Food Drink

Eight SA venues shortlisted in 2023 Eat Drink Design Awards

By Ben

Posted on August 29, 2023

These awards spotlight the most innovative and beautifully designed new restaurants, cafés, bars, hotels, and retail spaces across Australia.

Feature Image: STH

Dozens of South Australian hospitality venues are holding their breaths in anticipation this week as the shortlisted venues for the 2023 Eat Drink Design Awards are announced.

These awards spotlight the most innovative and beautifully designed new restaurants, cafés, bars, hotels, and retail spaces across Australia.

This year’s shortlist offers a diverse representation, not just from the bustling metropolitan hubs but also from regions and suburbs of Australia. It’s a testament to the evolving landscape of our hospitality industry, where design excellence is not confined to city limits.

Amy Woodroffe, the jury chair of the Eat Drink Design Awards, highlighted the trust venue owners placed in their design firms, resulting in ambitious projects that defy current economic and construction challenges. These ventures, she noted, are not just architectural marvels but symbols of optimism that will invigorate the industry, delight guests, and boost the economy.

“The Eat Drink Design Awards jury observed a diverse offering of aesthetics this year. The most successful hospitality venues managed to balance personality with approachability while pleasing all the senses.

“The jury were impressed by interiors that responded to their contexts through vernacular design elements and local collaborations. Equal praise was given to conceptual spaces with strong narratives that will transport guests to another realm, even for ten minutes while their ice cream gets scooped,” says Woodroffe.

“The jury noted several maximal spaces that were layered with rich materials and bold features, leaning confidently into hedonism. Conversely, there were a number of quieter spaces whose restraint belied rigorous technical skill and championed timelessness in an industry notorious for frequent change. It is encouraging to see businesses and designers approaching hospitality design with a more sustainable mindset.”

The jury, comprising industry stalwarts, was particularly impressed by venues that showcased a blend of personality and approachability. They lauded interiors that echoed their surroundings through local design elements and collaborations. On the other end of the spectrum, conceptual spaces with compelling narratives, capable of transporting guests to another world, also received high praise.

Detail, craft, and functionality were at the forefront of the jury’s considerations. Woodroffe emphasized that the best venues were those where one could sense the joy and care behind their creation. These are the spaces that promise to enchant patrons for years.

The esteemed 2023 jury includes names like Emma Breheny, Kevin Ho, Di Ritter, Brent Savage, and Amy Woodroffe. All projects completed between July 2021 and June 2023 are eligible for consideration.