At Grossi Grill, we set out to create a dining environment that captures the spirit of the Grossi family’s hospitality while expressing a contemporary Melbourne sensibility. Our approach was to design a space that feels warm, familiar and generous, yet finely detailed and quietly luxurious. From the outset, we worked closely with Guy Grossi and his team to ensure the architecture supported the restaurant’s culinary philosophy: honest ingredients, authenticity and a sense of shared experience.

The heart of the design is the open grill, which acts as both a functional workspace and a piece of theatre. We framed this element carefully, allowing guests to feel connected to the craft of cooking while maintaining a composed, elegant dining atmosphere. Materiality plays a central role in setting the tone: rich timbers, textured surfaces and a warm, amber palette build a sense of intimacy and depth, while subtle metallic accents add refinement without overt glamour.

Spatially, we focused on creating clear yet fluid zones; places for slow dining, areas suited to more animated social gatherings and quieter pockets where guests can disconnect from the energy of the room. Lighting was designed to be low, inviting and enveloping, enhancing the restaurant’s sense of warmth and occasion.

Throughout the project, our intent was to balance character with timelessness. Grossi Grill is a place shaped by tradition but grounded in contemporary design values: a restaurant that feels unmistakably Melbourne, authentically Grossi and deeply connected to the experience of sharing food around a fire.