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Collection by Andrea Smith

Restaurant Designs We Love from Around the World

Eating is a well-crafted experience in the atmospheres of these superbly designed restaurants.

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An oven for baking pides, a type of Turkish pizza, sits on the ground floor.
An oven for baking pides, a type of Turkish pizza, sits on the ground floor.
Bedmar worked with CAPÓ Estudio to refine the interiors. The existing concrete slab ceiling was replaced with glass to let natural light enter.
Bedmar worked with CAPÓ Estudio to refine the interiors. The existing concrete slab ceiling was replaced with glass to let natural light enter.
Partner Greg Bradshaw explains AvroKO's design process: "Concept development is our initial work phase and likely the most important one. In this phase we collaborate a good deal with the client, sketch out plans and general imaginings of the space, and attempt to lock down how the space will truly feel before we get into the technical detail of construction documents. Our ideas influence everything from the interior, to the logo, to the tabletop."
Partner Greg Bradshaw explains AvroKO's design process: "Concept development is our initial work phase and likely the most important one. In this phase we collaborate a good deal with the client, sketch out plans and general imaginings of the space, and attempt to lock down how the space will truly feel before we get into the technical detail of construction documents. Our ideas influence everything from the interior, to the logo, to the tabletop."
Kin Kao is a 25-seat restaurant that chef Tang Phoonchai, his wife, Min, and Terrence Feng opened in Vancouver, British Columbia. They enlisted architects David and Susan Scott of local firm Scott and Scott Architects to build out a 750-square-foot space located at near an area where commercial, industrial, and residential zones meet. Scott and Scott created a minimalist space using affordable finishes—and a vivid wash of blue. "As with the menu of Thai street and homestyle dishes, the space celebrates ordinary materials and simple details which are light hearted and familiar," David says.
Kin Kao is a 25-seat restaurant that chef Tang Phoonchai, his wife, Min, and Terrence Feng opened in Vancouver, British Columbia. They enlisted architects David and Susan Scott of local firm Scott and Scott Architects to build out a 750-square-foot space located at near an area where commercial, industrial, and residential zones meet. Scott and Scott created a minimalist space using affordable finishes—and a vivid wash of blue. "As with the menu of Thai street and homestyle dishes, the space celebrates ordinary materials and simple details which are light hearted and familiar," David says.
Picnic-style tables give the space a subtle geometry.
Picnic-style tables give the space a subtle geometry.
"The focus is on the working counter," Ortiz de Zevallos says of the space where shellfish and seafood dishes are served to eager crowds. Throughout the dining area, the floor is made of recycled wood.
"The focus is on the working counter," Ortiz de Zevallos says of the space where shellfish and seafood dishes are served to eager crowds. Throughout the dining area, the floor is made of recycled wood.
Selldorf's team installed a custom pizza bar for Marta out of Breccia Capria marble. The ovens are tiled in blackened glossy solid glazed brick by Waterworks; the wall behind is clad in Sugar White Glazed Brick by Nemo Tile.
Selldorf's team installed a custom pizza bar for Marta out of Breccia Capria marble. The ovens are tiled in blackened glossy solid glazed brick by Waterworks; the wall behind is clad in Sugar White Glazed Brick by Nemo Tile.
Frank Tjepkema’s freestanding Il Treno was first designed in 2011 as a fixed booth for Fabbrica Restaurant in Norway.
Frank Tjepkema’s freestanding Il Treno was first designed in 2011 as a fixed booth for Fabbrica Restaurant in Norway.
"The pieces told us what they wanted to do on the wall," Cadena says. The menagerie of bones, including pieces from boar, turtles, and even a whale's vertebrae, are deliberately off-white, so it doesn't come across as too pure. The tables and chairs are separated from the walls, so diners aren't too distracted by the details of the elaborate, hand-made murals, which include silverware, serving utensils, and pieces from books.
"The pieces told us what they wanted to do on the wall," Cadena says. The menagerie of bones, including pieces from boar, turtles, and even a whale's vertebrae, are deliberately off-white, so it doesn't come across as too pure. The tables and chairs are separated from the walls, so diners aren't too distracted by the details of the elaborate, hand-made murals, which include silverware, serving utensils, and pieces from books.
Bar Agricole (San Francisco, California) With a 1,600-square-foot garden and wood-lined interior, Bar Agricole brings a craft touch to San Francisco’s otherwise industrial SOMA district. Aidlin Darling Design called in a team of local artisans to construct the building’s oak “hull,” which is made of reclaimed whiskey barrels. Seated at the bar are a row Vintage Chairs by Restoration Hardware.
Bar Agricole (San Francisco, California) With a 1,600-square-foot garden and wood-lined interior, Bar Agricole brings a craft touch to San Francisco’s otherwise industrial SOMA district. Aidlin Darling Design called in a team of local artisans to construct the building’s oak “hull,” which is made of reclaimed whiskey barrels. Seated at the bar are a row Vintage Chairs by Restoration Hardware.
A key reason to visit the La Boca neighborhood, aside from the colourful Caminito street, the contemporary art gallery Fundación Proa regularly holds international exhibitions, including recent solo shows by Joseph Beuys and Ron Mueck. The terrace eatery is a fantastic spot for a relaxed lunch. Avenida Don Pedro de Mendoza 1929.
A key reason to visit the La Boca neighborhood, aside from the colourful Caminito street, the contemporary art gallery Fundación Proa regularly holds international exhibitions, including recent solo shows by Joseph Beuys and Ron Mueck. The terrace eatery is a fantastic spot for a relaxed lunch. Avenida Don Pedro de Mendoza 1929.
Temple Restaurant does European fine dining on the grounds of a 600-year-old temple that was used as a television factory during the Cultural Revolution. The beautiful lot is also home to a boutique hotel and gallery.
Temple Restaurant does European fine dining on the grounds of a 600-year-old temple that was used as a television factory during the Cultural Revolution. The beautiful lot is also home to a boutique hotel and gallery.