Dine by Design: The World’s Most Beautiful Restaurant Interiors
In a world where dining is as much about the environment as the menu, restaurant design has become a critical ingredient in the culinary experience. From sculptural ceilings to tactile materials and lighting that flatters both food and mood, today’s most stunning eateries are immersive works of art – designed to delight the senses long before the first bite.
At The Curated Design Collective, we spotlight spaces that combine form, function, and feeling. In this roundup, we explore some of the most beautifully designed restaurants in the world – destinations where architecture and interior elegance create unforgettable atmospheres.
Irina Boersma for Studio David Thulstrup
1. Noma, Copenhagen – The Essence of Nordic Minimalism
Redesigned by the renowned Studio David Thulstrup, Noma’s interiors reflect the soul of New Nordic cuisine. Set within a former military warehouse, the space features natural materials like oak, stone, and linen, creating a tactile, warm environment that mirrors the restaurant's hyper-local approach to food. Raw yet refined, the open-plan kitchen and intimate dining rooms embrace the Scandinavian design philosophy: functionality, honesty, and nature.
2. Ikoyi, London – Bold Color Meets Architectural Precision
Located in London’s Strand, Ikoyi is a masterclass in emotive color and architectural clarity. Designed by Studio Aisslinger, the restaurant pairs a copper-clad bar with custom-designed ceramic walls and deep terra-cotta hues inspired by West African spices – a nod to its culinary roots. The interplay of geometric forms and rich, earthy tones makes Ikoyi one of the most visually compelling fine dining spaces in the UK.
3. The Jane, Antwerp – A Sacred Dining Experience
Housed in a renovated 19th-century chapel, The Jane transforms spiritual history into sensory indulgence. Dutch studio Piet Boon preserved many of the church’s original features – stained glass windows, arched ceilings while layering in modern elements like a custom-designed starburst chandelier and glass-enclosed kitchen. The result is a dramatic, reverent space where every meal feels ceremonial.
4. Under, Lindesnes – Dining Beneath the Sea
Europe’s first underwater restaurant, Under, is a feat of both engineering and immersive environmental design. Designed by Norwegian firm Snøhetta, the monolithic concrete structure descends into the North Sea like a sunken sculpture, offering panoramic underwater views through a massive acrylic window. Inside, raw oak, soft textiles, and soft lighting bring warmth to the austere marine setting, emphasizing harmony with nature.
5. Sketch, London – The Pink Room Reimagined
Arguably the most Instagrammed restaurant in the world, Sketch reinvents the dining experience as a playful, ever-evolving gallery. While its all-pink “Gallery” dining room formerly designed by India Mahdavi has evolved over time, its latest iteration features a rich gold palette, mirrored columns, and boundary-pushing furniture, all curated to surprise and delight. The space is a reminder that restaurant design can be fun, theatrical, and emotionally charged.
What Makes a Restaurant Truly Beautiful?
While trends come and go – whether it’s curved banquettes, terrazzo floors, or open kitchens – the most memorable restaurant interiors share a few key qualities:
Contextual design that reflects the location and culture
Cohesion between architecture, food, and atmosphere
Emotional resonance, whether through intimacy, drama, or playfulness
Materials and lighting that age gracefully and elevate the experience
In today’s design-forward dining world, a meal is no longer just a meal. It’s a moment – curated, composed, and consumed with all five senses.
Conclusion: More Than Aesthetics – A Philosophy of Experience
The restaurants featured here aren’t just beautiful; they are expressions of identity and environment, where design is integral to how we connect, taste, and remember. For tastemakers, creatives, and design connoisseurs, these spaces represent the pinnacle of sensory dining – a reminder that good design doesn’t just surround us. It shapes the way we live and eat.
