We stopped at 5 buzzed-about coffee carts in Mateh Yehuda and found out why the lines never end

Coffee carts have long since ceased to be a fleeting trend – and they are probably here to stay. Just ahead of the 26th Mateh Yehuda Food Festival, which is no longer a seasonal fad but a genuine culinary institution, I set out to see which new and worthwhile coffee carts are waiting for travelers in the area. Five carts, five stops, and each one is a good reason to come to the region – even if you had not planned to.

In recent years, a trend has been developing in Israel that is not only about quality coffee, but also about the way it is reached. Mobile coffee carts that appear along roadsides, at the entrances to communities, near parking areas or along open walking trails have become an inseparable part of the local landscape. They allow residents and visitors to pause for a moment, drink good coffee, and connect with their surroundings: Without walls, without noise, and without the need to reserve a table in advance. They have become so popular that on weekends, the lines at the most successful ones are downright crazy.

Mateh Yehuda is an area that stands out for its open landscapes, wineries, green spaces and hiking routes, and the coffee carts here create a new kind of experiential tourism. Coffee on the way, coffee that does not stand on its own but blends into the trip, becomes part of the overall experience. What distinguishes the local coffee map is not only what is poured into the cup or the elaborate pastry served alongside it, but also the context in which it is served: Under trees, beside fields, among vineyards or in the heart of a grove. This is not another café with a sofa and background music – it is coffee that blends with landscape, with memory, with a message, with the local community, and most importantly, at least in the eyes of the younger generation – it photographs beautifully.

Cafe Amit is a coffee cart that was born out of pain, yet chose to act from a place of giving. It was established by the family members and friends of the late Amit Yitzhak david, who was murdered at the Nova music festival, and is located at the entrance to the moshav of Mesilat Zion, in the heart of open nature. From the very first moment, it is clear that this is not just another coffee stop, but a place with emotional depth and meaning.

The cart operates not only as a place to stop for good coffee, but also as a kind of quiet path of remembrance. All profits are dedicated to educational projects and to supporting young people, and the presence of those who run the place – those who cherish Amit’s memory – is felt in every detail. The contrast between personal pain and the intimacy and calm that the place offers creates a different kind of experience: A cup of coffee among the trees, a short conversation, a moment of quiet in the middle of the road. This is not just a technical stop on the way to the next destination, but also a corner that invites you to linger, think and feel. And yes, it is important to say – the coffee itself is excellent.

Also on the menu: Sandwiches, toasts, quiches, salads, sweet pastries – and on Saturdays, jachnun.

Where: At the entrance to Mesilat Zion. It is recommended to check opening times on Cafe Amit’s Instagram page.

Alongside open fields and small paths, almost without a large sign announcing its presence, is the Malka coffee cart. This is a family-run place, built by the father of the family with his own hands, and it combines everyday life with open hospitality for the public.

During the week, when the cart is closed to visitors, it serves as his clinic – a detail that illustrates just how deeply rooted the place is in the local routine. On weekends, however, Cafe Malka opens to the general public and offers good coffee alongside fresh pastries, homemade cookies, a wide lawn for picnics, and a pleasant atmosphere reminiscent of a kibbutz from years past.

This is a place that attracts cyclists, families, and travelers looking for a calm stopping point along the route. You can sit under the open sky, breathe, taste, and recharge with energy before continuing on.

What’s on the menu: Sandwiches, quiches, pizzas, salads, açaí, pastries, cakes and natural juices.

Where: At the entrance to Kibbutz Tzor'a.

When: Thursday 17:00–21:00, Friday 9:00–15:00, Saturday 10:00–16:00.

One of the more interesting ways coffee carts integrate into the local landscape is through connections with existing tourist sites. Nevo Coffee at the Winery is an excellent example of this. The cart was established within a winery complex in the moshav of Mata, and it conveys a completely different experience from the classic roadside stop.

Here, coffee meets local wine, and the view – vineyards surrounding the area – opens the heart. This is a place that invites you to stop for a longer time, to combine good coffee with a tasting or a gaze at the green rows, and to feel part of the region’s rhythm.

The kitchen prepares fresh food on site, and the winery staff are present in the space, which turns the visit into a complete experience of flavors and people. It is no surprise that this is a popular spot among travelers looking for a concentration of experiences in one place.

What’s on the menu: A cheese platter, pizzas, quiches, salads, cakes – and of course wine.

Where: Moshav Mata.

When: Fridays 8:30–15:00.

In an era where time is a valuable resource, Drive Cafe offers a simple and efficient solution: Quality coffee in a drive-in format. You can pull over with your car along an open road, order an espresso or a strong latte, and continue driving with a cup in hand – without compromising on quality or taste.

Alongside the take-and-go option, there is also the possibility to stop, sit facing the view, and enjoy an excellent menu. The early opening hours – starting at 5:00 in the morning – make the place especially attractive for those who start their day early, whether on the way to work or heading out for a hike or a ride. It may not be a new point on the map, but it is definitely one worth remembering – especially when you are looking for good coffee without complications.

What’s on the menu: Salads, shakshuka, bread and dips, focaccia, pizzas, quiches, khachapuri, a cheese platter, various sausages, juices and hot drinks.

Where: Shoresh junction, Diefenbaker Road.

Cafe Nachshon offers a relaxed, rural experience, one that does not try to impress but simply to be. The cart is located in the grove of the adjacent winery, Sorek Winery, and offers open seating areas in the shade of terebinth trees, with a cup of coffee or wine in hand.

The kitchen is run by Yaron, a chef who is also a local resident, and it offers home-style, precise dishes. There is no unnecessary sophistication here, but rather a natural connection between food, landscape and people. You can arrive with children, with a dog or with a laptop, and choose whether this is a short stop or a longer break with a book or a light meal.

On the menu you will find, among other things, a croissant with house-cured salmon, avocado bruschetta, and at times live performances that add another layer to the experience.

What else is on the menu: Sandwiches, salads and pastries, cakes, coffee and cold drinks.

Where: Kibbutz Nachshon.

When: Wednesday 9:00–14:30, Thursday 9:00–20:00, Friday 8:30–14:30.