Dead Sea Restaurants and Dining Guide: Where to Eat at Ein Bokek and Beyond
Dining at the Dead Sea requires realistic expectations. Ein Bokek is a resort strip in the Judean Desert, not a culinary capital. The restaurant scene is small, concentrated, and shaped by geography: every ingredient must be trucked in from cities at least an hour away, and most establishments observe kosher dietary laws. That said, visitors have more options than the isolation suggests.
This guide covers independent restaurants, hotel dining, nearby alternatives, and practical considerations for eating well at the lowest point on Earth.
Ein Bokek Independent Restaurants Mul HaYam (Opposite the Sea)
A Mediterranean restaurant on the Ein Bokek promenade offering grilled fish, salads, pasta, and meat dishes with Dead Sea views. Open for lunch and dinner. Kosher. Average meal: approximately 80 to 120 ILS per person.
Agadir Dead Sea A branch of the popular Israeli hamburger chain, located on Ein Bokek Beach near the Oasis Hotel. Serves burgers, grilled meats, and bar snacks in a casual beachside setting. Open daily, with a full bar.
Average meal: approximately 70 to 100 ILS per person.
The Last Chance (Tsomet Almog, Northern Dead Sea) Note: This restaurant is located at Almog Junction (Tsomet Almog) on the northern Dead Sea shore, approximately 80 kilometers north of Ein Bokek on Route 90. It is not within the Ein Bokek resort zone. It is included here as a Route 90 dining reference for visitors traveling between Jerusalem and Ein Bokek.
A family-run roadside restaurant at Almog Junction (Tsomet Almog) serving Israeli comfort food including schnitzel, shawarma, salads, and fresh-squeezed juice. The name references its position as the first dining stop upon reaching the Dead Sea basin from Jerusalem, or the last chance for a meal before beginning the ascent back toward Jerusalem. Average meal: approximately 60 to 90 ILS per person. Driving distance from Ein Bokek: approximately 80 kilometers north on Route 90.
- Taj Mahal An open-air restaurant with Middle Eastern and Bedouin-inspired decor, serving a menu spanning Israeli, Arabic, and Indian-influenced dishes.
- The outdoor seating and hookah service create a distinctive atmosphere.
- Average meal: approximately 70 to 110 ILS per person.
Hordus Restaurant and Supermarket A combination restaurant and well-stocked supermarket at Ein Bokek. The restaurant side offers buffet-style dining; the market sells groceries, snacks, drinks, sunscreen, and Dead Sea cosmetic products. Useful for self-catering visitors and day trippers stocking up on supplies.
Ein Bokek's restaurant scene includes approximately 10 to 15 independent establishments alongside hotel dining rooms, with most serving kosher Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. Prices carry a premium over national averages, reflecting the Dead Sea's remote desert location and the supply logistics of trucking all ingredients from cities at least an hour away.
Hotel Dining Every Ein Bokek hotel operates at least one restaurant, typically offering buffet-style breakfast and dinner included in room rates.
Several hotels also operate specialty restaurants open to non-guests, though availability and pricing vary.
Herods Hotel features a formal dining room with a reputation for above-average hotel cuisine. The David Dead Sea Resort operates multiple dining outlets including pool-side and evening options. Leonardo Plaza offers a large buffet restaurant with extensive salad and grilled options.
Hotel dining is the default for most Dead Sea visitors, particularly those on half-board packages. Quality varies from basic cafeteria-style service at 3-star properties to more refined selections at 5-star hotels. Booking dinner at a hotel you are not staying at is possible at some properties; call ahead to confirm.
Nearby Dining Alternatives
Arad (40 minutes from Ein Bokek)
The desert city of Arad, situated at approximately 600 meters above sea level, offers a wider restaurant selection than Ein Bokek. Notable options include Muza, a well-regarded restaurant serving modern Israeli cuisine, and several bakeries and cafes along the main commercial street. Arad also has supermarkets for provisioning.
Ein Gedi Area (30 minutes north of Ein Bokek)
The Ein Gedi kibbutz area has a small cafe and food service near the botanical garden. For more substantial dining near Ein Gedi, visitors can head approximately 30 kilometers south to Neot HaKikar, where Kfarucka serves Italian-influenced wood-fired pizzas, baked goods, and coffee in a country restaurant setting.
Neve Zohar (10 minutes south of Ein Bokek)
The small community of Neve Zohar has limited dining options but offers a quieter alternative. Some guesthouses in the area serve breakfast to their guests.
Practical Dining Tips Stock up before arriving. The Hordus supermarket at Ein Bokek is the only significant grocery option in the resort zone. Bring snacks, water, and essentials from Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, or Arad.
Plan for Shabbat. From Friday afternoon to Saturday evening, most restaurants and all supermarkets at Ein Bokek close or operate on reduced hours. Hotel dining rooms remain open for guests. If you are a day tripper visiting on Shabbat, bring all food and water with you.
Reserve for dinner at popular restaurants. Ein Bokek’s limited dining options mean that popular establishments fill quickly during peak season (Passover, Sukkot, summer weekends). Call ahead or book through your hotel concierge.
Hydrate aggressively. The Dead Sea’s desert climate, low humidity, and below-sea-level altitude accelerate dehydration. Carry water to every meal and supplement with electrolytes after floating sessions.
Most Ein Bokek restaurants close for Shabbat from Friday afternoon to Saturday evening, and the resort zone has only one significant supermarket (Hordus). Visitors should stock up on water, snacks, and essentials before arriving, particularly for day trips or Shabbat stays.
FAQs
Are there restaurants at the Dead Sea?
Yes. Ein Bokek has approximately 10 to 15 independent restaurants and cafes, plus dining rooms at each hotel. Options include Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, burger, and buffet-style establishments. Most are kosher.
How expensive is food at the Dead Sea?
Restaurant meals at Ein Bokek typically cost 60 to 120 ILS per person for a main course, reflecting a desert-location premium driven by remote supply logistics. Hotel buffet dinners range from included in room rate (half-board packages) to approximately 150 to 200 ILS for non-guests.
Can I find non-kosher food at the Dead Sea?
Options are very limited. Most Ein Bokek restaurants are kosher.
Non-kosher dining is more readily available in Arad (40 minutes away) or by bringing your own food.
What is open for food on Shabbat at the Dead Sea?
Hotel dining rooms remain open for registered guests during Shabbat.
Most independent restaurants and the supermarket close from Friday afternoon to Saturday evening. Plan ahead by stocking provisions before Shabbat begins.
Is there a supermarket at the Dead Sea?
The Hordus complex at Ein Bokek includes a supermarket selling groceries, beverages, sunscreen, and Dead Sea products. It is the only significant grocery option in the resort zone. Hours are limited on Fridays and it is closed on Shabbat.
