Kosher & Jewish Travel Guide | Kosher Restaurants | Kosher Forum • YeahThatsKosher.com

If you’re a kosher traveler arriving to Jerusalem, you’ve pretty much arrived at kosher food mecca. It’s no surprise that finding kosher food in the holy city is as likely as bumping into your childhood friend on Ben Yehuda St. But what if you have more than one dietary restriction, like being a vegetarian? While most “dairy” restaurants [...]

Note from Dani: I rented with Noach Car Rental Agency in December 2012 – January 2013 and they helped me find the best rate with Hertz Israel. They helped me save even more by applying the “Shomer Shabbat” discount which means you won’t pay for the car on Shabbat – when you’re not using it [...]

Review by: @ArielleKlein Looking for a great, homestyle restaurant that you can take the whole family to in Tel Aviv? Then look no further than Odelya. It is an affordable place that serves delicious Sephardic delicacies. The cuisine ranges from Libyan to Moroccan to Tunisian. One of my favorite things about this place is how [...]

Contributed by: Joanna Shebson | Last Date of Travel: May 2011 Jerusalem  is often known for its religious significance but people don’t realize that its also a great place to experience extreme sports in a beautiful surrounding. In the last few weeks I had the opportunity to go snappeling (rappelling) & rock climbing with Challenge Tours (challengetours@gmail.com) in Valley [...]

Post by: Laurie Rappeport  | Author resides in Northern Israel Haifa has a reputation as a secular, Labor-affiliated city, but there are plenty of resources and touring opportunities for kosher travelers. Kosher Info:  Rondo Rondo is an elegant kosher meat restaurant which is located in the Dan Carmel hotel on Mt. Carmel in Haifa. The restaurant [...]

It is not often as a kosher consumer that you experience a unique kosher eating experience. Although there is more and more innovation in the kosher restaurant business, there are still plenty of subpar kosher places where adding a sushi menu is seen as innovative and are mostly frequented for the sheer ease and comfort [...]

For the many parents whose kids are off from school next week due to “Yeshiva Week” vacation, we know how tough it could be to keep the kids entertained for the week, whether you’re staying at home or heading on vacation. Here are some tips for those of you staying in (or headed to) NYC, [...]

Having just flown El Al, I can confirm that there is a need for more legroom and extra amenities in-flight. Now, while I can’t be one to complain considering how cheap my tickets were, I’m not sure whether to be excited or insulted that El Al is now offering an upgrade within Economy seating to [...]

Having spent a significant amount of time in Israel on and off for the past 14 years, I always relished my time spent in Jerusalem. One thing I did not love was the insane temperature swings that came with winter days in the city. The trick to packing yourself for heading to multiple climates all [...]

Last year I wrote about your options for renting a cell phone in Israel and I’m realizing, as I prepare for my next trip to Israel this winter, that I’ve oversimplified a very complex issue. The more research I’m doing, the more complex I’m realizing the landscape of options actually is for travelers to Israel. [...]

Contributed by: Laurie Rappeport | Last Date of Travel: December 2012 Kosher Information: Kibbutz Merom HaGolan Kosher Dining Room The Merom HaGolan kibbutz, along the eastern border of the Golan Heights, offers simple kibbutz-style dining to tourists who want a filling kosher meal while they’re traveling through the area. The dining area seats up to [...]

Contributed by: Laurie Rappeport | Last Date of Travel: December 2012 Kosher Information: Stupps, Moshav Amirim Visitors to Mt. Meron (Har Meron) and the Meron region can enjoy a dairy meal at Stupps in Moshav Amirim, 15 minutes west of Safed next to Mt. Meron. The menu is dairy and includes salads, appetizers, casseroles, soups, [...]

Contributed by: Laurie Rappeport | Author resides in Tzfat Kosher Info: Over the past 30 years the religious population of the city has increased along with tourists who expect to find high quality kosher food in the city. These days there are a wide range of kosher restaurants from which to choose. One of the [...]

By @AmySpiro, Israel correspondent Just about everywhere you turn in Israel during Chanukah you’ll encounter sufganiyot, or doughnuts. Supermarkets, gas stations, convenience stores, and yes, bakeries. And in all those places you can always pick up a powdered sugar-covered, strawberry jelly filled confection. Sometimes even chocolate or caramel filled too. But if you want to [...]

As some of you know, I'm always looking out for the best deals in Travel, especially as they relate to Jewish related Travel. I recently came across a post on Dansdeals that I immediately took advantage of.    Being a huge fan of Starwood hotels (and the SPG American Express card), I try and rack [...]

Text and photos by @AmySpiro, Israel correspondent UPDATED: No matter how much you fill yourself up on food while on vacation in Israel, you’re bound to get hungry when you face a two hour or longer wait at the airport before your flight home. Of all airports in the world, Ben-Gurion is probably the most [...]

Text and photos by @AmySpiro, Israel correspondent People regularly ask me for restaurant recommendations for a birthday or romantic date in Jerusalem, or what my favorite eatery is. But I almost never answer, or give them the answer they’re looking for, for two reasons. Firstly, I cook at home much more than I eat out, [...]

Just saw this posted to DansDeals.com and had to share this deal from Alitalia:   This deal is bookable right on the Alitalia USA site. Use the following “E-Coupon” code for 25% off on the page after selecting your desired flights: "SPECIAL" 25% off rules: Travel must be booked by 10/26 and begin between 11/05/12 [...]

Earlier this month a brand new kosher eatery & bar opened at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) (known in Israel as "נתב״ג") called "Schmoozy Tapas & Wine Bar". The large and spacious restaurant also includes a separate smoking lounge for travelers … which I was assured does not make the restaurant smell like smoke. The [...]

Article and photos by @AmySpiro On your trip to Israel, even if your home base is Jerusalem, chances are you’ll want to stretch your wings a little and visit the rest of the country. And unless you’re renting a car, you’ll probably end up at the Central Bus Station on Yaffo Road. It’s a busy [...]

Once you’ve had your fill of falafel and schwarma on the streets of Jerusalem, you’ll be happy to know that there is more variety to be had in Israel’s capital. Over the past couple of decades, Jerusalem has become a cosmopolitan city, with restaurants offering up cuisine from French to Chinese, Italian and Latin American. [...]

By @AmySpiro, Israel correspondent I have a soft spot for restaurants that serve basically just one type of food (see Pasta Basta, for example). I guess it is because I assume that if you specialize in just one food, you must be pretty good at it. (I have since been proved wrong on this, but [...]

Review & Photos by Hillel Fuld (@HilzFuld) So the David InterContinental Hotel Tel Aviv invited us to experience the hotel restaurant last night and give them my opinion on the new menu. Having visited the hotel before, I had high expectations, very high. But nothing prepared me for what I found when I got there. [...]

Very Impressive. El Al is doing the right thing here (in my opinion) and honoring the tickets sold this past Monday. On top of that, they are offering ticket holders the option to book a direct flight for an extra $75 since the reduced fares are all with stopovers in Europe. DOUBLE WOW. KUDOS.   [...]

Shalom from the Gush! Only minutes away for Jerusalem, is a unique cluster of Jewish communities known as Gush Etzion, aka “The Gush.” In Hebrew Gush means bloc. So in English these communities would be called the Etzion Bloc. The bloc has a rich history that represents Jewish nationalist idealism. Without getting into politics, today [...]

Photos and article by @AmySpiro, Israel correspondent It’s a popular tourist destination for visitors from all over the world, and with good reason. A trip through Mahane Yehuda, more commonly just called “the shuk,” is an experience like no other, and one you can spend 10 minutes or a whole day completing. I often pass [...]

Article by @AmySpiro, Israel correspondent Move over Ben Yehuda Street, there’s a new hotspot in Jerusalem, and it’s Emek Refaim. Of course that’s if hotspot means teeming with yeshiva and seminary students and tourists. The long street is located just South of the center of the city, about a 15 minute walk from downtown. Close [...]

I know. Burger King hasn't been in Israel in nearly 2 years since the Israeli burger chain, Burger Ranch (pronounced Booger R'aanch by Israelis), bought out BK in 2010, which was sad because I LOVED Burger King on Ben Yehuda 10+ years ago when I studied in Israel. Last year on my visit to Israel, [...]

Article and photos by @AmySpiro, Israel correspondent There are many restaurants that get their clientele from their locations on main thoroughfares. But it’s the ones hidden away from the public eye – and heard about by way of mouth – that often have the tastiest fare. Such is the case with Pasta Basta, a tiny hole-in-the-wall [...]

Article and photos by @AmySpiro, Israel correspondent for YeahThatsKosher If you haven’t been in Jerusalem in the past year or so, you’ll notice a new, modern addition zooming through parts of the ancient city. That’s the Jerusalem Light Rail. And while residents of the city have been grumbling and moaning about the construction and mess [...]

Here's a list of the Kosher restaurants open over Pesach chol hamoed in the Tel Aviv metro area, including many of the surrounding towns. If there is an update to this list, please comment below or tweet us at @YeahThatsKosher. Thank you and chag sameach! Eilat: Gallery Coffee    –   Beit Almog, 18 Hamelacha [...]

Here's a list of the Kosher restaurants open over Pesach chol hamoed in the Tel Aviv metro area, including many of the surrounding towns. If there is an update to this list, please comment below or tweet us at @YeahThatsKosher. Thank you and chag sameach!   Arnold's  –    Moshav Netiv Hashayara, Naharia -  04-9522211    [...]

Here's a list of the Kosher restaurants open over Pesach chol hamoed in the Tel Aviv metro area, including many of the surrounding towns. If there is an update to this list, please comment below or tweet us at @YeahThatsKosher. Thank you and chag sameach! Raanana: Ahuzaleh   -   128 Ahuza St  09-7400056  Non-kitniyot Borochov [...]

Here's a list of the Kosher restaurants open over Pesach chol hamoed in the Tel Aviv metro area, including many of the surrounding towns. If there is an update to this list, please comment below or tweet us at @YeahThatsKosher. Thank you and chag sameach!   Tel Aviv / Yaffo / Ramat Aviv: The 11th [...]

It should come as no surprise that when most Jewish restaurants shut down for the week, the kosher capital of the world becomes the "Kosher for Passover" capital of the world. So whether you’re visiting for the holiday, a native Jerusalemite or driving in from elsewhere in the country, there is no shortage of places [...]

This may be one of my most favorite lookout points in all of Israel, or in the whole world, especially with the beautiful Baha'i Gardens below. It's a site that can't be missed if you're touring Israel. [googleMap]map[/googleMap] I wanted to thank our sponsors for this Israel trip: ELDAN CAR RENTAL  

In my trip this past summer, I made sure to visit one of the most amazing locations in the country: Rosh Hanikra. It is rich in both history and beauty, and I highly recommend visiting the area when you're in Israel. [googleMap]map[/googleMap] I wanted to thank our sponsors for this Israel trip: ELDAN CAR RENTAL [...]

Traveling to Israel is something people do for vacation, business, visiting friends and family, as a student, or to attend a simcha. One of the things that nowadays is impossible to live without while traveling to Israel is your cell phone (mobile for you Brits and Aussies here). This is especially true if you get [...]

On our third day in Israel, we headed over to check out Tel Aviv and Yafo. We met up with a friend of Dani's (Jonah) who made Aliyah and lives in Tel Aviv. He showed us around the streets of Tel Aviv and took us to the Nachalat Binyamin Artists market, which they have on [...]

Contributed by: Dani Klein | Last Date of Travel: June 2011 Kosher Info: The title of this post is kind of misleading in that you're definitely going to find kosher places to eat in the Old City. In the Jewish Quarter that is. Don't expect to find anything kosher in the Christian, Muslim, or Armenian [...]

Thank you to Claire Horwich (@PrinceHorwich) for this review while she was in Israel recently.   Cafe Tapuz – Nehalim Street, Bazra Moshav, Israel Phone: 09-746-9322     Café Tapuz is located in an orange grove in Moshav Bazra (Batzra/Batsra/Basra – or however it is spelled in English) in the Sharon region of Israel (directly [...]

The Jerusalem Beer Festival is celebrating its 7th year at the city's historic train station, now a cultural center near Yemin Moshe and Katamon. Over 100,000 liters of more than a hundred brands from all over the world will be offered, mainstream, boutique and local brewed.

Tu B'Av (ט"ו באב), known locally in Israel as the holiday of love (חג האהבה), or the "Jewish Valentine's Day". For more info on the background of this minor Jewish holiday, click here. The Inbal Jerusalem Hotel is offering diners an unique experience at their Sofia restaurant with a special Tu B'Av menu and dessert. [...]

According to The Independent (original article), Switzerland and Israel topped the list of “Adventure Tourism”. Israel ranked top amongst “Developing Nations” (which is an odd placement if you ask me) and Switzerland topped the “Developed Nations” list. The 3rd annual Adventure Travel Development Index (ADTI) which ranked 195 countries, giving a score to each one [...]

Last month I had the opportunity to go on a half day kosher winery tour with My Israel Wine Tours, led by Esther Cohen. We visited two wineries in the Judean Hills, about 25-35 minutes outside of Jerusalem: Tzuba Winery & Tzora Winery. At Tzuba, we were shown the wine making facilities, explained the entire [...]

After recently getting back from Israel, I can tell you that there are multiple things you need to plan in advance before your trip. Finding your lodging, meals, and scheduling your activities are obviously all things you should think about doing way in advance of your travel to Israel. Renting a car is often one of those things left for last.

Contributed by Dani Klein | Last Date of Travel: June 2011 Kosher Info: You will not have a hard time finding kosher food in Rechovot, as the city is populated with kosher restaurants and quick off the street grub (think shwarma & falafel). The majority of the eateries are located in 3 areas, which, depending [...]

Since I settled into my first sublet blocks away from Kikar Rabin in 2006, I found myself defending the “holiness” and kashrut of Tel Aviv.  (For the record, it is possible to be an observant Jew in the “secular” city of Tel Aviv – I did it and most of my friends do it.)  During [...]

If you’re like me, you drool every time you pass a Cinnabon shop in the U.S. The way those cinnamon buns smell and look make me hungry and want to skip lunch just to try them. So we’re excited to report that Cinnabon is opening a Kosher shop in Tel Aviv by Rabin Square at [...]

Sandwiched between the Old City, the city center, and the fancy hotel district (the area with David's Citadel, King David Hotel, and the future Waldorf Astoria) is the magnificent outdoor Mamilla Mall. Not long ago, this area was empty for decades, with nothing more than a parking lot a few years ago. Today, this thin [...]