More Than Just a Meal: 2 Must-Visit Israeli Spots Where Atmosphere is Everything

Atmosphere is key for a restaurant, whether its the music playing in the background or the decor and design, it’s a key element of the experience. These two restaurants have some of the best ambience in any restaurant in the country and deserve their spotlight. 

Nestled on Jabotinsky Street in Giv’at Shmuel, Sakura restaurant offers a distinctive Japanese dining experience, blending authentic cuisine, creative cocktails, and a welcoming atmosphere.

Where Sakura stuns is in its ability to transport guests to Japan. Sakura is modern yet cozy, with subtle Japanese touches that enhance the overall experience. Soft lighting and a relaxed vibe make Sakura an inviting spot for couples, friends, or families looking to unwind and savor quality food.

Sakura’s menu showcases the best of Japanese cuisine, with a focus on fresh ingredients and meticulous preparation. Diners can expect a wide variety of sushi rolls, sashimi, and nigiri, each crafted with precision. The sushi is a standout, with options ranging from classics like salmon and tuna to more inventive rolls that combine flavors and textures in surprising ways. 

Standout dishes like their Sea Bass sashimi perched on a plate of yuzu-ponzu and garnished with strawberries and chives. They also offer an incredible miso glazed eggplant dish that is guaranteed to knock your socks off with its smoky aroma and silky texture.

The staff at Sakura are known for their hospitality and attention to detail, ensuring that every guest feels welcome and well-cared for. Whether you’re a sushi aficionado or new to Japanese cuisine, the team is happy to guide you through the menu and offer recommendations. 

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Sakura stands out for its commitment to authentic flavors, fresh ingredients, and a memorable dining atmosphere. Learn more and book your table for Sakura here.

The same can be said about Poupeé, an Israeli-French Bistro that has quickly become one of Tel Aviv’s standout dining destinations. 

Located in the heart of the city, this kosher fine-dining restaurant blends French-Mediterranean influences with a theatrical sense of style, resulting in an experience that feels equal parts dinner and a show.

Poupée’s menu features inventive combinations—dishes like sweatbreads with candied sweet potatoes, candied black garlic and sliced almonds, and tuna tartare served on a challah roll just begin to show an incredibly vast and varied menu. 

Their Kubbaneh, a thick Yemenite laminated bread is their most popular appetizer is symbolic of the way Poupeé weaves effortlessly through different cuisines. 

Just as notable as the food is the design. The décor is lavish and immersive, with gold accents, dramatic lighting, and a circular bar that anchors the room. It feels intentionally glamorous, creating an atmosphere that borders on theatrical. 

Poupée is known for its evolving ambiance throughout the evening. Early diners will find a more traditional restaurant experience: dim lighting, attentive service, and music at a comfortable level. As the night progresses, though, the space transforms. DJs arrive and with them, louder music, and a club-like energy take over, making it an ideal spot for those looking to extend dinner into a lively night out.

Every Monday they host chic dancers with lively music, on Sundays they bring in dancers who play with fire and on weekends the hottest DJs in the city. The food is why people come but the ambience is why people stay. 

And don’t forget to check out the restrooms!

Learn more and book your table at Poupee here.

Both Poupeé and Sakura thrive in an area where many other great restaurants falter. Which is making your night out feel like an event, with exciting twists and turns both on your plate and around it, the ambience and thrilling atmosphere is what makes these two spots must-trys in Israel.