World of Wine Porto
Cultural District
Category
Restaurant & Bar
LocationPorto, Portugal
ServicesBrand Experience
Interiors: Bespoke
Awards & Recognition
Travel + Leisure: This Cultural Wine District Has 12 Restaurants & Immersive Drink Experiences
2022
Forbes: WOW, The New Cultural District Is A Wine Lovers Playground
2023
Decanter: Visiting World of Wine in Porto
2023
Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences - THE WINE SCHOOL (WOW)
2024
Portugal's Latest Cultural District Takes Shape
World of Wine in Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto, is an ambitious tourist destination that pays homage to the centuries-old Port wine cellars. Highlighting prominent Portuguese industries and traditions, the 323,000 square foot cultural district encompasses seven immersive museums, nine restaurants, an events space, wine school, and shops.
In this once-in-a-lifetime project, we developed unique branding and opulent interior design for six of the attraction’s dining options. Each concept is inspired by an aspect of Portugal’s history, heritage or wine regions, and emphasizes the locale’s expansive views of the Douro Valley.
In this once-in-a-lifetime project, we developed unique branding and opulent interior design for six of the attraction’s dining options. Each concept is inspired by an aspect of Portugal’s history, heritage or wine regions, and emphasizes the locale’s expansive views of the Douro Valley.
1828
World of Wine’s signature fine dining restaurant explores the dynamic history of Queen Dona Maria I, the first undisputed Queen regnant of Portugal, Brazil, and the Algarve in the 1700s and 1800s—both her beloved side, and her mad side. The restaurant translates Maria’s duality into a bold, animated storyline beyond the expected, delivering an equally dynamic and poetic culinary experience.Our branding celebrates the duality of this infamous figure, with a logo and design details inspired by the 18th century and Neoclassical era. A regal color palette and refined details, including intricately patterned plates and golden tassels, add royal flair.
The restaurant’s opulent interior utilizes palatial materiality such as marble flooring, velvet upholstery, and gold-cladded embellishments. The design centers around an enormous mural depicting Maria’s life history, with an ornate, oversized fireplace becoming a focal point of the space. Other elements of the design celebrate Maria’s life: The coffered ceilings are inset with a coin depicting Maria’s profile on Portuguese currency, and the dining chairs feature intricate upholstery inspired by her over-the-top style of dress.
Golden Catch
Located along the Douro River, Golden Catch, the elevated fish & chips restaurant at World of Wine, is an embodiment of hidden ingredients found at land and sea, elevating classic, beloved dishes with a signature point of view.The name "Golden Catch" was inspired by the golden light that reflects upon the Douro River. The brand identity features a rounded fish illustration that represents the initials “G” and “C”. Patterns and colors are inspired by the Porto fishing scene, and gold details add layers to the branding.The opulent gold-inspired interiors reflect the flaxen glow of sunsets off the water and treasures found both on land and sea. The influence of the Douro River extends through tactile design details such as fishing nets and oyster shell textures for a sea-inspired feel. Golden fish scales line wall panels at the host stand, where guests are ushered into an ocean blue space.
Angel's Share
Named Angel’s Share for the liquid that evaporates when a wine is aged in a barrel or cask, this wine bar offers guests an immersive experience and a casual space where they can relax before dinner and enjoy this age-old, divine drink.With rich wine colors and design elements that draw inspiration from the decorative personality of the Art Nouveau style, like the intricate curvature of the logo and typography, the brand identity is elegant and refined. An icon features a wine glass adorned with a halo, inspired by the venue’s name. Wine barrels are utilized as liquor shelving while a striking stained-glass piece depicting an angel watches guests from above. The focal point is rivaled only by an expansive view of Porto from the bar’s patio. Art Nouveau inspired flooring and accent chairs contribute to the interior’s romantic atmosphere, where guests share wine and pintxos.
Suspiro
The sweet dessert café at the entry to World of Wine is named after the Portuguese word for “meringue” and is inspired by a native folktale about a curious rabbit who darts in and out of a royal garden while preparing a majestic meal for a princess-in-waiting.The brand identity features a whimsical bunny icon and a rounded font, reflecting the playfulness of the brand story. Abstract meringue-inspired shapes and bright, fun colors create movement. As light and fluffy as the dessert café’s namesake meringue, Suspiro offers a sweet first impression next to World of Wine’s main ticket office. The light-hearted atmosphere plays into the brand story with a bright color palette, whimsical design elements like bunny-shaped stools, and light fixtures that incorporate fantastical cloud-like shapes.
Root & Vine
World of Wine’s casual vegetarian-focused offering explores Portugal’s rich culinary history and the origins of some of its most prominent flavors dating back to the Age of Discovery when Portugal’s native culinary traditions blended with the bold and exotic flavors with its colonies around the world.The wordmark integrates a mono-line illustration that captures the connection between organic elements above and below the soil. Throughout the brand identity, bold, fun colors offer a bright representation of soil and produce. Root and vine illustrations and a bamboo texture add an organic, earthy element. The interior environment reflects the relationship between root and vine—or more specifically, the menu’s healthy offerings. FF&E selections mix warm, natural earth tones with greenery for an open, organic atmosphere. Our designers incorporated a unique client request into the space—a large wine root. Installed on the ceiling, the root threads throughout the restaurant and pulls the space together.
Mira Mira
Inspired by the fashionable scene of Portugal’s up-and-coming designers, the branding for Mira Mira—the restaurant that serves as a capstone to the Fashion Museum experience at World of Wine—spotlights the country’s brightest talents in fashion by putting their work front and center, on display in the wait-staff uniforms and artwork.The brand concept highlights a distinct point of view on fashion, food, and the city of Porto—one that is full of color and contrast. The brand identity features a simple wordmark that feels evocative of a fashion label and a custom monogram that represents a silhouette.
The clean and minimalist restaurant is a space where cuisine and fashion are both art. As part of the cultural district’s Fashion & Fabric Museum, guests can watch fashion shows from the side booths. The space is designed to transform into a runway, with lit floors and tables that can be easily cleared out.
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