If you’re looking to discover some of the best food in Jerusalem, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together a list of places that offer some of the most authentic, delicious Middle Eastern fare. We’ve got everything from falafel to hummus, shawarma to Jachnun.
Hummus
When a traveler goes to Israel, he or she wants to eat hummus. It is an important aspect of Israeli cuisine. It is also a great way to get in touch with the country’s identity.
There are plenty of places to try hummus in Jerusalem. A few places stand out from the crowd. One of the best hummus restaurants in the city is the Abu Shukri Restaurant.
The Abu Shukri family was able to perfect Arab-style hummus in their kitchen. The Abu Shukri Restaurant has two branches. The original Abu Shukri restaurant is located on Abu Ghosh hill, while the other is located across the street.
The Lina Cafe is a popular eatery in the Old City. This cafe offers a hand-ground version of hummus, which is topped with pine nuts. They also offer freshly-pressed fruit juices and yogurt-cheese called labaneh.
Another place to try hummus is the Rachmo restaurant. It has been serving delicious hummus since the 1930s.
Falafel
Jerusalem is famous for its incredible food. From Israeli street food to traditional Jewish cuisine, Jerusalem is a food lover’s dream. Here are some of the best places to try Israeli falafel.
First, the basic ingredients are chickpeas, garlic, parsley, coriander, lemon juice, and salt. Then you can add a variety of toppings. Most customers don’t add any. The fried chickpeas are usually served with fries or salads.
Falafel is one of the most popular foods in the Middle East. It’s easy to find it in street carts, food markets, and even restaurants.
There are many different places to eat falafel in Jerusalem. The best place to go is a falafel stand. They are cheap and delicious.
For more flavor, order the tahini and hummus. Abu Shukri is a popular falafel restaurant in Jerusalem. They have good hummus and falafel, but have poor hygiene standards.
Another great spot to try falafel is HAACHIM LEVI. This establishment is located in the Wadi Arab neighborhood of Jerusalem. You will get fresh falafel and other treats.
Knafeh
A favorite of the Arabs and Jews alike, Knafeh is a sweet Middle Eastern dessert. It is made of layers of cheese, topped with a syrup, and drenched in a sweet and salty topping. It is a common meal in the Levant region, and is also eaten for breakfast.
The knafeh is sold by weight. The traditional filling is a mixture of goat cheese and cow’s milk cheese. It is soaked in syrup and sprinkled with pistachios. Then the knafeh is flipped and caramelized on the stovetop.
The syrup is flavored with rosewater, orange blossom, or vanilla. It is poured over the hot knafeh, and the entire thing is then topped with nuts.
The knafeh of Jerusalem is different than the one of Nablus. The city’s version is more savory, with a sweet accent. The syrup is usually flavored with orange blossom or rose water.
Another unique Israeli dish is sabich. The recipe for this dish is attributed to Jewish immigrants from Ramat Gan. It is a pita filled with fried eggplant slices and topped with amba sauce. It is served in many Middle Eastern restaurants.
Khubeza
The khubeza plant is making a comeback in Jerusalem restaurants. The plant is high in vitamins and iron. Traditionally, people used khubeza leaves to make soups and salads. However, the leaves had little flavor. So, food writers in Israel have encouraged chefs to use khubeza instead.
One of the best places to get your khubeza fix is the Mahane Yehuda market. Located near the Old City, the market is packed with locals and tourists alike. It’s also home to bakeries and a variety of sit-down restaurants.
Other Israeli street foods include falafel and hummus. Both of these dishes are made with pita bread. You can choose to have a traditional hummus or add other accompaniments, such as eggplant, lettuce, tomatoes, french fries and more.
Another delicious dish is musakhan. This chicken dish is made with green olives and spicy chillies. It comes with a homemade tahini sauce.
Another popular drink in the Middle East is tea with mint. It’s served with plenty of sugar.
Meorav Yerushalmi
Meorav Yerushalmi (Jerusalem mixed grill) is a popular street food in Jerusalem. The dish is comprised of a variety of meats and spices. This Jerusalem speciality was first cooked by a street vendor in Mahane Yehuda. Today, it is considered to be one of the most popular dishes in Israel.
The recipe is simple. A mix of meats, such as lamb organs, chicken livers, and fried eggplant, are combined with spices. The dish is seasoned with cumin, onion, and black pepper. It is then stuffed into a pita and served with chips.
Meorav Yerushalmi is a Jerusalem specialty that has remained in the Jewish cuisine scene for generations. It is considered to be the “official” fast food of the Holy City. It is also a favorite at weddings. Besides the traditional mix of meats, the meal also includes amazing chips and spices.
The traditional Israeli breakfast dish includes a mix of chopped onion, pepper, and labneh. It is also served with a small salad made of parsley and mint. The dish can be found all over the Middle East.
Shawarma
There are many restaurants and delis around Jerusalem offering different types of cuisines. Some of the most popular dishes are from the Middle East, but the city is also home to a number of other countries as well.
Food carts are a great way to find traditional Israeli and Middle Eastern dishes. One popular dish in Jerusalem is falafel. It’s made with chickpeas, parsley, garlic, and spices. You can eat it on its own or with hummus and salads.
Shawarma is another popular food in Israel. This delicious dish is typically served in a tortilla wrap. You can also order it as a sandwich. You can have it with hummus or other sauces. You can also order it with tahini or garlic sauce.
The shawarma at the restaurant is cooked on a massive rotisserie. It is then wrapped in pita or laffa bread. The shawarma is then topped with tahini or garlic sauce. The flavors of the shawarma vary depending on the meat.
Shawar Bakery & Patisserie
Shawar Bakery & Patisserie is one of the best food spots in Jerusalem. The cafe and bakery offers traditional baked goods, as well as a great selection of coffee. The place also has a pleasant and comfortable atmosphere.
The bakery sells everything from challahs to cakes to croissants. The shop also features a variety of sourdough breads. There are several branches in Jerusalem.
The Mifgash Hasheikh branch opened in 2003 and is located on Hauman Street. The store has become a popular spot for partygoers. The store also serves a small dairy cafe. The sahlab in winter is a popular treat.
Another popular food spot is the Mahane Yehuda market. This large open air market is a hub of locals and creative entrepreneurs. Hundreds of vendors sell fresh produce, grilled meats, clothes, and other items. It is also home to the famous Teller Bakery. The bakery sells handmade, hand-baked breads.
The Machaneh Yehuda market is the heart of Jerusalem. It was built during the Ottoman period. It has undergone many renovations and is now one of the busiest markets in the city.
Jachnun
Jachnun is a traditional Yemenite Jewish pastry. It is similar to malawach, but is cooked and served much slower. A dark amber color, it has a slightly sweet caramelized flavor. The dough is thin and brushed with shortening before being baked. It is also rolled into a flat, round shape like a puff pastry.
Many Israelis enjoy this sweet dessert. You can find them sold in any bakery. It’s also a popular breakfast pastry. Traditionally, it’s served with a spicy skhug sauce and a hard-boiled egg.
The recipe for this sweet pastry comes from Yemen. Jews from the Middle East, North Africa, and Andalusia migrated to Jerusalem after being expelled from Spain. Today, it’s served in many restaurants in Israel. It’s especially popular on Shabbat mornings.
Many bakeries in Jerusalem sell the pastry. But you can also make it at home. You can also buy it at the Mahane Yehuda Market.
Originally from the Yemenite Jewish community, it’s a favorite among Jewish immigrants in Israel. It’s eaten on Shabbat and on Fridays. It’s also served with hard-boiled eggs and a tomato dip.
Malawach
If you’re visiting Jerusalem, you can’t miss Malawach. These traditional Yemenite Jewish flatbreads are often served with a fried egg, a hard-boiled egg, or a sour cream and applesauce mixture. If you’re lucky, you’ll find a restaurant that offers these popular dishes.
In addition to the Malawach, there are many other traditional Middle Eastern and Israeli food options in Jerusalem. For example, you can visit the Machane Yehuda Market, which is a thriving open-air food market. There, you’ll find colorful stands selling halva (a Middle Eastern confection), baklava, and other sweet treats.
Another popular food in Jerusalem is Knafeh, a Middle Eastern dessert. It’s made with pastry and soaked in sugar syrup. You can buy it in the Muslim quarter of Jerusalem. It’s a delicious treat, and it’s sold by weight.
You can also try a cup of tea with mint, which is traditionally served with lots of sugar. If you’re in the mood for something a little more exotic, you can sample a lemonade that’s been infused with fresh mint.