The Secret Life of Mea Shearim: A Tour of Bakeries and Cholent Restaurants

When was the last time you peeked into the neighbors’ courtyard? You are about to travel back in time! Hold on tight!

Join us for a special tour that will take you into the secret and fascinating world of the Mea Shearim neighborhood and the ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods.

Rumors on Jerusalem’s streets have it that something unusual happens in the Mea Shearim neighborhood on Thursday evenings. Even Jerusalemites who were born and raised there are unaware of the fascinating world unique to Thursday nights in Mea Shearim.

In the evening, the neighborhood becomes bustling and crowded, as women and yeshiva students fill the streets and busy themselves with preparations for Shabbat. In hidden stairwells, cholent eateries open, where genre enthusiasts, neighborhood residents, and visitors sit on crates and taste the best cholent in the country. Those who know where to go will also find amazing bakeries, kugel unlike anything they have ever tasted, and herring in a variety of forms and flavors.

During the tour, we will peek into the vibrant life of the Hasidic courtyards, hear about the social divisions, schools, shtiblach, and local market; from time to time, the sounds of Hasidic melodies will emerge, and we will taste local delicacies.

This is a rare opportunity to catch a glimpse of this fascinating world, uncover local secrets, and have an engaging conversation with the neighbor we have never spoken to.

Tour duration: Approximately 2.5 hours
Thursdays: 17:30–20:00
The tour begins at 17:30 (it is advisable to arrive a few minutes early).

Tastings available for an additional fee: Cholent (meat or pareve), challah/pastry, kugel, and pickles.

It is important to arrive in modest clothing: a dress/skirt, or a scarf/shawl worn around trousers, and a shirt with sleeves.

About the guide:
The tour is led by Yosef and the team of guides. Yosef is a tour guide who was born and raised in Jerusalem. During his childhood, he often spent time with his family in the Mea Shearim neighborhood, where his grandmother lived. Yosef will lead you to the hidden and unique places, among the figures and Hasidic courtyards distinctive to the neighborhood, and together you will discover the locals’ secrets and the area’s unique way of life.