Cheap Restaurants in Eilat: Where to Eat Well Without Overspending
In short: Cheap restaurants in Eilat do exist, mostly away from the first row of hotels. Look for falafel and shawarma stands, neighborhood restaurants, lunchtime business specials, and supermarket shopping for meals in your apartment. Eating out once a day and cooking twice cuts your spending without giving up flavor.
You arrive at six in the evening, hungry and sun-baked, and the first restaurant on the promenade looks great. Then you open the menu and realize this one meal will swallow half a day of your holiday budget.
Where Can You Eat in Eilat Without Overspending?
The simple rule: the farther you get from where most tourists walk, the better the value. Eating in Eilat doesn't have to be expensive. You just need to know where to go and when.
Here is what usually works:
Fast food stands and corner spots for falafel, shawarma and sabich.
Neighborhood restaurants that cater to locals, not only to tourists.
Lunchtime business specials, which are usually smaller and better value than dinner.
Bakeries, small cafes and pizzerias for a light meal.
A supermarket run and simple meals in your apartment kitchenette.
Which Type of Place Is the Best Value? A Quick Comparison
Not every meal out costs the same. This quick breakdown will help you decide.
Street food and stands: The cheapest option when you're hungry right now. Great for a quick lunch between beaches.
Neighborhood restaurant: Big portions and friendly service. Ask what the dish of the day is.
Waterfront or mall restaurant: Views and atmosphere, but the price reflects the location. Save it for one special evening.
Cooking in your apartment: The cheapest option over time, especially for families and groups.
If you can't decide, split your holiday: one festive evening out, and everything else simple. You still feel like you ate out and you stay on budget.
How Do You Spot Cheap Restaurants in Eilat and Avoid Tourist Traps?
Not every cheap place is good, and not every expensive place is worth it. A few signs help you tell the difference.
A short menu. A place that specializes in a few dishes usually makes them well.
Locals at the tables. If people who work in the city eat there, that's a good sign.
Clearly written prices. If there's no price next to a dish, ask before you order.
No hawkers on the street. A good place doesn't need someone recruiting people from the sidewalk.
Drinks and sides. Check what drinks and extras cost, because that's where the bill builds up.
Local tip: Walk just a few streets away from the promenade and the menus suddenly get calmer. A few minutes on foot is enough to feel the difference.
Cheap Eats in Eilat by Time of Day
In the morning
Breakfast is the first place to save. Coffee and a pastry at a bakery, or a simple meal in your apartment kitchenette, costs far less than a full brunch. We have a whole post on breakfast in Eilat near the promenade, with what to look for and where to eat.
At lunch
This is the best time to eat out on a budget. Many places offer business lunches or dishes of the day that are better value than the same food in the evening. After a meal like that, a light dinner is enough.
In the evening
Evening is when menus are most expensive. Share dishes, have a drink from your own fridge before heading out, and save the night out for after the meal. For more evening ideas, see our post what to do in Eilat in the evening.
What About Kosher Food in Eilat?
The city has a wide range of kosher and non-kosher places, and it's usually easy to find kosher food on a budget too. If kosher matters to you, check for a valid certificate before you sit down and ask about the level of supervision. At small stands, check the certificate on the spot instead of assuming.
There is also a list of places to eat and drink near our apartments on the page where to eat and drink near the apartments.
Eilat on a Budget: Make the Kitchenette Your Secret Weapon
The most meaningful way to save on food is not to eat out for every meal. Every one of our apartments has a kitchenette with a fridge, a stovetop or electric hot plate, a kettle, a microwave and kitchen utensils. That's enough for simple, tasty meals.
What's easy to make without effort:
Eggs, salad and cheeses for breakfast.
Pasta with ready-made sauce, or rice with vegetables.
Sandwiches, fruit and snacks to take to the beach.
Cold water and frozen fruit in the fridge, instead of buying from a kiosk.
A couple or family that cooks one meal a day saves quite a bit, and also enjoys the quiet of the room after a day in the sun. If you're looking for an apartment that fits, start with a one-bedroom apartment with a living room.
Save money: Buy water, fruit and drinks at the supermarket, not at a beach kiosk. Based on our understanding and current policy, Eilat is a VAT-exempt zone for many products, so check what's included with each purchase. For general details about the city's status, see Wikipedia's article on Eilat.
A Sample One-Day Eating Plan
Here's what a day looks like when you eat well without overspending:
Morning: A simple meal in the kitchenette, coffee from the kettle, and off to the beach.
Lunch: A dish at a stand or a neighborhood restaurant.
Afternoon: Fruit and a snack from the fridge.
Evening: A light meal in the apartment, or a stroll along the promenade with a bite to eat.
On a holiday of several days, you can add one festive dinner out. It feels like a treat and your budget still stays balanced. You can also find general information about the city on the official Eilat tourism website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you eat cheaply in Eilat?
Yes. Fast food stands, neighborhood restaurants and lunch specials are much better value than dinner on the waterfront. Cooking in your apartment cuts spending even more.
Where is the best place to look for cheap restaurants in Eilat?
Not on the promenade itself but a few streets away from it. Places where locals eat are usually a good bet.
Do your apartments have a kitchenette?
Yes. There's a fridge, a stovetop or electric hot plate, a kettle, a microwave and kitchen utensils. It's suitable for simple meals. More details on our FAQ page.
Is food in Eilat VAT-exempt?
Based on our understanding and current policy, Eilat is a VAT-exempt zone for many products, but it's worth checking with each purchase. This should not be taken as tax advice.
How do you find cheap kosher food in Eilat?
Look for a valid kosher certificate at the place and ask about the level of supervision. At small stands, check the certificate yourself.
Ready to Plan a Holiday That Feels Good for Your Wallet Too?
When your apartment is close to the promenade and has a kitchenette, it's easy to eat well and save. Check availability and prices on our website, and direct bookings automatically get a 5% discount.
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