Demi Perera spreads the word about what wows her about Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is certainly an interesting place. Now that maybe stating the obvious but there’s something very contemporary happening and it’s hard to ignore. The city’s millennials are redefining it with one of the coolest underground movements since the hipster take over of Shoreditch in London. Here’s a list of places where it’s all happening.
Machne Yehuda
Street food is very much a thing in Jerusalem and Machne Yehuda is the place to be. There are no less than 105 Jewish communities in the area with street after street of cafes serving up some of the best food I’ve ever had. Iraqi, Kurdish and Ethiopian are some immigrant communities contributing to this fusion of soul food. Rachmo serves up as authentic a hummus as you would ever taste and it appears hip young locals cannot get enough of it.
However, don’t fill up too soon because you will definitely miss out. Follow the crowds and try a few places. Most cafes do not have names – locals just know they exist because they’ve been there for decades.
Yehuda Market
Market by Day …
This partly open-air market sells fruit, veg, bread and anything else you would normally expect to find in a market around the world. However, THAT is during the day. By night it transforms into an unrecognisable hipster hangout.
Hipster capital by night …
After sun down each dark alley fills with young Israelis eating and drinking at brightly-lit pop up bars and food stalls. It’s all craft beers and slate plates. Urban legend has it that it began with two graffiti artists, from London, painting over the shutters of a market stall. Soon other stall holders were secretly inviting them to paint over theirs too. It is said that the whole market was painted for only the cost of materials. The rest, as they say, is history.
The food and drink alleys sit between Jaffa Street and Agripas Street. Think Brixton, Shoreditch, Peckham, Dalston. By sunrise it’s all cleared away and the market goes back to its day job.
Segway Your Way to First Stop
Yes, it’s possible to take a segway in Jerusalem (at any age). It’s certainly more fun than walking. Go past old institutions such as St. David’s Hotel and the YMCA and arrive in style at First Stop. It’s an old revamped train station turned trendy market of independent designers, artisan food and lattes.
The space itself is a celebration of multi-cultural / multi-faith Jerusalem. A live band provides the music while you stroll and browse to be seen.
Uber Cool Night Life
As with any city the most interesting part of Jerusalem’s cultural revolution is in its nightlife. The city enjoys too cool for school joints with incredible house and techno music in underground places only for those in the know. Yes, they’re too dark to photograph and entrance is strictly by recognition only.
Gatsby was the best of the bunch. A cocktail room with an unmistakable 20s vibe. It has a hidden entrance, dusty candlestick phones and flaming cocktails are served by bartenders with moustaches Hercule Poirot himself would have been proud of. Be nice to the bouncer and entrance is guaranteed.
In collaboration with Jerusalem Development Authority. For more information visit itraveljerusalem.com.
WIZZ Air flies to Tel Aviv from London Luton on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from £102.99pp one way. For further information visit wizzair.com.
Yehuda Hotel – Double room prices start from £112pp (breakfast included). To book visit byh.co.il.
Guided Segway tours with Zuzu tours – Tours start from £37pp. For more information visit zu-zu.co.il.
