10 beautiful Michelin-starred restaurants by acclaimed designers worldwide

In Manhattan's Flatiron District, Oiji Mi's beguiling blend of traditional and contemporary Korean cuisine earned the innovative restaurant the coveted Michelin star only a few months after opening in 2022. Oiji Mi is the brainchild of owner and executive chef Brian Kim, whose vision has transformed the New York dining landscape, so it's no surprise that the star was retained the following year.

Oiji Mi represents an evolution of Chef Kim's original East Village establishment, Oiji, elevating the concept to new heights. The restaurant's design, executed by New York studio AvroKO, plays a crucial role in crafting an immersive dining experience that transcends mere gastronomy.

Drawing inspiration from traditional Korean architecture and artistry, AvroKO created a space that serves as a cultural bridge. The main dining room echoes the structure of a Hanok, a traditional Korean home, with interlocking timber beams and gridded partitions. This architectural homage is complemented by lighting fixtures inspired by Korean jewellery and decorative hairpins, creating a subtle interplay between past and present.

The design concept extends beyond aesthetics, incorporating elements of Dansaekhwa, a meditative art form, to create a restorative atmosphere. Custom installations, such as the Jogakbo-inspired piece above the bar, add layers of visual interest and cultural significance.

Don’t miss: Home Tour: A Modern Malaysian Home Inspired by Korean Hanok

From London to New York, on to Paris, Hong Kong, and finally Tokyo – culinary superstar Daniel Calvert’s experiences and memories in each city make up his culinary roots showcased beautifully at Sezanne in the Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi.

Acclaimed Hong Kong-based Andre Fu Studio set out to engage the palate and the gaze alike with an ambience that is intimate, subtle and deeply personalised by drawing on the boutique nature of the 57-key property.

As the designer of MOTIF, the Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi’s former French restaurant, the designer came to the project with close knowledge of the property. Instead of offering a ‘predictable formal French dining environment’, Fu created an authentic yet welcoming and cosy space to complement the theatre provoked by the refined cuisine.

Read more: 7 heritage-inspired boutique stays in Penang, Malaysia

One of the pioneers of new Nordic cuisine in Copenhagen, AOC was recently given a makeover by local award-winning studio Spacon &. This two-Michelin-starred establishment, which first earned its accolades in 2012, was reimagined into an environment that complemented Chef Søren Selin’s menu.

Drawing inspiration from Denmark’s agricultural landscapes–from sun-drenched meadows to misty forests–the interior serves as a visual ode to the local ingredients that star in AOC's dishes.

The redesign’s centrepiece is the innovative use of Organoid material, incorporating pressed wildflowers and straw to evoke the essence of Danish fields. This textural element extends to custom furnishings, creating an immersive natural environment within the urban setting. Acoustic treatments, integrated into the decor, ensure an intimate atmosphere that allows diners to focus on the culinary artistry before them.

Spacon & X’s attention to detail shines in elements like the monolithic high table that greets guests, transforming from a striking visual piece to functional seating. The collaboration with Atelier 1991 on ceramic pieces adds a touch of antiquity, bridging millennia of culinary tradition.

See also: Meet Space Copenhagen: Danish designers crafting iconic restaurant spaces and furniture

Storied and stunning, The Connaught in London’s Mayfair is known as a gastronomic destination, not least due to celebrated chef Hélène Darroze's eponymously named restaurant there.

For its 10th anniversary, the culinary gem, which has held two Michelin stars since 201, underwent a stunning transformation courtesy of renowned French designer Pierre Yovanovitch, whose redesign perfectly complements Chef Darroze’s refined yet comforting culinary style.

Yovanovitch’s vision for the space strikes a delicate balance between tradition and contemporary flair. The designer preserved the restaurant's architectural integrity while infusing it with a fresh, feminine energy. Salmon-pink hues dominate the palette, reflecting Chef Darroze’s light spirit, while curved furnishings and custom-made pieces create an atmosphere of understated luxury.

The redesign enhances the dining experience through thoughtful details that engage all senses. A new “chef's table” near the kitchen pass offers diners an intimate view of culinary artistry in action. The Armagnac tasting room, a nod to Chef Darroze's French heritage, adds an exclusive touch to the experience.

Perhaps most striking is the cooking-themed mural by French artist Rochegaussen, titled “The Utensils of Heaven,” which adorns the ceiling above the chef’s table. This whimsical touch serves as a visual celebration of the culinary arts, tying together the restaurant’s commitment to exceptional food and design.

Don’t miss: Step inside these 5 renovated Parisian homes with stunning interiors

Quince, the venerable San Francisco establishment helmed by James Beard award-winning chef Michael Tusk and his wife Lindsay, reemerged after a hiatus in 2024, marking its 20th anniversary with a stunning reinvention.

The three-Michelin-starred restaurant, which first opened in 2003 and earned its third star in 2017, now offers a fresh perspective on fine dining–showcasing culinary excellence in a more relaxed, contemporary ambience.

The redesign, orchestrated by an international team including AD100 designer Steven Volpe and Diego Delgado-Elias, draws inspiration from the Tusks’ experiences during the pandemic, including their alfresco dining events at their Marin County farm. The result is a space that flows like a perfectly paced tasting menu, featuring distinct areas connected by boat cabin-style archways and porthole cut-outs.

The refreshed Quince eschews right angles in favour of soft curves and rounded edges, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere. Earthy tones and rustic materials dominate the palette, with wood featuring prominently alongside various shades of caramel. The main dining room, now more intimate with just ten tables, bathes in natural light and overlooks the ficus trees of Pacific Avenue.

Artistic touches elevate the space, including a pastoral mural by Galatée Martin above the bar and a still-life drawing by Roger Caprone in the dining room. These elements, combined with the thoughtful design, create an environment that enhances the dining experience, allowing guests to feel relaxed while savouring Chef Tusk’s renowned cuisine.

Read more: Home tour: A modern light-filled home in the San Francisco Bay Area

Arbor in Hong Kong is helmed by Finnish chef Eric Räty, whose innovative and refined approach to modern European cuisine has garnered the restaurant two Michelin stars.

The interior design, crafted by the renowned Yabu Pushelberg, offers sensuous, residentially inspired spaces for an intimate dining experience in this oasis of calm in Hong Kong's busy financial district.

The connected rooms form a sequence of natural spaces with a design narrative built around a loving couple that welcomes travellers and friends into their home for a feast surrounded by nature and art.

See also: Home tour: A minimalist Malaysian home designed to embrace greenery

In the heart of Sweden's Ästad Vingård, one of the country's largest vineyards, Äng was designed by the acclaimed Danish studio Norm Architects in a harmonious fusion of architecture, nature, and culinary artistry. This unique restaurant which, which earned its first star shortly after its opening in 2021, was subsequently conferred a green Michelin star. 

The restaurant is housed in a minimalist glasshouse, a masterful interplay of light and shadow, openness and intimacy. This inside-out greenhouse reflects the surrounding meadow, creating a seamless transition between the natural world and the dining space - serving as both a visual feast and a prelude to the impending culinary journey. 

Äng's concept extends beyond its striking architecture. The 19-course haute-cuisine experience is carefully orchestrated to engage all senses, with each element of the design enhancing the gastronomic adventure. From the winding stone pathway through the meadow to the subterranean wine cellar, every aspect of Äng is crafted to create a multi-sensory experience.

The restaurant’s interior, furnished by Japanese brand Karimoku, features refined wooden pieces that complement the natural surroundings. As diners progress through their meal, they are led from the light-filled glasshouse to the dark, catacomb-like wine cellar, a transition that heightens the remaining senses and prepares guests for the next phase of their culinary journey.

Don’t miss: Upcoming Not A Hotel Setouchi fuses Scandinavian and Japanese design values

Unique to Benelux, Antwerp’s The Jane, which has a two-star rating, is helmed by Nick Bril, whose adventurous food takes you on a journey from Latin America to Asia.

Designed by the renowned Studio Piet Boon, this culinary temple is in a former chapel with a facade still sporting a crucifix.

The dramatic interiors combine a striking light fixture, stained-glass windows and a repurposed altar which fittingly now provides a stage for the chefs to work their magic behind a glazed screen.

Read more: 7 Scandinavian furniture design brands to know

At the legendary Eleven Madison Park in New York, which has three Michelin stars, Chef Daniel Humm presides over this temple of modern elegance with masterful precision.

Everything in this establishment is custom-made, from the staff’s suits to the handblown water vases with an interior design matched only by the culinary delights it houses.

Reworked by architect Brad Cloepfil of Allied Works in 2017, the space seamlessly blended Art Deco influences with modern sophistication. Every detail, from the opulent chandeliers to the plush furnishings, creates an ambience of refined luxury. The restaurant also features artworks by Sol Lewitt, Daniel Turner, Olympia Scarry, and Rita Ackermann.

NOW READ

Japan by Design: 5 best ryokan-inspired hotels to visit

From Breitling to Gucci: 5 stylish Korean dining spots in Seoul and Busan

4 most luxurious branded residences in Kuala Lumpur