66 Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7LA
London’s Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park sets the scene for a richly layered dining destination. The Aubrey, a collaboration between Maximal Concepts and the hotel, is an eccentric Japanese izakaya and the first of its kind in the UK.
Taking cues from its sister restaurant in Hong Kong, the design reimagines the spirit of the original through a distinctly London lens. Inspired by the building’s history as a turn-of-the-century gentleman’s club, STUDIO Shayne Brady layered period detail with a contemporary eccentricity to create something immersive and unexpected.
A labyrinth of low-lit rooms, The Aubrey is built around a series of distinct spaces. At its heart, the Bar blends lacquered timber, green marble and plush curved seating with theatrical intimacy. The Curio Lounge takes a moodier turn, wrapped in blush pink tones and custom silk artwork, while the Library layers dark woods and jewel tones in a rhythm of velvet booths and alcoves. The hidden omakase and private dining room offers a final moment of discovery – cloistered, glowing and quietly transportive.
Awards
Restaurant Winner, 2022 AHEAD Awards Global
Restaurant Winner, 2022 AHEAD Awards Europe
| Covers | Size | Timeline | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 132 | 4080 Sqft | 10 Months | 2022 |
Materials here are rich but unpretentious, glossy marble, aged brass and silk upholstery give depth without overwhelming the senses. Lighting is considered and atmospheric, the result of a close collaboration with Atelier. Meanwhile the art, curated with Rock Paper Scissors, weaves together British portraiture and Japanese print for a layered aesthetic that feels lived-in and luxuriously offbeat.
Working closely with Maximal Concepts, the studio delivered a design that flows with identity and intention. Intimate yet expansive, indulgent but grounded, The Aubrey is a hidden world within one of London’s most iconic hotels.
