The Best Restaurants of the Jerusalem Hills
Spread over the area to the north, east and south of the city, the Jerusalem Hills are one of the most picturesque parts of the country throughout the year. Locals and tourists alike flood the hills on weekends and holidays for hikes, picnics, sightseeing and much more.
While nature is the biggest draw, as long as you’ve made the trip, you won’t want to miss out on the charming restaurants spread about in Nes Harim, Shoresh and other small towns in the Jerusalem Hills.
It goes without saying that we have a few recommendations…
TOP 5 RESTAURANTS IN THE JERUSALEM HILLS
RAMA’S KITCHEN
Perhaps the most popular and well-regarded restaurant in the Jerusalem Hills, Rama’s Kitchen in the town of Nataf attracts diners from all over the country. The restaurant has been around for over 20 years, serving the highest standard of home-style cooking with a touch of Arabic and French cuisine. The lunch and dinner menu consists of various meat, fish, delectable vegetable dishes and fresh flatbreads straight from the taboon oven, but if you get there early(-ish), you can also sample from their rich brunch menu.
Rama’s Kitchen is only open on the weekends for brunch, lunch and dinner, but during the week it’s available for private event bookings.
Where: Nataf, Israel
Hours: Thursday-Saturday from 10:00 am to 9:30 pm
Contact: 02-570-0954
MAJDA
Just outside of the famous village of Abu Gosh you can find Majda restaurant in a charming old house in the village of Ein Rafa. Majda serves up gourmet-style, locally-inspired cuisine, including dishes like slow-cooked lamb over couscous, chicken pastilles, sea bass stuffed with mangold leaves and klamata olives and twists on classics like shrimp falafel, among other inspired items made only from the freshest local ingredients. Majda is open on weekends starting Thursday afternoon, and Friday and Saturday you can indulge in some weekend brunch.
Aside from its tantalizing menu, gorgeous views and welcoming atmosphere, Majda is also well-known for its appearance on the popular television show Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown.
Where: Ein Rafa, Israel
Hours: Thursday from 12:00 to 4:00 pm; Friday from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm; Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Contact: 02-579-7108
MUMA
Located in the village of Kiryat Anavim, Muma combines a unique design with delicious cuisine to create a special dining experience. In addition to a varied menu of meat, seafood, fish, pasta, vegetable dishes and more, Muma also hosts live music on Tuesdays and other nights, depending on the week. Moma is named after the son of Eliezer Ben Yehuda, the father of modern Hebrew, and the owner’s grandmother.
Where: Kiryat Anavim
Hours: Sunday from 7:00 am to 1:00 am; Monday-Thursday from 12:00 pm to 1:00 am; Friday and Saturday from 11:00 am to 1:00 am
Contact: 02-645-9727
MUSA BAHAR
In the village of Shoresh, west of Jerusalem, you can find Musa Bahar. The restaurant is known equally for its fine French-inspired cuisine and it’s breathtaking panoramic view of the Judean Hills. We recommend going on a warm and clear day, so that you can enjoy your meal on the restaurants luxurious patio with a prime view.
Where: Shoresh, Israel
Hours: Monday-Friday from 9:00 am to 11:00 pm; Saturday from 12:00 to 11:00 pm
Contact: 02-624-6897
ORA BORA
Less fine cuisine and more local joint, Ora Bora is a casual dining establishment serving home-cooked food in a uniquely designed space, featuring odd items like eclectic furniture, aquariums, traffic lights and other decorations that make it an enjoyable place to enjoy a drink and a bite to eat. Owner Roy Danin opened Ora Bora essentially so that he and his neighbors could have a local place to enjoy a beer in good company instead of making the trek into the city. At the bar, you’ll find a jovial atmosphere, good drinks and sports playing on the televisions.
The no-frills menu includes dishes like “stoplight” kubeh soup, a selection of 3 other soups, focaccias and a hummus that can stand up with the best of them.
Where: Ora, Israel
Hours: Sunday from 6:00 to 11:00 pm; Monday-Thursday from 12:00 to 11:30 pm; Friday from 10:00 am until an hour before Shabbat; Saturday from 7:30 to 11:30 pm
Contact: 02-571-2666
PICHONKA
Photo: Courtesy of Pichonka
The charming Pichonka restaurant is located in Nes Harim, one of the most picturesque villages in the Jerusalem Hills. The varied kosher menu includes meat, fish, salads and breakfast all at reasonable prices, which you can enjoy while overlooking the lush green landscape, mountains and streams of the Jerusalem Hills from the restaurant’s massive patio seating area.
Pichonka also hosts group meals and events up to 400 people.
Where: Nes Harim, Israel
Hours: Sunday-Thursday from 10:30 am to 10:30 pm; Friday from 10:00 am until an hour before Shabbat
Contact: 02-579-9904
Featured image: Courtesy of Rama’s Kitchen