New York – In a city where the food scene is immense and competition is played out in every detail, interior design has become a crucial factor for standing out. Across Manhattan and beyond, many venues are no longer just places to eat or drink quality products—they are immersive spaces built around visual identity and atmosphere. Here we’ve selected five of the best-designed spots in the city, from new openings to long-standing favorites, that strike a balance between architecture, ambiance, and a strong brand vision.
1. Casa Salvo – Times Square
Just opened at 1675 Broadway, next to the Gatsby Theatre, Casa Salvo is the latest venture from chef Salvatore Lo Castro. More than a café or patisserie, it presents itself as a “corner of Italy” in Times Square, with a clearly defined identity: understated elegance, warm materials, soft tones, and an obsessive attention to product presentation. The space is compact but immersive, with subtle lighting that contrasts with the neighborhood’s flashing lights. The pastry counter—featuring maritozzi, cannoli, and sfogliatelle—is the visual centerpiece of the shop, designed like a small stage. An espresso costs $2.51, a symbolic price that signals accessibility and coherence. The design is built around the idea of comfort and familiarity, enhanced by a small in-house market offering a curated selection of Italian products.
2. Felix Roasting Co. – SoHo
Located on Lafayette Street, Felix Roasting Co. is one of the most photographed cafés in New York. Designed by interior designer Ken Fulk, the venue draws inspiration from Viennese tea rooms and early 20th-century aesthetics. Floral wallpaper, golden mirrors, brass details, and velvet seating turn every corner into a magazine-worthy setting. But beyond the visual appeal, the café serves high-quality coffee, including alternative brewing methods and seasonal beverages. It’s a place people come for both the flavor and the vibe.
3. Le Pavillon – Midtown
Helmed by renowned chef Daniel Boulud and designed by Isay Weinfeld, Le Pavillon merges contemporary architecture with a naturalistic sensibility. Located inside the One Vanderbilt skyscraper, guests are greeted by an indoor garden with live trees and a glass ceiling that floods the space with natural light. The layout is open, calm, and almost meditative, with wooden furniture and clean lines. The modern French cuisine is refined, and the design reinforces a rarefied atmosphere—ideal for business lunches or elegant dinners.
4. Shinji’s – Flatiron
Shinji’s is a cocktail bar tucked behind an unassuming door, but inside it’s a small masterpiece of Japanese precision. Circular tables, dim lighting, a lacquered wood counter, and soundproofed walls create a cocoon-like atmosphere. Every cocktail is prepared with ritual care and served on personalized trays, often accompanied by complimentary bites. Here, design is not just aesthetic—it’s functional, slowing down time and inviting guests to focus on craft and flavor.
5. Rhodora – Fort Greene
In Brooklyn, Rhodora is a wine bar known for two radical commitments: serving only natural wines and generating zero landfill waste. Its design mirrors this ethos: recycled materials, low-impact lighting, raw wooden tables, and minimal bottle displays. The atmosphere is intimate and unpretentious, far from the clichés of the upscale wine bar, but its stylistic coherence makes it one of the most interesting venues in the city’s independent wine scene.
