Following two decades of anticipation and international pop-ups worldwide, the legendary café from the "Friends" series has successfully transported itself from New York to Tel Aviv, officially welcoming the general public on Monday at Azrieli Sarona shopping center.
This Israeli incarnation of "Central Perk" emerged through a collaboration between the Azrieli Group and LDI company, representing Warner Bros. Discovery in Israel, featuring culinary direction by Nadav Bornstein in collaboration with Biscotti.
Visitors can immerse themselves in a comprehensive café experience showcasing series-inspired desserts, browse official merchandise, or simply fulfill every dedicated fan's ultimate fantasy of stepping into their favorite fictional coffeehouse.
Although we approached with considerably elevated expectations, the production exceeded our hopes and delivered genuinely thrilling attractions – an elaborate photo station featuring the legendary fountain and colorful umbrellas from the opening sequence, plus a replica of the beloved orange couch where the six friends spent countless hours. The retail section offers unlimited souvenir options, spanning apparel, cushions, mugs, decorative pieces, and school supplies.
However, the genuine centerpiece that drew our attention remains the authentic "Central Perk" café experience. Tnuva Alternative, serving as the pop-up's primary sponsor, oversees the coffee beverages prepared with diverse milk varieties, while introducing their signature "Ice Alternative" creation – an oat milk-based frappe topped with dark chocolate shavings.
The real stars of this pop-up are the nostalgic desserts from the series. Rachel's infamous trifle, featuring Japanese vanilla torte layers complemented by berry compote and vanilla pastry cream, complete with the notorious ground beef and pea components (thankfully, chocolate-based, rest assured), proved absolutely delightful. Phoebe's grandmother's chocolate chip cookies delivered perfect crumbliness, packed with generous chocolate chunks. Ross' blueberry muffins, adorned with fresh berries beneath white chocolate crumble, achieved ideal sweetness levels. The ultimate victors include Monica's chocolate masterpiece – multiple chocolate torte layers filled with rich ganache – and naturally, Chandler's signature cheesecake, a perfectly baked creation also available in plant-based form using cashew and vanilla crumble foundation. View our video to discover our detailed thoughts on every single offering.
Beyond plant-based alternatives, the establishment maintains kosher certification under Beit Yosef rabbinate supervision, ensuring accessibility for diverse patron preferences. This pop-up will operate temporarily based on public demand (though we secured confirmation of at least three months) and necessitates advance website registration, permitting approximately one-hour visits per designated time slot. Anticipate substantial queues appropriate for such a significant event, though the reservation system should help distribute visitor flow.
With the series' iconic theme song providing constant ambiance throughout the space, devoted fans will immediately feel completely at home. Meanwhile, those unfamiliar with the "Friends" universe – it's never too late to fall in love with it, particularly through its exceptional New York-style cheesecake.
