The 2025 winners of the Eat Drink Design Awards have been named, with a Melbourne café overcoming the competition to be named the Best Designed Café in Australia and New Zealand.
Palace Coffee, designed by Kerry Kounnapis Architecture Practice (KKAP) was named winner in a field of 14 venues, including the likes of Toby’s Estate Fitzroy.
The venue was designed to align with Melbourne’s laneway culture, and is located beneath the iconic Monaco House.
“Palace Coffee stands out for its confident simplicity and refined spatial execution,” the Eat Drink Design Awards jury citation reads. “Despite its compact footprint, the design responds beautifully to the existing architecture while asserting a distinct identity through its materiality, colour palette, and thoughtful detailing.
“Every element feels purposeful – from the contemporary interpretation of traditional standing-room cafes to the precise cut-out corners that add character and tactility. It captures a strong sense of place, making it instantly memorable on the street.
“Palace Coffee reflects where cafe culture is today: small, intentional and design-led without being overstated. A standout project that proves big impact can come from small spaces.”
Previous winners of the Best Café Design award include Top Tea in 2024, S’WICH Bondi in 2023, The Common in 2022, and Industry Beans Brisbane in 2021.
