The shortlisted projects range from a pool-club-inspired party spot to a hushed Japanese restaurant wrapped in floral fantasy—each showing how good hospitality design can set the mood long before the first course arrives.
Hong Kong’s dining scene has long made an art form of atmosphere, and this year’s Restaurant&Bar Design Awards shortlist is proof. Six local venues have secured eight nominations, spanning categories including Colour, Lighting, Luxury, Small Space, Surface Interiors and In Another Space.
1. Akira Back｜AB Concept
AB Concept brings its trademark polish to Akira Back, crafting an interior that matches the bold, globe-trotting spirit of the chef’s contemporary Korean-Japanese cuisine. The restaurant feels dramatic without becoming overworked: layered finishes, sculptural elements and mood-setting illumination lend the space a sense of occasion. It is the kind of place where dinner naturally unfolds into an evening out. Every detail supports a high-energy, high-gloss experience, while still leaving the food firmly in the spotlight.
Read more: AB Concept Unveils Akira Back Design at The Henderson
2. Eko｜Clarity Concepts
At Eko, Clarity Concepts imagines a softer kind of escape. The design leans into organic textures, planting and subdued lighting to counterbalance the city outside, creating a setting that feels more restorative than performative. Instead of using nature as a decorative shorthand, the project lets it guide the atmosphere. The result is calm, tactile and inviting—a welcome pause from Hong Kong’s usual pace.
Read more: Inside a Cave-Like Invitation-Only Club That’s Making Waves in LKF
3. Swim Club｜Steve Leung Design Group
Swim Club channels the sun-drenched glamour of a retro poolside social club, with a distinctly Hong Kong edge. Steve Leung Design Group uses punchy colour, graphic forms and playful references to create a venue made for late-night drinks, good music and a little bit of theatre. The concept is unapologetically fun, but it is also carefully resolved. Rather than stopping at novelty, the design carries its pool-club character through the lighting, furniture and overall rhythm of the space.
Read more: Inside SLD’s New Rooftop Bar Swim Club in Tsim Sha Tsui
4. Joyn｜NC Design&Architecture
Joyn demonstrates just how much personality can be packed into a compact restaurant. NC Design&Architecture turns spatial constraints into an advantage, using considered layouts, tactile finishes and carefully framed moments to create an intimate setting that still feels lively. It is a reminder that smaller venues need not compromise on atmosphere. Here, every surface and corner works hard to encourage conversation, connection and return visits.
5. Peridot｜Studio Paolo Ferrari
Peridot is all about quiet glamour. Studio Paolo Ferrari builds its identity through saturated tones, richly tactile materials and low, flattering light, resulting in a dining room that feels polished, enveloping and slightly cinematic. The luxury lies in the restraint. There is no need for excessive gesture when the proportions, finishes and lighting work this well together—Peridot feels confident, composed and made for lingering.
6. Hana no Kumo｜HBA Hong Kong
At Hana no Kumo花雲, HBA Hong Kong takes a more poetic route. Inspired by the idea of a ‘flower cloud’, the Japanese restaurant is conceived as an ethereal, immersive setting, where soft layers, delicate detailing and a sense of movement shape the experience. The interior does not compete for attention. Instead, it creates a serene backdrop for the meal, drawing on the quiet elegance and seasonality often associated with Japanese hospitality.
Read more: The New Hana no Kumo at The Henderson is Inspired by Kyoto’s Sakura Season
Together, the shortlisted projects paint a vivid picture of Hong Kong hospitality design today: confident in colour, fluent in materiality and increasingly focused on emotional impact. Whether conceived as a lively social destination or a sanctuary from the city, each space goes beyond a photogenic first impression to create a complete dining experience.
