Top Budget Eateries in Jerusalem

Cheap Places to Eat in Jerusalem

Traveling to Jerusalem can become expensive if you are not careful with your expenses. But there are many cheap places to eat in Jerusalem you can get some delicious food there and spend less than eating in other touristy restaurants. Jerusalem’s food scene is as diverse and flavorful as the customs that make this city so unique worldwide. Here, you will find many budget restaurants that serve dishes ranging from traditional Middle Eastern dishes such as shawarma & falafel to vegan and trendy street food.

Pasta Basta in Machaneh Yehudah Market

Pasta Basta is definitely on the list of cheap places to eat in Jerusalem, which serves simple Italian dishes like pasta and macaroni. Also, they are quite famous for their ravioli, which is topped with many flavorful toppings and is served very quickly. Their prices are very cheap in comparison to other Italian restaurants. The overall atmosphere is great here, and the food is entirely kosher, with some limited vegan options also available. You can find Pasta Basta around the Shuk Machane Yehuda area. It is good to know that Pasta Basta serves vegan and vegetarian food options as well.

Hasabichiya located in Downtown Triangle

Hasabichiya is a local Israeli sandwich shop that you can find on Shamai Street in the Downtown Triangle zone. Many argue that this shop is among the best cheap places to eat in Jerusalem if you want a hearty local sandwich called Sabiche. This small and humble restaurant serves Sabiche sandwiches with pita bread that you can also choose your topping. If you wonder what Sabiche is, it is a loaded sandwich made out of pita bread as its base and filled with fried eggplants, hummus, fresh veggies, and a hard-boiled egg. These sandwiches are very delicious, filling, and reasonably cheap.

Ben-Sira Hummus close to Nahalat Shiv’a Neighborhood

Israelis do take their hummus seriously, and many restaurants swear on its flavor. When you taste genuine hummus at a restaurant like Ben Sira, you will come to realize why this dish is so popular in the region. Here, you can have your hummus with spiced ground beef, falafel, and pita bread, as well as Israeli salads. Also, for drinks, you can have cold lemonade or a beer; the restaurant’s black coffee is famous, too. Ben-Sira Hummus is located at Ben Sira Street in the Nahalat Shiv’a neighborhood, accessible via Mamila/Agron bus stop.

Hamarakia near City Hall Rail Station

There is something about Israeli soups because they might look simple at first, but with every spoonful, you will appreciate the effort that has been put into making such delicious comfort food. Hamarakia is the best place to enjoy quality homemade soups made with love and using good ingredients. This is a small, humble shop that is a favorite place for people who want to have a bowl of healthy and vegan soups during the daytime in a cozy and friendly environment. You can find Hamarakia soup shop on Koresh Street, very close to City Hall Light Rail Station.

Pepito’s located near The Mahane Yehuda Market

Pepito’s is still considered one of the best cheap places to eat in Jerusalem if you crave some Latin American food. Like many eateries across this city, this restaurant also offers vegan and vegetarian options at affordable prices and is still full of flavors. Head to Agripas Street near the Mahane Yehuda Market to find Pepito’s for some incredible Mexican food wrapped in a bun and prepared with love.

Jachnun Bar near The Machaneh Yehudah Market

Near the Machaneh Yehudah Market, Jachnun Bar is the place to go if you want delicious cheap places to eat in Jerusalem, which include Malawach, wraps, and specialty salad bowls. Young food lovers run the store, and it is shown in the way they prepare the food right in front of you in their small yet lovely corner shop.

If you specifically only want to try Middle Eastern food, you should explore at least one of these stores selling some of the best falafel in Jerusalem. These restaurants mainly sell hummus and delicious falafel that you cannot get anywhere else in the world.