The editorial team of ek magazine selected ten architectural projects, featured in past print issues as well as the ek website, that showcase impressive designs of culinary spaces, restaurants and bars.
Pharaoh Athens | Chrysokona Mavrou + Associates
ek Issue: 274 | January – February 2023
The wine bar and restaurant, tucked away in a dimly lit alley off Patission, preserves and enhances the quintessential elements of a traditional Athenian building. Its unique operation blends the characteristics of a Greek café, a French brasserie, and a Japanese jazz bar, offering a distinctive and multifaceted experience.
The choice to prepare traditional dishes exclusively in wood-burning stoves, the focus on natural wines, and the use of analog sound for the music have established a sense of unpretentious simplicity with minimal intervention. The structure is preserved, while the materials used in architectural modifications were deliberately left raw and unrefined. The view of the street, which is narrower compared to the spacious interior, was designed to surprise visitors. A heavy velvet curtain guides the transition, revealing the double-height ceiling and the full dimensions of the space beyond.
ek Issue: 284 | January – February 2024
The project focuses on the creation of a restaurant-brewery inspired by the rich traditions of Belgian monasteries, which historically, have been the heart of beer production and fermentation. By blending the timeless allure of monastic style with touches of luxury, the concept offers an authentic and unique gathering experience.
The floor plan is thoughtfully divided into three functional sections. The first is a linear semi-outdoor space, positioned parallel to the open side of the building. The second is a central corner-shaped seating area. The third zone features the central bar, an open kitchen extending from it, and auxiliary spaces located at the rear of the establishment.
Zuma Restaurant in Mykonos | Liakos Associates Architects
ek Issue: 274 | January – February 2023
The restaurant’s design draws inspiration from the untamed natural beauty of Mykonos, which serves as a stunning backdrop. The selection of materials and furnishings was carefully guided by the intent to emulate and celebrate this wild landscape, resulting in an environment that seamlessly blends rugged authenticity with user-friendly comfort.
The defining feature of the site is a majestic rock formation that dominates its eastern boundary. This rock was created during the quarrying of stone for the island’s port reconstruction in the 1960s. Over time, erosion left parts of the rock at risk of detachment, prompting reinforcement with vertical concrete buttresses, clad in natural Mykonos stone to blend seamlessly with the surroundings.
Situated slightly off the main commercial streets of central Athens, the new KORA storefront and bakery represents a kind of stage for the production and display of baked goods. The presentation of these goods and their accompanying production processes are conceived as a spectacle from the elevated outdoor area. The process of baking and the presentation of goods are perceived through a large, perforated metal wall comprised of rotating elements. Changing scenarios of open, semi-open and closed facade elements allow not only for views onto different types of produce, but also into the choreographed production space itself.
ek Issue: 274 | January – February 2023
The project entails transforming a 450m² former industrial space, including a patio, into an all-day bar and restaurant with a strong focus on sustainability. Visitors enter the interior through a heavy wooden door and a small vestibule, defined by a thick, dark curtain. Beyond the curtain lies the hall, featuring its signature elongated bar. This is followed by the open workshop and refrigeration room, offering a full view of the product preparation process.
The high-ceilinged space is divided into four sections, with a layout that promotes flow and seamlessly connects the interior to the exterior. Large metal openings frame views of the patio and garden, the two additional sections that enhance the design with a sense of natural harmony. The building’s architectural integrity was carefully preserved, with the existing shell thoughtfully incorporated into the design.
The primary conceptual idea of the project is to create a space where every detail emphasizes the connection with nature as well as the careful food preparation process within the restaurant. The space accommodates two types of seating: large tables for hosting up to 12 people and smaller ones for seating up to four. Centrally placed within the space is a large island-bar made of stainless steel, while its base is made of Turkish marble, adding stability to the overall structure. In the main part of the island, glass flasks filled with bright liquor are playfully arranged and illuminated by soft, hidden lighting, creating an atmospheric backdrop.
ek Issue: 264 | January-February 2022
A former commercial space in Kerameikos, designed in 1938 by Aristomenes Provelengios, is transformed into a modern restaurant. The restaurant occupies the elevated ground floor and includes the main hall, bar, and part of the kitchen. The basement houses part of the preparation area, along with a loft space. The relationship between these successive levels is defined by the positioning of the reception area and its view of the public space. Central to the design composition is a monolithic bench, which serves as a pivotal feature. Spanning over a total length of 11m, the monolithic bench seamlessly connects the bar and kitchen areas, joining them within a single volume that extends along the ground floor plan. Chefs and guests interact, while the process of food preparation and consumption coexist in the same space. In the basement, a blue glass wall defines the boundary of the secondary kitchen.
Located in downtown Oakland, the project reflects the second generation of Bay Area brand, Mr. Espresso, serving as an example of how a diverse cultural landscape can heavily nourish a community’s heritage identity. The design is inspired by Italian culture, using minimalism and contrast to create an experience similar to that of a traditional Italian caffe ritual. The espresso bar becomes the central feature of the space to accommodate the large number of people. It is designed as a central island, featuring a custom, elegant pastry display, reminiscent of a jewelry shop.
ek Issue: 274 | January – February 2023
The project focuses on designing an all-day café within a 140m² corner shop located at a central point of the settlement, benefiting from views of tall deciduous trees on both sides, thus enhancing its ambiance. The primary goal of the design is to create a seamless connection between the interior and the surrounding greenery by extending the visual lines outward to the natural environment and bringing “green” elements indoors. This approach aims to establish a “garden” that serves as a continuation of the urban vegetation.
ek Issue: 284 | January – February 2024
Worship.Coffee is an emerging chain of coffee shops designed as elegant “places of worship,” featuring a retro urban style. With its unique atmosphere, the coffee chain is quickly gaining popularity among a discerning clientele. The brand was conceived with franchise development as its core focus, requiring flexible elements that could be adapted to different square footage and layouts. At the same time, these elements needed to maintain a strong visual identity with a distinctive aesthetic that fosters an immediate sense of familiarity. To achieve this, the design aimed to create a welcoming meeting space with a distinctly urban vibe, accomplished through the thoughtful selection of natural materials. These materials were chosen for their flexibility while still possessing a strong, recognizable character.