30 Rupert St, Soho, London, W1D 6DL
A distinctive departure from the minimalism of the original BAO restaurants, XU is a study in evocative atmosphere – a place that invites guests to pause, sip and savour, not just the food, but the story.
A collaboration between BAO and STUDIO Shayne Brady, XU is a bold and transportive restaurant in the heart of Soho. The design is a rich reinterpretation of 1930s Taipei, conceived not as pastiche, but as an elegant and immersive mise-en-scène that combines cultural reference with refined theatricality.
Set across two levels, the restaurant unfolds like a scene from a period film. Downstairs, a striking emerald tea bar greets guests, surrounded by warm, two-tone timber panelling, dusky pink stone flooring, and dark green leather banquettes. Hand-painted scenes of Taiwanese landscapes soften the atmosphere, while vintage ceiling fans and porcelain accents evoke a sense of nostalgic glamour.
The first floor offers a more formal dining space centred around a blush marble bar and framed by a sweeping mural, Mountains of Taiwan, created bespoke for the restaurant. Throughout, the aesthetic plays with contrast: cinematic yet subtle, nostalgic yet contemporary. From the private Mahjong rooms hidden behind suede curtains to the intimate booth seating designed for lingering over rare teas, every detail is layered with narrative.
| Covers | Size | Timeline | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 75 | 1500 Sqft | 9 Months | 2017 |
Working closely with the founders of BAO, the studio sought to design not just a space, but a world: one that introduces Londoners to the lesser-seen side of Taiwanese culture – steeped in memory, ceremony and emotional resonance.
