The Bavel Restaurant

Industrial style meets Middle Eastern influences.

Opened in April 2018 by chefs Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis, the new Bavel restaurant in the Arts District, Los Angeles, offers a menu that builds upon traditional Middle Eastern dishes, flavors, and spices with a splash – or two – of modernity. The restaurant’s decor mirrors the same recipe, but takes the concept further. Designed by Los Angeles-based design and concept firm Studio Unltd, the interior combines various styles and influences in a harmonious and awe-inspiring space. The studio worked alongside chef Genevieve Gergis to create the distinct character of the restaurant.

Hints of Morocco, Turkey, Israel, and Egypt blend with contemporary touches and industrial accents. A restrained aesthetic ensures that all of these elements stand out on their own without overwhelming the rest. At the same time, the somewhat understated design allows the different styles to enhance the others in an elegant way. Located in a former warehouse, Bavel wears its industrial past with pride. Exposed brick walls and original elements appear throughout the space, along with stylish copper chairs, brass details, and golden accents.

Of course, the chefs’ heritage and restaurant’s Middle Eastern cuisine also influenced the design. White washed brick walls reference seaside village houses from ancient Middle East, while gold, turquoise, and light orange colors in the bar area remind of Casablanca. A cascade of greenery flows down from the ceiling that features wooden beams and visible ducts as well as skylights. Apart from their character, the different materials and furniture styles also reference Middle East. In particular, the amalgam of items which define some interiors and mark different eras. Long upholstered benches, curved wooden sofas, rattan and metal chairs, along with leather and wood seating all come together here. Concrete flooring with patterned tiles completes Bavel’s eclectic decor. Photographs© Dylan and Jeni.