Almonds Café by AD Studio9 is a quiet counterpoint to its context. Set along the dense commercial spine of New BEL Road in Bangalore, the 1,200 sq ft quiet cafe doesn’t try to compete with its surroundings. Instead, it recedes. From the street, it offers little more than a glimpse of light and foliage. Step inside, and the noise of the city dissolves. You enter a space calibrated for slowness.
This Quiet Cafe In Bangalore Invites Visitors To Drift Through Its Unique Interiors | AD Studio9
“The design intent,” as explained by Apoorva Lekha and Sandesh Dhanaraj of AD Studio 9, “was to create a space that feels unhurried, personal, and grounded.” The site came with clear limitations: a long, narrow stretch with natural light entering from just one end. The design didn’t fight the constraint; instead, it responded to it. “Designers aligned all services along the rear side, while they kept the seating open and flowing. “This clarity in planning also encourages an organic flow, inviting visitors to drift through the café at their own pace.
Materiality plays a central role in shaping the mood of the space. The palette of the quiet cafe leans into earthy tones and textures of rust red-hued upholstery, ribbed fluted panelling, matte open-pore wood finishes, and terrazzo-inspired flooring with vintage mosaic inserts. At its core is a rust-red staircase, connecting the lower level with the upper. Furniture pieces were custom-designed for the project. For instance, tables with chunky baluster legs are paired with slim profiles, while cane chairs offer comfort without visual heaviness. The introduction of greenery throughout subtly blurs the boundaries between the interior and the outdoors, allowing the space to breathe.
Art is woven into the fabric of Almonds Café, adding layers of character and meaning. The team collaborated with local illustrators to create hand-painted botanical murals that reflect both the ingredients and the spirit of the café. These artworks speak to the mood of the place. The soft blush wall that curves along the staircase emerges as a visual highlight of the space. Framing the stairwell in a sweeping gesture, it becomes a point of connection between levels and an unmistakable moment from the entrance.
Lighting was treated with equal restraint and intention. The use of pendant spheres, concealed wall washes, and indirect uplighting lends a gentle, layered atmosphere to the café. There’s a deliberate effort to avoid anything too polished or overtly styled. Instead, the lighting illuminates the space in subtle ways rather than demanding attention.
The outcome is a space that sits lightly on its context. It doesn’t compete with the energy of the street outside, instead offers a calm alternative. By working with the site’s constraints, crafting a tactile and consistent material palette, and layering it with soft light and intimate art, AD Studio9 has created a distinctly quiet cafe. Almonds Café becomes memorable not through bold statements, but through its quiet clarity. It’s a place that feels familiar the moment you step in, and lingers in the mind long after you leave.
Fact File
Designed by: AD Studio9
Project Type: Hospitality & Cafe Design
Project Name: Almonds Cafe
Location: Bangalore
Project Size: 1200 Sq.ft
Principal Designers: Apoorva Lekha N & Sandesh Dhanaraj
Photograph Courtesy: Nayan Soni
Firm’s Website Link: AD Studio9
Firm’s Instagram Link: AD Studio9
For Similar Project >>> This Burmese Restaurant Brings the Vibe and Culture of Myanmar
Where Contemporary Elegance Meets Colour-Pop Charm Nestled in the heart of the city, this elegantly designed 3BHK residence by informe designs is a celebration of balance where contemporary sophistication is effortlessly layered with playful colour-pop elements. The result is a home that is not only visually stunning but also deeply personal and welcoming. Informé Designs […]
Where Vernacular Warmth And A Grounded Design Meet Contemporary Minimalism At Archgenesis, every project begins with a conversation—an evolving dialogue between client, context, and craft. This two-storey residence in the culturally rich town of Kumbakonam is a testament to that process. Designed for a family of three—a doctor, a yoga teacher, and their artist daughter—the […]
We are excited to share with you a new residential project by Weespaces, a Bangalore-based design studio helmed by Vinithra Amarnathan. Crafted as a final culmination place after the homeowner’s years of living in many different countries, this home echoes a modern, casual Californian hacienda that meets a simple earthy aesthetic and Indian rootedness. An Earthy […]
As urban cities become more crowded and organisations open to new opportunities, the notion of what characterises an “office” has gone through a considerable shift. The workplace is no longer a fixed environment. With not just walls and desks, it has transformed into a fluid, responsive ecosystem. It reflects the rhythm of a modern and […]
Designed for a family of four, this 3BHK apartment strikes a balance between openness and functionality. “The client presented a straightforward brief, rich with intent—design an open furniture layout in the common areas to allow flexibility, and create bedrooms that maximise storage while maintaining clarity and ease of flow.” The design approach, therefore, was to […]
In an age when life stretches easily across borders, a second home isn’t just a luxury — it’s a lifestyle. For a young Dubai-based couple, originally from Surat, their fluid design vacation apartment was never meant to be a quiet hideaway. Instead, the designers imagined it as a stage for living well — a place […]
Founded in 2021 during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Duende Designs is the brainchild of Dhanshree, a qualified architect who transitioned layered textures into interior design with a vision to blend architectural sensibility with refined spatial experiences. With over a decade of practice in the premium and luxury interior segment, Dhanshree has carved a […]
Located in Baner, Pune in an up-and-coming neighborhood is the 3-bedroom residence housing the Kulkarni family. The vibrant home is an intimate space and has been designed as such with sparse furnishing and bright, lively touches. While the living and dining areas remain light-filled and anchored by a beautiful breakfast bar perfect for hosting, the […]
It is a 2000 Sq. Ft. 4bhk residential flat’s interior project at Surat. it’s one of our most special project because form very beginning, our client Mr. Jayesh Bhai Naik and his wife Mrs. Sonal Naik gave us full freedom to design and execute. They allowed us to showcase our creativity. It was naked flat […]
What makes House of Heart stand out isn’t a new gadget or flashy material, it’s the intention. Most homes today want to look perfect; this ultra modern home wants to feel perfect in the way comfort and memory make you feel perfect. This Ultra Modern Home Stands Out For Its Clean Lines And Thoughtful Planning […]