(Vicente Fores / Shutterstock.com)
While the sitcom Friends ended over two decades ago, the show is still immensely popular in Israel due to endless reruns. You may even want to call it an obsession.
For those of you in the know, many of the scenes took place in the Central Perk coffee shop where Rachel served her friends in oversized cups and people sang “Smelly Cat.” Now the coffee shop has been recreated in a pop-up cafe in Tel Aviv’s Azrieli Sarona Mall, reported The Jerusalem Post.
The pop-up was created in partnership with Tnuva Alternative, GSS, Warner Bros, and the Azrieli Sarona team.
The Friends Experience
The cafe, which opened in August 2025 incorporated elements from both the TV show and the cafe set, like the orange couch where you can sit with friends. Patrons can choose from a selection of Central Perk themed coffee beverages and baked goods that were inspired by the characters including Chandler’s Floor Cheesecake and Rachel’s “Meat Trifle” sans the meat.
“We really enjoyed the food — it was very good!” Tel Aviv influencer Daniella Nir told Jpost. “My favorite was Monica’s chocolate cake. It was so creamy, and the brownies were great!”
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With props like the theme song fountain set, the pop-up is designed for visitors to pose alongside their favorite themes, reported YNet. It’s so realistic that you may actually say; “Oh my God!” or sing along with the sitcom’s theme song “I’ll Be There For You.”
Friends-themed merchandise for sale includes mugs, T-shirts, dolls, and even a cookbook that features recipes from the hit series.
Why is the Sitcom Still So Popular?
Friends appeals to people of all ages because it is about a time when people were connected, Danna Azrieli, chairwoman of the Azrieli board of directors explained to JPost.
“With everything happening in the world today, everyone is looking for meaning. In the midst of our digital lives, that sense of connection between six people who show genuine love for one another resonates deeply. I think that it has both international and intergenerational appeal – it’s truly a phenomenon,” she said.
The pop-up is open Sunday through Thursday from 9:30 am to 9:30 pm and Fridays from 9 am to 3 pm, reservations are required and can be made online at friends-pop-up.azrielimalls.co.il/. But don’t take too long. The pop-up will close in late October.
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