According to notes review author Kaisa Carlson, in 2025 restaurant design was defined by materials and color. Architects and designers have been working extensively with volcanic ceramics, mycelium, brick and aluminium, creating tactile, emotionally charged spaces. At the same time, the emphasis has shifted from a restrained Scandinavian aesthetic to bold, rich colours.
Photo: Andriy Bezuglov
Ukraine is represented on Dezeen's list by the Grybova Hata restaurant near Bukovel, designed by YOD Group. The space is distinguished by the use of mycelium curtains and furniture with rounded shapes and a natural color scheme that refers to the image of mushrooms.
“This architecture grew organically within the existing space — just like a mushroom grows from mycelium,” noted Volodymyr Nepyyvoda, managing partner of YOD Group.
Here is a list of the remaining designs recognized by the authoritative publication:
Plumbago (Mexico City, Mexico) by OPA
Photo: Ariadna Polo
Located in the Cuauhtémoc district of Mexico City, the Plumbago restaurant is a duo of gabled structures, one of which is clad in corrugated polycarbonate sheeting.
"We wanted to create an urban greenhouse – a peaceful space filled with light and vegetation, located in the middle of Mexico City's concrete jungle," OPA co-founders Rosalia Yuste and Diego Magnón told Dezeen.
Town (London, United Kingdom) by North End Design
Photo: North End Design
The colorful Town has been one of the most exciting additions to London's restaurant scene this year. Located in the vibrant Covent Garden area, the space features a playful interior with volcanic ceramic columns, chrome accents, and space-age shapes.
Side A (San Francisco, USA) by Studio Ahead
Photo: Ekaterina Izmestieva
Side A restaurant and vinyl bar in San Francisco features a custom-made aluminum DJ stand behind which is displayed a selection of vinyl records and the menu of the day.
“Our goal was to combine design, music, and culinary arts in one center for the creative people of the area,” says Studio Ahead co-founder Olena Dendiberia.
Mi Shang (Shanghai, China) by filmmaker Wong Kar Wai
Photo: Prada
Director Wong Kar Wai sought to recreate the visual identity of his films when designing a restaurant for fashion brand Prada in Shanghai.
Its color-rich dining room, located inside a 1918 Western-style villa in Rongzhai, was designed to recreate the nighttime charm of Wong's film In the Mood for Love and combine it with Prada's own aesthetic.
Millo (Bucharest, Romania) from AE02
Photo: Ollie Tomlinson
Millo restaurant in Bucharest, designed by local design duo AE02, is conceived as a space with a theatrical atmosphere. The interior is built on a combination of glossy materials and warm adaptive lighting that changes the perception of the space depending on the time of day.
To create the right mood, the designers used geometric shapes and expressive textures. In particular, a textured glass insert allows you to look into the kitchen, adding dynamics to the interior. Lacquered walnut walls, reflective microcement flooring, as well as terrazzo and marble surfaces create a rich tactile environment.
Lina Stores (London, United Kingdom) by A-nrd
Photo: Adam Firman
A former bank building in east London has been transformed into a new space for Italian restaurant chain Lina Stores, retaining much of the authentic features of the Grade II listed building.
Local studio A-nrd added new details to the interior that reflect the brand's identity. The bare plaster walls were left exposed to "add authenticity and charm," while a light pistachio green color gave the space a fresh and airy feel.
Challe (Kyoto, Japan) by UNC Studio
Photo: UNC Studio
The interior of Challe restaurant in Kyoto is a fusion of Mexican and Japanese design. The establishment, dedicated to the cuisine of both countries, is distinguished by an all-red space, which creates a strong visual accent.
“Working with the renovation of an old Japanese wooden house, we didn’t want to create an orthodox Mexican look,” explains UNC Studio founder Keiji Kadota. “Instead, we imagined a fusion of modern Mexican and Japanese styles.”
Mimi (Edmonton, Canada) from Ste Marie
Photo: Conrad Brown
Mimi is one of three food spaces located at the base of an Edmonton residential tower that regularly hosts DJ sets and live jazz performances.
The interior, designed by local studio Ste Marie, immerses diners in deep shades of burgundy and chocolate. Above the tables is a central line of light boxes wrapped in patterned fabric, which softly illuminate the lounge area.
Ánimo (New York, USA) by Jordana Maisie Design Studio
Photo: Seth Caplan
When designing the Ánimo restaurant in New York, Los Angeles-based Jordana Maisie Design Studio turned to images of Mexican architecture.
The interior features a wavy suspended ceiling that runs over a row of semi-circular banquettes and forms a flowing line along the windows. Terrazzo surfaces, sapele wood tables and rich dark red tiles emphasize the artisanal nature of the space and the attention to detail.
See also:
Ukrainian designer Nastya Mirzoyan received the prestigious Dezeen Awards 2025