In a world increasingly dominated by digital screens, there’s something undeniably captivating about stepping into a space designed to be photographed. From vibrant murals to minimalist aesthetics, these 11 Instagrammable restaurants around the globe offer a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. Whether you’re a foodie, a travel enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates beauty, these restaurants are sure to inspire and delight.
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Tomo, Seattle
Friendship and familial connection are the heart of Tomo, located in Seattle’s burgeoning White Center neighborhood. Despite the compelling narrative provided to local firm Graypants, the space presented a design challenge. The solution? Wood became the centerpiece, with lighting integrated into the architecture and oak shingles contrasting with vertical ash slats. The small space feels purposeful, with food and guests completing the scene.
Ci Siamo, New York
Anchored by a wood-burning grill and hearth, restaurateur Danny Meyer’s tri-level Ci Siamo features Italian Rationalist design and a sinuous, undulating floor plan. Guests are transported to another world as they enter the plaza, passing through a vestibule with a bespoke slumped glass and metal chandelier and a stone mosaic floor, before entering a quiet foyer with an antique marble fountain. A grand staircase leads to a warm lounge setting, where forged-by-fire materials complement vintage tables and seating, as well as the marble mosaic flooring. Goodrich emphasizes that the design aligns with Meyer’s legacy of “creating connections amongst diners,” rather than focusing solely on aesthetic details.
GUI Restaurant & Bar, Hangzhou, China
For GUI Restaurant & Bar, local firm Pig Design transformed a polyhedral structure into a moody eatery, with interiors inspired by the building’s original diamond shape. Chief designer Li Wenqiang selected a material palette of stone, metal, and leather to complement symmetrical mirrors that evoke “the imagery of a raw diamond before being polished.” The curvy exterior was retained, with the addition of a new, nearly 30-foot-tall gate accentuated by lighting and horizontal stripes. “When night falls, the symmetrical mirrors generate a psychedelic atmosphere,” says Wenqiang. As guests explore the space, which includes a craft beer bar, performance stage bar, and a whiskey bar, they encounter a range of experiences, geometric forms, and a varied lighting design that adds a futuristic effect to the otherwise monochromatic restaurant.
Tin Tin, Punjab, India
Artisanship is the cornerstone of the mesmerizing monolithic design Renesa Architects created for Tin Tin in New Delhi. “The inspiration was the basic module structure deconstructed from the Scarpa flooring by Italian architect Carlo Scarpa,” says studio head and architect Sanchit Arora. The space meanders, creating nooks and semi-alfresco lounge areas for patrons, deviating from traditional linear forms. The most dramatic feature is the geometric mosaic matrix formed by terrazzo and Indian stone in jade, brown, veined white, and greige, which extends from the flooring, walls, and arches, creating a grotto-like atmosphere. “The idea was not to intimidate but to let people decide their own experience based on their mood and time of day,” says Arora. “Good design attracts you once, but a good vibe brings you back twice.”
Esmée, Copenhagen
Esmée, a modern homage to the classic French brasserie, “is a nostalgic nod to Southern European dining,” says Space Copenhagen cofounder Signe Bindslev Henriksen. The light, green, and airy interiors echo this Southern European inspiration. Gray and green hues create an organic palette complemented by notes of red and burgundy, as well as deep, glossy plum shades reminiscent of traditional Copenhagen homes. Handpainted millwork and plastered walls mingle with sandstone floors and greenery, which Space Copenhagen cofounder Peter Bundgaard Rützou describes as “the starting point for this project.” The design treats the space as if it were an orangerie.
BARDAVID, Chicago
BARDAVID, located in the David Rubenstein Forum at the University of Chicago, is designed for intimate conversations and relaxation. The firm blended indigo and cream with brushed brass, bronze, terrazzo flooring, and a Calacatta marble counter. The dramatic “parametrically designed cloud of lights” animates the main seating area, creating a unique and inviting atmosphere.
Firangi Superstar, Singapore
Firangi Superstar, a modern Indian restaurant, is a love letter to India, taking patrons on a sensory journey inspired by the owner’s travels, experiences, and memories of the country. EDG’s Singapore studio, led by Piya Thamchariyawat, crafted rooms with distinct identities, drawing from Wes Anderson films and India’s colonial culture. The Old Railway Room mimics a luxury train carriage, while the Officer’s Club features rusty crimson paneling, vintage rifles and swords, and peacock wallcovering. The Jungle Lodge boasts a feature wall adorned with artifacts, animal prints, and resin antlers. Inspired by the Blue Room at Udaipur City Palace, the Elephant Palace completes the cinematic experience. Despite the challenges, the firm achieved a series of interconnected stories that are both individually and holistically compelling.
Indego by Vineet, Dubai
To elevate Michelin-starred chef Vineet Bhatia’s iconic eatery, LW Design captured the essence of colonial India while echoing its vibrant culture. Signature elements like Nataraja sculptures and jali screens were retained to preserve the restaurant’s much-loved appeal. The reimagined space features colors and patterns that burst with modern Indian vibes, luring patrons into a world of another time.
Cloud & Co., Doha
Inspired by Dutch graphic artist M.C. Escher, Cloud & Co. is an otherworldly gelato store in Doha from Mexico City-based Futura. The design merges a blue and pink color palette with teal and Corian accents. The idiom “On Cloud 9” served as the core concept, resulting in joyful interiors reminiscent of pastel skies and cotton candy clouds. The playful all-pink area encourages interaction, while the mysterious blue space evokes a dreamlike wonderland. Despite the contrast, the spaces are connected by the gelato counter and the lighting design—the final touch that brings everything together. The luminaire adds a dreamy look to the space, emphasizing Escher-like elements such as the stairs, the swing, and the ball pool.
Entrée, London
For Georgian bakery Entrée’s UK venture, Holloway Li aimed to transport guests to Tbilisi, drawing inspiration from Eastern European culture. The arches throughout the bakery, inspired by traditional Georgian balconies, create a cinematic framing of the counter. The pastel color scheme evokes a Wes Anderson-inspired aesthetic. The café’s layout resembles a theater, with the serving area acting as a proscenium arch. To honor the tradition of supra, a celebratory Georgian feast, a large oval bronze table surrounded by banquettes serves fresh baked goods. A window behind the counter offers a glimpse into the bakery, conjuring the childlike wonder of peering into a sweet shop.
Fanny’s, Los Angeles
Housed within the former landmarked May Company department store, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures—transformed by Renzo Piano and the late Osvaldo Maiozzi—includes the Commune-designed Fanny’s. Named after American comedian Fanny Brice, the eatery comprises a main dining room, Art Deco bar and lounge, and market. Celebrating the silver screen while nodding to Old Hollywood restaurants Perino’s and the Brown Derby, the eatery is a standout feature of the building, which Roman Alonso, principal at the locally based firm, describes as “perhaps the best example of Streamline Moderne architecture in the city.” From the wood paneling that evokes movie set flats to illustrator Konstantin Kakanias’ playful wall mural honoring film and music legends from classic Hollywood to the present day, “we wanted to capture certain elements from that era in a modern way that would seamlessly integrate with Renzo Piano’s industrial design,” Alonso adds.
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