Restaurant & Bar design Week celebrates London's best restaurants
As part of this year's annual Restaurant & Bar Design Awards, some of London's best designed restaurants are participating in the first Restaurant & Bar Design Week
Not so long ago, London was considered a culinary backwater with its restaurant culture lagging behind that of most European countries.
Now things could hardly be more different. London has one of the most diverse food cultures in the world with restaurants serving everything from South American ceviche to Korean bibimbap. It also boasts some of the world's best designed restaurants, and between 28 July and 3 August many of them are getting involved in London's first Restaurant and Bar Design Week.
The event celebrates the most innovative new restaurants and bars in London. According to the organisers, 'It will be taking an inside look at their interiors and design where aesthetics and function come together to create a destination.'
The Magazine Restaurant at London's Serpentine Gallery, designed by Zaha Hadid
The Restaurant & Bar Design Week will be hosting a series of Design Talks at selected venues across the capital where designers will be in discussion with restaurateurs on the importance and role of design in creating an atmosphere that lives up to - and enhances - the dishes on the menu.
The Magazine Restaurant will kick start the week and host a discussion with Zaha Hadid Architects and The Serpentine Sackler Gallery.
Chef Tom Aikens and Michaelis Boyd architect Ben Masterton-Smith are hosting a 'Design Bites' question and answer session at Tom's Kitchen Canary Wharf on 29 July.
The Great Court Restaurant by Softroom
On 30 July, The Great Court Restaurant, designed by Softroom, will host a Q&A with Benugo's Ben Warner and Chris Bagot of Softroom.
The Happenstance restaurant, designed by Fusion Design & Architecture
There will also be events at The Happenstance, Nando's Vauxhall and Kaspar's.
London has 60 of this year's 190 shortlisted bars and restaurants.
The eventual winner will be announced at a ceremony held in London on the 25th September at the Old Truman Brewery.