Red Ochre Restaurant

Cairns, Queensland

A fast and cost effective fitout to freshen up the famous Red Ochre restaurant in Cairns.

Brief & Context

The client wanted a quick and cost effective treatment to the existing restaurant that would provide a new look, improve acoustics and functionality and allow a separate function or groups area.

Design Approach

An early decision was made to move the entry to provide a lobby space for diners to wait for attention without disturbing seated guests. This spot was also used to display products for sale. A hardwood spine and ribs leads diners into the entry from outdoors and then winds through the restaurant.

The existing bar was adapted and reclad to the front, the existing tiles kept to save money and time, and a new perforated plywood acoustic ceiling installed to hide services and improve acoustics. An upholstered banquet provides spatial structure and a cosy seating option while folding stacking timber and patterned glass doors provide a flexible barrier between the main restaurant, and the group and functions space.
Colours and textures were chosen that complemented the restaurants ‘Wild Food’ theme. New paint inside and out and small craft touches such as mosaic tiles to the toilets and worked steel stripes to the bar completed the new look.

Building works were largely completed in a week, minimising the down time the restaurant had to close for.

Design Team & Builder

Mango team: Su Groome, James Maude, Renee Lee
Builder: Len Harris