Project: Restaurant El Mar Lisboa
Location: Lisboa, Portugal
Year: 2025
Scope: Fixed furniture, dining area, decoration.
Chef Kiko Martins unveils his new flagship restaurant on the rooftop of Lisbon’s El Corte Inglés.
El Mar is a fresh dining concept that blends tradition with locally sourced ingredients and the contemporary flair that defines the Portuguese chef’s cuisine.
Designed by Cateto Cateto studio, the space has been fully fitted out by Bagon Muebles, who crafted every piece of furniture for this restaurant conceived as a tribute to the river and the sea.
A striking floor-to-ceiling window separates the indoor dining area from the terrace, featuring silhouetted rowers and sail-like forms held by solid masts, set against a backlit walnut-toned panel.
The colorful tables, with softly rounded edges, are designed to work together in different layouts, enhancing the flexibility of the dining room. However, a nearly 13-meter-long banquette acts both as a visual divider and a comfortable seating solution.
The bar and suspended bottle display offer a front-row view of each dish being prepared, inviting guests to enjoy a drink while watching Chef Martins’ creations come to life. Above the banquette, the lighting fixtures are supported by a metal structure that echoes the masts of sailing boats, reinforcing the city’s strong maritime identity.
What about something sweet? Of course. In a space full of contrasts, there’s always room to reconnect with your inner child. Moreover, the wall finishes incorporate the same acoustic panels used in the headboards and side tables, ensuring both comfort and visual coherence.
The logo, carved directly into the wall paneling and highlighted with indirect lighting and lacquered details, warmly welcomes guests upon arrival.
As a result, his hospitality project allowed us to showcase our ability to combine materials such as wood, metal, methacrylate and lighting, as well as our close coordination with the construction team—essential to achieving a seamless result.
Perhaps your next project calls for that extra level of confidence or perhaps you’re looking for a partner to walk the process with you, evaluating every decision along the way.
Perhaps Bagon Contract is exactly what you’re looking for.
Pictures: Ricardo Oliveira Alves.