This Mexican restaurant is a project that informs about the importance of introducing cultural aspects into spatial design narrative as a vital practice that transcends mere aesthetics, infusing spaces with a deeper sense of meaning, identity, and authenticity. Located in Ahmedabad, Tres Amigos is a 1500-square-foot Mexican restaurant that is designed by the firm Compartment S4. Originally a popular food truck, this culinary gem has transitioned into a brick-and-mortar establishment, seamlessly blending the casual charm of its origins with the sophistication of fine dining.
How can the integration of cultural elements in the design of spaces like Tres Amigos be balanced to ensure authenticity and respect for the culture being represented, while also catering to a diverse and potentially unfamiliar audience?
Editor’s Note: “This Mexican restaurant in Ahmedabad masterfully weaves together cultural richness and design elegance. A warm, inviting colour palette sets the tone, while plush furnishings, custom wall rugs, and exquisite lighting create an immersive experience. More than just a design, it offers each guest a journey through vibrant Mexican culture.” ~Simran Khare
This Mexican Restaurant Informs About The Importance of Culture | Compartment S4
The layout is organized into distinct zones, each catering to different dining preferences while maintaining a cohesive aesthetic. Moreover, Compartment S4 approached the rectangular volume space with a thoughtful design strategy aimed at enhancing comfort and fostering a sense of community.
Upon entering, guests find a waiting area and a merchandising display on either side. Thus, offering a glimpse into the restaurant’s eclectic offerings. The booth seating area, designed for those seeking privacy, features wooden tabletops and earthy yellow upholstered benches. Thus, creating a cosy and convivial atmosphere.
Moving further, this section is flanked by custom-designed block-printed Mexican patterned textile scrolls/screens that extend towards the ceiling acting as a partition, adding an element of intimacy and seclusion. These motifs and patterns add a character of artistry to the otherwise plain collage of colors; also the firm’s signature touch.
At the heart of the restaurant lies the elongated community table, a cue taken from a simple idea of the food culture of communal dining in Ahmedabad. The central table, a highlight of the design, serves as a communal focal point and transforms into a vibrant grazing table during special events, further enhancing the cultural and social dining experience. Sofa seating flanks either side along the walls, and subtle motif decorations adorn the surfaces.
Paying homage to the Mexican heritage, three majestic 6-foot-tall handmade lamps inspired by desert cacti stand tall while the custom-designed skull rugs by Studio Arisaa, hanging on the walls, reinterpret the traditional skull motif, adding texture and colour against the otherwise sombre backdrop. Additionally, wooden hanging lights, crafted from disks and threads, evoke traditional craftsmanship.
The terracotta-tiled flooring, interspersed with greys, visually breaks the elongated volume of the space, distinguishing the main zone from the rest. Functionality meets aesthetics with strategically placed serving counters. These counters seamlessly blend into the space while ensuring efficient service.
At the other end, a live counter adds a dynamic element to the dining experience. Its backdrop of custom designed patterned tiles and a hanging glass canopy creates a lively focal point, with the color of the flooring continuing into the front area combined with a fluted glass panel on top. The ceiling, painted in a bold rustic red hue, remains exposed, adding to the raw and vibrant character of the restaurant.
Tres Amigos is more than just a restaurant; it is a cultural journey. Compartment S4’s design seamlessly integrates symbolism with contemporary aesthetics, creating a space that is vibrant, fun, and welcoming. The firm’s creative decisions have successfully transformed it into a culinary oasis that appeals to both families and the younger crowd, offering a truly immersive dining experience.
Fact File
Designed by: Compartment S4
Project Type: Restaurant / Bar / Cafe
Project Name: Tres Amigos
Location: Ahmedabad
Project Size: 1500 Sq.ft
Principal Architects: Aman Amin, Kishan Shah, Manuni Patel, Krishna Parikh, Nishita Parmar, Prasik Chaudhari, Monik Shah & Vedanti Agarwal
Photograph Courtesy: Murtaza Gandhi
Client’s Name: Tres Amigos
Execution Team: Ashish Mistry and team
Text Credits: Shivangi Buch
Rugs: Studio Arisaa
Firm’s Website Link: Compartment S4
The Firm’s Instagram Link: Compartment S4
Firm’s Facebook Link: Compartment S4
For Similar Projects >> Restaurant Resembling A Conservatory
Designing the Gupta family’s four-bedroom residence meant crafting a home that could gracefully evolve with time. The clients—a couple and their two sons—approached us with a clear brief: a home that feels modern but endures, elevated yet comforting, and above all, one that functions seamlessly for a family that values both togetherness and privacy. They […]
Designing a home is always a dialogue between functionality, aesthetics, and the people who inhabit it. The Rathi Residence, designed by interior designer Bhavana Chandak, is a thoughtful exploration of modern contemporary living. Completed in 2025 in Aurangabad, this 1800-square-foot residence with a pop of color transforms a compact footprint into a home that feels […]
“The designers envisioned Oasis Within as a contemporary 3 bhk apartment where calm, material sensitivity, and spatial clarity take precedence over overt expression.” Designed as a three-bedroom residence, the project explores a restrained palette of warm neutrals, tactile surfaces, and softly articulated forms, allowing each space to feel distinct yet deeply connected to a unified […]
Set in the heart of Gurgaon, this 2,745 sq. ft. four-bedroom apartment is a warm and carefully orchestrated blend of European quietude and contemporary Indian craft. Designed by Principal Designer Shagun Singh with Designer Suhela Verma of Homework Design Studio, the home reflects a nuanced design language—layered yet breathable, expressive yet timeless. The project is […]
Leading architectural and interior design studio PS Design has unveiled a visually captivating, stylish design with a living–dining area, part of an ultra-luxurious apartment project in Mumbai. This open-plan space with a stylish design is a masterclass in material richness, sculptural forms and refined vibrancy, offering a serene and sophisticated sanctuary for contemporary urban living. […]
The architects designed this charming 3BHK house for a family of four, with a carpet area of 1130 sq. Ft is located in the ever-blooming city of Thane. The design concept is based on a Transitional Contemporary Style. This Charming 3BHK House Is Based On A Transitional Contemporary Design | BRS Design Co. Living Room […]
In the dense urban fabric of Ahmedabad, Sukoon emerges as a home shaped not by a rigid brief, but by the personalities of the family who would inhabit it. Spanning 2500 sq ft, the residence is envisioned as a sanctuary—an environment that softens the noise of the city and replaces it with quiet refinement, tactile […]
“Bare Beauty” is the celebration of intentional emptiness, raw materials, honest form, and natural imperfections. It is a design philosophy that strips away the excess to uncover beauty in what’s left behind — in the bare walls, quiet corners, raw textures, and subtle light. HNine designs Who says white is boring? This home is a […]
In the modern house interior design of this residence, every detail tells a story of creativity and individuality. The contemporary wooden door, features exquisite black glass that adds a touch of drama and allure to the entryway, and a central metal rod accent in the safety door between those arches embraces the perfect blend of […]
When it comes to enhancing the kitchen window over the sink, various design ideas are possible to decorate Indian homes. From rooted in tradition to Western-style modular kitchens offer both functionality and attractive aesthetics. Apart from the sleek profile and raised breakfast counter, the kitchen window over sink is another spot to add appeal and […]