INTERIORS
Kitchen & Vine is a contemporary Australian restaurant in Melbourne where the design tells a story of transition—from the bright, seasonal energy of the dining room to the intimate, social glow of the Casino Lounge. The space is designed to feel like a natural extension of the vine-to-evening concept, with warm natural materials and layered lighting creating a sense of progression throughout the evening.
DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
The interiors are designed around the journey from the vineyard to the evening. Natural materials and daylight give way to deeper tones and focused lighting, creating a seamless transition from dining to socialising. The palette draws from vine greens, grape violets, and warm apricot accents, while the layout encourages movement from the bright dining room toward the intimate Casino Lounge.
This progression is not a simple change of mood, but a deliberate choreography of material, light, and space. Each room prepares you for the next, so the evening feels like a natural unfolding rather than a shift in venue.
THE DINING ROOM
The dining room is bathed in natural light during the day, with large windows that frame the Melbourne streetscape. Warm timber tables and soft chalk-white walls create a welcoming, seasonal feel. Tables are crafted from Australian hardwoods with a natural finish, and the open kitchen is visible from most seats, adding to the lively atmosphere.
Seating is arranged to balance intimacy and energy, with upholstered chairs in earthy tones and custom banquettes along the walls. The layout encourages conversation while allowing views of the kitchen. Upholstery in muted greens and warm neutrals brings the vine palette into the room, while banquettes provide comfortable group seating.
TRANSITION TO EVENING
As the sun sets, the dining room transforms. Dimmable pendant lights cast a warm glow, and the deeper tones of the space become more pronounced. The transition is gradual, guiding guests toward the Casino Lounge. Lighting is programmed to shift from bright and airy to warm and intimate, and the use of grape-violet accents becomes more visible in the evening.
THE CASINO LOUNGE
The Casino Lounge is designed for after-dinner entertainment, with a darker, more intimate atmosphere. Deep charcoal walls, grape-violet accents, and focused table lighting create a sense of exclusivity. Physical poker, roulette, and blackjack tables are the focal points, and the space feels like an extension of the restaurant, not a separate venue.
Seating around the tables encourages face-to-face interaction, with comfortable chairs and low ambient lighting that keeps the focus on the game and conversation. Tables are spaced to allow movement and privacy, and lighting is directed onto the tables, not the room.
ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS
Stone bar tops and counter surfaces anchor the space with a cool, tactile presence. Their subtle veining catches the changing light, shifting from bright and crisp during the day to warm and shadowed in the evening.
Custom timber shelving and wall panelling bring warmth and rhythm to the room. Australian hardwoods are finished to reveal their natural grain, creating a handcrafted feel that reflects the restaurant's commitment to quality.
Hand-blown glass pendant lights are suspended over tables and the bar, each one slightly different. Their organic forms soften the architecture and create intimate pools of light that define individual dining areas.
Subtle botanical motifs, inspired by vine leaves, appear in the metalwork and decorative screens, tying the space back to the vineyard concept. Laser-cut metal screens with vine patterns divide sightlines without closing off the room, and custom door handles shaped like vine tendrils offer a quiet reminder of the design's origin.
FURNITURE AND COMFORT
From upholstered dining chairs to plush lounge seating, every piece is chosen for comfort and durability. The mix of textures—leather, wool, and linen—adds depth to the space. Dining chairs offer ergonomic backs for long meals, while lounge chairs in the Casino Lounge invite relaxed socialising after dinner. The result is a room that feels considered at every touchpoint, whether you are settling in for a tasting menu or leaning into a late-night conversation.
LIGHTING DESIGN
The lighting is composed of three layers: ambient, task, and accent. Ambient lighting provides overall warmth, task lighting focuses on tables and the open kitchen, and accent lighting highlights architectural features. Dimmable LED systems allow for smooth transitions, while pendant lights over tables create intimate pools of light.
In the evening, the lighting shifts to a warmer colour temperature, with grape-violet and apricot accents that echo the Casino Lounge's palette. Colour temperature changes from 4000K to 2700K, and accent lights on the bar and lounge tables draw the eye toward the social heart of the space.
THE OPEN KITCHEN CONNECTION
The open kitchen is a focal point, with a stone counter and brass details that make it feel like a stage. Guests can watch the chefs at work, adding energy to the dining room. Counter seating offers a front-row view, and the kitchen's materials echo the dining room's palette, so the boundary between preparation and presentation feels seamless.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Experience the vine-to-evening journey for yourself. Reserve a table in the dining room or plan an evening that includes the Casino Lounge. Reservations are recommended, and the Casino Lounge is open after dinner.
Call +61 3 9128 6745 or visit us at 161 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000.
