As the restaurant scene in Israel is so dynamic, I thought it would be helpful to start writing updates on recent openings and closings. The focus will be on my hometown Jerusalem, but I will also include other news from the last few months.
JERUSALEM
Urban Café (Mehadrin) – a small dairy chef cafe near the shuk with elevated salads, sandwiches and pizzas. The ingredients are fresh and the menu is creative. I loved the tuna melt and their brownies and cookies look delicious.
Ofaimme (Kosher) – Ofaimme Farm has opened a second branch in Beit Hansen serving organic farm to table produce with a focus on cheese and pastries. There is also a shop attached to buy produce to take home.
Rachel ba Sdera (Kosher) – thanks to Rachel from MasterChef, Jerusalem finally has its own Boulevard cafe on Sderot Ben Maimon in Rehavia. The small kiosk sells salads, sandwiches and drinks.
Hatch – a craft beer taproom with artisanal sausages which is directly opposite Amster Bar (where Steam used to be). Not been myself but reports so far have been very good.
Hamotzi (Kosher)– moved location and is now on Rehov Yafo, right next to the entrance to the closed shuk. The location is much bigger with an upstairs gallery and lots of tables outside.
TEL AVIV
Kukuriku (Not Kosher)– Chef Ran Shmueli of Claro fame, has opened a rotisserie chicken stall in Sarona market.
Calypso (Not Kosher) – Tel Aviv finally has a chef restaurant on the beach, thanks to Omer Miller of HaShulchan and Susu & Sons. The traditional seafood tavern on Frishman Beach is open day and night.
CLOSINGS
Fish and Chips by Fauchon in Sarona Market has closed down – the setting and concept never seemed to work. It will be interesting to see what opens instead in such a prime position. Netachim inside Sarona Market has also closed but Fleishman Deli is still open and their sandwiches are delicious.
Crubis and Tahrir in the Jerusalem shuk have both closed down, leaving two more stalls for new places to open in.
COMING SOON
Chef Aviv Moshe, one of Israel’s best chefs, is opening a bar and restaurant on the corner of Beit Yaakov and Agripas called Valero. He is most well known for his restaurants Messa and Quattro in Tel Aviv so I am excited to see what the concept will be for this new venture in Jerusalem.
RECENT POSTS
- La Padella brings a taste of Europe to the Jerusalem Shuk
- Hotel Review: Ultimate Urban Style at Ultra
- Jacko’s Street: A Winning Combination
- Les Jumelles – A new French Café near Abu Ghosh
Let me know if you like this style of posts and if there is anything else i should include in the future.
Categories: Monthly Roundup
Thanks – I am glad to have more information about restaurants in Jerusalem. Please note if
a. there are VEGAN options;
b. if the restaurant atmosphere is QUIET enough to allow for gentle conversation. Generally, partly because of the clientele, and partly because of the acoustics, restaurants in Israel are too NOISY to allow the most important (for us) part of the meal: quiet conversation without the need to cook/serve/clean up.
p.s. I tried to leave you my website, but was informed that I must leave a “URL”. I guess that I do not know what that is!
http://www.reikiforpeace.org
Thanks Rahel for your comment. As this is just a summary of news, it will not include such detail but where relevant in a full review, i mention vegan options and acoustics.