Barbajean, Ħad-Dingli

Barbajean is a new restaurant in Malta, nestled in the heart of a quaint village along the western shore of the island. The brief for the space was to create an interior that provided an elevated eating experience, combining the pride of heritage with the excitement of contemporary design. Jean Pierre Dingli, renowned chef/patron, had a vision for a versatile eatery that celebrated the rituals of dining out and modern Maltese cuisine, challenging the team with creating a new destination for its village home – a landmark that respects its environment whilst injecting it with new life.
The design concept took cues from the typical Maltese facade – its coloured timber doors; informal parapet steps; and mid-century terrazzo architrave tradition were all used as formal inspiration. Inside, Mizzi Studio carefully crafted a restaurant vocabulary that recalls the elegance of European Art-Deco bistros. Mizzi Studio custom designed the furniture, lighting and signage for Barbajean, introducing a medley of rich textures including brass, terrazzo, neon, and sumptuous velvet upholstery.