Jerusalem: The New Side of This Centuries-Old City

Jerusalem—a city synonymous with its deep religious history—is gaining some traction as a seriously modern destination thanks to a number of cool openings that rival even sister city Tel Aviv. It may be saturated with must-see tourist sites, but a refreshing crop of boutique hotels, unexpected culinary experiences, and hip bars balance out the serious side of the holy place. Visitors should absolutely visit the Old City, but they should also consider the contemporary luxuries that make Jerusalem not only a home for religious pilgrimage but also a legit pleasure-seeking locale for bons vivants.

StayThe Villa BrownSet in the central Russian Hill neighborhood, flanking the famous Ethiopian Orthodox Church and steps from the Jerusalem Light Rail, with Mamilla Mall and the Old City in close proximity, the newly minted 24-room Villa Brown is rife with history, having originally been the private residence of a wealthy Jewish doctor and an eclectic meeting point for socialites in the 19th century. In its current incarnation, the jewel-toned interior seamlessly merges Neoclassic and Art Deco design styles. For breakfast, linger on the bougainvillea-filled, sun-dappled patio and order the creamy msabbaha (a Levantine staple) among a myriad of mezze salads.

Gordonia Private HotelPerched high above the Jerusalem Hills in a stunningly landscaped enclave, the hotel’s 16 private suites offer round-the-clock private chefs and personal butlers, outdoor decks with private heated swimming pools, and pristine views of nearby vineyards.

EatHaSadnaHaSadna stands out for its unique industrial design–meets–workshop atmosphere, an extensive list of specialty cocktails, and expertly cured meats. The bartenders delight in doling out shots of arak (the local liquor of choice) and prime recommendations for what to sink your teeth into first. Don’t miss out on the steaks—head chef Lucas Sitrnovitch uses traditional cooking methods from his native Argentina to grill them to perfection.

MumaJust outside of Jerusalem’s city center, in the region’s thriving wine country, Muma is the locals’ in-the-know spot. It was named after the owner’s grandmother and takes cues from both sides of the family’s culinary roots. The dishes blend European influences with a Middle Eastern twist: Hummus is drizzled with truffle oil, and malabi, a local dessert, is topped with kadaif, a crunchy topping often used in Arab cuisine.

AnnaNamed for the prominent Jerusalem artist Anna Ticho, this picturesque restaurant is on the top floor of the Ticho House, a landmark mansion built by Ticho and bequeathed to the city upon her death almost 40 years ago. The lower floor displays her personal works alongside rotating exhibitions of leading artists, while the rooftop restaurant champions a social agenda, offering job training and experience to at-risk young adults. At first glance the menu seems like basic Italian fare, but the dishes are delightfully nuanced and as stunning as the views of the olive and fruit trees below.

PartyZutaThis intimate but hopping bar shares space with one of the top kosher restaurants in Jerusalem, 1868, so expect a delectable menu that perfectly complements the classic cocktails on offer.

GatsbyAlthough Gatsby is on one of Jerusalem’s most central streets, patrons enter this bar through a secret unmarked door leading to a sliding bookshelf. Expect ’20s-throwback decor with fiery swing music and a lively crowd downing signature craft cocktails.

IndulgeAkasha SpaPerched directly above the Mamilla Mall, as the exclusive spa of the Mamilla Hotel, Akasha is a welcome retreat after pounding Jerusalem’s pavement for hours on end. In addition to the signature treatments like the Seven Chakra Massage and The Four Elements—which combines hot stones, Reiki, and reflexology—the facilities include a Watsu pool, Turkish hammam, sundeck, fitness center, classes, and an organic juice bar.