Restaurants in Eilat on Friday Night: Where to Eat and How to Plan Dinner
In short: On Friday night in Eilat some restaurants are open and some are closed, and the popular ones fill up fast. Book a table ahead, and if you keep kosher, call to ask about supervision and opening hours before you head out. No table? Cook Friday dinner in your apartment kitchenette and do your shopping on Thursday.
It's 18:30, the whole family is dressed and hungry, and you discover the restaurant you chose is closed. A little planning prevents exactly this moment.
Restaurants in Eilat on Friday Night: What's Open and What's Closed
Eilat is a tourist city, so it has more options for Friday night than most cities in Israel. Still, not every restaurant works the same way. Some close at the start of Shabbat, and others stay open as usual or on shorter hours.
Because hours and venues change from year to year, we won't name specific places here. Here is what stays fairly consistent:
Non-kosher restaurants, or kosher ones that don't observe Shabbat, tend to be open on Friday night.
Restaurants with Shabbat-observant supervision close before Shabbat begins.
Hotel restaurants sometimes serve a set Friday dinner, usually by advance reservation.
The promenade and the seafront area have a large concentration of places, so it's easy to find an alternative if one is full.
Want the full picture of Shabbat, including Saturday daytime? Read also Restaurants in Eilat open on Shabbat: what to know before you go out.
Why Should You Book a Table in Advance?
Friday night is the busiest evening of the week. Tourists, families and event guests all arrive at the same hour. Those who show up without a reservation sometimes wait a long time or get no table at all.
Local tip: Call on Sunday or Monday to book for Friday, and ask the restaurant to confirm it's open on Friday night. That way you sort out both the opening hours and the type of kashrut in one call.
How to Plan Friday Dinner on Vacation: A Short Checklist
Friday dinner on vacation is part of the atmosphere, and it doesn't have to be complicated. Go through the steps in order:
Decide in advance: eating out at a restaurant or eating in the apartment.
If you're going out, book a table 2-3 days ahead and confirm your seating time.
If you keep kosher, ask about the certificate and about the supervision on Friday.
Choose a time that works for the kids. An early dinner is less crowded.
Plan to walk. From our apartments it's 5-10 minutes to the promenade and the North Beach, so you don't need a car or parking.
Prepare a backup plan: a simple meal in the kitchenette if the restaurant falls through.
Kosher Friday Dinner in Eilat: How to Check
If kosher food matters to you on Friday night, check three things: a valid kashrut certificate, whether the place is open on Shabbat, and whether it serves meat or dairy. Don't rely on a sign outside. Ask by phone and ask to see the certificate at the entrance.
Many Shabbat-observant guests prefer a meal prepared in advance. It removes the stress of where to find a table, and the question of what's open after sunset. We wrote separately about checking certificates, and also about choosing a good restaurant in Eilat.
Friday Dinner in the Apartment: How to Cook in the Kitchenette
This is the option that sounds the most intimidating at first, and in practice it's the most relaxed. Every apartment with us has a kitchenette with a fridge, stovetop, kettle, microwave and kitchenware. Guests usually eat breakfast in the apartment and go out for dinner, but on Friday many choose to flip that around.
What's easy to make? A big salad, pasta, chicken on the stovetop, eggs and shakshuka, and pitas with ready-made salads. For more ideas see Cooking in an Eilat vacation apartment: what to make in the kitchenette.
Insider tip: Only the Palmore 15 Suite has a full oven with an induction stovetop, and it suits you if you want to cook a really big Friday dinner. The other 8 apartments have a kitchenette. Take a look at the Palmore 15 Suite.
Shopping for Friday Night: When and Where
Shop on Thursday or Friday morning. Many stores close before Shabbat begins, so don't wait until the last minute. If you arrive on Friday afternoon you may find empty shelves or a closed store.
As for VAT: as we understand it and under current policy, Eilat is a VAT-exempt zone for some purchases. The exemption doesn't apply to everything, so check at the register and at reception what's included. You'll find a detailed explanation in VAT in Eilat: are purchases really exempt and in Supermarkets in Eilat: where to buy groceries. For general background on the city's free trade zone status, see Wikipedia.
Money saver: Friday dinner in the apartment costs less than an evening at a restaurant, especially for a family of 4-5. Buy basic groceries on Thursday, and save the restaurant for another evening of your vacation.
Restaurant or Apartment: What Suits You?
Restaurant: Suits couples and anyone who wants atmosphere and no cleanup. It requires a reservation and an evening walk.
Meal in the apartment: Suits families with small children and kosher-keeping guests. You don't depend on opening hours, and you can eat at your own pace.
A mix: A light meal in the apartment, then dessert and ice cream on the promenade. For sweet spots see Eilat street food: ice cream and desserts.
For couples who want a special evening there's also a separate guide: A romantic dinner in Eilat. And if you're after a good steak, Meat restaurants in Eilat.
How This Connects to Where You Stay: What Our Calendar Shows (as of 13.11.2026)
A good Friday dinner starts with an apartment that's easy to leave and easy to come back to. Here is data from our calendar:
Studio 1 (couples, up to 4): on Sunday to Wednesday nights from about ₪285 per night, and on Thursday to Friday nights from about ₪405 (as of 13.11.2026, before the 5% direct-booking discount; prices vary by date).
Weekend nights cost on average about 29% more than midweek nights in our calendar.
For the weekend of 19.11.2026 (2 nights), 4 of 9 apartments are still available, from about ₪395 per night, as of our calendar check on 13.11.2026.
What does this mean for you? If you can, include midweek nights in your vacation, and if Friday night is part of the plan, book an apartment early. For families, One-Bedroom Apartment 2 with a kitchenette is a good fit.
Insider tip: Checking out after Shabbat? You can add a late check-out at the end of Shabbat for an extra fee, so you don't have to leave at 11:00 when a whole day is still ahead. See late check-out.
Insider tip: Coming by car? The apartments on Neviot 23 Street also have free private parking, subject to availability, and all the buildings have free public parking outside.
You can check dates and prices on the booking page. For information about the city itself, see the Eilat tourism website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there restaurants open in Eilat on Friday night?
Yes, there are open restaurants, mainly non-kosher ones or kosher ones that don't observe Shabbat. Some close when Shabbat begins. Call ahead and confirm hours and supervision.
Do I need to book a table for Friday night in Eilat?
Absolutely. Friday night is the busiest evening, and without a reservation you may wait a long time or not get a table.
Where can I eat kosher on Friday night?
Check for a valid kashrut certificate, and ask whether the place is open on Shabbat and whether it is meat or dairy. Hotel restaurants sometimes serve a Friday dinner by reservation. You can also prepare a meal in the apartment.
Can I cook Friday dinner in a vacation apartment?
Yes. Every apartment has a kitchenette with a fridge, stovetop, kettle and microwave. Buy groceries on Thursday or Friday morning, before the stores close.
Are purchases in Eilat exempt from VAT?
As we understand it and under current policy, some purchases are exempt. Not everything, so check at the register.
Want a relaxed Friday night, with a restaurant nearby or a meal in your kitchenette? Check dates and book direct and get an automatic 5% discount, no coupon code.
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