The Restaurant & Bar Design Awards features innovative designs from across the globe, with four local projects making the 2026 shortlist.
COMPILED BY Gina Dionisio PHOTOS Courtesy of the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards
The Restaurant & Bar Design Awards is arguably the most influential global design competition specifically dedicated to food and beverage environments. Now in its 18th year, this prestigious event honours and celebrates the most innovative venues and the brilliant minds who bring them to life.
The shortlist comprises five regional categories – Asia, Australia & Pacific, Europe, Middle East & Africa, and The Americas – plus a number of global categories.
Shortlisted for this year’s awards are four outstanding South African projects:
Kolonaki
With its inviting atmosphere, Kolonaki in Parkhurst has been shortlisted in the Multiple category. The indoor-outdoor flow and breezy character, along with screed flooring, touches of wood, luscious plants and abundant cane slatting, lend an authentic Aegean island feel to the Atmos-designed interior. | atmosadd.com
Arlecchino
Shortlisted in two categories – Visual Identity (Partner & Form) and Ceiling (Verhaal) – Arlecchino possesses a certain theatrical charm, thanks to its interiors and design details inspired by Natasha Sideris’s childhood memories of Italian restaurants and holidays in Cape Town. With its ode to 1970s design, the restaurant offers a slice of Mediterranean glamour – think terrazzo floors, solid wood surfaces, patinated finishes and eye-catching ruffle chandeliers. partnerandform.com | verhaal.studio
The Room
Designed by award-winning South African interior architect Tristan du Plessis, The Room has been shortlisted in the Small Space category. For the space, Tristan drew inspiration from the atmosphere, materiality and cultural excess of 1970s recording studios, aiming to create an immersive, music-driven environment that balances intimacy, energy and a strong, contemporary sense of place. | tristanduplessis.com
Arum
Shortlisted in the Heritage Building category, Arum at Boschendal was conceptualised and designed by MR. Studio. The design of the farm-to-fire restaurant reimagines farm life as a spatial experience through materiality, texture and light. | bymr.co.za
To see the full shortlist for this year’s awards, visit restaurantandbardesignawards.com.
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