In the İsli Közlü project, a kebab restaurant design, our aim was to create an original space that reflects traditional kebab and lahmacun culture. The starting point was the idea of carrying the relationship traditional cuisine builds with fire and embers into a contemporary spatial language.
Timber surfaces, natural textures and warm earth tones give the space a strong, intimate character. Fabric-covered lights repeated in different sizes create a rhythm across the ceiling that becomes the design's distinctive element, and the layering of light throughout the space creates a warm, inviting atmosphere. We always make lighting decisions with restaurant interior design in mind as a whole.
Generous table layouts and long benches stand out, supporting the culture of sharing that takes shape around kebab and lahmacun. The unity of materials, light and details carries traditional cuisine into a contemporary restaurant experience.
The Grill Experience: Kebab Restaurant Design Decisions
İsli Közlü operates in the Mamak district of Ankara. Here we planned the grill layout and service area, setting the seating capacity according to the business's daily volume. We also wanted guests to be able to see the preparation at the grill; this transparency became a key design decision that carries the warmth of traditional kebab culture into the space.
At the concept stage, we took a different route, turning the central role of fire and embers in traditional cuisine into the main theme of the design and reflecting it everywhere in the space, from material choices to the lighting scheme.
In this kebab restaurant design project, CO Mimarlık reinterpreted the strong character of traditional cuisine through warm materials, rhythmic lighting and a contemporary spatial layout. You can explore our other work on our restaurant design services page.
Material and Acoustic Design Decisions
In the interior layout of İsli Közlü, we did not overlook acoustic comfort. To balance the distribution of sound in the high-ceilinged, spacious dining room, textile surfaces and layers of texture were placed strategically, preserving comfortable conversation even at busy times.
The charcoal grey, soot black and copper tones of the colour palette rebuild the visual memory of fire and smoke in a contemporary palette, so the identity of the kebab restaurant permeates the space not only through materials but through colour.
Design: CO Mimarlık
Brand: İsli Közlü
