The Top 20 Must-Try Best Kosher Restaurants in Jerusalem
Jerusalemโs kosher dining scene is unparalleled, offering a unique culinary landscape that sets it apart from other global kosher hotspots. With its large orthodox population and constant influx of kosher-observant tourists, the city boasts an extensive array of kosher-certified restaurants. Unlike other cities with notable kosher scenes, which we have covered in our series on the best kosher restaurants in the world, such as Manhattanโs world-class steakhouses, Brooklynโs hip spots, Parisโ old school boulangeries, and new age bistros, or Lakewoodโs innovative concepts, Jerusalem stands out for its sheer volume and diversity of kosher options.
The cityโs kosher landscape is so comprehensive that many kosher restaurants carry some form of kosher certification. This creates an unparalleled experience for kosher foodies, who can explore the cityโs culinary offerings with ease. However, itโs crucial to note that non-kosher establishments do exist, and diners should always verify the kosher status and certification level of any restaurant they plan to visit.
Understanding Jerusalemโs Kosher Certification Landscape
Jerusalemโs kosher certification system is complex, politicized, and reflects the cityโs multifaceted nature. The certification matrix includes various levels of stringency:
- Rabbanut: The standard governmental rabbinical authority certification
- Rabbanut Mehadrin: A more stringent version of the governmental certification
- Non-governmental certifications: Can be a more rigorous certification that caters to more discerning consumers
Itโs essential for diners to independently verify that restaurants meet their personal kosher standards, as certifications can change and vary in strictness.
Top Kosher Restaurants in Jerusalem
Jacko Street: Best for โFunโ Fine Dining
Located in the City Center, Jacko is a Kurdish-themed restaurant that impresses with its creative menu and energetic atmosphere. Evening diners can expect a lively environment with pumping music. Must-try dishes include roast beef, gourmet burgers, asado bruschetta, Kurdish ravioli, fish carpaccio, and duck breast focaccia. The restaurantโs unique blend of traditional Kurdish flavors with modern culinary techniques has made it a favorite among locals and tourists alike.
Miroโs Falafel: Best Falafel
Situated in the Mea Shearim neighborhood, this old-school, hole-in-the-wall establishment excels in all aspects of great falafel. Known for its exceptional hummus, fresh pitas, and perfectly crisp falafel balls, Miroโs offers an authentic taste of Jerusalem street food. The no-frills atmosphere adds to the charm, allowing the quality of the food to speak for itself. Relatedly, for those who like sabich, check out Aricha Sabich.
Crave Gourmet Street Food: Best Street Food
Crave, which recently opened a location in Five Towns, pushes the boundaries of kosher cuisine. Described by the Jerusalem Post as โas close to treif as can get,โ Crave offers innovative menu items that mimic non-kosher favorites. Standout dishes include โcheeseโ and โbaconโ burgers, chicken sandwiches, Reuben sandwiches, duck fries, and Philly steak sandwiches. The restaurantโs creative approach to kosher street food has garnered a loyal following among adventurous eaters.
Ishtabach: Best Near Machane Yehuda Shuk
Specializing in Kurdish meat pastries, Ishtabach has gained such popularity that it recently opened a location in Toms River near Lakewood, NJ. Located near the bustling Machane Yehuda market, Ishtabach offers a unique dining experience with its focus on traditional Kurdish cuisine. The restaurantโs signature meat pastries are a must-try, featuring flaky dough filled with savory, well-spiced meats.
The Eucalyptus: Best for Unique Dining Experience
Located just outside the Old City, The Eucalyptus, Chef Moshe Bassonโs restaurant offers an extraordinary culinary journey. Dishes like fire-roasted eggplant, oriental ceviche with fresh fish, macaroon stuffed with pate, makluba, spiced roasted cauliflower with tahini sauce, patatas bravas, and candied pear dessert showcase the chefโs innovative approach to Middle Eastern cuisine. The restaurant also offers tasting menus for a comprehensive experience, allowing diners to sample a wide range of Chef Bassonโs creations.
Katsefet Ice Cream: Best Ice Cream
Located on Ben Yehuda Street, Katsefet is known for its delightful ice cream, as well as excellent crepes and waffles. The shop offers a wide variety of flavors, ranging from classic favorites to unique, locally-inspired creations. Its central location makes it a perfect spot for a sweet treat while exploring the city.
Menfis: Best Sandwich Spot
A popular late-night eatery, Menfis is famous for its pressed cold-cut sandwiches and variety of sausages with an extensive sauce selection. The restaurant also excels in chicken dishes and fries. Its late-night hours make it a favorite among night owls and those looking for a satisfying meal after an evening out.
Cafe Tamara: Best Cafe
Offering a diverse menu, Cafe Tamara, near Malcha Mall, is known for its gourmet pizzas, pasta, and salads, particularly the Nicoise. The cafe provides a relaxed atmosphere perfect for leisurely meals or casual business meetings. For those seeking more coffee shop-style options, Coffee Nadi, Gan Sipur Cafรฉ, and Liba Cafรฉ are excellent alternatives.
Harveyโs Smokehouse: Best Smokehouse
Located near the center of Jerusalem on Jaffa Street, Harveyโs Smokehouse specializes in smoked meats. Standout dishes include tacos, burnt ends, sausages, brisket, and pulled beef. The restaurantโs commitment to authentic smoking techniques and high-quality meats has made it a favorite among barbecue enthusiasts.
Hatch: Best Kosher Brew Pub
Known primarily for homemade sausages and craft beer, Hatch also offers popular dishes like fried chili mac nโ cheese balls, wings, and chips. Also offering craft beers and cocktails, Hatch provides a unique pub experience in Jerusalem. Its sister restaurant, Schmaltz, offers an old-school kosher deli experience in Jerusalem.
Halo Teiman: Best Shawarma
Located near the entrance to the city, not far from the central bus station, Halo Teiman is adjacent to an unassuming gas station. Unlike many other shawarma joints, they offer a veal shawarma, which comes highly recommended. The original and sister location of Halo Teiman is in Bnei Brak.
Kadosh Cafรฉ Patisserie: Best Bakery Cafe
With an illustrious history dating back to 1967, Kadosh Cafรฉ Patisserie was founded by Meir Kadosh and is now run by his son Itzik. The cafe boasts a tidy, traditional European style, creating a distinctly Parisian ambiance. It offers a full menu including pasta, pastries (notably excellent croissants), salads, and coffee in a warm, busy, and friendly atmosphere.
Piccolino: Best Italian Restaurant
Located in Kikar Hamusica, Piccolino often features live music, enhancing the dining experience. Standout dishes include Crack Pie, Artichoke Pizza, Arancini, Cheesecake, Raviolis, and the Piccolino Salad. The restaurantโs combination of quality Italian cuisine and live music makes it a unique spot in Jerusalemโs kosher scene.
Goldyโs: Best for Take-out (including Shabbat meals)
Goldyโs offers a wide assortment of take-out options, making it ideal for those looking for convenient kosher meals, especially for Shabbat. Their menu ranges from meats and chicken to side dishes and also includes dips, appetizers, baked goods, and a selection of wines and spirits.
Tacos Luis: Best for Tacos
Founded by Luis Cruz Salinas Hernรกndez from Oaxaca, Tacos Luis specializes in tacos al pastor. They also serve various Mexican-themed dishes, including tacos, nachos, and churros, offering an authentic taste of Mexican cuisine in Jerusalem.
Golden Burger: Best for Burgers
Located on Rehov Hillel, Golden Burger offers saucy burgers with a unique twist. Their burgers are unique in that they are cooked further, giving them a golden color. Other great burger options in Jerusalem include Josef Burger & Bar, Harveyโs Burger Shack, and MG Burger.
Entrecote: Best Steakhouse
Located in Har Hotzvim, Entrecote offers a great variety of steaks and kebabs with excellent ambiance and service. Itโs known for its high-quality cuts and professional preparation. For those looking for alternatives, Black Iron is another noteworthy steakhouse option in Jerusalem.
JahnunBar: Best for Yemenite Cuisine
Located in Mahaneh Yehudah Market, JahnunBar specializes in Yemenite dishes. They make excellent Jachnun and Malawach, traditional Yemenite pastries. The restaurant also offers a great shakshuka, making it a perfect spot for those looking to explore authentic Yemenite flavors.
Big Apple Pizza: Best New York-Style Pizza
While Jerusalem may not compete with New Yorkโs finest pizzerias, Big Apple Pizza offers the most authentic New York-style pizza in the city. There are multiple locations, but the one near Ben Yehuda across from Rimon on Lunz Street is the one we are familiar with. For those seeking Roman-style pizza, Anthonyโs Pizza near the Iriah in the City Center is a great option, offering a variety of white and red-based pizzas. Other notable pizzerias include CraftPizzaJLM and La-Piedra, which offer higher-end artisanal pizzas.
Papagaio: Best All-You-Can-Eat
Papagaio is a meat loversโ dream that offers a Brazilian-style all-you-can-eat experience, providing a unique dining option in Jerusalemโs kosher scene. This restaurant is perfect for those looking for a hearty meal with a variety of meat options.
An Abundance of Culinary Delights: The Bonus Additions
With so many exceptional dining options in Jerusalem, we couldnโt resist including a bonus round of noteworthy establishments that further enrich the cityโs vibrant kosher food landscape. These additional restaurants offer unique flavors and experiences, showcasing the diversity and creativity found within Jerusalemโs culinary offerings. Whether youโre in the mood for traditional Israeli barbecue or a delightful Georgian pastry, these bonus additions are sure to impress.
Angelica
A notable restaurant featuring classic favorites like Chicken Liver Pate, Roast Beef Bruschetta, and an impressive selection of steaks. Located in the city center, Angelica offers a sophisticated dining experience for those seeking high-quality meat dishes.
Tziporah Express
Specializing in traditional Israeli-style barbecue, Tziporah Express brings authentic local flavors to Jerusalemโs kosher dining scene. Their menu highlights include various kebabs prepared in the classic Israeli grilling tradition.
Rooftop @ Mamilla Hotel
Situated atop the luxurious Mamilla Hotel, the Rooftop offers breathtaking views of the Old City. Diners can enjoy a memorable meal while taking in the stunning panoramic landscape of Jerusalemโs historic center.
Hachapuria
This popular Georgian bakery is a must-visit for bread and pastry enthusiasts. Their specialty is Hachapuri, a selection of cheese-filled breads, with the Acharuli variant being a particular standoutโfeaturing a perfectly cracked egg on top. The bakery also offers a variety of other traditional Georgian pastries.
Andalucia
Located near Kikar Hamusica, Andalucia is a Spanish-themed tapas and cocktail bar that brings Mediterranean flair to Jerusalemโs dining scene. With a large outdoor space, an impressive cocktail menu, and cool tapas-style offerings, it provides a unique dining experience that stands out in the cityโs kosher restaurant landscape.
Kosher Jerusalem Hotels
As we have covered separately, Jerusalem offers a range of hotels, including those that are more budget-friendly all the way up to superluxurious. The luxury hotels in Jerusalem offer exceptional kosher dining options, including arguably the top three hotels that form the โJerusalem Luxury Hotel Triangle.โ These hotels not only provide luxurious accommodations but also feature high-quality kosher restaurants, making them ideal for visitors who want to combine upscale lodging with excellent kosher dining.
Shabbat Meals in Jerusalem
Many hotels and restaurants offer Shabbat meals, ranging from luxurious options at high-end hotels such as the David Citadel, Mamilla Hotel, and the Waldorf Astoria. At the luxury hotels offering Shabbat meals, the buffets are practically endless and are surely something to experience. There are also more budget-friendly hotels offering Shabbat meals.
For a unique experience, โShabbat of a Lifetime,โ which has a bunch of positive reviews, allows visitors to enjoy traditional Shabbat meals in local homes, providing an authentic and intimate cultural experience.
Also, for those looking for a venue for group events, check out Debbest Israel for a list of potential options.
Jerusalemโs Culinary Mosaic: A Dynamic Kosher Food Paradise
Jerusalemโs kosher food scene is a vibrant, diverse culinary landscape that offers something for every palate. From traditional Middle Eastern cuisine to innovative fusion concepts, the cityโs restaurants cater to a wide range of tastes and dietary requirements. This exciting array of options not only serves the local population but also attracts food enthusiasts from around the world, solidifying Jerusalemโs position as a top destination for kosher dining. The cityโs unique blend of ancient traditions and modern culinary innovations creates an unparalleled experience for kosher foodies, making Jerusalem a true gastronomic kosher paradise.
