organic shapes and winding lines unfold over Leña Dubai

Leña Dubai, a Steakhouse designed by Astet Studio, appreciates the essence of the primitive, fire, embers and raw materials such as Stone And WoodThese natural elements form the basis of the gastronomic offer in the heart of Dubai while the nighttime interiors are permeated with an intense jet black – embodying charred wood with the Japanese yakisugi technique – that envelops the walls, ceilings, floors and furniture. This organic feeling extends to the ceiling, where sinuous lines emerging at different heights and made of stained ash wood recall the rings of a cut tree trunk and form the luminous sculpture that covers the entire restaurant.

Dim lighting creates the impression that the individual rings are on fire. Shadows emphasise the volumes and arouse curiosity to explore the different corners of the interior. Next to the slatted ceiling, a metallic element alternates, suggesting the shine of fire flames and a colour gradient – the materials suggest a play of reflections and movements.

All images courtesy of Astet Studio

astet studio brings the luxury restaurant to dubai

The concept was originally developed by Based in Barcelona Astet Studio in the first Leña in Marbella, which received the award for the restaurant with the best overall design at the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards 2021. The studio has transferred this concept to Dubai for the Dani García Group, maintaining the premise of the power of fire: wood, firewood, its textures, its marks left by the passage of time and its organic shapes.

A background of black shapes brings out the colors of the restaurant’s meat and dishes, which is also evident in the slatted ceiling, where a gradient of this technique is created in different rings centered on the main counter. A large convex mirror reflects the restaurant space in a new perspective, while the stones used to make fire also provide a visual, tactile element, and two hanging rock bodies create focal points and contrast with the dark canvas. One is divided to reveal the kitchen and serves as a show kitchen, and the second houses the DJ area.

Leña Dubai enjoys a nighttime atmosphere

a contrast of raw and smooth materiality

An organically shaped wooden wall, carved from rosewood and smoked glass, accompanies visitors to the entrance. Crossing the threshold, a wall turns into a ceiling decorated with over 40,000 hand-crafted wooden scales, highlighting the artisanal character of the restaurant in line with the gastronomic offer. A large black piece on the ceiling leads the way to the bar and bathroom area, where a hanging piece of wood and a mirror capture perspectives of the luxurious space.

Astet Studio divides Leña Dubai’s bar into two parts that are formally connected. The first, interior, piece pulls the ceiling rings together to form a hanging bottle rack, and the bar surface is made up of pieces of wood that have varying degrees of scorching, creating a matrix reminiscent of a smoked image. The counter is made of a veined black tropical stone, while the interior’s slats extend into the bar area, forming a canopy that centralizes its visual prominence. They also form the bottle rack, with pieces of travertine alternating to create the same raw textural effect as the interior. The outdoor area is designed as a continuation of the interior, where organic shapes form benches and customers gather in different corners to enjoy the evening. The material palette in beige and lighter tones is complemented by lush vegetation.

The room is permeated by black, an intense deep black

The interior is open plan and features different nuances, colors and textures. Large interior totems create these separations and reinforce the concept of the primal and original – fire and nature. The fabric colors are from the fire palette and alternate with the materials of the space, as large rugs made of stone materials such as black Zimbabwe granite are spread across the floor.

The double-level wine cellar pours the restaurant’s collection of over 1,000 bottles into the dining area through a glass enclosure with black steel and brass frames. This space, which houses different climate zones for red, white and sparkling wines, creates a connection with the group’s other restaurants. The armchairs, designed by Astet, are colour-coordinated with the benches and feature a palette of warm tones in reds and oranges that continue to evoke the nuances of fire. Tables with sculptural legs and pendant lights, also designed by the studio, maintain the idea of ​​functional sculptures.

Astet Studio brings the first Leña studio in Marbella to Dubai

The Smoked Room: an exclusive culinary experience

Another culinary venue at Leña is the Smoked Room, which offers Fire Omakase, a 15-course tasting menu where smoke is the main theme, an exclusive experience for just 14 guests. Access is through a dark corridor with lines of light leading to the restaurant, and a large carved black wooden door welcomes guests. The material palette is black bricks, alternating with other richer materials such as metals, mirrors and brass mesh.

In terms of the space layout, Astet Studio has created two completely different atmospheres: the main dining area is Omakase, where guests can enjoy the full experience of a tasting menu. When it comes to dessert, guests are invited to move to another area. The semi-circular Omakase area allows for a theatrical experience, where a large mirror shows guests how the dishes are prepared and presented on Japanese-inspired ceramic plates.

Curved lines that emerge at different heights are reminiscent of the rings of a cut tree trunk and form the luminous sculpture