Popular with locals and tourists alike, the market's more than 250 vendors[2] sell fresh fruits and vegetables; baked goods; fish, meat and cheeses; nuts, seeds, and spices; wines and liquors; clothing and shoes; and housewares, textiles, and Judaica.

[3][4] In and around the market are falafel, shawarma, kibbeh, kebab, shashlik, kanafeh, baklava, halva, zalabiya and Jerusalem mixed grill stands, juice bars, cafes, and restaurants.

It was founded by three business partners—Johannes Frutiger (a German Protestant and owner of the largest bank in Ottoman Palestine), Shalom Konstrum, and Joseph Navon—and was named after Navon's brother, Yehuda.

In the 2000s, major renovations were made to the Mahane Yehuda Market, including infrastructure work, repaving roads and covering some open areas.

[25] Changes in the market have transformed the area into a "night spot," with bars featuring specialty drinks, live music, and singers.

[26] The shuk also now hosts special events like the "Balabasta" dance and music festival, launched in 2010, which attracts large crowds that remain until late at night, in areas that used to be deserted.

[15] The annual festival includes street performances, artwork, puppet shows, and events linked to the market's foods, such as chili-eating contests and produce-carving workshops.

In recent years, as part of this strategy, many bars and restaurants have opened in the alleyways of the Mahane Yehuda market to draw young and sophisticated customers.

"[37] In 2011 the city-sponsored project "Tabula Rasa" (Blank Slate) supported urban artwork decorating walls, concrete surfaces, and even the trash bins of the market.

[18] Beginning in January 2015 the metal shutters and doors of the shops became an after-hours attraction as they were spray painted by street artist Solomon Souza.

[38][40] Machane Yehuda Management, which includes representatives from a variety of merchants, oversees the market's business development, in dialogue with Jerusalem's city hall, Ministry of Health, and other government entities.

Known for its traditional Mizrahi Jewish cuisine, with a focus on Turkish, Iraqi, and Syrian dishes, Azura is considered a very popular restaurant locally.

[43] This longstanding establishment evokes working-class nostalgia in Israel, and it was famously commemorated by Israeli singer Yossi Banai in a well-known song on his eponymous 1987 album.

Chefs in the open kitchen prepare contemporary dishes based on fresh ingredients sourced from the market, served swiftly amidst lively music.

Yet immersed and sway Reminiscent of holidays, Of scented jasmine Of an old tune that rings Summoning to a feast The first generation of the Banai family of actors and musicians originally lived at 1 HaAgas Street at the southern end of the market.

[54] Before Rosh Hashana, the New Year, thousands of shoppers shop in the market for foods based on different holiday traditions: everything from pomegranates, dates, and assorted honey to fish heads.