Mr.Taco is one of the biggest Mexican restaurants present in the heart of Dubai. And to give their interior, the Mexican feel it deserved; they contacted LW design. Since LW design has taken on many other hospitality and F&B projects, this task would be an addition to its vast record of projects. But, Mr. Taco did come with its own set of challenges that would exercise the creative muscles of LW design. Nonetheless, despite the challenges they faced, LW design was certainly able to refurbish Mr.Taco to perfection.
Design Concept
Facing various challenges from all angles, the creative minds at LW design showed their skill by completely transforming the restaurant unexpectedly. With their target audience being the Instagramable youth of today, the redesign brings the restaurant to life and highlights its unique features. Through the use of a wide range of accessories and furniture, Mr.Taco was transformed into an authentic Mexican restaurant in the heart of Dubai. The redesign allows locals to experience their favorite Mexican food in a new spectacular way.
Various Design Elements
A major challenge that the LW design team faced was to create an ambiance that was authentically Mexican but modern as well. To avoid using the overused design palette familiar to most Mexican restaurants, LW Design called for painting the entire restaurant a bright and bold turquoise. The vibrant color gradients instantly changed the restaurant’s look, driving a stark contrast to what it previously was.
They applied paint to the walls, ceilings, doors, and bars, bringing distinct design aspects together. With the turquoise backdrop set, LW design moved to the second phase of refurbishing: authenticating the experience. While the color palette had been decided upon, there was much more LW Design had in store. So to make the aesthetic truly unique, they added graffiti and playful slogans that make the space reminiscent of Mexican culture.
About the Execution
Beset on all sides by challenges and hardships, LW design weathered the storm like a ship at sea. Completely redefining Mr. Taco from just another Mexican restaurant to an Instagram-able location and ‘The Mexican Restaurant’ in the heart of Dubai was not easy. The aesthetic had to be welcoming and instantly memorable without being overwhelming or too similar. The redesign was instrumental in turning Mr.Taco into a playful and colorful bar, without losing any of its authenticity.
About the Ambience
Thanks to the redesign, one of Mr. Taco’s greatest strengths is the ambiance that it sets for people who visit there. The picturesque setting of the restaurant, along with the graffiti and floral designs, make the walls feel more alive. LW design also made use of very specific furnishings that further sell the authenticity of a Mexican restaurant. The lighting is vivid, and the colors on both the walls and furnishings are bright to give a more upbeat and vibrant feel.
Technical Elements
When taking on this particular project and the many challenges that came with it, The LW design team came to a profound realization. In this case of this particular project, less would be more. They decided against adding new fixtures or a new tile set to the floor. By not making any major changes to the original restaurant, they used all of the existing fixtures and space. The kitchen remained almost untouched, and the walls were not broken down for more space.
Material Selection
With no new floor finishes, fixtures, or even tile sets, they were able to keep the cost of the redesign at an all-time low, all the while implementing sustainability. Instead, the major changes to the restaurant came in the form of paint. Everything inside Mr. Taco, from its ceilings to its doors, received a teal or turquoise paint. And they used graffiti and other designs to differentiate between areas of the restaurant, making it feel much bigger than its 438m2 size.
Furniture Chosen
All of the furniture installed inside the restaurant is from off the shelf markets and stores. Although choosing off the shelf furniture was a more a product of the challenges that the design team faced at the time, it luckily fits with the rest of the aesthetic of the restaurant. The wholesome yet comfy furniture gives it a nice holistic feel while staying loyal to purely Mexican design.
LW Design sourced the furniture from Marina Home, MishMashi, Indigo, and Ebarza. Local businesses provided many of the trinkets and accessories on display that expressed Mexican traditions. With all the challenges MR. Taco brought with its offer; it is another great addition to LW design’s portfolio.
The attention to detail choice of furniture and aesthetic shows a deep understanding and respect for the culture. With its new appeal and ambiance, Mr. Taco is a restaurant with great food and an even better ambiance. Both factors combine to provide customers with an unforgettable experience.
