Jerusalem Travel Forum

Would appreciate any feedback from VT Members about this restaurant and their special evening entertainments. Are reservations easy to get? Can we dine outside during early November? Thanks, Marsha

Ticho House is a nice little dairy cafe with seating either inside, in the landmark stone building that belonged to Anna Ticho (an artist) and her eye doctor husband in the 19th century, or outside in the garden. Reservations shouldn't be a problem, although they may have private catered parties on some nights. Sometimes there are concerts in the daytime - there is a grand piano on the second floor (which contains the Tichos' original furniture and a selection of Anna's fabulous drawings of the rocky Jerusalem landscape). Dining outside depends on the weather - it could rain in November, and evenings in Jerusalem can be quite cool, although I saw they have outdoor umbrella-type heating on the patio where tables are set up.

Everything Gila said above is accurate - - - BUT - - -

Just right now they are building in the area. The garden is surrounded by ugly tin walls and the noise is unbearable!

At this time I must regretfully recommend that you give this one a skip!

Don't know how long it will take. In November I suggest that you ask first if the the building next door has been completed.

Thanks for the update Una. That's what happens when you sit all day in front of the computer and never get to the city to see what's going on...

Taking a course on Jerusalem neighbourhoods. The last one was "100 years since the death of Imbar Naftali Hertz. [sp? (אימבר נפתלי הרץ)]" Lovely walk. We took our break in the neighbourhood and popped into Ticho House for a drink. A W F U L ! :(((

Thank you UnaS. We are disappointed about Little Jerusalem and are now looking for other unique and charming restaurant suggestions for dinners during our 4 nights in Jerusalem. We will be staying in the King David neighborhood. Hope you can help.

Will you have a car?

The Tavlin in the Jerusalem forest is nice. Details on my Jerusalem page, Tips/Restaurants

There is a corner restaurant/coffee shop with garden just across the street from the King David Apartments (next door to the hotel). I don't remember the name off hand, but it has been highly praised by people I know.

These are the two that pop into my head right now. Will try to think of others.

Oh yes - Do you want dairy restaurant only or do you also eat meat?

The restuarant that UnaS is referring to is Rosamarine ( or something like that spelling wise) I don't know if this is important to you--but like Ticho House it is Kosher.

Yes! That's it. Rosemarie like the spice.

Hi there!

I have attended 2 Bar Mitzvas brunches in the Ticho house in the past 30 days… There is indeed some constructions going around (both for some building and also for the "Light Railway" down at Yafo street) However it was definitely bearable: They (owners of the place) brought 2 musicians who played some light music. It wasn’t as "usual" but certainly reasonable (the noise issue). I must say that Little Jerusalem is not so much known for its cuisine (while it is fairly good – it is still not comparable to some other Dairy, and non dairy, places in the city): it is mostly for the atmosphere and personal touch of the place (operated by a mother and two daughters).

Indoors they have a closed porch (actually inner room) that is usually closed for private events, a small private room and a general hall: if you want to seat inside (due to weather) – I may advice you to leave this place for next visit… outside they have a nice open plaza, overlooking the large open ground of the house.

If you will look for other places to eat, personally I could recommend several places I ate in last summer:

"Te'enim" (Hebrew for "figs"): very classy gourmet vegetarian restaurant: located behind the hotel in the "Confederation house". Its Kosher.
"ZaZa": meat restaurant (newly opened) located inside the Khan theatre (walking distance from the hotel): excellent and famous) chef. Kosher as well.
"Terra": general: located in town center: very warm place and the owner himself was more then being a great host. Not kosher
"Foccacias": Italian/General. Somehow tourists fancy this restaurant. I find it not more then "good" but I'm quite alone here… town center, not Kosher
"Joy": Meats – on the German colony (15-20 minutes walk from the hotel). Only indoor place. Kosher.
"Spagettim" – town center. Inexpensive, not fancy but definitely good. Not Kosher.

Places I did like so much, or thought of not being a competition to similar places, were: "Adom" (meats, city center: awful service!), Olive and Fish (almost across the street from the hotel: just not above "ok"), "Ima" (Middle Eastern home cocking: bad service) and… Shabbat dinner/lunch at the King David! Definitely not worth the money unless you are Shomer Shabbat…

Good luck…

All I can say is that when I was at Anna Ticho last (Tuesday 7/10) the jackhammers and the drills were so loud that we couldn't hear each other speak - and we were sitting next to each other...

The noisy construction work is probably during the day. I don't think it would be a problem at night. All the workers are sure to be gone by 4 p.m.

Only once I ate in Anna Tycho house and even though the house is nice the food was nothing special. I certainly wouldn't peek this as my first choice for a dinner in Jerusalem. One place you can try not far from there is Darna. A Morrocan restaurant on Horkanus street. It's located in a beautiful Morrocan designed house and serve fancy Morrocan food. You can find more details at my Jerusalem page. Do you have any restrictions on restaurants? Vegeterian? Kosher? etc.