Jerusalem's culinary landscape offers a dazzling mix of ancient traditions and modern flavors, with an abundance of kosher dining options to explore. Yet, for both first-time visitors and seasoned travelers, navigating this vibrant scene can be a challenge. How do you find a restaurant that meets your specific kashrut standards? How can you easily book a table for your family near the Old City, or find the best falafel in the Shuk? This is where technology steps in, simplifying the entire process from discovery to dining.
This guide is designed to be your definitive resource for finding the best kosher restaurants in Jerusalem. We've compiled the 7 most essential and reliable websites and apps that locals and tourists use every day. Forget the guesswork and endless searching. We will walk you through each platform, providing a clear overview of its strengths, from food delivery and reservations to detailed kashrut information and user reviews.
Each entry includes a direct link to the platform and a screenshot to show you exactly what to expect. You'll learn which app is best for ordering in, which website has the most comprehensive directory for specific hechshers, and which tool is perfect for planning a culinary itinerary around the city's famous landmarks. Our goal is to equip you with the practical tools needed to confidently explore Jerusalem's food scene. This curated list ensures you spend less time searching and more time enjoying delicious, authentic kosher meals in the heart of the Holy City.
1. Wolt (Jerusalem)
Wolt is a leading food delivery app in Israel that has become an indispensable tool for locals and travelers alike. For tourists navigating Jerusalem, its English-language interface and dedicated kosher filters make finding a meal simple and stress-free. Instead of deciphering Hebrew-only menus or trying to confirm kashrut over the phone, you can browse, filter, and order directly from your smartphone.
The platform is a lifesaver after a long day of sightseeing or when you arrive late at your hotel. It aggregates a huge variety of kosher restaurants in Jerusalem, from local shawarma joints to upscale dairy cafes, allowing you to sample the city's diverse food scene without leaving your room. Integrating this app into your travel plans can be a game-changer, especially on days packed with activities. If you're building out your itinerary, having a reliable food delivery option is a key part of an effective Israel travel guide.
Key Features and Benefits
Wolt excels with its user-friendly design and powerful filtering capabilities. You can easily search for "kosher" and see a list of compliant restaurants in your delivery area.
- English User Interface: The app is fully translated, making it accessible for international visitors. Menus, order tracking, and customer support are all available in English.
- Kosher Filtering: A simple "kosher" tag helps you quickly identify suitable options. Many restaurants also specify their hechsher (e.g., Rabbanut, Mehadrin) in their description.
- Live Order Tracking: Watch your delivery progress in real-time on a map, with accurate ETAs so you know exactly when your food will arrive.
- Broad Coverage: Wolt has extensive coverage across Jerusalem's neighborhoods, from the city center to residential areas.
Practical Tips for Travelers
To make the most of Wolt, keep a few things in mind. Delivery fees can vary based on distance and demand, and surge pricing may apply during peak hours like lunchtime or Friday afternoons.
Pro Tip: If a restaurant's kashrut certificate isn't clearly listed in its Wolt bio, you can often find it by quickly searching the restaurant's name in Google Maps or on their official website. This extra step provides peace of mind.
While the app is a powerful tool for discovering kosher restaurants in Jerusalem, always double-check details if you have strict dietary requirements. Finally, consider using the pickup option if you're nearby to save on delivery fees and wait times.
- Website: Wolt Jerusalem
- Best For: Convenient delivery, English-language ordering, and a wide selection of kosher options.
2. 10bis (Cibus Consumer)
10bis is a household name in Israel, deeply integrated into the local dining and corporate culture. While widely known for its workplace meal benefit system (Cibus), its consumer-facing platform is a robust tool for anyone, including tourists, looking to order food. For travelers in Jerusalem, it provides an alternative window into the local food scene, often featuring neighborhood spots that may not be on other international apps.
The platform is particularly useful for exploring kosher restaurants in Jerusalem that are popular with residents and office workers. Its extensive network means you can find everything from quick, budget-friendly lunches to more elaborate dinner options, all available for delivery or pickup. Having access to an English interface on both the website and app makes it a highly practical option for navigating the city's culinary landscape without a language barrier.
Key Features and Benefits
10bis stands out with its deep vendor network and straightforward functionality. The platform makes it easy to filter and find exactly what you're looking for in your immediate vicinity.
- English Web and App Interface: Fully accessible in English, allowing international visitors to browse menus, place orders, and manage their accounts without any confusion.
- Kosher and Other Filters: You can easily filter search results to show only kosher establishments. Additional filters for cuisine type and location help narrow down the choices.
- Delivery and Pickup Options: Offers the flexibility to have food delivered directly to your hotel or to place a pickup order if you are exploring nearby.
- Extensive Local Network: Because of its popularity with Israeli businesses, 10bis often lists local favorites and smaller eateries, especially in areas with many offices, that you might not find elsewhere.
Practical Tips for Travelers
To get the most out of 10bis, it’s helpful to understand its local context. The platform is heavily used during weekday lunch hours, so plan accordingly to avoid longer wait times.
Pro Tip: While the "Cibus" feature is for corporate users, the regular payment options (credit card) are available to everyone. Don't be deterred by the business-centric branding; it's a powerful tool for any traveler seeking kosher restaurants in Jerusalem.
Some users note that the user experience can vary, and creating an account is necessary to browse fully. However, its unique selection of restaurants makes it a valuable resource for anyone wanting to eat like a local. For the best experience, use the mobile app, which is generally more streamlined than the desktop website.
- Website: 10bis English
- Best For: Finding local favorites, ordering from restaurants near business districts, and both delivery and pickup options.
3. Rest (rest.co.il / ZAP Rest)
Rest, also known as ZAP Rest, is Israel’s largest and most comprehensive restaurant directory and booking engine. For anyone planning a trip, it serves as a powerful research tool to discover the vast landscape of kosher restaurants in Jerusalem before you even arrive. While primarily in Hebrew, its detailed listings and powerful filters are indispensable for planning, offering a deep dive into the city's dining scene.
Unlike a delivery app focused on immediate gratification, Rest is built for the planner. You can find restaurants based on very specific needs, from kid-friendly cafes near a museum to large-capacity venues for a family event. It provides crucial details like hours, phone numbers, photos, and user ratings, making it easier to build a well-thought-out dining itinerary. The ability to book a table online directly through the platform for many establishments is a significant advantage.
Key Features and Benefits
Rest stands out with its incredibly granular search capabilities, allowing users to find exactly what they're looking for among the hundreds of kosher options in the city.
- Dedicated Kosher Filters: The platform has dedicated pages for kosher restaurants, which can be further filtered by hechsher level (e.g., mehadrin), cuisine type (dairy, meat), and even suitability for events.
- Online Reservations: Many listings integrate a live booking system, allowing you to secure a table in advance directly from the site, which is crucial for popular spots.
- Comprehensive Details: Each listing includes maps, photos, menus, opening hours, and user-generated reviews and ratings to help you make an informed decision.
- Practical Planning Tools: Filters for features like accessibility, parking, public transit access, and whether a restaurant is kid-friendly make it extremely useful for travelers with specific needs.
Practical Tips for Travelers
The biggest hurdle for tourists is the Hebrew-language interface. However, using your browser's built-in translation feature (like in Google Chrome) makes the site perfectly navigable.
Pro Tip: Look for the "הזמן שולחן" (Hazman Shulchan) button on a restaurant's page, which means "Reserve a Table." This is your gateway to the online booking feature, saving you a phone call.
Because the directory is so extensive, you might occasionally find an outdated or duplicate listing. It's always a good idea to cross-reference the opening hours or phone number with a quick search on Google Maps. Despite this minor drawback, Rest is the most powerful tool for researching and booking kosher restaurants in Jerusalem.
- Website: Rest Kosher in Jerusalem
- Best For: In-depth research, advance planning, and making online reservations.
4. eLuna
eLuna is a long-standing and trusted English-language resource specifically designed for kosher diners in Israel. Unlike general travel or food platforms, eLuna focuses exclusively on the kosher dining scene, providing curated write-ups, menus, and booking information tailored to an audience that prioritizes kashrut. For English-speaking tourists in Jerusalem, it serves as a reliable guide to vetted restaurants, taking the guesswork out of finding a suitable place to eat.
The platform is particularly valuable for its detailed descriptions, which often include the specific hechsher and insights into the restaurant's ambiance and specialties. It also uniquely offers discount vouchers and special deals for participating venues, making it a budget-friendly tool for travelers. By focusing on a curated list of kosher restaurants in Jerusalem, eLuna simplifies the search process and adds a layer of confidence for those navigating the city's complex kashrut landscape. Understanding the nuances of kosher observance can be complex, and resources like eLuna help bridge the gap; for deeper insights, you can learn more about how to manage keeping kosher in Israel.
Key Features and Benefits
eLuna's strength lies in its niche focus and the value-added services it provides to the kosher dining community. It’s more than a directory; it's a curated guide with financial perks.
- English-Language Curated Content: The site provides detailed, English descriptions of restaurants, including their history, cuisine type, and specific kosher certification.
- Discount Vouchers and Deals: Users can purchase vouchers for participating restaurants, often providing a significant discount on their meal, making dining out more affordable.
- Reservation Request Forms: The platform includes forms to request reservations, which are forwarded directly to the restaurant for confirmation.
- Kosher-Specific Information: Unlike generic platforms, eLuna prioritizes kashrut details, ensuring users have the information they need upfront.
Practical Tips for Travelers
To effectively use eLuna, it's important to understand how its voucher and reservation systems work. Reservations are not instant; you submit a request, and the restaurant confirms with you directly via phone or email, so plan ahead.
Pro Tip: Before purchasing a voucher, check the terms and conditions carefully. Some deals may have restrictions on days of the week or require a printed copy. It's also a good idea to call the restaurant to confirm they will accept the eLuna voucher before you go.
While eLuna is an excellent resource, remember that not every kosher restaurant in the city is listed or participates in its deals. Use it as a primary tool for discovering vetted options and potential savings, but supplement it with other resources for a comprehensive view of all available kosher restaurants in Jerusalem.
- Website: eLuna Reservations & Deals
- Best For: Finding detailed English reviews, securing discounts, and booking at established kosher restaurants.
5. Great Kosher Restaurants (GKRM) – Directory
Great Kosher Restaurants (GKRM) is a U.S.-based publisher and global dining directory that serves as an excellent planning resource for English-speaking travelers. While not an on-the-ground delivery app, its Jerusalem section is a curated list that helps you research and cross-check venues before your trip. It's the perfect tool for building a dining itinerary, allowing you to discover and verify restaurant details from home.
Unlike a delivery platform, GKRM functions more like a digital guidebook. It provides profiles for various kosher restaurants in Jerusalem, complete with contact information, links to official websites, and sometimes news about openings or special menus. For travelers who prefer to plan ahead or want to book directly with a restaurant, this directory streamlines the initial research process and reduces the risk of encountering non-kosher "false positives" in a broad search.
Key Features and Benefits
GKRM stands out as a pre-travel research tool. Its value lies in its curated, English-friendly database that helps you vet potential dining spots from anywhere in the world.
- Curated Kosher Listings: The editorial focus ensures that the listed restaurants are genuinely kosher, saving you time and effort in verification.
- Direct Restaurant Links: Listings often include links to the restaurant's official website, social media, or menu, providing a direct line to the most accurate information.
- News and Updates: The platform sometimes posts news about new restaurant openings, closings, or seasonal updates, which is valuable for frequent visitors.
- Global Directory: If your travels extend beyond Jerusalem, GKRM covers other cities worldwide, making it a consistent resource for kosher dining.
Practical Tips for Travelers
Use GKRM during your trip-planning phase to identify restaurants near your hotel or sightseeing spots. Since it's a directory, the depth of information can vary between listings, and it doesn't handle reservations or orders directly.
Pro Tip: After finding a promising restaurant on GKRM, click through to its official website to check for the most current menu, hours, and kashrut certificate details. Use the provided phone number to call and make reservations, especially for Shabbat or holiday meals.
Think of this platform as the first step in your dining research. It's ideal for discovering kosher restaurants in Jerusalem and gathering essential details, but you will need to use other platforms or contact the restaurant directly for the final steps of booking or ordering.
- Website: Great Kosher Restaurants
- Best For: Pre-travel research, verifying restaurant details, and discovering a curated list of kosher options.
6. YeahThatsKosher (formerly Kosher Near Me)
YeahThatsKosher is a global kosher directory that has become an essential resource for Jewish travelers. Its dedicated mobile app and website serve as a comprehensive database for finding kosher establishments worldwide, with extensive coverage in Israel. For tourists exploring Jerusalem, it acts as a digital compass, pointing you toward the nearest compliant eatery with critical kashrut information right at your fingertips.
The platform is specifically designed for the kosher-observant traveler who needs quick, reliable information on the go. When you find yourself in a new neighborhood after a tour, you can simply open the app and use its GPS-based feature to see a map of nearby kosher restaurants in Jerusalem. This eliminates the guesswork and language barriers, making spontaneous meal decisions easy and stress-free. Its focus on community-updated listings ensures the information stays current.
Key Features and Benefits
YeahThatsKosher excels with its straightforward, utility-focused design. It prioritizes giving users the core information they need: location, kashrut certification, and contact details.
- GPS-Based Discovery: The "near me" function is the app's standout feature, instantly showing you kosher options based on your current location.
- Detailed Kashrut Information: Listings often specify the hashgacha (kashrut supervision), such as Rabbanut Yerushalayim or a specific Badatz, which is crucial for those with strict standards.
- Community-Driven Updates: The platform relies on submissions from users and business owners, helping to keep its vast directory of kosher restaurants in Jerusalem and beyond fresh and accurate.
- Direct Contact Links: Each listing typically includes a phone number, a link to the restaurant's website, and sometimes even links for online ordering or reservations.
Practical Tips for Travelers
To get the most out of YeahThatsKosher, use it as your primary discovery tool when you're out and about. Since the depth of information can vary between listings, it's wise to use the provided links to double-check details.
Pro Tip: Before heading to a restaurant you find on the app, click the phone number to call ahead and confirm their hours and kashrut status. This is especially important around Jewish holidays or during the off-season when hours can change unexpectedly.
While the app is an invaluable starting point, remember that certifications can change. If a specific hechsher is a must for you, a quick verification call or a glance at the certificate in the restaurant's window is always a good practice. The app is a fantastic way to quickly scope out your options in any part of the city.
- Website: YeahThatsKosher
- Best For: On-the-go discovery, verifying kashrut certifications, and exploring kosher options in unfamiliar neighborhoods.
7. GoJerusalem (Restaurants section)
GoJerusalem is the city's official tourism portal and a vital planning tool for any traveler. Its dedicated restaurant section serves as a comprehensive guide, allowing you to align your dining plans with your sightseeing itinerary. For tourists, this platform is particularly useful because it organizes kosher restaurants in Jerusalem by neighborhood, making it easy to find a meal near major attractions like the Old City, Mamilla Mall, or Machane Yehuda Market.
The platform is designed specifically for visitors, offering English-language descriptions that highlight what makes each establishment unique. Instead of just listing names, GoJerusalem provides context, helping you choose between a historic cafe in the German Colony or a trendy spot downtown. Integrating this resource into your planning phase is a smart move; you can explore your dining options as you map out your daily activities, a key component of any effective guide for traveling in Jerusalem.
Key Features and Benefits
GoJerusalem shines as a trip-planning resource thanks to its location-based filtering and tourist-oriented content. It helps you build a practical and enjoyable dining schedule that fits seamlessly with your travel plans.
- Neighborhood and Attraction-Based Search: The ability to filter restaurants by location (e.g., "Old City" or "City Center") is invaluable for planning meals without backtracking across the city.
- Kosher Filter: A straightforward "Kosher" filter helps narrow down the extensive listings, although you must verify the specific hechsher for each restaurant individually.
- Interactive Map: The map view visualizes restaurant locations in relation to your hotel and key landmarks, helping you make geographically sound dining choices.
- Tourist-Focused Content: Descriptions are written in English and tailored to visitors, often mentioning ambiance, signature dishes, and group booking information.
Practical Tips for Travelers
To use GoJerusalem effectively, treat it as a primary planning tool rather than a last-minute booking site. Since it is a general tourism portal, not all restaurant information is updated in real-time, and reservation capabilities can be inconsistent.
Pro Tip: Use the GoJerusalem map to pin potential restaurants near each day's attractions. Once you have a shortlist, visit the restaurants' official websites or call them directly to confirm their kashrut certificate, opening hours, and to make reservations.
Always remember that GoJerusalem is not a dedicated kosher directory. You must use the kosher filter and then perform your own due diligence to ensure the certification meets your personal standards. This extra step ensures you can enjoy the fantastic kosher restaurants in Jerusalem with complete confidence.
- Website: GoJerusalem Restaurants
- Best For: Pre-trip planning, finding restaurants near major attractions, and getting tourist-friendly overviews.
Top 7 Kosher Restaurant Listings — Jerusalem
| Service | Implementation complexity 🔄 | Resource requirements ⚡ | Expected outcomes ⭐ / Impact 📊 | Ideal use cases 💡 | Key advantages ⭐ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wolt (Jerusalem) | Moderate — app + live ETA/payment integration 🔄 | Smartphone, account, payment method; possible delivery fees ⚡ | Quick delivery/pickup; reliable UX and tracking ⭐📊 | U.S. travelers wanting an English experience and immediate delivery 💡 | Strong Jerusalem coverage; English UI; kosher tags visible ⭐ |
| 10bis (Cibus Consumer) | Moderate — consumer + enterprise integrations 🔄 | Web/app account (JS required on web); workplace benefit setup possible ⚡ | Broad local vendor reach; workplace meal support ⭐📊 | Residents and office workers; employers using meal benefits 💡 | Deep vendor network in Jerusalem; workplace integration ⭐ |
| Rest (rest.co.il / ZAP Rest) | Moderate–High — directory + booking engine with rich filters 🔄 | Browser access (Hebrew UI common); translation helpful ⚡ | Comprehensive listings and booking-ready info; strong planning impact ⭐📊 | Detailed trip planning; filtering for mehadrin, events and logistics 💡 | Extensive kosher filters, reservations, maps and ratings ⭐ |
| eLuna | Low–Moderate — curated listings and reservation requests 🔄 | English site; reservation request form; may await venue confirmation ⚡ | Curated, English-friendly options with occasional voucher savings ⭐📊 | English-speaking diners seeking curated kosher options and deals 💡 | English writeups, vouchers/gift cards, reservation routing ⭐ |
| Great Kosher Restaurants (GKRM) – Directory | Low — publisher directory and editorial listings 🔄 | Web access; follow-out links to restaurant sites for booking ⚡ | Reliable cross-checks of contacts and kosher status; moderate impact ⭐📊 | Pre-travel verification by English speakers and planners 💡 | Editorial focus reduces false positives; links to official sites ⭐ |
| YeahThatsKosher (formerly Kosher Near Me) | Low–Moderate — app-first GPS discovery and community updates 🔄 | Mobile app or web; community-submitted updates; GPS access ⚡ | Fast neighborhood discovery with kashrut labels; variable depth ⭐📊 | On-the-go travelers needing nearby kosher info in Jerusalem 💡 | GPS "near me" discovery and noted hashgacha; app-focused ⭐ |
| GoJerusalem (Restaurants section) | Low — tourism portal with filters and map 🔄 | Web access; English descriptions aimed at tourists ⚡ | Neighborhood- and attraction-aligned recommendations; useful for planning ⭐📊 | Tourists planning meals near attractions (Old City, Mamilla, Shuk) 💡 | Official tourism content, interactive map and English orientation ⭐ |
Eat, Explore, and Enjoy Jerusalem with Confidence
Navigating Jerusalem's vibrant and diverse culinary landscape is an adventure in itself. With the right digital tools in your pocket, what once might have seemed like a daunting task becomes an exciting opportunity to discover your next favorite meal. This guide has equipped you with a comprehensive toolkit, showcasing seven distinct platforms designed to help you find the best kosher restaurants in Jerusalem, whether you're craving a quick falafel, a gourmet steak dinner, or a cozy cafe for coffee and cake.
You've learned that there is no single "best" app, but rather the right app for a specific situation. From the instant gratification of Wolt and 10bis for delivery to the detailed, community-driven insights of eLuna and Great Kosher Restaurants, each tool serves a unique purpose. Your journey through Jerusalem’s food scene is now streamlined, allowing you to focus less on searching and more on savoring.
Recapping Your Digital Dining Toolkit
Let’s quickly revisit the key takeaways from our deep dive into these essential resources. Understanding each platform's strengths will empower you to make informed decisions quickly, whether you're planning weeks in advance or making a spontaneous choice on a bustling Jerusalem street.
- For Immediate Cravings & Delivery: Wolt and 10bis are your go-to options. Wolt excels with its user-friendly interface and real-time tracking, making it ideal for tourists. 10bis, while popular with locals and corporate users, also offers a robust selection for anyone needing food delivered directly to their hotel or apartment.
- For Reservations & Local Favorites: Rest (rest.co.il) is the undisputed leader for booking tables at a wide range of eateries. Its integration with local dining culture makes it an indispensable tool for securing a spot at popular venues, especially on busy nights or weekends.
- For In-Depth Kashrut Information: When the specifics of a hechsher are your top priority, eLuna is the gold standard. Its detailed kashrut profiles, written by discerning reviewers, provide the peace of mind that many observant diners seek.
- For a Comprehensive Directory: Great Kosher Restaurants (GKRM) and YeahThatsKosher act as extensive encyclopedias of the kosher dining world. Use them for broad searches, to discover new places, and to get a general feel for the options available across different neighborhoods. GoJerusalem serves a similar purpose, with the added benefit of integrating restaurant discovery into a broader city-wide travel plan.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Culinary Journey
Armed with this knowledge, you can now build a personalized strategy for dining your way through the Holy City. Before you even pack your bags, consider downloading a few of these apps to your smartphone.
- Create Your Shortlist: Browse eLuna or GKRM to identify a handful of restaurants in the neighborhoods you plan to visit, like Mahane Yehuda, the German Colony, or the Old City. Pay attention to their cuisine type, price range, and, most importantly, their hechsher to ensure they align with your standards.
- Pre-Book Key Dinners: If there's a highly-rated restaurant you're determined to try, use Rest to make a reservation a week or two in advance. This is particularly crucial for Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night (Motzei Shabbat) dining.
- Prepare for Spontaneity: Have Wolt installed and set up with your payment information. This will be a lifesaver for those moments when you're tired after a long day of sightseeing and simply want a delicious, reliable meal delivered to you.
Remember, the digital world is a fantastic starting point, but the final confirmation happens in person.
Pro Tip: Always take a moment to look for the physical Teudat Kashrut (kashrut certificate) displayed at the restaurant's entrance. This confirms the establishment's current status and provides the ultimate assurance for your dining choice.
Exploring the incredible world of kosher restaurants in Jerusalem is a core part of the city’s experience. It’s a delicious way to connect with the culture, the people, and the ancient traditions that make this place so unique. With these tools, you are now fully prepared to eat with confidence, explore with curiosity, and enjoy every single bite. Beteavon!
Your journey through Jerusalem’s history, culture, and food has just begun. To deepen your understanding and connect even more with the city's soul, explore the rich resources and curated guides at My Israeli Story. We provide the context behind the places you'll visit and the foods you'll eat, turning a great trip into an unforgettable one. Discover more at My Israeli Story.
