In Mexico, FILO Blends Fusion Cuisine with Nostalgic Design

Incorporating Memphis-style color palettes and furniture alongside architectural nods to the Middle East, the restaurant’s 2,260-square-foot dining room offers a compelling mix of hard and soft features. The bold, black-and-white tile floors and screens introduce geometric patterns inspired by Middle Eastern architecture, while the plush, retro-style booths are upholstered in dreamy pastel shades of lavender and bubblegum-pink. A massive onyx bar serves as a unifying focal point and features a café and take out area that sells craft beer, preserves, and Arabic sweets.

Sweetness runs throughout the entire restaurant. The dining room conjures a 1990s-themed candy shop through its globe lamps, cylindrical cushions, benches, chairs that were inspired by the rounded shapes of filo-based Lebanese pastries. “The space evokes the textures and colors of the fundamental ingredients of Lebanese recipes,” says Galvanduque, noting that the material palette was inspired by ingredients like filo pastry, olive oil, pistachios, rosewater, figs, sumac, and peppers found in common Lebanese spice blends. FILO’s open kitchen allows guests to observe the chefs in action, while the rear of the dining room opens out onto a terrace with black and white striped lounge furniture.

MYT+GLVDK also worked on the brand identity for the restaurant, developing merchandising and typography that is just as playful as the interiors. The resulting fusion of aesthetic and culinary tastes feels thoughtful, multi-dimensional, and destined to stand out on social media.

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• Hospitality

• Anna Elise Anderson
• Fiamma Piacenteni
• Hospitality
• Mexico
• Restaurants