Manny Architects
Dhaba — contemporary hospitality interior with warm material palette in Chennai

hospitality

Dhaba

Type
hospitality
Location
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
Area
3,100 sq ft
Year
2025
Status
completed

Project Narrative

A contemporary reinterpretation of the traditional Indian roadside eatery, translating the warmth and conviviality of a dhaba into a refined spatial experience. The design balances rustic character with material precision — creating an atmosphere where the familiar becomes elevated without losing its essential spirit.

Challenge

Honouring the informal, democratic energy of a dhaba while designing a space that meets the demands of a contemporary dining establishment.

Approach

Materiality was the primary design tool. Exposed textures, warm lighting, and a considered spatial sequence from entry to seating create an atmosphere rooted in place.

Outcome

A hospitality space that reads immediately as inviting and authentic — serving both as a destination and a neighbourhood fixture.

Dining interior — layered seating zones with textured wall treatments
Seating area — intimate dining with considered lighting and materiality
Interior detail — bespoke joinery and decorative elements
Main dining space — generous central area with warm ambient lighting
Feature wall — textured surface with characteristic design expression
Naleena — living room interior with layered materiality and natural light

Next Project

Naleena