Global restaurant trends are clear: in 2025, great food alone will not be enough. Diners want connection. They seek architecture that reflects the landscape, interiors that stir emotion, and spaces that tell a story of place. South Africa’s top restaurants are leading the way, using design as a powerful extension of identity, culture, and sustainability.
Design as the New Signature
According to international design authorities such as Dezeen and Hospitality Design, sensory architecture is now a core ingredient of restaurant success. South African chefs and restaurateurs are embracing this shift, drawing on local heritage, nature, and light to shape the dining journey from when guests arrive.
Executive Chef Kerry Kilpin of Steenberg’s Tryn and Bistro Sixteen82 sums it up:
“Guests want more than a meal. They want authentic, visually striking spaces. A strong sense of place makes the experience memorable.”
Bistro Sixteen82: Modern Flow Meets Mountain Light
Bistro Sixteen82 has evolved with a design philosophy centred on atmosphere and flow:
- A 2015 redesign relocated the bar to balance space and service better.
- A 2022 refresh softened acoustics and introduced deep textures, from olive tones to handmade crocheted lampshades.
- Natural light filters through glass and steel architecture, connecting diners to the Constantia Valley.
Kilpin notes that these subtle touches influence how guests feel and interact with their food. “When the space flows, guests relax. Light and texture bring an emotional calm that enhances the entire meal.”
Tryn: Heritage Framed in Colour
At Tryn, architecture and interiors are deeply rooted in place. Bold colour palettes — ruby red, emerald green, burnt orange — mirror Cape flora and vineyard soils. Commissioned artworks by young South African artists feature throughout, reinforcing a connection to local talent.
A stunning central bar becomes the visual anchor of the space, clad in mosaic that reflects the restaurant’s layered identity. Outdoor patios extend seamlessly from the dining room, turning natural light into a design hero.
Design as Emotional Architecture
Chef Founder of FYN Restaurant, Peter Tempelhoff, believes design shapes the emotional memory of a meal:
“Guests arrive into a space before they ever taste a dish. Flow, proportion, and atmosphere frame the entire experience.”
At FYN, even the tables are custom-built to support tableside service—an illustration of how architecture, movement, and hospitality intersect.
The Instagram Effect
In today’s digital age, restaurants are also design destinations. Every element—from a ceramic plate to a light fitting—creates a visual narrative.
“Guests want every detail to be shareable,” says Kilpin. “The table setting, the light, the glassware tell the restaurant’s story.”
Paul Hetreed of Kloof Street House agrees. His restaurant is famous for its nostalgic décor, Victorian architecture, and fairy-lit garden.
“Flow should be seamless, where every corner invites discovery. Design creates mood, romance, and a sense of escape.”
Where Restaurant Design Is Heading
Across South Africa, the emerging design pillars are clear:
- Natural Light – enhances mood and showcases food.
- Landscape Integration – architecture that mirrors mountains, vineyards, and coastline.
- Local Artistry – celebrating local craftspeople and designers.
- Atmospheric Flow – creating movement that feels natural, calm, and connected.
- Emotional Resonance – spaces that trigger memory, nostalgia, or wonder.
Tempelhoff foresees a more decisive move toward authenticity:
“The future lies in design that is unmistakably local yet world-class.”
Kilpin agrees, emphasising that simplicity and memorability are now central:
“Even the simplest designs can leave a lasting impression. It’s not about excess; it’s about meaning.”
Final Thought
In 2025, restaurant design has become an extension of storytelling. The most successful spaces reflect not only culinary excellence but also a deep connection to land, culture, and identity. As dining becomes an immersive journey, South African restaurants are uniquely positioned to lead the global stage, where architecture, art, and food come together to tell a story only this land can tell.
