotels). BEST view in Jerusalem. 

• Jacko's Street is an excellent restaurant on Agrippas St near Machane Yehudah. Inventive food, great service and drinks.

• Delicious "waygu" steaks at Black Iron. Price but excellent. Outside Machane Yehudah.

• Eucalyptus is across from Jaffa Gate (in Hutzot Hayotzer). Unique delicious food, not as great a setting as Touro. Expensive. 

• Visit the Tehina King inside the shuk, across from Halva King. Very cool. They grind the techina on a stone.

• New!! Knafeh stand in Machane Yehuda. FRESHLY made Knafe! On the main drag, near Halvah King.

• Jachnun. “Malawe” bread, casual sandwiches. 30 HaEgoz, Machane Yehudah. Great bar, good prices. Very popular

• Across from Machane, on Agripas: Joseph Burger Bar. Casual. Best hamburgers in Jerusalem! 

• Pizza Flora - If you're not from New Haven, try their delish pizza! Corner of HaDekel and HaShikma

• Basher is the best place for cheese and tastings. Inside Machane. They also have a restaurant near Machane Yehudah. 

• Fishenchips. Delicious fresh fish, chips. In Machane Yehuda

• Harvey’s Smoke House, new Kansas-City BBQ, Shim’on Ben Shatach St 7 (near Yoel Solomon)

• Kadosh Cafe, BEST brunch in J-lm, Queen Shlomziyon St 6 (near Mamilla)

• Pepito’s, Cuban Sandwiches in Machane Yehuda, New location on Agrippas. Outstanding!

• Yehudit. If you like old-fashioned Israeli food (soups, kebab, salatim, etc) this is a great choice. Next to Machane Yehudah, recently renovated, they make their own pitot in a tabun on site. Delicious, nice, not expensive. Rehov Haarmonim 5

• Modern, the restaurant at the Israel Museum. Excellent. Best deal is lunch (same food as dinner, but cheaper) or early dinner (by 5pm) for best prices.

• Aricha Sabich, 83 Agripas. You haven't lived until you've eaten sabich (fried eggplant, whole egg, vegetables, sauces in a pita sandwich). 

• Our friend Perry owns a cool downtown bar called Zabotinski (Shim'on Ben Shatakh St). Great for late drinks and burgers!

• In my neighborhood, I like the restaurants behind the big yellow gas station on Derech Hevron:  Meditah is quiet and has delicious meat dishes. A little pricey, but always delicious.

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At The Tachana (the old Train Station) on David Remez Street in Jerusalem:

• Fiori Pasta Bar (outdoors, at the far end of the courtyard) is excellent. Dairy.

• Station 9 - Thai and other Asian food (meat). Get the “bowls” or the “Bao” sandwiches and the drinks!

• Lechem Basar (Bread/Meat) - Great hamburgers and other meat dishes

• ReBar, the smoothie/yogurt place. Get lots of fruit in the GOAT yogurt shake.

• Souvenirs and beautiful home goods? Our friend Devora Charash sells her beautiful ceramics on Fridays (on a cart in the craft area).

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For many more recommendations, check out Rabbi David-Seth Kirshner's comprehensive reviews of restaurants all over Israel! 2PlateSolution.com