London’s dining scene is defined by its architecture as much as its menus, and a new wave of restaurants is prioritizing design-led experiences. From Savile Row boutiques to Hackney cafes, these venues use interior design to tell a story.
Dorothy’s, located on the prestigious Savile Row, captures the street’s suave atmosphere. The establishment is the latest project from the design firm Wendover, which has previously worked on spots like Shreeji newsagents on Chiltern Street and the Foreign Exchange bureau in Bayswater. The restaurant is named after Lady Dorothy Savile, the painter and wife of the third Earl of Burlington, though its concept draws inspiration from elegant all-day eateries in Milan, Paris, and Vienna.
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The interiors unfold across a split-level space featuring a light-filled dining area at the front and a bar at the rear. Breccia Damascata marble, distinguished by soft pink veining, runs underfoot, while British burr-oak panels line the walls. Guests can settle into sage-green leather banquettes or bentwood chairs paired with custom marble tables. Tactile finishes contrast with a polished mirrored ceiling above. Even the crockery and glassware were developed with Copenhagen-based Service Projects, and the uniforms were designed in collaboration with British menswear brand Sirplus, featuring dapper chore jackets and tailored wide-leg trousers.
Elsewhere in the city, distinct design philosophies are reshaping familiar concepts. In Soho, Miokuru offers a handroll restaurant that rejects the understated minimalism typically associated with Japanese joints. The interiors by Block 1 reference the progressive 1970s design movement. This is evident in the 20 bespoke geometric stools in front of a hammered stainless-steel bar, whose surface is decorated with red squares and rectangles forming the word “Miokuru” in Morse code. The timber grid ceiling pays homage to traditional Japanese screens, while glass-block walls and sculptural lighting create a playful atmosphere. After dinner, guests can visit the speakeasy Eki for Japanese beers and cocktails.
In Notting Hill, Kinz occupies a former 1930s bank originally designed by Sir Edward Maufe. The Lebanese restaurant, translating to “treasure” in Arabic, transports visitors to Beirut. The brainchild of Rasha Khouri Bruzzo and brothers Jad and Karim Lahoud, the space features beautiful decaying brick walls, gold plaster, and plush seating. There are also pearlescent tiles, embroidered textiles, and a large lantern illuminating the convivial dining area with a soaring ceiling and mezzanine level. A darker, more intimate vault has been converted into a wine room.
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Across London Fields, Auguste combines the flavours of the Abruzzo region with abstract art. Lively paintings by London-based artist Leevar Spies set the playful tone, alongside a life-size print of Edward Hopper’s Soir Bleu. The menu centers around arrosticini, flame-grilled skewers quintessential to Abruzzo, served with sauces. Chef Mike Bagnall, who co-founded the spot with Dylan Walters, also rustles up brodetto alla vastese, a seafood soup from the Adriatic coast.
In Hackney, Logma presents a feast for the senses with its ruby-red façade on Goldsmiths Row. Founded by couple Ziad Halub and Farsin Rabiee, the Iranian-Iraqi café bistro connects to their heritage. By day, patrons enjoy tahini buns and lamb kofta sandwiches. On Wednesday nights, they host Logma Lates, where 18 guests gather family-style for nostalgic dishes like saffron rice and stuffed courgette flowers. The interiors feature a royal-blue curtained entrance, a butter-yellow bar, amber perspex seating, and a teal wooden bench.
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Felizia Berchtold and Oskar Kohnen, founders of Tutto Bene, aimed to create something different in Mayfair. They designed Nightingale to pay homage to the coffee houses and museum cafés found in Berlin or Vienna, specifically citing Café Museum by Adolf Loos. The 30-seater establishment aims to provide a space for people to enjoy a meal in a leisurely way, moving away from the takeaway culture often found in the area.
On Morning Lane, Dalla brings the nostalgic atmosphere of Gennaro Leone’s favorite Neapolitan trattoria, Mimì alla Ferrovia, to Hackney. The restaurant is an intimate space where friends can gather over Italian food. In De Beauvoir, Goodbye Horses, co-founded by George de Vos and Alex Young, transforms a former steampunk pub into a sanctuary. The space is inspired by British folklore and Japanese folk art, featuring raw, natural materials, rough-cast walls, and floors made from mud and clay.
