Cover The handcrafted, art deco-inspired facade of Rener at Qianhai Kerry Center
The handcrafted, art deco-inspired facade of Rener at Qianhai Kerry Center
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At the Qianhai Kerry Centre, Rener serves a memorable tasting menu inside a space that feels like a preserved memory
At Qianhai Kerry Centre in Shenzhen, Rener serves regional Chinese flavours with custom cocktail pairings inside a meticulously crafted space that blends Republic of China-era references with contemporary detailing.
Rener, a new fine dining destination in Shenzhen’s Qianhai Kerry Centre, arrives quietly but memorably. Designed by Kasawoo Design Studio in collaboration with Yo Q Design, the 250-square-metre restaurant is the studio’s first project in mainland China. It is a restrained, confident space that draws from early 20th-century Chinese architecture and interiors without ever feeling like a period piece.
The bar anchors the room. Rich green marble meets muted tones, solid wood lattice, and ochre walls that hold warmth well into the evening. Layered curtains frame the liquor wall—closed during daytime café hours, opened at night as the bartender begins service. It is a subtle shift, but an effective one. The lighting changes just enough to tell you the mood has turned.
Above A daytime view of Rener’s east side, where large windows bring in natural light during café hours
Above Banquette seating along the east wall is used during both daytime café hours and evening service
A daytime view of Rener’s east side, where large windows bring in natural light during café hours
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Towards the private rooms, the materials cool down. Nostalgic wood gives way to brass-patina metal. The effect is not jarring but intentional, a quiet transition from one kind of intimacy to another. Seating options range from bar counter and banquette to private booths and a private dining room that reinterprets the traditional Chinese round table for larger groups.
The food matches the room’s clarity. Rener offers a seasonal fine dining tasting menu rooted in regional Chinese flavours, shaped in part by owner Guanghui Zhou’s personal travels. The kitchen respects its ingredients and lets the cooking speak clearly. Meanwhile, an in-house bartender pairs every course with a custom cocktail. Each drink supports the plate rather than competing with it.
Above A custom cocktail pairing is matched to a specific dish on the tasting menu
Above The welcome bites: small, precise, and meant to be eaten with the first drink of the night
A custom cocktail pairing is matched to a specific dish on the tasting menu
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During the day, the venue runs as a café, with only the east side of the restaurant open, offering bar seating and banquettes. Evening guests enter through a dedicated south entrance into a dark, restrained foyer and receive a small welcome of bites and drinks before the tasting menu begins.
Rener is a well-designed restaurant serving good food in a part of Shenzhen that is still finding its character. The handcrafted, art deco-inspired facade reads like a small piece of another era inserted into the glass towers around it. Inside, the experience holds together with the kind of confidence that only comes from good editing—in both the kitchen and the drawing room.
Rener
Address: T2-101, Qianhai Kerry Center, Nanshan Subdistrict, Nanshan District, Shenzhen
Above The centre of the private dining room is a traditional Chinese round table
Above One of the kitchen’s warm courses, in which the cooking stays clear and ingredient-focused
The centre of the private dining room is a traditional Chinese round table
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A storyteller by day and a first-class food devourer by night, Fontaine is the Regional Dining Editor at Tatler Asia, overseeing dining content across all regions and shaping the brand’s editorial voice on food, chefs and culinary culture.
She is also Content Lead for Tatler Best and Co-jury Head for Tatler Best Hong Kong and Macau, guiding the awards’ editorial direction and evaluation process. With over 15 years in the lifestyle and media industry spanning London and Hong Kong, she brings a cross-regional perspective to the table.
Follow her on Instagram at @fontimes.
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