Israeli Restaurants Boost Early Evening Aperitivo Menus to Combat Cost of Living

Israeli restaurants have seen a significant rise in the popularity of early evening aperitivo menus, which offer affordable, light dining options between 5 and 7 p.m. According to data from the "Ontopo" website, the number of restaurants offering aperitivo menus increased by 50 percent this year, alongside a 20 percent rise in early evening reservations. This trend reflects a shift in consumer behavior, especially among younger diners who prefer lighter, less expensive meals after work rather than late-night dining.

The aperitivo tradition, originating in Italian cities like Milan and Turin, involves light dishes paired with alcoholic drinks to stimulate appetite before dinner. While Israel previously favored American-style happy hours, the Italian aperitivo has recently gained prominence, adapted to local tastes and economic realities. Restaurateurs report that aperitivo menus are now common in most eateries, serving as a social bridge between work and dinner.

A notable example is the upscale Tel Aviv restaurant "Treisar," which typically commands high prices but now offers an aperitivo deal of four bite-sized dishes for just 44 shekels, including meat and fish options. The restaurant also provides a 15 percent discount on other menu items during these hours. Owner and chef Aner Ben Rafael Forman explained that the goal is to offer value for money and attract new customers who might otherwise find dining out too costly.

The concept extends beyond Mediterranean cuisine. The Thai restaurant "Molam" in Tel Aviv offers five dishes for 440 baht (about 39 shekels), with portions larger than typical aperitivo bites. Restaurateurs acknowledge that while these deals may not be highly profitable per meal, they generate valuable traffic during previously slow hours, encouraging customers to order additional items like wine or main courses.

This trend is spreading beyond Tel Aviv to peripheral cities. For example, "Silo" in Holon offers a two-hour aperitivo buffet with unlimited refills and bread, emphasizing value for money to appeal to local diners. Industry insiders predict that such affordable dining options will continue to grow, helping restaurants fill empty seats while allowing customers to enjoy quality food and atmosphere without overspending.

Summary: Israeli restaurants are increasingly adopting early evening aperitivo menus, offering affordable, light meals to attract customers amid rising living costs. This trend, inspired by Italian tradition and adapted locally, boosts restaurant traffic during slow hours and expands beyond Tel Aviv to other cities.

Points: - Israeli restaurants increased aperitivo menu offerings by 50% this year to address cost of living. - Early evening reservations rose 20%, with younger diners favoring lighter meals after work. - Upscale Tel Aviv restaurant Treisar offers four dishes for 44 shekels plus discounts. - Thai restaurant Molam provides larger-than-usual aperitivo portions for about 39 shekels. - Restaurateurs use aperitivo deals to attract new customers and increase overall sales. - The trend is expanding beyond Tel Aviv to cities like Holon with buffet-style options.

Topic: economy israel_relevant: true Entities: {"people":["Aner Ben Rafael Forman","Zvi Gross","Ben Hassadai"],"organizations":["Ontopo","Treisar","Molam","Silo"],"places":["Tel Aviv","Holon","Milan","Turin","Bangkok"]}