THE FOODIST / DEZEEN DESIGN BLOG PICKS 2023’S TOP BAR & CAFÉ DECORS

Drift Hotel, Santa Barbara, California

GUEST BLOG / By Starr Charles via Dezeen magazine-- For the latest roundup in Dezeen's 2023 review the design & architecture blog out of the UK selected 10 of this year's most popular and evocative restaurant and bar interiors, ranging from a space-themed sushi bar in Milan to a beach-style eatery in London (as selected by DeZeen. 

 Also among this year's eclectic roundup of restaurant and bar interiors is a renovated 16th-century brewery in Poland lined with a bold interior of red brick and ceramic tiles, as well as a bar and restaurant informed by Japanese psychedelia and cabins in Canada. 

 Read on for Dezeen's top 10 restaurant and bar interiors of 2023: 

Drift, Santa Barbara, US, by Anacapa Architecture US studio Anacapa Architecture transformed a formerly closed early-1900s building into a hotel – hosting a ground-floor bar and cafe for both hotel guests and local visitors. Located in central California, the rustic interior accentuates the building's historical character and is complemented by concrete and wooden furniture. Photo by Erin Feinblatt 

Ikoyi Restaurant, UK, by David Thulstrup Copenhagen-based designer David Thulstrup designed a copper and oak interior for the Ikoyi restaurant, situated within London's 180 The Strand building. Drawing on spice-making processes from sub-Saharan west Africa, the interior features ceilings clad with metal-mesh panels and walls lined with oxidised copper sheets. Photo by Irina Boersma 

Sando, Geneva, Switzerland, by Sapid Studio Sapid Studio used Japanese patchwork techniques to inform the renovation of a burger restaurant in Geneva. Named after the Japanese word for sandwich, Sando features a largely retained interior decorated with a corrugated stainless steel bar, patched up tiled flooring, and translucent tapestries. 

 

Tenczynek Brewery, Poland, by Projekt Praga Red brick, ceramic tiles and oak furniture define the Tenczynek Brewery interior, designed by Polish design studio Projekt Praga. Located outside of Krakow, the centuries-old brewery was converted into a bold-coloured restaurant and bar, with a self-service beer fountain occupying the centre of the historic brick-vaulted space. Photo by ONI Studio

Prada Caffè, UK, by Prada Located in London's luxury department store Harrods, fashion house Prada opened a cafe informed by one of Milan's oldest patisseries. Contrasting with Harrods' baroque facade, Prada Caffè's mint green latticed storefront references the brand's signature green hue, which extends to the interior walls, ceilings and furniture. 

 

Milk Beach Soho, UK, by A-nrd London-based design studio A-nrd brought a "beachfront feel" reminiscent of an Australian beach club to this restaurant interior in Soho, London. Milk Beach Soho's minimal interior has a neutral material palette featuring a polished terrazzo floor and art deco-style furniture and lighting. Photo by Charlie McKay

 Ichi Station, Italy, by Masquespacio Ichi Station, by Valencian design studio Masquespacio, is a dine-in restaurant in Milan that draws on sci-fi and space tourism. Designed to resemble a futuristic spaceship, the cylindrical restaurant interior has a material palette of glass and micro-cement along with rounded, custom-made furniture. Photo by Luis Beltran

 Matilde Cunha Cozinha das Flores, Portugal, by Space Copenhagen Located in a 16th-century building in Porto, Cozinha das Flores' interior is decorated by a ceramic mural created by Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza. Designed by Space Copenhagen, the rustic interior is lined with green and burnt orange tiles, along with oak furniture and brass accents.  Photo by Luís Moreira

 Corner, UK, by Holland Harvey London-based architecture studio Holland Harvey revamped Tate Modern's ground-floor cafe to be less "Herzog & de Meuron-y". Doubling as the gallery's first late-night spot, the interior is organised around a grey stone bar, while salvaged chairs and bespoke tables are used throughout the space. Photo by Jack Hobhouse

 

Hello Sunshine, Banff, Alberta, Canada, by Frank Architecture Situated within the mountains of Alberta, Hello Sunshine is a bar and restaurant informed by Japanese psychedelia and cabins in collaboration with Little Giant. Designed by Canadian studio Frank Architecture, the wooden interior features two raised fire pits accompanied by large flues clad with glazed ceramic tiles, along with paper lanterns and textile artworks. Photo by Chris Ama