Jaffar Sweets

Jerusalem

DESTINATIONS israel jerusalem Cafés Jaffar Sweets

Jaffar Sweets

A highly recommended destination for typical middle eastern pastries, Jaffar Sweet is said to prepare the best knafeh pastry in all of Jerusalem. Knafeh is based on goat cheese and syrup, and it's a must try. Other specialities are murtabah, a stuffed pancake, and burma, a wrap of twisted dough and cashews. The pastry shop is tucked away in a busy, crowded street of the Muslim Quarter market. Search for it among clothing and souvenir stals: you won't regret it.

Useful Information

Address: Beit HaBad Street, Muslim Quarter, Jerusalem

Cafés

Coffee culture in Jerusalem is well established: European expats have imported the cosy, relaxed Viennese-style coffee houses, and you'll find plenty of atmospheric places to take a break, have a chat, and possibly mingle with locals. Along with espressos and iced coffees, cafés often serve Turkish coffee: it is prepared by pouring boiling water over fine-ground coffee beans, and often flavoured with cardamom. Tea is another favourite that comes in a variety of flavours and brews. Other typical drinks are 'lemonana', made from fresh lemons and mint, and 'sahlab', prepared with cornstarch, topped with cinnamon or pistachio, and commonly drunk in winter. Make sure to try some typical pastries as well: kugel pudding, Ashkenazi babka (a sweet yeast pie), and 'bourekas' (filled pastries from Eastern Europe).