Eggplant ( Solanum melongena ) is one of the most important vegetables in the warm season. Over the past few years, water restrictions have highlighted the role of nitrogen fertilizers in increasing yields. Under such conditions, the optimum application of nitrogen fertilizer is essential in order to maintain the quality and quantity of eggplants. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different irrigation levels and nitrogen fertilizers on growth, yield, physiological and qualitative characteristics of local eggplant in Isfahan under drip-tape irrigation system. This research was conducted in a non-covered tunnel in the research field in Isfahan University of Technology. Experimental treatments consisted two nitrogen fertilizer levels (120 and 240 kg N ha -1 ) and three irrigation levels including two deficit irrigation levels, 0.6 SWD (soil water depletion) and 0.8 SWD, and a full irrigation level (1.0 SWD). Six treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design with four replicates. Each replicate contains four eggplant bushes. Severe water stress (0.6 SWD) reduced plant height by 19.45%, stem diameter by 14% and dry shoots weight by 37%., resulting in reduced plant growth. Extreme stress also resulted in an increase of 18.6% in the number of main branch splits compared to the full irrigation level. Decreasing irrigation water by 20% and 40%, respectively, resulted in a 28% and 87% reduction in total yield. Water stress also reduced leaf water potential (LWP), leaf relative water content (RWC), leaf chlorophyll and carotenoid content, and increased electrolyte leakage (EL), proline and SPAD. The effect of nitrogen fertilizer was significant only on the amount of chlorophyll, proline and bitter fruits. The applied of 240 kg N ha -1 caused an increase of 42.2 and 46.4% chlorophyll and proline leaf compared to 120 kg N ha -1 level. Deficit irrigation and nitrogen fertilization increased the bitterness of the fruit, so that irrigation levels of mild and severe stresses were 51.4 and 89.35%, respectively, in comparison with the total irrigation level. Nitrogen treatment of 240 kg ha -1 compared with nitrogen fertilizer of 120 kg ha -1 had a 18.24% increase in bitterness of the fruit. Water stress prevents nitrogen uptake by the plant. Based on the results obtained in this study, full irrigation of local eggplant in Isfahan under drip-tape irrigation system is recommended during growth period. Keywords : Irrigation, N fertilization, Bitterness, Eggplant, Drip-tape irrigation