Whether you're looking for a souvenir for your family members back home, a nice housewarming present for your friends, or a holiday gift, Jerusalem is filled with beautiful works of artists, designers, and specialists of all fields that will transform your shopping experience into a real scavenger hunt game. Here is our Insider's guide to Jerusalem's most creative and unique stores.
Let's Go Gift Shopping! Top Unique Stores in Jerusalem
Nocturno Design Complex
Welcome to Nocturno - a cafe and an iconic haven in Jerusalem's heart. Esteemed by intellectuals, journalists, students, boutique designers, and business aficionados, Nocturno offers more than a stellar cup of coffee or a delectable meal. It's where the pulse of Jerusalem's vibrant culture beats the loudest.
Venture upstairs and immerse yourself in the extraordinary world of Nocturno Design. This avant-garde design floor is a testament to innovation and creativity, offering an expansive Open Space that showcases the works of leading Israeli fashion and lifestyle designers. This unique blend of local talent and exclusive international brands creates an unparalleled shopping experience. But that's not all. Nocturno Design is also home to three bustling studios where Jerusalem's finest designers weave their magic, crafting collections that resonate with the city's soul. Here, you can engage with the creators, share your thoughts, and become part of the creative process.
Category: Fashion/Accessories/Lifestyle/Handmade
Style: Classy & Unique
Perfect for: Anniversary/Birthdays/Housewarming/Birthdays/Holidays/Promotions
For whom: Yourself, romantic partner, friends
Where: 7 Bezalel Street, Jerusalem
Kameo - Eric Abecassis Jewelry Studio
Kameo, a unique jewelry studio boutique, stands as proof of the skill and artistic talent of its creator, Eric Abecassis. Eric, originally from France, arrived in the historic city of Jerusalem more than thirty years ago, driven by an unquenchable passion for designing jewelry. As soon as he arrived, he fully immersed himself in the local jewelry industry, perfecting his skills.
After spending years working behind the scenes for local jewelry sellers, Eric's creative spirit yearned for a way to express itself independently. This desire led to opening his boutique near the lively Bezalel Pedestrian Zone. Much like Eric's journey, the boutique's appearance combines elements of tradition and modernity, mirroring the essence of Jerusalem itself.
Category: Jewelry/Judaica/Handmade
Style: Classy & handcrafted
Perfect for: Engagement/Wedding/Anniversary/Birthdays/Bar-Bat Mitzvah/Brit
For whom: Yourself, romantic partner, family, friends, children
Where: 8 Shmuel HaNagid Street, Jerusalem
Lafayette Italy
Lafayette Italy is a long-standing shoe chain that was founded 85 years ago. Throughout its history, the store has consistently maintained an exceptionally high-quality standard, offering orthopedic comfort and luxurious Italian fashion. When you enter the store, you will discover a wide selection of unique and fashionable models catering to those who appreciate current and distinctive styles and timeless classics that everyone needs in their shoe collection. Each shoe and bag is meticulously designed and created with careful attention to the most minor details; most of the items are 100% handmade.
Category: Fashion & accessories
Style: Classy & elegant
Perfect for: Birthdays/casual
For whom: Yourself, romantic partner, family
Where: Mamilla Mall, Jerusalem
Avi Luvaton
There’s no denying that Avi Luvaton is one of the best jewelers in Israel and the whole world. His unique designs combine modern aesthetics and Jewish tradition, radically changing the Judaica world. Luvaton sees the Judaica as an art of its own. His designs originate from impeccable attention to detail; every work comprises the best materials. The artist has over three decades of experience and continual inspiration. These factors are the reason visitors from all around the world are paying a visit to his studio. You’re welcome to schedule a visit to the studio any time and see the unique items and collections you won’t see anywhere else.
Category: Jewelry/Judaica/Handmade
Style: Classy & Traditional
Perfect for: Engagement/Wedding/Anniversary/Birthdays/Bar-Bat Mitzvah/Brit
For whom: Yourself, romantic partner, family, friends, children
Where: Mamilla Mall, King Solomon Str. 16. David Citadel Hotel, King David Str. 7.
Moria
Are you curious about Jewish Literature? Moria is the largest Jewish bookstore in the Old City and the perfect place to explore your connection to the historical and spiritual wealth of the Jewish people. Walking around the store, you'll notice Psalms and Bible books with stylish and elegant covers. You will also find a vast collection of Jewish Thought books. Surprisingly, this is also a great place to get a Tallit or a new Mezuzah for your house. Besides the books and the unique products the store offers, there's one more reason to visit it (and a possible gift idea). The store has its own Sofer Stam (a person who specializes in transcribing the Bible) who will look up the perfect Bible verse for you and write it on a beautiful and authentic parchment.
Category: Books/Art/Philosophy/Judaism/Spiritual/Judaica/Biblical
Style: Intellectual& Spiritual
Perfect for: Welcome gift/Farewell gift/Housewarming/Birthdays/Souvenirs/Holidays
For whom: Yourself, Family, Friends, Colleagues
Where: 40 Misgav Ladach Street, Jerusalem
Baltinester Jewelry & Judaica
Baltinester is one of the first Judaica and Jewelry stores to open in Jerusalem. This family-owned business, run by the Baltinester brothers, has been producing and selling handmade gold and silver crafting for 60 consecutive years now. The jewelry pieces are classy and of high quality, and it's a great place to find something beautiful to wear for every day and for special events. If you've got your heart set on diamond rings, Magen-David, or hamsa pendants, or gemstones in all colors and sizes, this is the place to go.
Category: Jewelry/Judaica/Fashion/Style/Handmade
Style: Classy & Romantic
Perfect for: Engagement/Wedding/Anniversary/Birthdays/Bar-Bat Mitzvah/Brit
For whom: Yourself, romantic partner, family, friends, children
Where: 31 Jaffa Street, Jerusalem
Gaya - Brain Games
If you're into more alternative and challenging things, we recommend Gaya – Brain Games. The store has a collection of more than 600 different games for all types of people and all ages. You'll find strategy games, such as Chinese checkers, toys and games made of steel from various centuries, Rubik's cubes, and all kinds of fun and intriguing items.
Category: Games/Home Décor/Office Décor
Style: Alternative & Intelligent
Perfect for: Housewarming/Birthdays/Holidays/Promotions
For whom: Family, Friends, Children, Colleagues
Where: The First Station, 4 David Remez St., Jerusalem
Elia Photo Service
There's an excellent chance that visiting this small store in the Christian Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem is all you need to understand the history of New and Upcoming Jerusalem in the 20th Century. Photo Elia was founded by George Cabadian, the son of the legendary photographer – Elia Cabadian, who started documenting the city in 1924. Cabadian escaped from the Armenian Genocide in Turkey in 1915 and ended up in Jerusalem. The place holds the original negatives of Cabadian's photos depicting the various peoples who had lived and passed through Jerusalem. In addition, you will find spectacular nature photos that reveal the many landscape changes that the city has undergone.
Category: Art/Photography/Décor/History/Culture/Travel/Jerusalem
Style: Artistic, Rare & Exclusive
Perfect for: Souvenir, Housewarming, Holidays, Farewell gift
For who: Art lovers, history lovers, professional &amateur photographers, yourself, family, friends, colleagues
Where: Maalot E-Khanka, Christian Quarter, Old City of Jerusalem
Israel Coins & Medals Corp
Well, it usually works the other way around: you get to a store, pull coins out of your pocket, and get some goods. In this store, you buy the actual coins. ICPC was founded in 1958 by David Ben Gurion with a clear objective – actively commemorating the young state's events, influencers, culture, society, and art. The store has a vast collection of coins and medals in all shapes, sizes, and themes. You'll find gold coins with Samson in the house of the Philistines, silver medals with the portrait of Moshe Dayan, fig leaves, beautiful Akko, Western Wall, and even a 10-coin collection of the 10 Commandments. It is a truly majestic journey for every history lover and tourist!
Category: Coin Collecting/History/Culture/Travel/Jerusalem/Israel
Style: Original & Intriguing
Perfect for: souvenirs, holidays, farewell gifts, graduation gifts, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, and bar-bat mitzvahs.
For whom: Coin collectors, History lovers, Family, Friends, Romantic Partners, Colleagues
Where: Mamilla Mall, Jerusalem