Travel · Eat

Opa · Tel Aviv, Israel

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Name: Opa
Images: Via Tolila
Words: Steph Wade

In Tel Aviv’s lively, culinary neighbourhood of Levinsky Market lies ‘Opa’, an intimate 35-seat gastronomic experience, whose interior was conceived by architect Vered Kadouri and local design studio Craft and Bloom.

Plant-based eating has been brought to center stage via owner and head chef Shirel Berger, who relies entirely on local ingredients for her inventive and refined all-vegan menu. To ensure the interior space was in alignment with the restaurant’s culinary vision, Berger enlisted the help of both Kadouri and Craft and Bloom; both of whom are known for their love of modern design and their thoughtful use of local, natural materials. A decision was made to close off the entire street-facing facade by removing existing metal grates and transparent windows, replacing them with a glass and drywall painted in a natural finish—creating a stylish, unassuming dining experience on what Craft and Bloom describes as a derelict street. “The outcome: an entrance resembling that of an art gallery rather than a restaurant,” says Emma Shahar, creative director of Craft and Bloom. “This decision provided an intimate, womb-like effect that dulled out street noise and separated guests from the unruly outside world. Opa became a peaceful cocoon amidst the chaos.”

A material palette of Hevron stone, textured walls and floors, and a glass partition wall characterize the interior, while an indoor patio adds a casual element to the fine dining experience. The restaurant’s neutral color palette includes subdued hues of peach and nudes, warm grays, and light woods. Low-hung lights made by a local craftsman in Jaffa are dotted throughout, with pale-wood cantilever chairs inspired by Marcel Breuer adding a sophisticated touch. In the kitchen, minimalist plates using quality produce demand an exposed kitchen where guests can observe the chefs at work. “Over-styling, much like over-spicing, is only necessary when the bare ingredients are in need of clever disguise,” continues Shahar. “In the case of Opa, every element shines in its simplicity.”