essence of charred wood and fire engulfs astet studio's nocturnal restaurant in dubai

organic forms and sinuous lines unfold across leña dubai

Leña Dubai, a steakhouse designed by Astet Studio, treasures the essence of the primitive, of fire, of embers, and of raw materials such as stone and wood. These natural elements form the basis for the gastronomic proposal in the heart of Dubai while imbuing the nocturnal interiors with an intense jet black — embodying charred wood using the Japanese technique Yakisugi — that envelops the walls, ceilings, floors, and furniture. This organic sense extends across the ceiling wherein sinuous lines, extruded at different heights and made of stained ash wood, evoke the rings of a cut tree trunk and form the luminous sculpture that covers the entire restaurant.

Subdued lighting creates the sensation that each of the rings are on fire, alongside which shadows accentuate volumes and arouse curiosity to explore the different corners of the interior. Adjacent to the slatted ceiling, a metallic element alternates, suggesting the gleam of fire flames and a gradient of tones — the materials suggesting a play of reflections and movements.

all images courtesy of Astet Studio

astet studio brings the luxury restaurant to dubai

The concept was initially established by Barcelona-based Astet Studio in the first Leña, located in Marbella, which received the award for Best Overall Design Restaurant by the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards in 2021. The studio has transferred this concept to Dubai for the Dani García Group while maintaining the premise of the power of fire: wood, firewood, its textures, its markings left by the passage of time, and its organic forms.

A backdrop of black forms showcase the colors of the meat and the dishes of the restaurant, evident also across the slatted ceiling where a gradient of this technique is created in different rings that are centred with the main counter. A large convex mirror reflects the restaurant space in a new perspective, while the stones used to generate fire also provide a visual tactile element, and two suspended rocky volumes create focal points and a contrast with the dark canvas. One is divided to reveal the kitchen, serving as a show kitchen, and the second accommodates the DJ area.

Leña Dubai enjoys a nocturnal ambiance

a contrast of raw and sleek materiality

An organically shaped wood wall accompanies visitors to the entrance, carved in rosewood and smoked glass. Upon passing through the threshold, a wall transforms into ceilings adorned with over 40,000 wooden scales, placed by hand, highlighting the artisanal character of the restaurant in harmony with the gastronomic offering. A large black piece on the ceiling leads the way to the bar and the bathroom area, where a suspended piece of wood and mirror captures perspectives of the luxurious space.

Astet Studio divides Leña Dubai’s bar into two pieces that are formally linked. The first interior piece pulls the ceiling rings together to form a suspended bottle rack, and the bar finish is created with pieces of wood showcasing varying degrees of scorching, forming a matrix reminiscent of a smoked image. The countertop, is made with a veined black tropical stone, while the slats from the interior extend into the bar area, creating a canopy that centralizes its visual prominence. They further form the bottle rack, with pieces of travertine alternating to create the same raw texture effect as inside. The outdoor area is conceived as a continuation of the interior, where organic forms create benches and gather customers in different nooks to enjoy the evening. The material palette, in beige and lighter tones, is complemented with lush vegetation.

the space is imbued with black, an intense jet black

The interior space is distributed in an open-plan layout, showcasing different nuances, colors, and textures. Large totems indoors create these separations and enhance the concept of primitive and ancestral — fire and nature. Fabric colors derive from the fire palette, alternating with the materials of the space, as large carpets made of stone materials, such as black Zimbabwe granite, differ across the floor.

The double-height wine cellar pours the restaurant’s collection of over 1,000 bottles into the dining area through a black steel and brass framed glass enclosure. This space, which houses different climatized zones for red, white, and sparkling wines, establishes a connection to the other restaurant of the group. Armchairs designed by Astet maintain a chromatic uniformity with the benches and sustain a palette of warm tones in shades of red and orange, which continue to evoke the nuances of fire. Tables with sculptural legs and suspended lighting, also designed by the studio, uphold the idea of functional sculptures.

Astet Studio brings tthe first Leña, located in Marbella, to Dubai

the smoked room: an exclusive dining experience

Another culinary space within Leña is Smoked Room, offering Fire Omakase, a 15-dish tasting menu where smoke is the guiding theme, in an exclusive experience for only 14 diners. The access is made through a dark passage with lines of lights guiding towards the restaurant, and a large sculpted black wooden door welcomes diners in. The material palette comprises black brick, that alternate with other richer materials such as metals, mirrors, and brass mesh.

With regards to the layout, Astet Studio conceived the space by creating two completely distinct atmospheres: the main dining area is Omakase, where diners can enjoy the whole experience of a tasting menu. When desserts come, the diners are invited to move to another space. The semicircular Omakase area allows for a theatrical experience where a large mirror shows the diners how the dishes are prepared and how plating is performed on ceramic plates of Japanese inspiration.

sinuous lines extruded at different heights evoke the rings of a cut tree trunk and form the luminous sculpture

the sculptural ceiling guides diners through the organic volumes

organic forms and natural materials form the basis for the gastronomic proposal in the heart of Dubai

Smoked Room is an exclusive experience for only 14 diners

the Omakase area is semicircular, allowing for the theatrical experience of food preparation

a contrast of sleek and raw materials and textures

Leña Dubai entrance

the bathroom area

the washbasin area folds into a sinuous form with a brass skin

a play of lighting suggests the gleam of fire flames

project info:

name: Leña Dubai

designer: Astet Studio | @astetstudio

location: Dubai, UAE

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edited by: ravail khan | designboom