A Review of the Restaurants and Bars in the Machneyuda Group.

Many foodies visiting Jerusalem have Machneyuda at the top of their list of places to eat. But unless you make a reservation several months in advance or are willing to go for lunch, it is virtually impossible to get a table, especially on the weekends. Those unfamiliar with the Jerusalem culinary scene may not realize that the Machneyuda Group comprises several other restaurants with similar menus but distinct vibes. All the restaurants in the group serve mouthwatering, inventive food, with the bonus of attentive service and authentic Israeli hospitality. The iconic polenta with mushrooms and Parmesan can be found at all the restaurants in the group, each with a few minor variations in the toppings.

Most of the restaurants in Jerusalem are located within a 100-meter radius of each other, next to Shuk Machane Yehuda. Although they are not kosher, these restaurants are all closed on Friday night and Shabbat, as the whole Shuk area is not allowed to be open during Shabbat.

Here is my take on the Israel-based restaurants and bars in the Machneyuda Group:

Machneyuda

Machneyuda is one of the best restaurants in Israel for someone looking for an enjoyable Israeli culinary experience. The menu, which combines high-end dining with home-style cooking, changes daily, but the style, ambiance, and essence stay the same.  The tasting menu is ideal for immersing yourself in the experience, but you cannot go wrong with any food. I highly recommend the jungle dessert experience if you are dining in a group.

Many people come to this restaurant because of the loud music and party atmosphere. Don’t be surprised to see the chefs banging on their pans to the beat of the music and guests dancing on the tables by the end of the night.

The restaurant has a private space called The Academy, for cooking workshops or private meals for up to 16 people.

Machneyuda, 10 Beit Yaakov Street, +972 2 533 3442

Ramban Hotel

Ramban Hotel (Kosher) is the group’s first hotel on Ramban Street in Rehavia, Jerusalem. It has two kosher restaurants off the lobby. Cafe Ramban (Kosher), the hotel’s dairy restaurant, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and includes a small bar at the side for drinks and light food. The meat restaurant Janjariya (Kosher) has a daily-changing menu with a few Machneyuda classics but primarily new creations, including a wide variety of vegetarian, raw, and cooked fish and meat dishes. More photos here.

Ramban Hotel, 20 Ramban Street, +972 2 633 9999

Yudale Bar

Yudale Bar is known as the tapas bar of Machneyuda, although it doesn’t serve tapas. All the seating is around the bar, and there is a fun bar vibe with a smaller version of the main restaurant’s menu. In the warmer months, the action spills onto the street and even on busier, colder nights.  It is also a popular lunch spot on Fridays.

Yudale Bar, 11 Beit Yaakov Street, +972 2 533 3442

HaSadna (The Culinary Workshop)

HaSadna is off Derech Hevron, close to the Old City. The menu focuses on aged meats, although there are always plenty of fish and vegetarian options for non-meat eaters. The restaurant has an entirely different ambiance and decor from the others in the group. Sitting at the large U-shaped bar with a view of the kitchen is always my preference, but there are plenty of stand-alone tables for larger groups or those wanting an intimate meal. The restaurant has a varied cocktail menu that complements the food, and the bar staff is always happy to create bespoke cocktails at their request.

HaSadna, 28 Derech Hebron, +972 2 567 2265

Gatsby

This speakeasy-style cocktail bar is located in Jerusalem’s city center and accessed via a hidden entrance. Gatsby opened nearly 10 years ago but was recently taken over by the Machneyuda Group, which introduced a new menu designed to complement the cocktails.

Gatsby, 18 Hillel  Street, +972 2 533 8992

Machneyuda Group Around the World

• London—Coal Office has a creative menu, excellent service, and a great atmosphere. I loved it when it first opened, but I found the food less exciting on my last visit.
• Paris
  • Shabour is a Michelin-starred Middle Eastern restaurant (since 2021). Boubale is located in the Le Marais neighborhood.
  • Tekés is a vegetarian restaurant.
    Shosh is a delicatessen next to Shabour.
  • Boubalé‘s menu combines traditional Ashkenazi dishes with Parisian influences.
  • Kapara replaces Balagan on Rue d’Alger.
• Baba is a restaurant in the newly renovated  Cap D’Antibes Beach Hotel in the South of France.
• Berta is a restaurant and cocktail bar in Berlin.
• Sella is the group’s restaurant on Plage de Public in St Barth overlooking a marina.

Read more posts featuring the Machneyuda Group:

• Top 10 Israeli Chefs Worldwide
• Top 10 Friday Night Restaurants in Jerusalem
• Top 10 Non-Kosher Restaurants in Jerusalem

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