Cacao
One of the most pleasant cafes in the city is located in the
Cinematheque Complex. The outside patio has a view
of the Old City walls. The Italian vegetarian cuisine is very good.
Caffit, Hillel, Aroma (The German Colony)
The three trendiest places in the German Colony, all located on Emek Refaim
street. At least 3 more places for coffee and light dining are within walking
distance. If you don't like one you can always choose another.
Hakol La-Ofe (everything for the baker)
Agripas Street
Known to be an experience. Its a baking
supply stored turned coffee shop, located in the middle of the Machne-Yehuda
market.
Authentic Jerusalem (Blue-Collar) Food
Pinati, Ta'ami
Ta'ami: Near the top of Shamai street
Pinati:
Every visitor to Jerusalem has to eat at one of these places at least once.
Jerusalem's citizens are divided on many issues, one of them being which of
these two hole-in-the-wall institutions serves better humus. Open only for
lunch, you are seated with others at one of the small tables and the protocol
is to leave as soon as you finish. The urban legend is that the original
owner (who died from being over stressed) used to shout at the customers
"chew, don't talk!", this is not the case today. Humus is the first course
(humus with meat can be a main), shakshuka (fried eggs with tomato sauce),
Musaka (eggplant with meat), a wonderful meatball in tomato sauce served with
rice and beens. Don't ask too many questions and be specific when you order
(if you ask for a meatball, you will get a bare plate with one meatball).
You won't get better humus anywhere in the world.
Mifgash Chatsot
Agripas street
Humus places in the old city
Locals frequent Abu Shukri for truly delicious Arabic humus. It is located
down the Via Dolorosa Street. If Abu Shukri's is too busy and you are
starving, you might want to try Lina's up the Via Dolorosa street.
Again, open only for lunch, it isn't too clean but the humus is great.
Generally nice places to eat
Barood
Yaffo (Jaffa) 31 (in the Feingold Court). Phone: (02) 625-9081
Traditional Sepharadic food, full meals, light dining and a bar with a nice
atmosphere. The fixed-price "sampler" menu is said to be an adventure, though
all items can be ordered a la carte. Homemade olives, marinated green almonds,
and the sweet-onion house bread, pastilikos (meat and pine-nuts muffin),
prasa (leek patties with yogurt) and more. Standouts among the entrees are
meat balls with plums and wine, medias (tomatoes stuffed with meat), and a
beef, leek, and plum stew. Traditional desserts as well. Barood's other face
is its well-stocked bar, with more familiar fare like spareribs and sausages.
Friday afternoons sometimes have live Balkan music. Reservations essential
Fri. afternoon and Sat.