"Aviv Moshe's haute-cuisine landmark plates foie gras with white chocolate in Sarona — Tel Aviv's room for impressing clients in style."
About Messa
Messa is one of Tel Aviv's most recognisable chef restaurants, led by Aviv Moshe and set on HaArba'a Street in the Sarona district. The room is a piece of theatre in itself — a New York-style white-on-white dining hall beside a black-on-black bar — and the restaurant is listed in the Gault&Millau guide to Israel.
Moshe's cooking is grounded in French and Italian classical technique, threaded with Mediterranean and North African flavours. Messa belongs among the city's destination tables, alongside Eyal Shani's HaSalon and the Asian-leaning Taizu, in Tel Aviv.
The Kitchen
The seasonal menu mixes refinement and nostalgia: a signature seared foie gras with white Valrhona chocolate and lemon, crab gnocchi with blue cheese, and a seafood couscous in crab and lemon-thyme sauce. Moshe describes the cooking as haute cuisine carrying the memory of his mother's kitchen.
It reads as French-rooted fine dining with a strong seafood hand rather than casual Tel Aviv fare; for a different high-end room, Claro in Sarona is a strong alternative.
The Room
The dining room is dramatic and design-led — all white, sculptural and luminous — set against a moody black bar that draws a separate after-dark crowd. Service is polished and attentive, pitched for special occasions and business dinners rather than a quiet neighbourhood meal.
Best for impressing clients
The dramatic room, polished service and refined menu make Messa a confident choice to impress clients in Tel Aviv, and the sense of occasion suits a milestone anniversary.
Not for
Not for a casual or low-key meal — Messa is a polished, expensive haute-cuisine room built for occasions, not a relaxed neighbourhood dinner.
Frequently Asked
Who is the chef at Messa?
Chef Aviv Moshe, one of Israel's best-known chefs, leads Messa. He cooks haute cuisine grounded in French and Italian technique with Mediterranean and North African flavours, and the restaurant is listed in Gault&Millau.
What is Messa known for?
A striking white-on-white dining room with a black bar, and signature dishes such as seared foie gras with white Valrhona chocolate and lemon, crab gnocchi with blue cheese, and seafood couscous in crab and lemon-thyme sauce.
Where is Messa located?
On HaArba'a Street in Tel Aviv's Sarona district, a polished haute-cuisine restaurant set in a dramatic white dining room alongside a separate black-toned bar.
Do I need a reservation at Messa?
Yes — Messa is a popular fine-dining room that serves dinner and encourages booking a couple of days ahead, especially for weekends; contact the restaurant to confirm current availability.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Messa
Booking advised; dinner service, smart dress.
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
Address19 HaArba'a Street, Sarona, Tel Aviv
NeighbourhoodSarona
CuisineHaute Cuisine, French-Mediterranean
PriceA la carte mains roughly ₪120–220; tasting options
Dress CodeSmart
SeatingWhite dining room & black bar
ReservationAdvised
