This dining and entertainment complex, housed in a handsome 19th-century railway station, is an atmospheric place for a sit-down meal or a few beers. There are boutiques, cafes and an ice cream stand, plus more than a dozen restaurants, including kosher steak (Bread & Meat), Italian (Fiori) and Asian (Station 9) joints. It's popular with families during the day and gets lively after dark.
Built in 1892 as the terminus of the Jaffa–Jerusalem railway line, the station was in almost continuous use until 1998, when the line from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem closed. After a massive renovation, it opened in its present guise in 2013.
Pilates classes, jazz concerts, stand-up comedy and folk dancing each find a place on First Station's busy entertainment program, and many events and activities are free. It's worth popping by from 4pm on summer Thursdays, when an arts-and-crafts market takes up residence. For kids aged two to 12, there's usually a miniature train and a carousel, among other attractions. Check the website for details of events, including plenty of summer concerts.
