The best designed cafés in Australia have been revealed as part of the shortlist for the 2025 Eat Drink Design Awards.
A total of 64 venues have been shortlisted for the six awards on offer, including 14 locations in the running for Best Café Design.
Victoria’s café scene is strongly represented with 10 of the 14 nominees hailing from the region, with four of those located in Melbourne’s CBD.
The remaining nominees feature from New South Wales, the ACT, and South Australia.
The 14 cafés nominated for Best Café Design in 2025 include:
- Recess Coffee – Mymymy Architecture (Canberra, ACT)
- Iftar – Killing Matt Woods (Merrylands, NSW)
- S’witch Surry Hills – Studio Shand (Surry Hills, NSW)
- Reno’s – Rads (Adelaide, SA)
- Baker Bleu Cremorne – IF Architecture (Cremorne, VIC)
- Casa Nata Chadstone – Pepper and Well in collaboration with Vania Marotta Architect (Chadstone, VIC)
- Green Cup Chadstone – Hecker Guthrie (Chadstone, VIC)
- Kobo – TA Square Architects (Melbourne, VIC)
- Lucci Eatery – Studio Esteta (Melbourne, VIC)
- Milkbar Docklands – Elvin Tan Design (Docklands, VIC)
- Palace Coffee – Kerry Kounnapis Architecture Practice (Melbourne, VIC)
- The Observatory – Chris Connell Design and Benjamin Hutton (Melbourne, VIC)
- Toby’s Estate Fitzroy – And Alpha (Fitzroy, VIC)
- Top Tea Chadstone – Wall Architects (Malvern East, VIC)
Cassie Hansen, Eat Drink Design Awards Jury Chair, says there are common themes that have emerged from the venues shortlisted across all categories.
“In an increasingly digital world, the jury observed many compelling interiors that encourage visiting in person. Designers are exploring new and creative ways to engage audiences beyond the traditional,” says Cassie.
“The strong presence of steel, metal, and a distinct turn towards an industrial aesthetic evident across all categories signalled a broader design shift. Raw materials and metal finishes dominated, reflecting a growing appreciation for utilitarian beauty and structural honesty.
“This year, there was a real appreciation for what we might align with the Australian identity. Many venues exuded authenticity, warmth, and a uniquely Australian character, with honest, authentically local materials at the heart of many venues.”
The Eat Drink Design Awards have championed the innovation in the design spaces of hospitality settings for the past 14 years. The 2025 selection jury consisted of National Restaurant Editor of Good Food Callan Boys, Director of Ritz and Ghougassian Jean-Paul Ghougassian, Founder and Creative Director of Entrecôte and Hopper Joint Jason M. Jones, Co-Founder of Nice Projects Simone McEwan, and Editor of InteriorsAU Cassie Hansen.
The winners of the awards will be announced on 29 October.
