With 442 coffeehouses operating all over Israel, the apparent saturation of the market has led owners to seek new audiences.
This has given birth to a new trend: mehadrin (extra stringent) kosher branches which cater to the needs of ultra-Orthodox and haredi patrons.
One of the trend leaders is the 120-branch chain Café Café, which is opening a new line of restaurants called Meat Bread. The menu features some meat entrees, mostly meat-filled pastries baked in-house. The first branch opened last month in Tel Aviv, and owner Ronen Nimni wants to open 10 branches around Israel.
“Nowadays there’s more room for mehadrin kosher restaurants,” said Nimni, who also has added mehadrin kosher areas inside 39 Café Café locations over the past five years. “Our kosher mehadrin branches are also frequented by secular patrons. I am happy with the interaction between the two crowds.”
The largest mehadrin kosher coffeehouse in Israel recently opened at the Malcha Mall in Jerusalem. It’s owned by Greg Café, a chain that operates 12 mehadrin kosher branches and is expected to open an additional four.
Greg Café’s rebranding efforts include adding gluten-free dishes to the menu and launching a kids’ menu. — ynetnews.com