Leo Restaurant – Dining Indoors, Feeling Outdoors

Leo is a chef restaurant spanning approximately 300 square meters, located within the Cinema City complex in Jerusalem. One of the restaurant's most distinctive features is its fully glazed perimeter, allowing Jerusalem's unique views and the vibrant atmosphere of the surrounding area to become an integral part of the dining experience.

The main challenge of the project was creating a warm and intimate atmosphere within a space that is almost entirely transparent. The design concept was built around a continuous dialogue between light and shadow, transparency and opacity, indoors and outdoors. The inspiration came from the courtyards and gardens of old homes, as well as the improvised garden sheds assembled over the years from windows, shutters, doors, and reclaimed wooden elements.

This inspiration was translated into custom-designed architectural features throughout the restaurant. Unique millwork, aged-looking wooden shutters, a variety of handles and hardware, and carefully crafted details were designed to feel as though they had been collected and assembled over time, even though every element was purposefully created for the project.

The walls were finished using layered paint techniques that reveal different colors and textures beneath the surface, creating the impression of a space with history and character. Metalwork, lighting fixtures, and the bar ceiling were also inspired by the natural effects of time, incorporating textures that resemble weathered metal, rust, and patina.

Two VIP rooms were designed as extensions of the main dining area. The larger room is enclosed with glass partitions and rotating shutters that provide privacy while maintaining a visual connection to the restaurant. The smaller VIP room features custom lighting fixtures created from recycled wine and champagne bottles, reinforcing the project's handcrafted and storytelling approach.

Throughout the restaurant, nature-inspired design elements continue to appear. The alcohol display was designed to resemble the movement of tree branches, while custom lighting details integrated into exposed concrete surfaces evoke the organic patterns found in gardens and natural landscapes. Soft, ambient lighting and decorative elements inspired by plants and flowers enhance the atmosphere and strengthen the feeling of a hidden garden within an urban setting.

The result is a restaurant that balances nostalgia with contemporary design, openness with intimacy, and urban sophistication with the warmth of nature. A place where guests dine indoors while feeling connected to the outdoors.