The Ultimate Tel Aviv Date Night: Custom Scents, Kosher ‘Lobster,’ and an 18-Seat Secret

Tel Aviv, a city that never seems to slow down, pulses with culture, flavor, and style. From cutting-edge cuisine to street art that tells a story, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the options. That’s exactly why I’m not going to give you a list. I’m giving you one night. One perfectly curated, sensory-driven experience that hits all the right notes — smell, taste, and everything in between.

Let’s get into it.

The Activity: Scent as Self-Expression

Perfuniq’s scent studio – where your story is blended into a bottle.

Kick off the evening at Perfuniq, a quiet haven tucked into the chaos of Tel Aviv, where scent becomes something far more personal than a splash of cologne before heading out.

Our guide was Shachar Schwartz, one of Israel’s top olfactory experts. He starts by laying out the five golden rules of cologne and makes it clear: fragrance isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s personal. Deeply personal.

“There are different scents for different occasions. Everyone’s body chemistry is different. Cologne should tell your story,” Schwartz says. “It’s more than a fragrance — it’s a form of identity.”

Perfuniq offers a personalized perfume-making experience with over 600 oils and scent profiles. You answer questions — some of which seem odd at first — and based on your responses, Schwartz pulls oils you’d never think to try, yet somehow feel spot on. He jokes that he’s a “scent psychologist,” but honestly, he might be right.

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The process is surprisingly intimate. Blending base, heart, and top notes, we created custom colognes that reflected our personalities. Mine leaned fresh and woodsy — think mint leaves with a crisp cedar undertone. My friend? More floral and light, anchored by green tea.

It felt like tailoring a suit — except this one lives in a bottle. And yes, it and you will smell fantastic.

The Dinner: Japanese Craft, Israeli Soul

Otoro’s intimate sushi counter, where every bite is handcrafted in front of you.

Freshly scented and in high spirits, make your way through Tel Aviv’s streets to Otoro, a small but serious Japanese restaurant in nearby Ramat Gan.

The name “Otoro” refers to the fattiest, most prized cut of tuna — a fitting symbol for a spot that doesn’t mess around. With just 18 seats around the counter, the vibe is focused and intimate. The chefs don’t just cook — they perform.

We started with a lychee-sake cocktail and warm miso. The first dish? A flambeéd tuna tartare over Japanese rice that’s caramelized with a blowtorch right in front of you. The smell alone could stop traffic.

The iconic flambeéd tuna tartare — smoky, crispy, and unforgettable.

Next try a cucumber salad topped with sashimi-grade salmon, tuna, and yellowtail, sprinkled with salmon roe and paired with crisp nori sheets for DIY handrolls.

Then the wildcards: kosher versions of “crab” and “lobster.” Otoro’s interpretation was bold — the crab handroll was perfectly balanced, and the “lobster” tartare, served in Indian pani puri shells, was one of the most original dishes I’ve had in Israel.

Chef David, who trained in multiple Michelin-starred kitchens, brought out a single piece of chutoro — the medium-fat belly of the tuna — over rice. “This is one of the rarest cuts to get in Israel,” he tells us. As someone who hasn’t eaten meat in nearly a decade, this was the closest I’ve come. One bite, and it was clear: this wasn’t just sushi. It was an experience.

He followed up with lightly torched sashimi, kissed with ponzu. “This,” he said, “is the closest you’ll ever get to steak.” And honestly? He wasn’t wrong.

Several more rounds followed — handrolls, sashimi, and poké bowls — each better than the last.

Otoro’s commitment to quality is no joke — imported rice and nori, house-made sauces, and fish that’s prepped with the kind of precision that turns a meal into an art form. Even with rockets overhead and Houthi threats in the news, for a couple of hours, we were transported straight to Tokyo.

Final Thoughts

Two unforgettable stops. One unforgettable night.

A date night that doesn’t just fill your stomach — it tells your story. Through scent. Through flavor. Through moments shared across a counter.

If you’re in Israel and looking to level up your time together, Perfuniq and Otoro deliver an evening you won’t forget. Give your senses — and each other — the attention you deserve.