Australasia’s most design-savvy venues have been announced earlier this week with the results to the 2018 Eat Drink Design Awards revealed. Celebrating the tastemakers of the hospitality world, the awards seek to showcase the best in spaces across restaurants, bars, cafes, nightclubs, hotels, retail spaces and temporary installations throughout Australia and our neighbour New Zealand.

This year Victoria and South Australia proved states to contend with, each boasting a hefty array of winning venues. ”

The projects that resonated with the jury were those that demonstrated authenticity, clarity and confidence,” said jury chair and Artichoke magazine editor Cassie Hansen.

“We were excited by projects where the designer had successfully told the narrative of the venue through careful selection of materials, colours and forms. The standard keeps getting better and better, and my fellow jurors and I agree that Australia is at the forefront of global hospitality design.”

Hansen was joined on the panel by Simon Kardachi (restaurateur of Osteria Oggi, Shobosho, Press Food & Wine, The Pot by Emma McCaskell), George Livissianis (architect and founder of George Livissianis), Fabio Ongarato (founder and creative director of Fabio Ongarato Design), and Dani Valent (food writer and cook).

This year’s Best Restaurant Design was awarded to Melbourne’s Ishizuka. The city establishment was crafted by Russell & George, and described by the jury board as a venue with a multi-sensory experience.

“The interior is epic but muted, dignified, almost filmic, suffusing the restaurant with texture, tone and a sense of mystery. The balance of nature and human agency is expressed through the interplay of flora and the built environment. The jury senses that diners will feel part of the hum and play of Ishizuka while there; enveloped, transported and honoured,” the judging panel explains.

Highly commended for the category included Barangaroo House, Bar Carolina, Fonda Bondi, Sunda Bar & Restaurant, and Longsong. Other stand-outs from the 2018 Eat Drink Design Awards include Adelaide’s Malt & Juniper being named as Best Bar Design, Brae Restaurant Accommodation recognised as Best Hotel Design, and Bentwood Cafe (in Melbourne) winning the top gong for Best Cafe Design.

You will find the remaining winners and those highly commended online.