A trip to Israel would be incomplete without exploring the heart of the gastronomic scene: Jerusalem’s food markets. On this 6-hour tour, we’ll start with a classic short tour of the Old City before we dive into an afternoon of culinary discovery, exploring the Arab market and the renowned food mecca of Machane Yehuda. During our time together, we’ll taste a range of foods, drinks, and snacks which have survived thousands of years of religious and cultural transition, relishing Jerusalem’s intermingling of Sephardic, Mizrahi, and Ashkenazi cuisines. This is a tour designed specifically for those wanting to combine some of Jerusalem’s classic sites with a deep dive into the history and evolution of Jerusalem’s cuisine (including a plethora of food tastings). 

Our tour begins at Jaffa Gate, from where we’ll spend a couple of hours exploring the Old City. We’ll stroll through centuries of history as we cross through the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Quarters, visiting sites like The Holy Sepulchre, the Roman Cardo, and the Hurva synagogue. Next, we’ll move towards the gastronomic theme of our tour as we potter through the Arab market in the Old City. The sights, smells, and sounds surrounding us will carry us back centuries, as we see this bustling world of the marketplace unfurl before us. We’ll see mountains of spices, taste fresh pita, hummus and shawarma (we may also taste some delicious Kebab and sweet baklava). 

As a contrast to this ancient market, we’ll then walk through Jerusalem to Machne Yehuda for a more modern alternative. With the help of our expert guide, we’ll learn about the history of this market and the range of colorful local produce on display. We’ll see (and taste) firsthand the ingredients used in everyday Israeli cuisine, from fresh fruits to nuts to cakes and pastries to sodas and healing medicines. Along the way, we’ll pop into some of our favorite local family-run restaurants and stalls to taste food such as Georgian Khachapuri, healthy pomegranate juice, and great Israeli beers.

By the end of our private food tour of Jerusalem, we’ll have tasted a variety of local specialties and discussed the evolution of Israeli food over the centuries while exploring Jerusalem’s Old City. We’ll realize the influences of different ethnic and religious populations on the city’s deliciously distinct gastronomy, a true melting pot of tastes and flavors.

The tour includes a range of tastings and your time with a private guide.

How many tastings are included in the tasting fee?
You'll experience a wide range of food, drink and sweet tastings, these will replace a meal so come hungry!

I have dietary restrictions. Can I take this tour? 
We can happily adapt the tour to account for dietary restrictions. Please let us know in advance so we can tailor the tour to your needs. Please note that if you have severe allergies we cannot guarantee that the foods prepared in restaurant kitchens will not be subject to cross-contamination.

Is this tour possible for reduced mobility?
Yes, we can certainly adapt this tour for those with reduced mobility. Please let us know what your needs are in your client notes.