A Selection of the Best Non-Kosher Restaurants in Jerusalem.

Whether you are a tourist or a local looking for good non-kosher restaurants in Jerusalem, there are some excellent options for those who are not limited to kosher food and can explore the non-kosher culinary scene.

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Here is a list of my favorite non-kosher restaurants in Jerusalem:

• Machneyuda

In my opinion, 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 homestyle cooking, changes daily, but the style, ambiance, and essence stay the same.  The polenta with mushrooms, asparagus, Parmesan, and truffle oil is probably the restaurant’s most iconic dish and one that makes me want to go back every time. The jungle dessert is also a fun experience if you are dining with a group.

If you are looking for a quiet meal, this is not the place for you. Still, if you want mouthwatering, inventive food, attentive service, and authentic Israeli hospitality, Machneyuda is the ideal setting.

Machneyuda, 10 Beit Yaakov Street, 02 533 3442, closed on Shabbat. 

Exploring the Ever Expanding Machneyuda Group

• HaSadna – The Culinary Workshop

HaSadna is the lesser-known sister restaurant of Machneyuda, with a kitchen specializing in aged meats, and there are plenty of fish and vegetarian options on the menu for non-meat eaters. Like all restaurants in the Machneyuda group, there is a signature polenta dish and other similarities to its older sister. Still, the menu holds its own, and the restaurant has an entirely different ambiance 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 on request.  For fellow Gin & Tonic lovers, they have an impressive selection of gins from all over the world and the proper tonics and other elements to accompany them.

HaSadna, 28 Derech Hebron, 02 567 2265

• Mona

Mona is located at The Jerusalem Artist’s House, a historic building that was the original Bezalel Art School and now serves as an art gallery.  The charming setting adds to this restaurant’s appeal.  The menu changes daily, but some popular dishes remain on the menu most of the time, with seasonal tweaks. Some of these popular dishes include Beef Tartare, Tuna Sashimi, Hanger Steak, and Chocolate Cremeux. The combination of beautiful surroundings, attentive service, high-quality raw ingredients, and creative dishes makes Mona popular with locals and visitors alike.

Mona, 12 Shmuel Ha-Nagid Street, 02 622 2283 

• Yudale Bar

Yudale Bar is the tapas bar opposite Machneyuda, with a smaller menu and a fun bar vibe. The action overflows onto the street in the warmer months and even on some busier, colder nights. They also serve a polenta dish that is similar to the one at Machneyuda, and it is usually easier to get a booking.

Yudale Bar, 11 Beit Yaakov Street, 02 533 3442, closed on Shabbat

• Notre Dame Rooftop

Set on the rooftop of the Notre Dame pilgrim guesthouse, the restaurant offers spectacular views of the entire eastern side of the Old City.  Although once just a cheese-and-wine bar, the menu now includes traditional European meat and fish dishes; however, the cheese dishes are still the specialty.  There are over 40 imported cheeses to choose from for the Cheese Platters ($28-35), and the Cheese Fondue ($44) is a rich and indulgent treat. They have an impressive international wine list and usually have excellent service. The prices are all in US dollars and on the higher side, but the view makes it worth it.

Notre Dame Rooftop Restaurant, 3 HaTsanhanim Street, 02 627 9177

• Chakra

One of Jerusalem’s most established restaurants, Chakra is popular with both locals and tourists alike. In the early evening, the European-style restaurant is busy with families, and later it becomes livelier, with many people sitting around the bar.  In the summer, there is plenty of outdoor seating overlooking Jerusalem’s Independence Park.  Signature starters include Spicy Tuna Bruschetta, Lemon Garlic Cauliflower, and Beef Carpaccio.  Recommended mains are Salmon Fillet with Bok Choy, Steak & Fries, and Beef Fillet with Marrow and Onion Confit.

Chakra, 41 King George Street, 072 328 

• Karma

Ein Kerem is full of bars and restaurants, and my favorite is Karma for both the food and the setting. The restaurant overlooks the quaint village of Ein Kerem and has a varied bistro-style menu, including salads, pasta, burgers, sandwiches, steak, and seafood. It is an excellent choice for both day and night, but be careful if you are driving there, as parking restrictions do apply on weekends.

Karma, 74 Ein Kerem, 02 643 6643

• Satya

A Mediterranean bistro in Jerusalem’s Talbieh neighborhood with a daily changing menu. Examples of seasonal dishes include amberjack sashimi with nectarine, chili, and ginger; corn and Gouda cappelletti in a buttery sauce; Lalique lettuce with gorgonzola and roasted apricot; and red tuna tartare.  There is a spacious bar and a large outdoor terrace.

Satya, 36 Keren Hayesod, 02 650 6808

• Talbiye

Located underneath the Jerusalem Theater with a warm French bistro vibe. There are several tables outside, and it is particularly popular on weekends.

Talbiye, 5 Chopin Street, 02 581 1927

Other options include:

• Amore is an Asian-themed meat restaurant and bar located on King George Street in Jerusalem.
• Blend 5 is a wine bar and restaurant in the Brown JLM Mamilla hotel, from the team behind the former Adom restaurant.
• Chota is a small bistro in downtown Jerusalem, co-owned by Chef Ilan Chota of Satya and Chef Denis Turk, who worked with him at both Chakra and Satya.
• Jacko’s Street is one of my favorite restaurants in Israel, and even though it is kosher, I have included it here.  People are always impressed by the creativity of the menu and the restaurant’s energetic atmosphere – it epitomizes the expression “fun dining”.
• Laura is a modern Mediterranean restaurant at the Tantur Hills Hotel, offering a diverse menu of European classics and local Arabic delicacies.

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