A stalwart of London’s Borough Market, Applebee’s has been serving up some of the capital’s finest seafood for over 25 years. Now, the beloved institution has been reimagined by award-winning A-nrd Studio, who bring a deft hand and a deeply contextual approach to the restaurant’s newly unveiled interiors.
Charged with the difficult task of updating a local icon without losing its soul, Alessio Nardi and team looked to the history of the market itself, creating a space that feels both timeless and transportive. “It was important for us not to impose a new identity, but rather to excavate and elevate the character already there,” says Nardi. The result is a layered, atmospheric design that nods to traditional fishmongers and classic seafood restaurants, while subtly modernising through materiality and tone.
Entering from the street through dark oak bi-fold doors, diners are greeted by warm stucco walls, exposed brick, antique mirrors and custom terrazzo furniture, all bathed in soft lighting. An open kitchen and cocktail bar form the restaurant’s heart, flanked by counter seating, bespoke booths and a mix of high and low tables that offer both intimacy and discovery; while a palette of natural oak, mosaic tiles, dark terrazzo and teal leather bring about a visual richness.
The design cues continue into the back of the space, where a live fire grill and chef’s counter add theatrical pizzazz. Elsewhere, cane-backed chairs, curved oak benches and mid-century touches reinforce A-nrd’s signature balance of function and elegance.
Food and drink remain the stars of this show, however, with the day’s freshest catch proudly displayed at the open fish counter and a menu that champions quality, seasonality and bold flavours. Whether seated at the bar with a champagne and oysters or seated by the grill with a sharing plate of seafood, Applebee’s now offers a dining experience as thoughtful and rooted as the design that surrounds it.
With this confident update, A-nrd has restored the soul of a local institution, one that feels entirely at home in Borough Market, one of the country’s great gourmet destinations.
Applebee’s Fish and Seafood Photography, Matt Hague.
