Melbourne could well be the cafe capital of the country. Which makes standing out from the crowd impressive, particularly when that crowd is the global design industry. But The Penny Drop in Box Hill has managed this feat, being awarded with Best Overall Restaurant at the international Restaurant & Bar Design Awards in London.

The Penny Drop began as a little coffee pop-up in Box Hill and grew to become a 100-seater restaurant that sits in the newly refurbished ATO building on Whitehorse Road.

With interiors designed by Melbourne firm GOLDEN, the design comprises of a pastel-favouring palette, metallic accents, Art Deco-inspired light fittings, and texture aplenty (courtesy of terrazzo and granite).

The Best Overall Restaurant award is a part of a globally recognised competition that seeks to celebrate excellence in the design of food and beverage venues.

“This project was a wonderful opportunity to express our reverence for quality materials and custom design,” says GOLDEN co-director Kylie Dorotic of the win. “Our meticulous approach to design extends to the finest details, and The Penny Drop exemplifies this.”

Fellow director Alicia McKimm notes that the win is a reflection of Australian hospitality design as a whole. “Australia’s distinctive café culture is internationally renowned, and our industry is truly world leading when it comes to restaurant and café design. We couldn’t be prouder to represent the Australian design industry tonight.”