Ishtabach, Kurdish restaurant in Mahane Yehuda Market, Jerusalem, Israel.
Ishtabach is a Kurdish restaurant in Mahane Yehuda Market built around one signature dish: shamburak, a savory pastry with slow-cooked meat wrapped in golden dough topped with black sesame seeds. The dish arrives with rotating vegetables, mashed potatoes, caramelized onions, and homemade chimichurri sauce.
The restaurant emerged to bring traditional Kurdish recipes into Jerusalem's contemporary dining scene. By focusing on a single dish, it created its own culinary identity within Mahane Yehuda.
Kurdish cooking traditions meet Israeli ingredients in a space that honors kosher dietary laws. Visitors experience a blend of Middle Eastern flavors with local products reflected in every dish.
The restaurant sits at the edge of Mahane Yehuda Market with indoor and outdoor seating options. It gets busier at night, so coming earlier in the day allows for a more relaxed meal.
The dish changes slightly each week with rotating side options, making each visit a little different. This shifting approach keeps the experience fresh despite the restaurant's singular focus.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
