In recent years, fast-food chains have embarked on a veritable aesthetic revolution, collaborating with renowned architectural firms to transform their spaces. These spaces, once considered purely functional, are now reinventing themselves to offer customers an immersive experience.
Gone are the soulless decors and impersonal rooms, replaced by innovative, creative and sometimes even daring designs. These restaurants are now meeting places, spaces for sharing and conviviality, where the experience begins as soon as you enter. In this article, we invite you to discover 8 fast-food restaurants transformed by talented architects.
Prepare to be amazed by these unique spaces that redefine the codes of fast food and take this culinary experience to a whole new level.
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1. Mitch Bordeaux by Studio Hekla
Mitch Bordeaux, designed by Studio Hekla, immerses its customers in a retro 90s atmosphere.
This unique fast-food restaurant offers generous, fresh and gourmet sandwiches, all made in-house. The interior design, imagined by Hekla, features a colorful space where earthenware, mirrors and neon signs blend harmoniously with Formica furniture. This mix of retro and modern elements, combined with offbeat branding, reinforces the original concept of the place.
Mitch Bordeaux doesn't just serve delicious sandwiches, he also offers a visual and nostalgic experience, making every visit memorable.
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2. Taco Mesa by Studio Uchronia
Taco Mesa, located on rue du Faubourg Poissonnière, is a new sunny address in Paris, imagined by the Uchronia collective headed by interior architect Julien Sebban.
This project marks a return to her roots for Mexican chef Beatriz Gonzalez, already known for her restaurants Coretta and Neva Cuisine. Initially launched as a pop-up in February 2021, Taco Mesa now offers a reduced but authentic menu, featuring Mexican classics such as tacos al pastor (pig and pineapple) and birria de res (stewed beef).
The decor, designed by Julien Sebban, is inspired by the 70s and features a pop, colorful ambience, dominated by a bold orange hue. This bold aesthetic choice reflects the colorful universe of the designer, who also created the three Parisian addresses Café Nuances, the second Dumbo, and the Japanese restaurant Unagi. The Taco Mesa space is a veritable acidic showcase, where every detail, from materials to colors, is designed to transport customers into an immersive, joyful experience.
Whether savoring quesadillas, black bean hummus, or a competitive guacamole, accompanied by a margarita or a mezcal-twisted negroni, Taco Mesa promises an unforgettable culinary and visual experience.
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3. Dumbo by Studio Uchronia
Studio Uchronia also designed Dumbo, a fast-food restaurant with a retro yet modern aesthetic.
Located in the 10th arrondissement of Paris, this restaurant focuses on simplicity and excellence, with a limited menu of just two smash-burgers. The interior, dominated by a large off-white bar, embodies sculptural minimalism. Materials such as stainless steel and monochromatic details create a pared-down, no-frills ambience.
This design contrasts with Uchronia's usual exploration of color, opting here for a sober palette that highlights the quality of the burgers and the pop touches of the condiments, such as the red of the ketchup and the yellow of the mustards. Dumbo's approach is also distinguished by its respect for the existing architecture of the site.
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4. Bleu Bao by Atelieramo
After the success of Petit et Gros Bao, CĂ©line Chung and Billy Pham launch their new temple of Chinese cuisine: Bleu Bao.
This 250 m² restaurant, located in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, invites you to immerse yourself in the charm of China's old bourgeois houses. The name Bleu Bao refers directly to the emblematic color of the porcelain services found in these traditional homes, a symbol of elegance and refinement.
Bleu Bao's interior design is a harmonious fusion of classic and modern, vintage and contemporary. The space evokes an old-fashioned style while incorporating contemporary elements, creating a unique ambience that transports guests on a timeless journey. Every detail has been carefully thought out to reflect the atmosphere of ancient Chinese residences, with touches of deep blue that recall the region's rich artistic traditions.
Bleu Bao not only offers an exquisite culinary experience, but also a true immersion in Chinese history and culture. With its sophisticated decor and warm ambience, the restaurant has become a must-visit destination for lovers of authentic Chinese cuisine and refined design.
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5. Kiss by Polonsky & Friends
Kiss, the new counter from Echo founder Matthias Gloppe, celebrates the street food and pop culture of 80s and 90s Los Angeles. Chef Peter Lemos of Wax Paper in Los Angeles designed the menu, offering gourmet sandwiches, California breakfast options and homemade pastries.
For design, Polonsky & Friends created a space inspired by the colorful, laid-back vibe of LA in the '90s. The façade boasts cherry-red tiles, while the interior mixes a lemon-yellow metal countertop, wooden wall panels and a mirrored ceiling. Vintage elements, such as retro lighting fixtures and a 90s playlist, complete the atmosphere. Kiss offers a unique experience, blending pop culture and Californian cuisine in a setting that's both nostalgic and modern.
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6. Dizen by Mur.Mur Architects
At Dizen, they have chosen to combine functions in a small but optimized space.
This 15-square-meter kitchen, designed by Mur.Mur Architectes, hides none of its culinary secrets. Fresh ingredients, which will end up in delicious pita breads, are displayed through the countertop glass, while the cooks get busy in the background. Here, whoever takes your order is also the one who will serve you your sabich, a generous Israeli sandwich topped with egg and eggplant.
Despite its modest dimensions, Dizen stands out for its futuristic, eye-catching façade, a real visual draw for passers-by. This pocket restaurant is as Instagrammable as the best contemporary restaurants.
7. Pizz'Aria by Humbert & Poyet
Pizz'Aria, a compact pizzeria, is another new address to discover in Monaco or Fréjus.
This small establishment, imagined by the talented Monegasque duo Humbert and Poyet, offers a few seats, a welcome solution for waiting through the crowds. The pizzeria specializes in Pinsa Romana, a plump, crunchy pizza that has found a home in this intimate setting.
Pizz'Aria's striking decor is decked out entirely in red, making the establishment stand out from the crowd. This bold design choice, while distinctive, also solves service issues by providing a pleasant and memorable experience for customers.
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8. Boom Boom Villette
Boom Boom Villette is a new cultural and leisure address in Paris, inaugurated on February 8, 2024. This vast 4,000 m² space dedicated to the Food Market boasts a unique decor created by numerous street art and other creative artists. Each stand has been given its own identity, contributing to the eclectic, lively atmosphere. The market, designed to resemble an exhibition gallery, features a large collection of street art and black-and-white portraits of chefs by photographer Stéphane de Bourgies.
The Food Market offers a complete artistic immersion thanks to artists such as Astro, known for his abstract art blending calligraphy and dynamic forms, and Maye, famous for her poetic, wiry characters. Other artists such as Robert Seikon, with his sculptures and murals, and Hopare, who uses inks and spray cans, add to the visual richness of the place.
In collaboration with Ariel Novak and Sydney Sabatier, founders of AXS Design, Boom Boom Villette also relied on second-hand furniture and objects, adding a vintage and sustainable touch to the market's aesthetic. Crockery, furniture, tables and chairs have all been sourced from second-hand sources, contributing to the unique spirit and beauty of the place.
It's not just a place to enjoy a variety of dishes, but also a space where culture and art meet, creating a complete sensory experience. The mix of vibrant street art, reclaimed furniture and individual booths makes Boom Boom Villette as appealing to lovers of good food as it is to art and design enthusiasts.
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These examples of fast-food restaurants transformed by talented architects show that the fast-food experience can go far beyond a simple meal.
Thanks to innovative and creative design concepts, these restaurants offer unique atmospheres and settings that transport customers into different worlds. Whether using traditional elements, retro influences or contemporary styles, each fast-food restaurant offers an unforgettable visual and sensory experience. These places are no longer just places for a quick bite, but become true destinations where people come for the pleasure of the eyes as much as for the palate.
One thing's for sure: once you've visited these revolutionary fast-food restaurants, you'll never look at them in the same way again!
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