Four of us opened the restaurant for brunch in the restaurant overlooking the sea. We ordered 3 shakshukas and Madame Monsieur, salad and gravlax. Everything came out quickly and was delicious. For dessert we ordered lemon pie, too sweet but ok, and an excellent berry pie.
I want to mention the excellent service provided by Nikita (Nick)! He patiently explained to each of us what the options were and in general he smiled and made us feel good.
We will definitely be back again!
Villa Mare was one of the highlights of my time in Israel.
Even though I live here, this was my first time visiting Villa Mare, and it felt like discovering a hidden gem.
Not every place in Tel Aviv feels truly welcoming, but Villa Mare does. It is a peaceful oasis by the sea, away from the heat and the fast pace of the city.
The food was excellent, the atmosphere was beautiful, and every member of the staff was genuinely kind. Several people checked on me during my meal, and I felt sincerely welcomed.
This has become one of my favorite places in Israel. If you are in Tel Aviv, don’t miss it.
5
I think I’ve found my favorite place in Tel Aviv. This restaurant has the perfect combination of delicious food, a great location, a beautiful sea view, and outstanding service - a true winning formula.
I ordered the octopus with mashed potatoes, and it was excellent. The octopus was perfectly cooked and full of flavor.
A special thank you to Nick for the exceptional service. Thanks to him, I felt like a VIP guest throughout my visit. Attentive, professional, and genuinely welcoming.
Every time I come to Tel Aviv, I’ll make sure to have lunch at this restaurant. Highly recommended!
2
The two stars I am giving this restaurant are entirely because of the service and the location.
The staff were genuinely friendly and attentive. They asked about dietary restrictions, served food and drinks quickly, and were polite throughout the meal. The location is also excellent, right in front of Bograshov Beach in Tel Aviv, next to the U.S. Embassy, with a beautiful beachfront atmosphere.
Now for the negatives.
This place is outrageously overpriced. Yes, Israel is an expensive country, but this restaurant simply does not deliver food that matches the prices it charges.
I was genuinely shocked when my 115-shekel beef stroganoff served in bread arrived. For a moment, I honestly thought it was a joke. The bread was tiny, literally smaller than my hand. My hand completely covered the entire bread bowl and the stroganoff inside it. There couldn’t have been even 100 grams of meat in the dish, yet it cost 115 shekels.
Before ordering, we had specifically asked the waiter about portion sizes, which makes the situation even more frustrating.
As for the rest of the table, some people were satisfied with their meals and others were not. I can only speak for my own dish, but as a group we all agreed that the restaurant deserves no more than a 2/5.
To be completely honest, I don’t understand how this place has such a high rating on Google Maps. Having expensive beachfront rent to pay every month is not an excuse for serving microscopic portions at premium prices.
There are countless excellent restaurants in Tel Aviv, including many in the exact same area, that offer far better value for money.
Do not let the Google rating or the pretty beachfront photos fool you.
Simply put, this place is not worth it.
One final note: we did not order any alcoholic drinks, but I noticed they offer a happy hour. Perhaps it makes sense as a place to have a drink by the beach. However, for an actual dinner with friends or family, I cannot recommend it.
I certainly would not return.
5
This was our second time visiting this restaurant, and it was just as great as the first! The service was excellent, especially thanks to our waiter, Nick, who was friendly and attentive. The view is beautiful, the burgers were delicious, and we especially loved the dumplings from the special menu and the chicken pate. We’ll definitely be back!
