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Jeanette's (ever-changing) list of fun things to do and places to eat in Israel

First, notes about TRANSPORTATION:
Make sure that the apps Moovit and Gett are on your phones and linked to your credit cards before you even arrive! Moovit is the best way to find out how to get around Israel. Pay for buses and trains with Moovit. Gett is the "Uber" of Israel. Use the buses in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem! With Moovit, they're easy. Traffic (even taxis!) is horrible. Take the train between Jerusalem - Airport - Tel Aviv. The train is fast, easy and fun. Just leave plenty of time to take the escalators down to the trains in Jerusalem!

J-Activites

Activities

Eating

Shops

Shul

A few of my favorite activities in Jerusalem...

  • Self-guided walking tours of neighborhoods. We love, especially, the Nahlaot and the Ramparts tours. Download the self-guided Ramparts Tour and walk along the Old City ramparts! You can now walk from Jaffa Gate to the Lion's Gate.  Great itinerary: self-guided tour of Nahlaot, lunch at Machane Yehuda, walk along Jaffa road to Mamilla, peak inside Waldorf Astoria, continue on to Old City, walk through Christian Quarter.

  • Tour the National Library. This gorgeous new building opened in 2023 and is interesting for the whole family. Next door to the Knesset and Supreme Court.

  • My dear friend Sheryl Sayah gives private Art and Food Tours around Jerusalem. She is also a docent at the Israel Museum and the National LIbrary.. Sheryl is an outstanding caterer too. Sheryl's contact info.

  • Rent a bike and bike the “Mesilla” (Train tracks) from the Tachana to the new Train Station in Malka… and beyond. The bike path is beautiful! You can loop around to the Knesset. Easiest to stay on the bike path and come back the same way. 

  • Machane Yehuda!! Nothing better. See some of the many fabulous restaurants below.

  • Hike (walk) in the new Gazelle Park. Lunch at Kaffit at the Botanical Gardens nearby.

  • Take the latest tours under the Western Wall. Fascinating!

  • The Tower of David Museum was reopened in 2023. The new exhibits are amazing. Toward the end, don't miss the high-tech interactive architecture modeling.

  • Tour the Supreme Court.

  • The luxury company Yvel gives tours of their showroom and studios (near Mevaseret). See magnificent jewelry and learn about their training programs for new immigrants. Be prepared for a bit of a hard sell on fine jewelry!

  • If you haven’t done it in awhile, tour the Knesset. Fascinating. Bring passports! Make a reservation online.

  • Walk from Abu Tor to the Tayelet (promenade) to the US Embassy, and then around Arnona, then back thru Rehov Caspi to Abu Tor.

  • Don't even try driving to the Old City. A bus leaves the Tachana parking lot every 20 minutes and takes you to the Old City. 

  • Church of the Holy Sepulcher has been renovated in the last few years. A must-see!

  • The Hurva Synagogue renovation is very cool. Take a tour.

  • Austrian Hospice (37 Via Dolorosa, in the Old City) sit outside and eat apple strudel

  • Climb to the top of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in the Old City. Magnificent views!

  • Hutzot HaYotzer (the artist’s colony across from Jaffa Gate). Visit our friends David Moss and Sharon Binder, the photographer Yaal Herman, and the other outstanding artists. 

J-Eating

Eating in Jerusalem​

  • Ishtabach is our favorite casual restaurant in Israel. Very casual but scrumptious. Rehov HaShikma, next to Machane Yehuda. They open at noon, open thru dinner. Go early before it gets too crowded. One veggie selection, mostly meat.

  • Best view in the world (and the food is outstanding) at the Mamilla Terrace restaurant on top of the Mamilla Hotel.

  • The best steak I've had in Israel: O2 at the Inbal Hotel. A first-class restaurant where you can have a quiet dinner with great service. Delicious fish, asian sides, gorgeous desserts.

  • If you're taking a long walk to the Tayelet, stop at Muffin Boutique or the new shwarma place right at the top of the Tayelet!

  • We really love the brunchy food at Cafe Nadi on Hillel St downtown. Delicious platters of Israeli dips, cheeses, bread.

  • This new restaurant is fabulous! Nah'man at Kikar HaMusika (off Rh' Yoel Solomon downtown). Delicious Mediterranean fish and pasta (dairy) in a fresh little restaurant. 

  • BEST sandwich I've had in my life: Rachel BaSdera. Casual (dairy) cafe that makes the most amazing (large) sandwiches on homemade bread. Their salads are also incredible. They deliver too!   

  • Great new (meat) restaurant outside Jlm, Naya. Modern, chic, Asian restaurant in the hills near Sataf. Delicious Thai buns with meat, dumplings, etc. Beautiful vibe and great service.

  • Also new: In Kiryat Anavim (same exit off Route 1 as Abu Ghosh) there are several fun new outdoor restaurants. We love Pop Up Cafe!

  • Best hummus at Hummus Ben Sira, downtown, Ben Sira St 3, off Rehov Jaffa. Open until 2am.

  • Gan Sippur at Gan Sacher has a welll deserved reputation for excellent food and a fun place to eat next to playgrounds, a park and beautiful lawns.

  • Jacko's Street is an excellent restaurant on Agrippas St near Machane Yehudah. Inventive food, great service and drinks.

  • Delicious "waygu" steaks at Black Iron. Price but excellent. Outside Machane Yehudah.

  • Eucalyptus is across from Jaffa Gate (in Hutzot Hayotzer). Unique delicious food. Expensive. 

  • Visit the Tehina King inside the shuk, across from Halva King. Very cool. They grind the techina on a stone.

  • New!! Knafeh stand in Machane Yehuda. FRESHLY made Knafe! On the main drag, near Halvah King.

  • Jachnun. “Malawe” bread, casual sandwiches. 30 HaEgoz, Machane Yehudah. Great bar, good prices. Very popular

  • Across from Machane, on Agripas: Joseph Burger Bar. Casual. Best hamburgers in Jerusalem! 

  • Pizza Flora - If you're not from New Haven, try their delish pizza! Corner of HaDekel and HaShikma

  • Basher is the best place for cheese and tastings. Inside Machane. They also have a restaurant near Machane Yehudah. 

  • Fishenchips. Delicious fresh fish, chips. In Machane Yehuda

  • Harvey’s Smoke House, new Kansas-City BBQ, Shim’on Ben Shatach St 7 (near Yoel Solomon)

  • Kadosh Cafe, BEST brunch in J-lm, Queen Shlomziyon St 6 (near Mamilla)

  • Pepito’s, Cuban Sandwiches in Machane Yehuda, New location on Agrippas. Outstanding!

  • Yehudit. If you like old-fashioned Israeli food (soups, kebab, salatim, etc) this is a great choice. Next to Machane Yehudah, recently renovated, they make their own pitot in a tabun on site. Delicious, nice, not expensive. Rehov Haarmonim 5

  • Modern, the restaurant at the Israel Museum. Excellent. Best deal is lunch (same food as dinner, but cheaper) or early dinner (by 5pm) for best prices.

  • Aricha Sabich, 83 Agripas. You haven't lived until you've eaten sabich (fried eggplant, whole egg, vegetables, sauces in a pita sandwich). ​

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NOTE: The Tachana (the old Train Station) on David Remez Street in Jerusalem is undergoing major construction. It's still fun to visit and there are restaurants, but for years now it's going to be a construction zone.​

J-Shops

Interesting shops in Jerusalem

  • Favorite clothing store in Jerusalem: Osfa (Rh’ Bet-Lehem, kitty-corner to Grand Cafe)

  • Eyeglasses: Optika Roim B'moshava (next to Super Hamoshava on Emek Refaim). They carry Theo brand.

  • In the Old City I really like the Sinjlawi Familiy Shop on David St (near the Jaffa Gate). Great ceramics, gifts, table cloths, embroidery, etc.

  • Best Gift Shop: Israel Museum (plus Hutzot Hayotzer, see above)

  • Nice boutiques on the alley next to Rh' Bezalel.

  • Interesting shop: Arab women’s embroidery cooperative near Damascus Gate: 02 6281377.  Call to make sure they’re still there.

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J-Shul

Our favorite Shul in Jerusalem

  • We love our very friendly egalitarian Masorti congregation: Kehilat Ma'ayanot, Arnona HaTzeira Community Center, 11 Israel Eldad Street

Tel/Jaffa/Neve

​​Tel Aviv/Jaffa/Neve Tzedek - Activities and restaurants

  • Book a walking tour of Carmel Market or Levinsky Market with Citrus and Salt

  • Shop the Basel Square neighborhood: Stores like Alef Alef (Rh' Ashtori HaFarhi), Shirruzi Shoes, and many more! Basel Square is bordered by Nordau Blvd. to its north, IbnGvirol to its east, Dizengoff St. to its west and Arlozorov to its south.

  • Shop at the boutiques in the Old North neighborhood along Dizengoff (from Sderot Ben Gurion up to Sderot Nordau)

  • Anu Museum (on campus of Tel Aviv Univ). Newish museum about Jewish life around the world. Great interactive exhibits!

  • Tel Aviv Art Museum

  • Sit in the sand at La La Land restaurant on the beach (sunset is gorgeous there)

  • Sabich Frishman - Frishman St 42. If you haven't had a Sabich sandwich yet... you must!

  • Tuesdays and Fridays: Nahalat Binyamin Craft Fair. Crafters from all over sell fun artsy items

  • Fabric stores in the Nahalat Binyamin neighborhood are really good!

  • Sarona Market is really fun to walk thru and eat lots of different foods.

  • Walk up and down the streets named after rabbis (Pinchas, Hanina, Nachman). Awesome clothing, jewelry, art. Many fun places!

  • Whiskey Bar is a delicious (kosher) restaurant. Upscale, meat.

  • Eat at Dr. Shakshuka, Beit Eshel St 3. Casual and DELICIOUS!

  • Rent a bike along the tayelet in Tel Aviv and bike down to Jaffa and up to Herzliya. Or bike along the Yarkon River.

  • Walk from Old Jaffa port to Neve Zedek, wander the galleries, shops and restaurants

  • Walk from Old Jaffa port up the boardwalk (along the Sea) to the Namal (Port in Old North Tel Aviv)

  • Among the many great design stores, go to Edition, 27 Shlush (home goods, design)

  • Gelato at Anita’s, Shabazi 40

  • Designer Clothes Collection in Tel Aviv &, Herzliya https://collectivecollection.com

  • Meshek Barzilai Vegetarian gourmet in Neve Tzedek, Ahad Ha’am 6   03-516-6329

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