1. Torrefazione: Milan, Italy
You know what’s really hard for restaurants? Deciding whether they are serious or playful. Professional or eccentric. You have to be functional on top of aesthetic so you’re limited in features to really dedicate to creating the look. You have to be intentional about what you’re doing to create the look. This is a perfect example of a restaurant that employs the right features to create drama while keeping it simple, inviting, and professional. The floor is a feature piece and still functional (of course). The walls are dark and a bold, unique blue. All the other details are subtle and sprinkled throughout but grounded by these two massively bold features. An unforgettable overall effect.
Why we love it: it’s simply dramatic
2. Le Blossom: Montreal, Canada
Le Blossom breaks all the rules and kills it with a monochrome design that is so simple and nostalgic, it’s irresistible. We wouldn’t even care how the food is, we’d be here 3 nights a week if we weren’t in NYC. The monochrome theme is both vintage because of the classic pink shade as well as modern with its simplicity and consistency. It’s not “matching”, it’s “monochrome”. This is a bold and potentially revenue and brand building tactic for the right restaurant.
Why we love it: Monochrome
3. Enso Sushi and Grill:
There’s always the option to go eccentric with details and decor for a restaurant space. What’s really interesting is when you take away all of the details and decor and are still left with an experience. This Japnese restaurant in Germany by DIA Dittel Architekten is a shining example. The wall treatment high above guests’ heads is the most detailed feature. It almost forces you to be in a vacuum of simplicity and peace with your company! Very zen. Very on brand.
Why we love it: Impactfully simple
4. Casaplata: Seville, Spain
This deconstructed look from Spain is awesome because it’s both artistic and inviting. The soft pastels make it approachable and a little vintage. The full concerte shell and exposed electrical hardware and venthilation give it an aire of “we don’t give a fuck” and “welcome to the lab”. It’s fun, unique, and great inspiration for a bold and raw brand.
Why we love it: raw, unfiltered fun
5. Icha Chateau Teahouse: Shanghai
For some projects, there needs to be a custom, defining feature that sets it apart from anything else. The ceiling art installations at Icha Chateau’s Restaurant and Teahouse in Shanghai is a great example of that. The cascading waves of metallic fringe from the ceilings creates artificial caves that encompass guests. The rest of the details are simple and complementary to this central and omnipresent feature.
Why we love it: Art as structure
6. Nam: Kiev, Ukraine
Sometimes a little broken is good. Movies, Netflix, etc. have influenced what kind of experiences we want to have. Sometimes it’s cool to eat somewhere that looks like the set of a movie. Nam, a Vietnamese restaurant in Kiev brings guests into an intentionally, luxuriously tattered scene that feels like the jungle of Vietnam but five star. The incomplete details and natural elements layers with cement make this feel like the set of a film.
Why we love it: Cinematic elements
7. Peyote: Dubai
No internet list is complete without something from Dubai these days. This drug-Mexico-Narcos inspired restaurant aptly named “Peyote” is an absolute trip and will be our Dubai feature. The skull gives a dangerous vibe while the uber-clean, simple furniture becomes ironic beneath ominous black tiled walls. The greenery above makes you feel like you’re at a hideout in a jungle – further setting the scene. Too much fun.
Why we love it: drugs
8. Thaikhun: Manchester
Millennials want what’s real, raw, and adventurous. We love travel Instagram profiles and learning about the far corners of the earth from our phones. Sometimes it’s about bringing a completely honest, authentic experience to customers to win them over. Thaikhun, pronounced “Tycoon”, is a Thai restaurant bringing the streets of Thailand straight to the UK. Everything is exposed, raw, honest, and street. Right down to the trash cans. Sometimes we don’t pay for “luxury”, the experience is the luxury.
Why we love it: no reservations
9. L’Avventura: Stockholm
This is a reclaimed theatre turned into a high end restaurant and it. shows. If you’re lucky enough to get a space with history, character, and surviving features – use them. It should be the law. In some places it is. This restaurant highlights the most impactful features and makes them the centerpiece of the whole design – everything else falls in line with the original features and their antique glory. It becomes a museum to the past and sets the stage for every evening.
Why we love it: new memories within restored glory
10. Tattuu: Edinburgh
With multiple locations. Tattuu breaks from restaurant and serves customers in a fantasy land complete with a neon, glowing tree centerpiece. It’s ‘concrete jungle’ meets Alice in Wonderland. The depth and darkness of the furniture, wall, and floor treatments contrasted against the whimsical, custom art and lighting makes this space a marketing marvel in itself. A restaurant chain looking to be a place to be seen should take this direction.
What we love: out of this world art installations
In the age of social, restaurants need more than just incredible food to really make a global impact. Restaurant marketing relies on the experience, both visual and culinary, you provide. Unique, bold, brand-building restaurant design that supports your goals sets you apart the minute your doors open.
If you’re looking for the team to partner with to help you create something incredible like these, get in touch.