Perched atop Lisbon’s iconic El Corte Inglés department store, El Mar restaurant emerges as a sensory voyage across the Atlantic. Designed by Alejandro Cateto’s Cateto Cateto studio for acclaimed chef Kiko Martins, the space transcends dining to become an immersive narrative of maritime heritage, blending the chef’s Portuguese and Brazilian roots through scenographic interior design.
The transformation—from a former poke eatery to a culinary landmark—centers on Martins’ coastal journeys. Cateto Cateto’s vision materializes as a wooden hull-like envelope, evoking the warm, intimate cabins of a sailboat.
Every element orchestrates a dialogue between continents: cushions mimic the undulating curves of Rio’s Carioca beaches, while classic Portuguese tiles in blue-and-white palettes anchor nostalgic memories of Lisbon. Silhouettes of sails and sailors adorn walls, casting guests as navigators in a maritime universe where the sea emerges as both context and protagonist.
Materiality defines the dreamscape. Rich timber exudes warmth, juxtaposed against oceanic blues and golden sunset tones—a chromatic homage to twilight voyages. Suspended like catches on fishing lines, Marset Dipping Light luminaires punctuate the ceiling. These sculptural fixtures refract through windows at dusk, multiplying into illusions of setting suns and casting a Mediterranean glow that blurs boundaries between interior and horizon.
Beyond aesthetics, El Mar is a sensorial experience. The design acts as a “rudder,” guiding diners through Martins’ culinary odyssey. The wooden structure, tactile textiles, and dynamic lighting converge to evoke the rhythm of ocean travel—an intimate journey where design storytelling and gastronomy merge seamlessly.
For Cateto Cateto, this project reaffirms their mastery of narrative-driven spaces. As Martins crosses oceans through recipes, his restaurant now sails alongside him—a bicoastal tribute where every beam, tile, and shadow whispers of tides, tradition, and the timeless allure of the Atlantic.