What started as an inside joke about frequent bathroom trips has turned into a viral phenomenon.
Yoel Darwish has turned one of the world’s most awkward topics into his area of expertise. He photographs, analyzes and rates public toilets as if they were works of art. Fresh off a visit to Ben Gurion Airport's restrooms, he sat down with us for a candid conversation. “Some bathrooms feel like prison cells, they really bum me out."
"Come poop with me at Ben Gurion Airport"
(Filming: Yoel Darwish)
Yoel Darwish, 27, from Tel Aviv, recently completed film-making studies. By day, he works behind the scenes on the satirical TV show “Eretz Nehederet.” By night, he’s an unlikely online sensation: a toilet critic.
His online video series, where he reviews public restrooms as though they were high-end gourmet dishes, has gone viral, racking up tens of thousands of views.
“It started from a very personal place,” he told Ynet. “I’ve always visited the toilet frequently, but after returning from India with some kind of infection, it became a thing. My body’s fine now, but ever since, I just go a lot.
"At home, with friends, it became a running joke: ‘Where’s Yoel? In the toilet!’ So I thought, how can I use this time to do something productive? That’s where the idea for toilet reviews came from. I figured, if I’m already going, I might as well make it funny."
Darwish speaks in a calm, precise tone, almost academic, even when the subject matter is hard to stomach and smells. “This idea was on my mind for a long time. I wanted to find something original that would get me online. At first I thought only my friends would watch and laugh, but it kind of spiraled."
How did it all begin? “The first video was totally by chance, no planning, no production. My friend Ben Maor, who’s also my editor, told me, ‘Stop talking, just do it!’ And he’s been a full partner ever since."
The first review took place over coffee at Helena restaurant in Tel Aviv. “I just told myself, 'I’m starting now'. It was totally authentic. I pulled out the camera and filmed. We edited, polished it a bit, and suddenly it took off.”
“Yes, it’s embarrassing,” he admits, but not because of the strange and unconventional subject. “I’m not an actor, and I’m not used to being in front of a camera. I usually work behind the scenes, but I decided to push through it.
"Now, after 13 videos, I feel more relaxed. My mom still doesn’t know; I’m going to tell her this weekend. My dad knows and he’s really proud."
And what does your wife think?
“I got married two months ago. My wife is super supportive. She knows me well, so she finds it funny. Friends watch the series and say, ‘That’s totally you’, and they’re right. Some even joked about buying me a toilet as a wedding gift, one of those crazy fancy ones. One day, I’ll try the famous Japanese toilet, that’s the plan."
If toilet reviews sound strange, wait until you hear the thoughtful philosophy behind them. “It’s important to me that every review starts with a few kind words about the place,” Darwish said. “I like to compliment the business before stepping into the restroom, and then, it’s a whole different world.
"I first check cleanliness, then whether there are wipes, if the seat is the right size, whether the toilet paper is good quality, if the door locks properly, if the sink is easy to use, and most importantly, if it smells good."
Darwish pays attention to every detail, even things most people overlook. “It’s important to me that my reviews are honest, but also funny. I don’t want to insult businesses. On the contrary, I want to raise awareness about public restrooms and give the topic the respect it deserves."
Ask Darwish where to find the best public bathrooms in the Tel Aviv metro area, and he doesn’t hesitate. “There are two places in Tel Aviv worth praising,” he said. “The first one is the Hod Hamahat Records Coffee Wine on Dizengoff Street. That place is always clean. There are wipes, a nice smell, and everything is in order. Maybe it’s because I go in the morning, but I’ve never seen it messy. It gives a sense of luxury, even though it’s just a simple bathroom."
His second pick: Bushwick, the upscale cocktail bar on Nahalat Binyamin Street. “I don’t really hang out there much, but the restrooms at night are perfect. You can walk in through the hotel lobby, and no one questions you.
"They can’t tell who’s a restaurant guest and who just dropped by, so you go in without anyone staring. On nights when I’m out in the city, I know I can count on that place. I’ll tell my friends, ‘Hold on, I’m popping into Bushwick'.
Not every bathroom in the greater Tel Aviv area scores high marks. “Some places really bring me down. The municipal public toilets in Tel Aviv, those automated stalls on Rothschild and Nordau boulevards, are a big letdown. You walk in and it feels like they don’t want you to use them. There’s no seat, everything’s metallic, it looks like a prison. I say it in the video too, it’s a jail cell toilet. That’s clearly the intention."
Beyond poor design, Darwish sees a broader issue. “There just aren’t enough public toilets in Israel. Tel Aviv probably has the fewest of any major city. That has to change. A clean toilet isn’t a luxury, it’s a basic human need."
In a surprising twist, Darwish has a sentimental attachment to the public toilets on Israel Railways trains. “I actually love the train bathrooms. I used them all the time when I came home from the army. There’s something nostalgic about it.
"I served in combat training, then in Judea and Samaria, and whenever I took the train back home, it felt like freedom. You go into the toilet and don’t need permission from a commander to poop; it was a moment of independence and freedom. For me, it’s a sweet memory."
Israel Railways even responded to his video review in a good-humored way, thanking him for the feedback. “During the day, passengers sometimes leave… uh… unpleasant 'surprises',” the company commented. “And yeah, it annoys us too!"
What kind of reactions do you get from business owners?
“At first, I was afraid business owners would be upset, but the opposite happened. Most have been really supportive. Some even reach out and ask me to visit. I try to keep a balance and not overdo it.
"Sometimes people offer me collaborations or free stuff, but I don’t want it to turn into advertising. My goal is to raise awareness rather than tank businesses. Even if the bathroom’s bad, I always try to find something positive to say."
One of his quirkiest innovations is his rating system, not stars, but “goujons.” “I rate on a scale of five, including half points,” he explained, speaking with the gravity of a Michelin inspector.
“Goujon is like a small lump, in French. It’s slang I learned at home. I give a score based on cleanliness, comfort, toilet supplies, atmosphere, and any unique details that stood out. At the end of each video, I sum it up with how many goujons the bathroom deserves."
What makes a perfect restroom?
“A five-goujon bathroom has quality toilet paper, a bidet with a hose, not one built into a plastic toilet, porcelain fixtures, a good smell, consistent cleanliness, and most importantly, it should feel pleasant to walk into."
“I’m really moved by the comments people leave. It’s amazing that they find it funny and relatable. I want to keep the series going and maybe expand it. We’re working on new projects, maybe some sketches. It’s going to get even crazier, but still within the world of bathrooms.
"My dream is to review the restrooms of the ultra-wealthy. You wrote a piece on that, right? That’s the peak for a toilet critic."