Top 5 Secret Best Cheap Eats in Israel

Cheap food isn't hard to find in Israel if you know where to look. If you want to go off the beaten path to find the best and cheapest meals while in Israel (specifically Jerusalem and Tel Aviv), here are my top 5 undiscovered cheap eats!

Two women sit at an orange table in a cafe, sharing a meal with bread, salads, and water by a large window.

In a land abundant with fresh produce, excellent cheese and high-quality olive oil, it's not hard to believe that good food should come cheap. And today, I'd like to take you beyond the chickpea fritters and shaved meat on a spittle to more amazing food.

A table with hummus, pita, salad, olives, eggs, beans, sauces, and a jug of water on a yellow surface.

Here are my top 5 restaurants in tel aviv and cheap eats Israel!

While you are here, check out my Israel food guide and the the Tel Aviv Levinsky market!

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The Best Restaurants in Israel

The Blue Bus

Location: Derech HaYam 13, Pardes Hanna-Karkur, Israel

A bowl of hummus topped with chickpeas, herbs, olive oil, and spices on an orange background.

Bowl of hummus topped with chickpeas, herbs, and oil, surrounded by eggs, olives, and sauces on an orange table.

A basket of flatbreads with a side of olives, onions, and a small bowl of green sauce on an orange table.

With some of the best Israeli hummus outside of Jerusalem, perfectly chopped Israeli salad and change from a 50 shekel bill on a meal for three, The Blue Bus is well worth a detour into Pardes Hana.

The food is absolutely amazing!

Enjoy some of the best views in Israel along the way, and don't forget to stop by Caesaria while you're at it.

Pizzeria Caldo

Location: Derech Metzada 47, Be'er Sheva

Woman with short hair eating a sandwich with greens, sitting at a table in a cozy, rustic cafe.

Two pita sandwiches with greens and sauce on a wooden table, next to a small dish of pickled garlic.

Maybe I'm biased (after all, it's practically my hometown), but I truly think some of the best food in Israel can be found on the dusty streets of Be'er Sheva.

But in a city full of little gems, Pizzeria Caldo may be the best of the bunch. High-quality ingredients, inventive topping combinations and non-kosher options like meat and seafood on your cheese pie, this place is a must for any foodie.

And at a price of 35 shekels, each pizza feeds two!

Cheap Eats in Jerusalem:

Next up is cheap eats in Jerusalem!

Dawiny

Location: Beit Ya'akov St 6, Jerusalem, Israel

Three pieces of toast topped with veggies, herbs, and fried fish on a floral-patterned plate.

A plate of loaded fries, a hot dog in a stand, a glass of soda, and a small bowl of garlic on a wooden table.

It was G who first spotted Dawini hiding behind a blue awning on a side alley in the Machne Yehuda market in Jerusalem (not to be confused with Levinsky Market in Tel Aviv).

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At first, I wasn’t crazy about the menu of pitas and fries (chips in Hebrew). It seemed pedestrian and overpriced. But when our order came to the table, it only took one bite to really blow me away.

The ‘chips’ were some of the best I’ve ever had! It is a mess of deep-fried home fries and crispy onion rings with a mound of aioli, fresh tomatoes and parsley on top.

Both pitas we tried (the mullet hraime and crispy red mullet) were incredible, with a perfect balance of textures and explosive flavours. Though not as cheap as some of the other entries on this list, Dawiny would be a steal at even double the price since the food is delicious.

Pasta Basta

Location: Various locations, Israel

Three glasses of red wine on a wooden table with a plate, spoon, and potted plant nearby.

Wooden shelves filled with wine bottles in a cozy café; one person sits at a table near the back.

This relatively new chain was another lucky discovery for me.

I had relatively low expectations from a pasta fast-food chain, but based on recommendations from friends, I gave Pasta Basta a try. And I’m so glad I did!

With house-made pastas, quick turn-around, vegan options and a choose-your-adventure menu, it’s little wonder all the locations of Pasta Basta are constantly buzzing with people.

White plate of beet pasta with cauliflower and herbs, fork and spoon on the side, next to a glass of white wine.

We tried several pasta and sauce combinations, two of the three desserts and the home-made iced tea, and nearly each one was a home-run, though the vegan beet pasta with coconut curry sauce and the creamy beet sauce were my favourites.

Prices range between 25 and 40 shekels.

Where to Find Cheap Drinks in Israel:

Tishbi Restaurant

Location: Nili Boulevard, Zichron Yaakov

A plastic cup filled with golden beer topped with a foamy head, set against a dark blue background.

What is one of Israel’s best and most expensive eateries doing on the list of my list of cheap eats Israel, you may ask? It’s here for its wine.

At the price of 5 shekels a glass or 18 shekels for a liter, Tishbi’s house red (a Syrah on our visit) is one of the cheapest ways I’ve ever encountered to get yourself good and liquored.

Bonus: 8-shekel beer

Location: HaCarmel Market, Tel Aviv

Though not it’s not easy to find, those in the know swear by a small stand in the Carmel Market in Tel Aviv (check out this Carmel Market Tour if you get the chance) that sells 8-shekel ice-cold beer to anyone who dares venture beyond the meat alley.

It’s located next to a juice stand, and has no seating options. But for 8 shekels, you can damn well take your beer to go, or go look for your own park bench. I recommend the one next to the Laundromat just a few streets down.