The 7 Best Cafés & Coffee in Jerusalem

Marzipan is legendary in Jerusalem for one thing above all else: its rugelach, widely considered the best in the city and possibly the country. The café side is simple and unpretentious, but the pastry counter is a pilgrimage stop for locals and visitors alike. Expect a queue, especially on Fridays before Shabbat, and don't leave without a bag of the chocolate rugelach.

One of Jerusalem's oldest and most storied cafés, Kadosh has been serving the city since 1967 and remains a benchmark for Viennese-style café culture in Israel. The pastries — particularly the croissants and cream cakes — are exceptional, and the coffee is reliably excellent. It's perpetually busy and the tables are close together, but the old-world atmosphere and quality make it an essential Jerusalem experience.

One of Jerusalem's most serious specialty coffee operations, Roasters sits right at the edge of the Mahane Yehuda market and roasts its own beans on-site. The single-origin pour-overs and espresso drinks are among the best in the city, and the industrial-meets-market aesthetic is genuinely cool. It's small and fills up fast, especially on market mornings.

A beloved neighborhood institution near the Israel Museum, Café Bezalel draws a loyal crowd of academics, artists, and longtime Jerusalemites. The shakshuka and fresh pastries are standouts, and the shaded courtyard is one of the city's great outdoor sitting spots. Service can be slow during peak hours, so come with time to spare.

Hidden in the winding alleyways of Nachlaot, Café Bastet is a quirky, cat-themed neighborhood café beloved by the bohemian residents of one of Jerusalem's most charming quarters. The homemade cakes and strong coffee are the draw, and the tiny courtyard feels like a secret garden. It keeps irregular hours, so checking ahead is wise.

A cornerstone of the German Colony's café culture on Emek Refaim Street, Caffit has been a gathering place for secular, professional Jerusalemites for decades. The all-day breakfast is the thing to order, and the sidewalk tables are prime people-watching territory on a sunny morning. It's a chain with multiple branches, but this original location retains the most atmosphere.

A charming café-restaurant in the pedestrian heart of Nahalat Shiva, Agas & Tamar is known for its excellent homemade lemonade, fresh salads, and relaxed all-day dining atmosphere. The outdoor seating on the stone-paved alley is quintessential Jerusalem, and the menu balances café staples with more substantial dishes. It gets busy at lunch and on weekend mornings.