Coffee culture in Jerusalem is well established: European expats have imported the cosy, relaxed Viennese-style coffee houses, and you'll find plenty of atmospheric places to take a break, have a chat, and possibly mingle with locals.
Along with espressos and iced coffees, cafés often serve Turkish coffee: it is prepared by pouring boiling water over fine-ground coffee beans, and often flavoured with cardamom. Tea is another favourite that comes in a variety of flavours and brews. Other typical drinks are 'lemonana', made from fresh lemons and mint, and 'sahlab', prepared with cornstarch, topped with cinnamon or pistachio, and commonly drunk in winter.
Make sure to try some typical pastries as well: kugel pudding, Ashkenazi babka (a sweet yeast pie), and 'bourekas' (filled pastries from Eastern Europe).
