Specialty coffee, unique pastries and desserts, smoked meats, pizzas and sourdough breads. Here's a journey among the charming food carts that dot the Bnei Shimon Regional Council area in the Negev. Young entrepreneurs, some fresh from lengthy reserve duty, pour their hearts into their work to offer the southern community a rich open-air culinary experience.
Cupsolla with special dishes
The Cart: “Cupsolla”
Location: Beit Kama Junction
Founders: Sagi Shahar and Yakir Cohen
How it all began:
After surviving the horrors of October 7, Yakir Cohen decided to pursue a dream and do something to heal his soul. He later connected with Shahar through the regional council, and together they launched Cupsolla.
Do you collaborate with other carts?
“No.”
What’s on the menu?
"Sandwiches, salads, pastries; everything is made from scratch by Sagi and Shahar. Excellent coffee, smoothies, juices, and more."
Their specials:
“Our specials change all the time. For example: pretzel croissant with Sainte-Maure cheese, onion jam and sun-dried tomatoes; bruschetta with cream and fresh herbs; white corn Mexican salad with Parmesan; handmade bourekas filled with potato, kashkaval cheese, caramelized onion and rosemary; open bourekas with mushrooms and béchamel sauce; vanilla cream puffs; baked almond cream with seasonal fruits; tiramisu with cocoa crumble; assorted tartlets, and more."
Prices: 20–50 shekels
Open: Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.; Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
A small and tasty spot
The Cart: Tamar Coffee
Location: Kibbutz Mishmar HaNegev
Founders: Ofek and Romi, a couple
How it all began:
“A love for food and the desire to create a cozy, tasty meeting place for our community."
Do you collaborate with other carts?
“From the very beginning until today, the ‘Cupsolla’ cart has helped us."
What’s on the menu?
“A variety of salads, sandwiches, pastries, delicious desserts and all kinds of drinks."
Their specials:
“Every weekend features a rotating special, so feel free to ask us. Among the offerings: crack pie, tiramisu, chocolate cakes, brioches, quiches, and more."
Prices: 10–45 shekels
Open: Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.; Saturday, 10:00 a.m.– 3:00 p.m.
The heart asked for something else
The Cart: “Rega BaMoshav” (A moment in the Moshav)
Location: Moshav Nevatim
Founder: Racheli Leitner David
How it all began:
“I’m a mechanical engineer by training, and for years I worked in the field — planning, precision work, problem-solving. It is an interesting and challenging world, but over time my heart started asking for something different. I wanted to express myself not through screens, but through flavors, connections, people.
"Leaving a stable career and retraining wasn’t easy, but it was the right choice. I’ve always loved baking, especially desserts that combine taste and aesthetics. When I was diagnosed with diabetes, that passion took a new turn — I began developing recipes that are both delicious and fit my lifestyle.
"That’s how my coffee cart was born — a place offering quality coffee, regular pastries and desserts alongside a selection with no added sugar and low in carbs. My cart connects with people, whether they’re craving classic sweets or tailored treats. I chose not to give up on the dream, or my health. My coffee cart is where everything comes together: love, creativity, and taste that suits everyone."
Do you collaborate with other carts?
“No.”
What’s on the menu?
“A dairy, kosher-style menu (no kosher certification). The cart offers sandwiches, salads, handmade pastries and desserts, coffee and soft drinks."
Our specials:
“Lemon tart and Caprese croissant.”
Prices: 6–42 shekels. “The pricing was designed to remain accessible to all customers, without compromising product quality."
Open: Thursday, 6:00–10:00 p.m.; Friday, 8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
On holidays and special events, hours are announced in advance.
Love to host
The Cart: “Caffella”
Location: Kibbutz Kramim
Founder: Ela Simchon
How it all began:
“From an old dream of having my own place, and lots of suggestions from all directions pushing the idea forward. A permaculture course opened my mind, and then the timing was right. We love hosting — people, animals, whoever comes by. There’s good music, occasional live shows, secondhand clothes and pop-up booths."
Do you collaborate with other carts?
“Collaboration is our favorite thing, the more local, the better."
What’s on the menu?
“Sandwiches, salads, pastries, sweets, drinks, and the best coffee."
Our specials:
“We have rotating offers of sandwiches and beloved desserts, but honestly what makes us special is that everything is made with love, even the dishes are handmade. All tableware is reusable, and we of course offer kids’ meals too."
Prices: Sandwiches: 42 shekels; Pastries: 18–22 shekels; Cakes: 38 shekels; Large coffee/drinks: 16 shekels
Open: Friday, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
A tale with meat
The Cart: “MeaTruck”
Location: Kibbutz Kramim
Founders: Elia Wisner and Raz Bar-Chai
How it all began:
“We didn’t know each other before we founded MeaTruck. Raz is a kibbutz native, and Elia was a new tenant. We both applied separately to the kibbutz management to open a meat food truck. The management informed each of us that someone else had the same idea and connected us. We talked briefly and decided to partner.
"We bought a cart and started renovations, but about a month later, the Gaza war broke out. Raz was called up for reserve duty, and we realized this wouldn’t end soon, so we decided to keep pushing forward. Today, the business has been running for a year and a half, and we’re proud to see many returning customers."
Do you collaborate with other carts?
“Currently, no.”
What’s on the menu?
“From burgers and sausages to smoked meats and a variety of fried sides (smoked vegetables coming soon)."
Our special:
“The house platter featuring smoked asado, entrecôte, chuck roast and chicken."
Prices: Sandwiches: 50–80 shekels; Meat platters are priced by weight; House platter: 180 shekels
Open: Thursday, 7:30–11:00 p.m.
A place to tell your story
The Cart: “Sipur Acher” (A different story)
Location: Giv'ot Bar
Founder: Naama Rosenthal
How it all began:
“After years of designing homes for others, I felt the need for a major shift. The idea took shape during the COVID-19 period, when in-person connections became rare. My love for people and hosting led to ‘Sipur Acher’, a coffee cart nestled in a young grove in the Giv'ot Bar community.
"It’s a welcoming space to tell a story and listen, and enjoy fresh coffee, pastries or a light, nutritious meal. ‘Sipur Acher’ invites you to rethink the narratives we tell ourselves, in an atmosphere of compassion, belonging and human connection that draws people of all ages. It’s a place to pause, reflect and connect."
Do you collaborate with other carts?
“Unfortunately, no.”
What’s on the menu?
“Sandwiches, savory and sweet pastries, individual cheese plates (soon adding pizzas and smoothies), herbal infusions and natural, organic cold drinks. We prioritize reusable and eco-friendly, compostable tableware."
Our special:
“Our best-seller is the Caprese sandwich; even kids love it.”
Prices: 5–55 shekels
Open: Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.; Friday, 9:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
From reserve duty to dream realization
The Cart: “Falha”
Location: Kibbutz Lahav
Founders: Guy Amrani and Matan Adin (brothers-in-law)
How it all began:
“Guy’s many days in reserve duty, combined with Matan’s recent discharge from a long-standing army career, gave us the freedom to finally pursue our shared coffee dream."
Do you collaborate with other carts?
“Not at the moment.”
What’s on the menu?
“Excellent coffee, sandwiches, quiches, salads, pastries, cakes, natural smoothies, and on Saturdays, jachnun and kubaneh (Yemenite pastries)"
Our special:
“Brie croissant with superb eggplant jam, and of course, the most delicious kubaneh."
Prices: 5–45 shekels
Open: Friday–Saturday, 7:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Empowering teens, selling local products
The Cart: Café “Rimona”
Location: Rimon Farm in Lahav Forest
Founders: Nir Amitay, Idan Dethar and Oshri Sharabi
How it all began:
"The process at the farms is based on educational-therapeutic work through agriculture, employment, and being in a healing and inspiring place.
"It was clear, from the start, that allowing the teens who work the land to also sell the farm's produce and the crops they grow was essential. Therefore, every Friday they engage in a self-harvesting event, where they experience working with the public and selling.
"This agricultural activity is a challenge, arouses interest, and has real-life creativity. Through it, one can practice many successful experiences.
"In the farm’s early days, local guests were offered coffee brewed over a charcoal fire. Over time, we grew gradually into the café we run today."
Do you collaborate with other carts?
“Our association operates a café in Be'er Sheva."
What’s on the menu?
“A seasonal kosher menu based on what’s growing in the garden: cookies, yeast pastries, sourdough breads, challahs, sandwiches, fresh garden salads, sourdough pizzas, coffee, natural juices."
Our special:
“A variety of unique pizzas"
Prices: 7–30 shekels
Open: Friday, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.; holidays; and additional days coming soon (follow us on Instagram for updates).