Eating establishments in the Old City vary in quality from absolutely horrible to surprisingly good. If you don't have a lot of time to search out a really good restaurant but still prefer to avoid a tummy ache, print this page and take it with you as you wander through the Old City alleyways and just outside its walls.

• Best Quick Meals
  1. Bagels

     Bagels in the Old City of Jerusalem are especially delicious. You can buy them for breakfast at the bagels wagons inside Jaffa gate or outside Nablus gate.

     Make sure you ask for zaatar spice, which will come wrapped up in a small piece of newspaper. You can pour it on, or dunk your bagel in it, but be sure to try it. The "real thing" with bagels is to dip it in olive oil AND Zaatar. You can buy Zaatar at the old city spice shops (or order it from our Jerusalem Tastes page!) and try this at home with bread.

     (Note: avoid the chickpea balls (felafel) that you see next to the bagels. Better you should buy felafel balls at a place where you can watch them being fried. That way you will know that they are fresh - and not standing in oil from yesterday or last week!)

     
     

  2. Humus

     Locals frequent Abu Shukri for truly delicious and authentic humus. It is located down the Via Dolorosa Street. If Abu Shukri's is too busy and you are starving, you might want to try Lina's up the Via Dolorosa street. It is an authentic humus restaurant where the locals eat their lunch. It isn't too clean but the humus is great.

     Excellent take-away humus is available until early afternoon across the street from Damascus (Nablus) Gate. A few shops further up the street you can buy fresh pita bread and nearby wonderful baked pastries and fresh sandwiches that you concoct yourself. Take your yummy meal and eat it on the lawn, high up on Paratroopers' Road next to the Old City Wall.

• Baked Goods in the Old City

  Baked goods galore are on sale at the lower part of David Street. These include breads, yeast cakes, sweet rolls, and oriental goodies.

• Whole Meals
  
  1. JerusalemShoppe highly recommends one restaurant in the Old City for atmosphere and entertainment.
     The Cullinarium is located on the famous Roman-Byzantine Cardo in the Jewish Quarter. Eat Roman-style food and become part of the show: as you enter you are handed a Roman toga to wear. And a waitress waves a big fan above your head while you eat. Sword-swallowing - and other surprises. You better call before, because sometimes it is reserved for groups.
     Phone: 0000000

     
     

  2. Philadelphia on A'Zahra Street out Nablus gate. Inexpensive, authentic Arab victuals. Great hospitality. Non-Kosher, open on Shabbat.
     Phone: 6289770

     They also have a branch on Shimon Hatzadik Street.
     Phone: 5822472

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