Australia’s best restaurant design 2020: Nostalgia takes centre stage

At a time when the hospitality industry is really hurting, due to lockdown measures and the general economic downturn, this year’s Eat Drink Design Awards finalist announcements do feel bittersweet. That said, perhaps there’s no better time to celebrate the best designed hospitality venues across Australia and New Zealand, in recognition of the joy they provide.

“Perhaps it is no coincidence that in a time of such upheaval, we have seen designers create spaces that provide familiarity in their appearance and comfort in their feel. Many designers appeared to be in search of an air of nostalgia for the interiors they created, with numerous venues showcasing a modern take on traditional spaces. This year’s designers have one foot in the past whilst firmly looking towards the future,” says Cassie Hansen, Eat Drink Design Awards jury chair and editor of Artichoke.

And while the awards recognise excellence in design across many spheres (hotel, bar, cafe and retail design to name a few), this year we’ve decided to showcase the finalists in the restaurant category; an impressive bunch indeed.

Mya Tiger by Techne Architecture and Interior Design, St Kilda VIC. Photo: Shannon McGrath

Shutters – AZB Creative and Schiavello Construction — Madre by RADS with Voice Design (identity). Photo: David Sievers

New York Grill by CTRL Space. Auckland, NZ. Photo: Sarah Grace

Shutters by AZB Creative and Schiavello Construction. Coogee, NSW. Photo: Tyrone Branigan

Niubi by T A Square. Melbourne, VIC. Photo: Tom Roe

Alala's by Pony Design Co. Neutral Bay, NSW. Photo: Phutang — Alala’s by Pony Design Co. Neutral Bay, NSW. Photo: Phutang

Glorietta by Alexander and Co. North Sydney, NSW. Photo: Anson Smart

Bathers Pavilion by Luchetti Krelle. Mosman, NSW. Photo: Michael Wee

Fino Vino by Studio Gram. Adelaide, SA. Photo: Kate Bowman — Fino Vino restaurant shot for Studio Gram Architects. Adelaide, S.A. Photo: Kate Bowman

Poodle Bar and Bistro by Bergman and Co. Fitzroy, VIC. Photo: Derek Swalwell

Firebird by Ewert Leaf. Windsor, VIC. Photo: Jana Longhorst

The Albert Park Hotel by Six Degrees Architects. Albert Park, VIC

Chocolate Buddha by Maddison Architects. Melbourne, VIC. Photo: Will Watt

Frederic by SJB Interiors. Cremorne, VIC. Photo: Sharyn Cairns

Ichiro Izakaya Bar by Studio Grayscale. Burwood East, VIC. Photo: Michelle Jarni

Lagoon Dining – Olaver Architecture. Carlton, VIC. Photo: Ben Hosking — Lagoon Dining by Olaver Architecture. Carlton, VIC. Photo: Ben Hosking

Lilian by CTRL Space. Auckland, NZ. Photo: Sarah Grace

Martha's Table by Melissa Collison. Mornington Peninsula, VIC. Photo: James Geer — Martha’s Table by Melissa Collison. Mornington Peninsula, VIC. Photo: James Geer

Omnia Bistro by Architects EAT. South Yarra, VIC. Photo: Shannon McGrath

Osteria Tedesca by Cox Architecture. Red Hill, VIC. Photo: Tommy Miller

Paper Crane by CTRL Space. Cairns City, QLD. Photo: Cathy Schulser

Poly by Anthony Gill Architects. Surry Hills, NSW. Photo: Clinton Weaver

Rengaya by Giant Design Consultants. North Sydney, NSW. Photo: Andrew Worssam

The Beach House by Studio Gram. Jindalee, Western Australia. Photo: Dion Robeson

SK Steak and Oyster by Richards and Spence. Fortitude Valley, QLD. Photo: David Chatfield

Superhiro by T A Square. Melbourne, VIC. Photo: Tom Roe

Nagambie Brewery and Distillery by Six Degrees Architects. Nagambie, VIC. Photo: Greg Elms

The Eat Drink Design Awards is Australia’s only hospitality design awards program and the overall winners will be announced Wednesday 18 November.

For more on the 2020 Eat Drink Design Awards.

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