Top 6 Bargains in Israel (and the runner-ups)

by: Rebecca

Shuk Mahane Yehuda Jerusalem Israel

After being in Israel for over 3 years, I think I have established the top 6 bargains in Israel. But please, if I forgot any, leave a comment and tell me all about it.

  1. Tablecloths for 18 shekels
     I found pretty Shabbat tablecloths that just about everyone seems to have for 18 shek. This deal is so good, it turns out, that every time my mom comes to visit, it is the only thing she stocks up on.
    Where: Agrippas St in Jerusalem, coming up from King George toward the Mahane Yehuda shuk. It is on the left hand side and they usually have the tablecloths displayed on the street.
  2. Haircut for 35 shekels
    We previously wrote about how you can get a 35 shekel haircut by a hair-cutting student at Shuki Zukri Diri in downtown Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
    Phone: 02-624-0171
  3. Nesher Shared Taxi Sherut for 45 shekels
    For 45 shekels you get door-to-door service from anywhere in Jerusalem to the airport. My friend said he had a hard time finding Nesher’s phone number online so I thought I’d post them. Make sure to call a day or two before to reserve a spot. Here’s a Nesher-specific “Did you know”. Did you know that they don’t have Nesher in Tel Aviv? I mean, I guess it makes sense since it’s so close to the airport but… how do they survive?
    Phone numbers: 02-623-1231, 02-625-7227
  4. Iced Coffee for 5 shekel
    Personally, I like the smooth iced coffee without the icy chunks. But the Iced Coffee from Marzipan in the shuk is so cheap that I just wait for it to melt.
    Where: The Legendary Marzipan bakery is on Agrippas St. but you probably already knew that and just got up to check the fridge to see if you have any rugalech left over.
  5. Autenti clothes 20-50 shekels.
    Autenti sells hippie-ish clothes between 20 and 50 shekels and usually have cute skirts.
    Where: Stores on Yaffo St. and Agrippas St.
  6. 30 pitas for 10 shekels
    Stop by the shuk at night around 8-9:30 as it’s closing to find good deals on pita and other stuff they’re trying to get rid of.
    Where: Try on Yaffo St by the entrance.

Runner-ups

  • Stove Lighters for 5 shekels from the dollar store. Obviously the conversion rate of the dollar needs a little update.
  • Duvsheinit Challah for 6 shekels from the shuk
  • Soup Festival at the David Citadel for 48 shekels. The all-you-can-eat soup is from 10am to 11pm every day until the end of March for 48 Shekels. They also have wireless internet, so you can pretty much just move in and set up your office right next to the soup buffet.

These deals are updated as of February 5, 2008, so they are likely to change due to inflation. No guarantees.

February 6, 2008 | Essentials, Tips on saving NIS, Wisdom Gained | Comments

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6 Responses to “Top 6 Bargains in Israel (and the runner-ups)”

  1. Posted by: Israelity » What a Bargain - 02/07/2008

    […] head on over to The Big Felafel who writes that after living in these parts for three years, she’s figured out where to find […]

  2. Posted by: Rafi G - 02/07/2008

    great list!

  3. Posted by: michael rose - 02/11/2008

    you left out eluna.com, an english site which provides discounts for kosher restaurants throughout israel and http://www.2eat.co.il, which also provides restaurant discount coupons (hebrew only);

    the (clothing and lots of other stuff) shuk on mondays opposite the hadar mall on rechov gen. pierre koenig

  4. Posted by: Fredi - 02/11/2008

    My best bargain in Jerusalem is membership in the Jerusalem Cinamateque for 420 shekels a year. They show over a thousand quality movies a year and admission is free with memebership. In no time at all, you get your money’s worth.

  5. Posted by: Rebecca - 02/12/2008

    Rafi - Thank you!

    Michael - Welcome to the big felafel. I’m a big fan of eluna and rest.co.il and mentioned them in my recent post about sushi and about cafes to go to. I didn’t know about 2eat.co.il so thanks for the tip!

    Fredi - That seems a little steep, but it looks like your getting a lot out of it.

  6. Posted by: BL - 02/12/2008

    Hi Rebecca,

    It’s a great blog and I was very pleased to see the top six. The only thing I can think of to add so far is the 1 shekel place (on agripas and yaffo) which last year used to have more upscale items even up to 20 shek(!!!) (I have only been here 1 1/2 years) but even with 1 shek has many useful items. For example, velvet ponytail (or bun) holder or military camouflage changepurse.

    There are also two low priced stores, one just off Yaffo across from the Davidka that is a 5 shek store and the other on Yaffo that is just a huge cheapo store. Both have multiple bargains.

    There is also the Yellow Door Gemach in Har Nof at Agasi 6 050 6976987 which has incredible bargains but of course you cannot tell if there will be one when you go there. Today I got a Henri Bendel apple green unlined wool jacket in mint condition for –I am not sure, it was part of a few things I bought but tops it was 5 shek. Wow, talk about New York.

    Keep trucking,

    best–BL

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