Israeli
Versavee
(http://www.versavee.com) just next to the jaffa gate, next to the imperial hotel. a lovely bistro/cafe/bar. a pleasant atmosphere, good prices and the staff are friendly and all speak english. try the local palestinian beer called taybeh - only âª18. one of the nicest and cleanest cafes in the old city. this small indoor/outdoor cafe/restaurant/bar is a nice spot for lunch, dinner or late night snack. the atmosphere is lively, the food very good, prices reasonable, service prompt and friendly. it is also one of the few eateries open at night in the old city.
The Eucalyptus
The artists colony by the old city, biblical israeli cuisine best known for its "shir hashirim song of songs" tasting menu. there is a view of the david citadel from the restaurant and the chefs are internationally acclaimed. reservations recommended. kosher.
Shalom Felafel
36 bezalel street, open sunday through thursday, 11:00 a.m.â8:30 p.m. kosher.
Steakiat Tzidkiyahu
Talpiot, israeli "steakiat" place, which is to say meat on skewers. about âª45-60 per person but very good. also they will fill your table with various israeli salads and fresh bread. amazing value! kosher mehadrin l'mehadrin
Melech Shawarma
Agripas and king george. the best shawarma in jerusalem by far. a real treat. and only âª20 for one of them. best deal all around. kosher.
Falafel Hamelech
falafel king at the intersection of king george and aggripas st, right in the center of downtown. cheap and fair. a falafel in pita with a soda will be âª14. be sure, however, to try your falafel with "amba", a mango-based condiment that you cannot get outside of the region easily! kosher rabbinute
From Gaza to Berlin
55 gaza st, at the corner of gaza st and berlin st, with a second branch downtown. a small and friendly place selling hummus and falafel, has excellent kube of different types.
Matameh Tziona
French hill town center, small family run restaurant. hailed by university students as some of the best food in jerusalem. falafel, shawarma, schnitzel, and many other delicious dishes. open sunday through thursday, 10:00 a.m.â10:00 p.m. kosher.
me'orav yerushalmi
Try me'orav yerushalmi lit. "Jerusalem Mix", a pita or laffa bread stuffed with a tasty mix of spices and grilled meats and chicken innards. One famous place is Steakiyat Hatzot, Agrippas St., near the Mahaneh Yehuda Market. Check out the photos on the wall.
HaSabikh
Past the ben yehuda midrachov on the right. home to the tastiest sabikh in the city, in pita made fresh at the restaurant.
American
New Deli
Hillel st and emek refaim st. kosher- 33 hillel street,
Burgers Bar
A small chain of stores, one can be found on emek refaim st. and another on shamai st. near ben yehudah st. kosher, also on french hill, though they have sloppy service and questionable hygiene at busy hours
Meat Burger
Hillel st. burger, fries, and drink âª35-45. not kosher.
Arabic
Abu Shukri
This is regarded as one of, if not the, tastiest and most affordable in jerusalem. it is located where the via dolorosa and al wad road meet. it's renown for its hummus and falafel. go early on saturday. that's when lines of israelis wait for tables on afternoons. not kosher
Hashipudia
6 ha-shikma st. this restaurant exclusively prepares skewers of lamb, beef, hearts and livers, geese and chicken breast, and goose liver. also, it bakes fresh iraqi pita bread every afternoon. not kosher, it is halal though.
Marvad Haksammim
King george st and emek refaim st. with its large serving sizes this is one of the best places for yemenite food in the city. be sure to try the kuba soup red, sweet, and spicy with round meat dumplings, saluf think large, thick, and crispy burritos, shakshuka poached eggs in tomato sauce, and malawakh doughy sweet pancake. entrees are âª15-40. kosher.
Jerusalem, being the multicultural city that it is, has food from all countries, cultures, and tastes. Besides the ubiquitous falafel stands, there is European, Ethiopian, Medditeranean, and Middle Eastern foods. There is also a large ranges in prices from the ritzy and exotic Emek Refaim to falafel stands centered around Machaneh Yehuda and the Central Bus Station. A good rule of thumb is to look for restaurants filled with Hebrew or Arabic speaking locals.
If you keep kosher Jerusalem will be a wonderful place to visit. In the Jewish sections of the city almost everything is kosher. However you should still check for the paper on the wall. The Jerusalem rabbinute issues Kashrut certificates that are good for 3 months at a time, and color coded. If you don't see it displayed do not hesitate to ask the staff. If they don't show you one its a good sign to move along. The certificate should be stamped "Basari" meat or "halavi" Dairy in Hebrew. The current certificates are cream colored with red print for dairy and pinkish-red for meat restaurants. These will be good until Sept 22 Rosh Hashana after that the rabbinute will put up new certifications. Note it is not unusual for it to take a few days to get the new certificate up. It is usually the policy of the Jerusalem rabbinute to not certify a chain store as kosher unless all the branches in the city of Jerusalem are kosher. For this reason McDonalds and some branches of Aroma in Jerusalem are not certified kosher.
Jerusalem is a huge city, so all individual listings should be moved to the appropriate district articles, and this section should contain a brief overview. Please help to move listings if you are familiar with this city.
ethiopian
Ethio-Israel experience, Turn left on Havatzelet St. when going on Yafo St. towards the Old City. Then turn right on Elyashar street and follow it to the left. In the little cul-de-sac is an incredible little restaurant. You won't be able to stop eating.