In the leafy district of Beykoz on Istanbul’s Asian shore, Scalla opens as a sculptural new benchmark for the city’s luxury dining scene. Designed by acclaimed studio URBANJOBS, the 120-seat Mediterranean restaurant is a study in “spatial rhythm, tactile materials, and architectural fluidity.” Which means the aesthetic has somewhat of an elegant flow to it.
Named after the Italian word for staircase, Scalla’s aesthetic experience is shaped by movement, light, and bold design. At the heart of the space is the ‘Glass Curtain,’ a sweeping, curvilinear installation of copper-coated aluminium and glass that draws inspiration from the ebb and flow of the Mediterranean coastline. Forming the architectural spine of this handsome space space, the ‘curtain’ blurs the boundary between inside and out, guiding light in by day and glowing from within by night. A centrally positioned bar is clad in blue marble-effect cabinetry with refined copper detailing, and acts as a social compass, visible from nearly every seat and anchoring the room with understated elegance.
Founder and lead designer Murat Dede explains: “We designed the space to unfold in layers, a passage through moments, not just metres. You encounter the bar, ascend to new perspectives, and return through familiar elements that now feel transformed. It’s architecture in motion.”
Materials are carefully selected to heighten this sense of flow. Rich woods, sand-toned marble, and woven leather ceiling panels echo the warmth of the Med, while copper, glass, and soft blue accents reflect sea and sky.
Bespoke furniture, including pieces upholstered in fabrics by Dedar and Ralph Lauren, reinforces Scalla’s commitment to sensory design. Outdoors, a planted terrace has been designed by Yunus Karma and extends the restaurant’s atmosphere into the open air, with a pergola echoing the indoor curves overhead.
A venue where architecture, cuisine and materiality align, Istanbul’s impressive Scalla opens its doors to a veritable world in motion.
Scalla İstanbul Photography, İbrahıṁ Özbunar / Ece Pekbaşaran.
