We were not disappointed! My friend and I are huge foodies and always on the lookout for the best that Israel has to offer. We both have international palettes- him, French and I, South African and have extremely high standards when it comes to food. We ordered a few dishes and were pleasantly surprised with the delicious bread basket that came with the purest olive oil you’ve ever tasted and jam made out of Kiddush wine, how original! The manager Rotem was an absolute gem and took very special care of us, as did the many waiters. Food came out fast from the open kitchen and we even got to meet and compliment the fantastic Sous Chef, Jonathan. While we ate our dinner volley ball games ensued across the road on the beach while the gorgeous Mediterranean Sea caressed the shores. We loved our experience and if I had more space would have ordered dessert! A lovely experience and highly recommended for all that want to be comforted by good food and pampered like a Queen and King for the night. Bravo! 👏 🍷🍷
A Culinary Multi-Orgasm!
Cuisine, service, soul, and memory
There are meals you enjoy.
There are meals you remember.
And then there are meals that recalibrate your internal benchmark for what hospitality, flavor, and human warmth can be.
Our evening at Katsir, inside the Kempinski Tel Aviv, firmly belongs to the third category.
From the first moment, this was not “just dinner”. It was a carefully orchestrated experience. The kind that feels personal, thoughtful, and deeply intentional.
We were seated at what is arguably one of the best spots in the restaurant. Calm, elegant, perfectly balanced between intimacy and openness. From there, the evening unfolded like a well-written score.
The Food
The tasting menu prepared for us was nothing short of extraordinary.
Each dish was precise, expressive, and confident. Flavors were layered, clean, and deeply satisfying, without ever feeling heavy or pretentious. This was cooking with identity. Technique in service of taste, not ego.
Paired wines were chosen with intelligence and sensitivity. Not obvious, not safe, but always right. Each pairing elevated the dish it accompanied and never competed with it.
If Michelin were purely about what arrives on the plate, Katsir would already be in that conversation.
The People
What truly elevated the evening into something unforgettable was the human element.
* Dan, our waiter, delivered hospitality at the highest level. Warm, attentive, intuitive, and genuinely caring. He read the table perfectly. Nothing felt scripted. Nothing felt forced. Together with the chef, he helped shape a tasting journey that felt bespoke rather than standard.
* Lihi added joy to the table. Smiling, funny, relaxed, and sincere. The kind of presence that immediately puts guests at ease.
* Esther, the iconic “lady in red”, was pure charm. Elegant, attentive, and engaging. A moment of playful confusion (ready in led hahaha) on our part turned into shared laughter, and that says everything about the atmosphere here.
* We also felt the transition in leadership handled with grace. Rotem, who is leaving, has clearly built something special here. And Adam, stepping in, carries that standard forward with confidence and warmth. The continuity of care is visible and reassuring.
The Whole Experience
There was generosity throughout the evening. Not just in portions or wine, but in spirit. Conversations. Attention. Presence.
This is hospitality done right. Professional, refined, and deeply human.
Final Verdict
Katsir is operating at a level that easily qualifies for Michelin recognition. The food, the service, the atmosphere, and the emotional aftertaste all align.
If you are in Tel Aviv, this is not optional.
Come. Sit. Trust the team.
And if you can, ask whether Dan, Ida or Lihi are available to take care of your table.
Some restaurants feed you.
Others stay with you.
Katsir does both.
