Monroe Bar Opens Next to Noa Ma Restaurant in Tel Aviv, Impresses Despite High Prices
Monroe is a new bar adjacent to the Noa Ma restaurant on Nachalat Binyamin pedestrian street in Tel Aviv. Unlike many side bars that serve as quick cash grabs, Monroe stands out as a distinct and stylish venue. The bar occupies a very small space with no indoor seating, only a few outdoor tables, creating an intimate atmosphere with a light color scheme contrasting Noa Ma's darker interior. It is a separate establishment rather than an extension of the restaurant or a converted sidewalk space.
The bar showcases a variety of oysters at premium prices, which the reviewer chose to skip. Arriving for a Saturday brunch, the menu included classic brunch dishes like shakshuka, avocado toast, and egg salad alongside more refined restaurant-style dishes. The reviewer ordered several items: a fresh green salad for 68 shekels, toro tuna tataki for 84 shekels, sea fish sashimi for 86 shekels, sea bass fillet for 128 shekels, chocolate mousse for 38 shekels, creme de jour for 49 shekels, and a mimosa cocktail for 48 shekels.
Highlights included a beautifully presented tuna dish with green apple slices and fresh raspberries dressed in a fermented jalapeno vinaigrette, and thin slices of whitefish served with tzatziki, fennel, olive oil, and lime. The sea bass fillet was expertly seared and served with beurre blanc sauce and mashed potatoes, demonstrating chef Moshiko Avraham’s skill beyond his previous success at the now-closed Aria restaurant. The chocolate mousse dessert was excellent, garnished with cherries and a hint of olive oil.
Drinks included a sparkling French Crémant, a more affordable alternative to champagne, and a mimosa cocktail made from bottled orange juice rather than fresh, which slightly affected quality. Despite the high prices typical of Tel Aviv, Monroe offers a pleasant surprise for late Saturday brunch and promises an appealing evening menu worth revisiting. Monroe is located at 19 Ahad Ha’am Street, corner of Nachalat Binyamin, Tel Aviv.
