In today’s competitive hospitality landscape, the world’s top restaurants are no longer judged solely by what’s on the plate. The space itself — its story, atmosphere, and emotional resonance — plays a pivotal role in shaping the dining experience. At the forefront of this evolution are a handful of visionary designers who have redefined what it means to eat out. These creatives blur the lines between architecture, art and storytelling, transforming restaurants into destinations where design and cuisine come together in perfect harmony.
Here, we spotlight six of the most influential names shaping restaurant interiors around the globe.
David Rockwell: The Master of Narrative Spaces
Few designers have impacted contemporary hospitality as profoundly as David Rockwell. As founder and president of the award-winning Rockwell Group, Rockwell is celebrated for creating environments where people connect through shared stories. With over 40 Nobu locations worldwide, W Hotels, airports, Broadway sets, and civic spaces like The Shed at Hudson Yards, akin to a ‘quilted handbag’ on wheels, under his belt, his work is as versatile as it is iconic.
Drawing inspiration from his childhood in Guadalajara, Mexico, Rockwell approaches each project as a theatrical production — one where narrative drives every design decision. His latest triumph, Nobu Bangkok — the largest Nobu in the world — exemplifies his mastery at blending cultural context with contemporary flair.
Matthew Shang: Crafting Hero Moments Through Detail
Australian-born and Singapore-based, Matthew Shang is the creative force behind Matthew Shang Design Office (MSDO). Known for his ability to marry modern aesthetics with timeless elegance, Shang has left his mark on some of Asia’s most talked-about dining spots, including HighHouse, Revolver, Manhattan Bar, and Atlas.
For Shang, every project is a new story. His work celebrates craftsmanship, materiality, and detail, building tactile experiences layer by layer. Whether reimagining historic interiors or creating bold contemporary statements, Shang’s designs revolve around one goal: to create spaces where people come together in celebration and connection.
AvroKO: Where Concept Meets Craft
New York-based AvroKO has become synonymous with concept-driven design that surprises and delights. Known for bold, immersive interiors like Beauty & Essex, Saxon + Parole, and Ghost Donkey, AvroKO creates restaurants that feel like stepping onto a movie set. Every project is anchored in deep research, resulting in richly detailed spaces that evoke emotion and narrative depth.
Martin Brudnizki: A Touch of Glamour
London-based Martin Brudnizki Design Studio has defined the look of some of the world’s most glamorous dining venues, from The Ivy to Sexy Fish and Annabel’s. His signature style — layered, eclectic, and luxurious — channels the opulence of classic European interiors with a contemporary twist. Brudnizki’s spaces are designed to make guests feel both transported and at home.
Joyce Wang: The Sculptor of Atmosphere
Joyce Wang Studio is known for creating highly atmospheric spaces that engage the senses. With projects like Mott 32 in Hong Kong, Singapore and Vancouver, Wang blends bespoke craftsmanship, sculptural forms, and cinematic lighting to produce interiors that are as dramatic as they are welcoming. Her work often explores the tension between classic and contemporary, east and west.
Studio Munge: Sensual Storytelling
Led by Alessandro Munge, Studio Munge crafts restaurant interiors that are layered, sensual, and globally inspired. From Figo and Leña to Kōst and Akira Back, each project tells a unique story through sophisticated detailing, curated art, and immersive lighting. The studio’s work blurs the boundaries between dining and art, creating spaces that invite guests to linger.
What unites these top designers is their ability to transform a meal into a multi-sensory journey. Whether through narrative, craftsmanship, or daring conceptual leaps, they create spaces that do more than house a restaurant — they define it. In their hands, dining out becomes not just about food, but about feeling, memory, and connection.
As the hospitality world evolves, these visionaries continue to set the bar for how design shapes the way we gather, celebrate, and savour.
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