New Hot Spot: Naked Kitchen and Coffee Bar

WORDS Amelia Brown IMAGES Graeme Wyllie

Naked Kitchen and Coffee Bar is a new gourmet deli and coffee concept in Morningside, Joburg, by Shaun Els and Victor Barbosa, the same duo that created Naked Coffee.

Tristan du Plessis, founder of boutique interior architecture firm Studio A, was responsible for the striking, contemporary interiors. “The design brief was to create a minimal, approachable space with a focus on constructing a playful mix of interesting furniture, textures and materials,” explains Tristan. “We didn’t want the space to feel overly design led, so we built a laid-back, stripped-down aesthetic based on this ethos.”

A playful neon sign proclaims, “You’re my favourite addiction”, a nod to the store’s core trade: coffee. “Our focus is on coffee,” says co-owner Victor, “and the artisanal way of making it. Attention to detail is important both in design and our product offering.”

Studio A had fun crafting custom-made elements for the space, like the forest green tiles, handmade in Knysna, and leather-and-brass light fittings. Layered textures, such as wood, satin brass, steel and leather, and astutely placed lighting, speak to the attention to detail.

Naked Kitchen and Coffee Bar is located in Morningside Shopping Centre, corner of Rivonia and Outspan Roads, and is open seven days a week (weekdays 7am – 8pm; Saturdays 7am – 7pm; Sundays 7:30am – 5pm). Until they’re online, you can reach them on 011 883 0291.