Best places for a warm soup in a Jerusalem winter

Jerusalem winters can be surprisingly cold, especially in the evenings when temperatures drop across the Old City’s cobble stone streets. During this season, soup becomes more than just a meal. It is a source of comfort, tradition, and warmth. From long-standing kubbeh institutions to modern cafés serving seasonal bowls, these are some of the best places in Jerusalem to enjoy a warm, comforting soup.

Azura is one of Jerusalem’s most iconic food institutions, located inside Mahane Yehuda Market. The restaurant focuses on traditional Iraqi and Kurdish home cooking, with soups and stews prepared slowly throughout the day. Its kubbeh soups are especially popular in winter and draw both locals and visitors looking for an authentic Jerusalem experience.

Address: Ha-Eshkol St 4, Mahane Yehuda Market, Jerusalem
Phone: +972-2-623-5204
Why: A legendary spot for rich kubbeh soups that have become a winter ritual in Jerusalem.

Hamarakia, meaning “The Soupery,” is a small, casual restaurant in central Jerusalem dedicated almost entirely to soup. The menu changes daily and usually includes several vegetarian and vegan options, all served with fresh bread. It is a dependable choice for a warm and simple winter meal.

Address: Koresh St 4, Jerusalem
Phone: +972-2-625-7797
Why: Daily changing soups with plenty of vegetarian options, ideal for cold days.

Ima is a long-standing Jerusalem restaurant known for Kurdish and Iraqi cuisine, with a strong emphasis on kubbeh soups.  The restaurant serves traditional soups that many locals associate with home-style winter comfort.

Address: Ha-Rav Shmuel Barukh St 55, Jerusalem
Phone: +972-2-624-6860
Why: Authentic kubbeh soups rooted in Kurdish and Iraqi culinary traditions.

Tmol Shilshom is a historic café-restaurant hidden in a quiet courtyard in downtown Jerusalem. Alongside its literary atmosphere and baked goods, the menu often includes seasonal soups that make it a cozy place to escape the cold during winter.

Address: Yo’el Moshe Salomon St 5, Jerusalem
Phone: +972-2-623-2758
Why: A warm, atmospheric café offering seasonal soups in winter.

Modern is located inside the Israel Museum and is known for contemporary Israeli cuisine with a seasonal focus. During the winter months, the menu regularly includes freshly prepared soups making it a refined but comforting option after your visit to the museum. The setting is calm and elegant, offering a quieter soup experience compared to the shuk.

Address: Derech Rupin 11 The Israel Museum, Jerusalem
Phone: +972 2-648-0862
Why: Seasonal, well-executed soups served in a relaxed museum restaurant setting.

The Inbal Hotel hosts a seasonal winter soup festival that has become a recurring tradition in Jerusalem for the past 12 years. Running for a limited time during the colder months, the festival features a variety of soups and freshly baked breads prepared by the hotel’s kitchen and attracts both locals and visitors.

Address: 3 Jabotinsky St, Jerusalem
Phone: +972-2-675-6666
Why: A seasonal opportunity to enjoy multiple winter soups in one location.

The Ramada Jerusalem Hotel hosts a seasonal winter soup festival that has become a popular cold-weather attraction for locals and visitors. The festival features a rotating selection of freshly prepared soups served in a casual buffet-style format, usually available for a limited period during the winter months, November to February. It is known for offering a wide variety of flavours in one setting, making it ideal for soup lovers.

Address: Ze'ev Vilnai St 6, Jerusalem, 91033, Israel
Phone: +972-2-659-9999
Why: A seasonal winter event offering multiple soup varieties in a comfortable hotel setting.

Morduch is a small, family-run restaurant near Mahane Yehuda Market that has been serving Miiddle Eastern comfort food for decades. Its kubbeh soup is the main attraction, known for its rich broth and generous portions, making it a favorite winter stop in the shuk area.

Address: Agripas St 70, Jerusalem
Phone: +972-2-624-5169
Why: A trusted Mahane Yehuda classic for hearty kubbeh soup.

Mian Noodles offers a different take on winter comfort, specialising in Asian-style noodle soups and warming broths. Its ramen and soup bowls are especially popular during colder months and provide a satisfying alternative to traditional Middle Eastern soups.  Mian is located just across Mamilla hotel ...easy to miss yet worth the visit. 

Address: Shlomo Ha-Melekh St 22, Jerusalem
Phone: +972-2-994-4333
Why: Deep, warming noodle soups that are perfect for a cold Jerusalem evening.

Etz Café is a popular neighbourhood café and brunch spot that also serves seasonal soups during the winter months. Its relaxed, homy setting and warm dishes make it a comfortable option for a casual winter lunch or early dinner.

Address: Yanai St 3, Jerusalem
Phone: +972-53-365-0913
Why: Cozy café atmosphere with rotating winter soup options.

From traditional kubbeh kitchens in Mahane Yehuda to cozy cafés and seasonal soup festivals, Jerusalem’s winter soup scene reflects the city’s diverse culinary culture. Whether you are after something deeply traditional or a modern bowl of comfort, these spots offer some of the best ways to warm up during a Jerusalem winter.