Merging haute couture and epicurean delights, luxury fashion houses are creating a more experiential connection with people through the universally loved language of food. Usually accompanied by a retail boutique of the brand, here coffees are monogrammed in logos and dishes are curated by some of the top chefs in the world. Come, take a seat and enjoy your most stylish meal.
Armani/Caffè Mumbai
Extending the world of Giorgio Armani beyond retail, Armani/Caffè offers patrons an immersive experience of the Italian luxury house through gastronomy. While this has been part of the maison’s vision since 1998, with the first Armani/Caffè opening in Paris, this is the first of its kind to open in India. It translates the brand’s signature aesthetic of understated elegance into a refined fine-dining session. The menu here is rooted in authentic Italian cuisine, thoughtfully crafted to celebrate classic flavours with a contemporary finesse. Think Roman-style pizzas, handmade pastas, fresh salads and sinful desserts. Set menus of three, four and five courses and a carefully curated selection of Italian wines complete its offerings.
Located inside Jio World Plaza in BKC, adjacent to Giorgio Armani boutique, the cafe is done up in soft blues and greens, palm-print screens and clean lines. Creating a refined setting devoid of any loud logos, Armani/Caffè invites guests to engage with the brand’s universe through taste, texture, design and a soothing ambience.
Da Vittorio Café Louis Vuitton Milan
If luxury snacking is on your list, head to Da Vittorio Café Louis Vuitton, located inside the courtyard of the historic Palazzo Taverna in Milan that was restored to its former glory. Stacked with an LV store as well as a restaurant, the trio form a new cultural destination at Via Montenapoleone, intertwining heritage, contemporary design and Italian gastronomy.
Imagined as a luminous jardin d’hiver or a winter garden, Da Vittorio Café Louis Vuitton offers lunch and bite-sized indulgences with playful touches including the iconic LV monogram on its dishes and drinks. Italian culinary flair paired with seasonally-sourced ingredients seamlessly reimagine familiar dishes in a new vein. The cafe’s seating in a sea of green with accents of brown enhances its outdoor setting under a sunlit roof. Surrounding plants and greens further accentuate its nature-like vibe while architectural arches frame the cafe. After retail therapy, a quick bite with a luxurious feel is just what shoppers need, and the cafe’s proximity to the store is the icing on a Louis Vuitton cake.
Café Dior by Anne-Sophie Pic Tokyo
Paying a tribute to the French fashion house’s founding couturier Christian Dior who was a self-proclaimed gourmand, this cafe promises a sought-after experience in a dreamy setting. French chef Anne-Sophie Pic, renowned for her three-Michelin star restaurant in Valence, brings her culinary prowess and name to Café Dior by Anne-Sophie Pic. She immersed herself in Dior archives for this collaboration, to create dishes that reflect the identity of the fashion house as well as her cuisine through emblematic forms and motifs. Plated as edible works of art, the offerings focus equally on savoury and sweet delights. The beverage menu is also well-curated. When here, style your hot latte and cappuccino with a Dior icon, sip signature cocktails, or take your pick from its extensive list of wines and teas.
Located in the heart of Dior Bamboo Pavilion in Tokyo, the cafe’s decor celebrates floral beauty through artworks by Azuma Makoto who has created living botanical installations that evolve with seasons. Patrons looking for a fusion of fashion and food in a beautiful setting, reserve a table at Café Dior by Anne-Sophie Pic.
Prada Caffè Ion Orchard Singapore
Born from a desire to offer customers yet another engaging and stimulating experience, Prada Caffè adds a new dimension to the brand, and finds a spot inside the renovated retail boutique in Ion Orchard, Singapore. Its first cafe in Southeast Asia, everything here seeks to reflect Prada’s spirit of curiosity that has shaped the way it views the world. Spanning options from breakfast to evening cocktails, the food and beverage selections present a modern twist on Italian tradition. Classic drinks such as negroni and spritz embody the essence of the Venetian and Milanese aperitivo while the wine list highlights regions from Sicily to Piedmont, with only Champagne crossing the border into France. The afternoon tea or coffee ritual comes with a selection of sweet treats and savoury canapes, showcasing its pastry tradition. There’s also a caviar ritual for those looking to elevate their experience further.
Prada’s iconic green hue finds its spot on the walls and furniture, and the chequered black-and-white flooring is a perfect reproduction of the floor of the first historic Prada boutique that opened in 1913, in Milan.
Gucci Giardino Florence
Tucked in Florence’s Piazza della Signoria, Gucci Giardino houses an all-day cafe and a cocktail bar, taking inspiration from one of the location’s previous tenants, a historical florist. The venue is characterised by a sense of wonder and harmonious contrasts while drawing from the colours, scents and exuberance of a flower shop. Its dual identity as a place to enjoy intimate daytime delights and livelier after-hours drinks is reflected in its all-day menu. Inspired by the Tuscan countryside, the assorted offerings showcase every season’s fresh produce.
Playing within the codes of the fashion house and its Florentine surroundings, Gucci Giardino also pays a tribute to the more than a century-old Italian Negroni, said to have originated in Florence. Head mixologist Martina Bonci’s ‘Mémoire di Negroni’ is a take on the classic highlighted by creative inventiveness and top-quality ingredients. When here, notice the ornate details of the interiors that reflect Gucci’s core design values over the years.
DG Caffè Shanghai
Offering a diverse experience that celebrates the passionate and joyful Italian art of living, Dolce&Gabbana’s first-ever cafe is housed in CITIC Square in Shanghai. Located on the second floor of the flagship store, DG Caffè embodies the brand’s commitment to integrating its signature design ethos with traditional Italian culinary arts. A refined selection of dishes catering to both formal dining occasions and casual afternoon teas has been developed in collaboration with Dani Garcia, the acclaimed three-Michelin-star chef. Adding a distinctive touch of culinary excellence to the experience are desserts featuring Dolce&Gabbana’s iconic motifs.
DG Caffè also highlights its exclusive collaborations with other renowned Italian brands such as Bialetti for its famed Moka coffee pots, Pastificio Di Martino celebrated for its pasta from Naples, Donnafugata which is a prestigious Sicilian winery and Fiasconaro known for artisanal Sicilian pastries. The colourful interiors are reflective of the brand’s aesthetic, evoking a distinct Mediterranean vibe.
