A Selection of the Best Jerusalem Street Food in the Machane Yehuda Shuk

Street food has been around for centuries but in the last few years it has become more popular the world over and Israel is no exception.  As the street food phenomenon has spread, new places have opened all over Jerusalem but some of the best Jerusalem street food is in the Machane Yehuda shuk where you can now find a wide variety of interesting street food offerings including traditional dishes all over the world.

There are so many places to choose from but here are my top picks of Jerusalem street food:

• Mitzle

Mitzle is a meat street food restaurant by Chef Avi Levy of Hamotzi on Yafo Street near Shuk Machane Yehuda in Jerusalem. As well as take-away, there is a large round bar to sit at, that surrounds the kitchen and grill. One of the signature dishes is a veal and lamb Turkish kebab.

Mitzle (Kosher), 105 Yaffo Road, 054 399 3999

• Pasta Basta

The beauty of Pasta Basta is in the simplicity of the offering. First, you choose your pasta, then a sauce, and finally extra toppings, with the price starting at NIS 23.  The pasta is all freshly made and the sauces and toppings are equally fresh. They also serve soup, salad, and wine from the barrel for NIS 16 a glass!

Pasta Basta (Tzohar), 8 Hatut Street

• Dwiny Pita Bar

The concept at Dwiny is open or closed sandwiches so each dish can be ordered either inside a pillowy fresh pita or on top of a small toasted pita bruschetta style.  All the ingredients are fresh and interesting with fillings including seared entrecote, osso buco, fried red mullet, and crispy cauliflower.  My favorite dishes are the Entrecote pita (NIS 38) and the Lamb Siniya with tahina and pickled lemon (NIS 42).

Dwiny Pita Bar (Kosher), 6 Beit Ya’akov Street, 050 474 2428 

• Fishenchips

As a Brit, nothing tastes quite like the real thing but Fishenchips is definitely the closest option I have had in Israel and it has already outlasted all its competition in the shuk.  The Mixed Crunchy Cod Goujons with chips (NIS 42) includes a mixture of batters and is probably the most popular dish but the Panko Red Tuna with chips (NIS 47) is also a delicious and interesting dish.

Fishenchips (Kosher- dairy/parev), 12 HaEgoz Street, 02 624 9503

• Aka

Aka is a Turkish kebab restaurant near Shuk Machane Yehuda, opposite Rachmo. The kebab/shawarma is made out of veal and pistachios and served in a Lavash Flatbread with the option to add parev yogurt, among other toppings. They also sell goose leg confit sandwiches and goose fat roasted potatoes.

Aka (Kosher) 6 HaShikma Street, 02 500 1292

• Craft Pizza

There is finally a place to get a good slice of pizza in the shuk! Craft Pizza opened in June 2018 and serves pizza by the slice, with a great flavor and a lovely sourdough base. As well as traditional options, they also have other tasty toppings like grilled zucchini, beet, kalamata olives, pineapple, and chili, and a great spicy salsa on the side. A slice of margarita pizza is NIS 14.

Craft Pizza (Mehadrin), 12 HaTapuach Street, 02 663 3847

• Hatzot

This popular steakiah (meat grill) has a separate takeaway window along with street-side tables.  The extensive takeaway menu includes their famous Jerusalem mixed grill and my personal favorite, succulent pargit (NIS 54 in laffa), both with their secret spice mix. There is also a selection of salads and main courses in takeaway containers if you are extra hungry or don’t want bread.

Hatzot (Kosher), 121 Agripas Street, 073 758 4204

• Hatch

Hatch is primarily known for its homemade sausages and craft beer, but other popular dishes include Fried Chili Mac n Cheese Balls (NIS 24), Classic Buffalo Wings (NIS 32), and homemade kettle chips (NIS 15). As well as five varieties of craft beer, they also serve a selection of cocktails and Frosé – a rosé wine slushy. They also deliver

Hatch (Mehadrin), 28 HaEgoz Street, 02 656 3691 

• HaChapuria

This popular Georgian bakery specializes in Hachapuri, a selection of cheese-filled bread.  My favorite is Acharuli (NIS 30 small, 35 large) which has a cracked egg on top, designed so you can break off the crispy crust and dip it into the cheese and egg center. They sell a variety of other Georgian pastries but the one with the egg on top is the most popular.

HaChapuria (Dairy, not supervised), 5 HaShikma Street (corner with HaEshkol)

• Falafel Haachim Levy

An iconic part of the street food scene, this falafel stand in the open shuk is always busy so you can guarantee a piping hot fresh batch of falafel.

Falafel HaAchim Levy (Kosher), 60 Agripas Street, corner of Machene Yehuda Street, 02 625 0282.

• Josef Burger

Even though other burger joints have opened in the area, Josef Burger is still my favorite. My preference is for the Angus Burger (NIS 45) which I find to be more tender and juicy than the house burger. They have a great choice of toppings and the service is normally quick and friendly. There is also a good business lunch deal for NIS 55 including a main, side dish, and drink. My standard order is a medium Angus burger with goose breast and green salad and as a special treat, I get goose liver and/or chili pineapple toppings. The restaurant is currently under construction but the burgers are available to order at Hatzot.

Josef Burger (Kosher), 123 Agripas Street, 073 758 4219

Other street food around the shuk:

• Arale Crepe – a crepe wrapped into a cone, filled with ice cream, and topped with creme brulee – pure indulgence.
• Ishtabach – Shamburak, a Kurdish Syrian pastry filled with meat and vegetables
• Jachnun Bar  – Yemenite malawach and jachnun
• Soramelo – waffles

Here are more posts about the shuk:

1. Tasting Tour of the Shuk
2. Shopping in the Shuk

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