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
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