Tel Aviv Hosts Over-the-Top Sweet Festival Featuring 12-Layer Cake and Giant Marshmallow Pool
From August 12 to 31, Tel Aviv's Namal (Port) will host the "Mugzam" (Over-the-Top) dessert festival, offering a vibrant mix of sweets, family activities, and cool breezes to beat the August heat. The event targets families with children recently out of summer camps, providing a lively atmosphere with giant 10-meter-tall installations of donuts, ice cream, and a marshmallow pool for photo opportunities and interactive fun.
The culinary highlight is the OOGI pop-up by Nadav Bornstein, in collaboration with gluten-free bakery CULULU, bringing New York-inspired treats to Israel. Signature offerings include a large "Cookie Bucket" with trays of warm gluten-free chocolate chip cookies, American ice cream, milk, and sauces; "Tiramisugiya," a tiramisu made with espresso-dipped chocolate chip cookies and mascarpone cream; a giant "Mega Cookielada" combining fresh cookies and ice cream; and "Oogladia," a cup of American ice cream with a melting chocolate chip cookie. Prices range from 34 to 58 shekels.
Other festival participants present their own indulgent creations: Maison Kayser debuts a 12-layer "Crush Cake" in chocolate-caramel or vanilla-berry flavors; Fat & Puff serves cookie dough with ice cream and Nutella; Cafe Nimrod offers a "KitKat S'mores" with toasted marshmallow and caramel popcorn; and Golda presents a mango sticky rice gelato.
On the savory side, Shake Shack joins with a "Shack Stack Jalapeño Cheddar" cheeseburger featuring crispy portobello mushrooms stuffed with cheese, while Agadir offers a veal bacon and cheddar burger. Performance chefs will serve special pizzas, and sushi chain Oshi Oshi will present crispy rolls. Additionally, the Namal will host a rotating food concept area with weekly themes such as hot dogs, schnitzel, and 1980s-inspired dishes.
Artistic elements include illuminated giant sculptures of birthday cakes, ice cream cones, cotton candy, donuts, lollipops, and colorful gummy bears. The festival also features interactive photo zones, music performances, children's workshops, and a marshmallow pool in the sandbox area. The event runs Sunday to Thursday from 18:30 to 23:00, and on Saturdays starting half an hour after Shabbat ends. Admission is free.
