Taste luxury: 8 must-try dishes at top designer restaurants and cafes
Fashion houses have turned lifestyle branding into an art form, carrying their influence from the runway to the dining table. Their designer restaurants and cafes aren’t just branded establishments—they’re culinary destinations where chefs plate dishes with the same precision and artistry as couture. From upscale remakes of classics to photogenic afternoon teas, these dishes let fashion lovers taste luxury itself. Here’s your guide to the signature dishes that make designer dining experiences worth every reservation.
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Gucci Osteria’s famous handmade tortellini: an Italian classic in Parmesan cream
At Gucci Osteria in Florence, the signature tortellini represent the perfect marriage of tradition and innovation. The handmade chubby tortellini is filled with a classic mixture of veal and pork and then served in a luscious, glossy cream sauce made from bubbling Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. This is a true taste of Italian Sunday cuisine reimagined by the renowned designer restaurant.
Restaurant Monsieur Dior’s legendary caviar egg: a taste of fashion history
This decadent creation pays homage to a dish that Christian Dior reportedly served at his own intimate dinner parties. (Photo: Dior)
L’Œuf Christian Dior at Restaurant Monsieur Dior in Paris is more than just a luxurious starter—it’s a direct culinary link to the fashion house’s founder. The designer restaurant’s exquisite creation, which features a soft-boiled egg on a bed of caviar and cream, pays homage to a dish Christian Dior reportedly served during intimate dinner parties with Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé.
Tiffany’s Blue Box Café: the afternoon tea that brings Hepburn’s fantasy to life
The Blue Box Café’s Tea at Tiffany’s transforms Audrey Hepburn’s cinematic fantasy into delicious reality. (Photo: @blueboxnyc / Instagram)
The Blue Box Café’s Tea at Tiffany’s transforms Audrey Hepburn’s cinematic fantasy into delicious reality. This enchanting three-tiered afternoon tea features finely crafted sandwiches with luxurious fillings like smoked salmon and caviar potato bites, traditional scones with jam and double cream and an array of exquisite pastries, including dark chocolate hazelnut barquettes. Paired with tea from Bellocq, it’s the ultimate celebration of elegance.
The Polo Bar’s quintessential Ralph Lauren burger: elevated American comfort
One of the most sought-after items at The Polo Bar in New York, this quintessential American burger embodies Ralph Lauren’s philosophy of unpretentious yet refined quality. A personal favourite of Mr Lauren himself, this perfectly executed classic—which includes tomato, lettuce, onions, pickles, cheddar and bacon—represents the brand’s celebration of timeless American culinary traditions. Served in the designer restaurant’s exclusive clubhouse atmosphere with dark wood panelling and equestrian artwork, it’s comfort food elevated to luxury status.
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Prada Caffé's stylish pistachio tiramisù: a stylish twist on an Italian favourite
The Prada Caffé’s pistachio tiramisù showcases the brand’s intellectual, minimalist aesthetic through dessert. This standout creation features a pistachio croccantino base layered with rich Bronte pistachio cream and mascarpone, presented like a miniature work of art. Displayed alongside other exquisite pastries in glass counters, each dessert demonstrates artisanal technique and the refined visual balance that makes them irresistible to both palate and camera.
Le Café Louis Vuitton Bangkok’s star blossom cake: tropical elegance in every bite
At Le Café Louis Vuitton in Bangkok, the Star Blossom Cake embodies the brand’s travel-centric ethos with tropical flair. This rich confection combines chocolate with salted caramel and sesame, adorned with signature Louis Vuitton flourishes. Served in the café’s lush, botanical oasis, it captures the exotic elegance of the Thai capital.
Café Kitsuné’s cult-favourite cortado: cool coffee perfection
At Café Kitsuné, the cortado highlights the brand’s devotion to coffee quality over showy presentation. Balanced and precise, the drink reflects the Paris-meets-Tokyo aesthetic at the heart of the café. With some locations featuring in-house roasteries, the focus on coffee craftsmanship creates an experience as curated as the brand’s fashion collections in minimalist, highly stylish settings.
Le Café Louis Vuitton Seoul’s beef mandu: high fashion meets Korean flavours
The Seoul outpost of Le Café Louis Vuitton offers Beef Mandu, a sophisticated reinterpretation of traditional Korean dumplings that exemplifies the brand’s glocalization strategy. Presented in Frank Gehry’s remarkable glass building, it embodies the café’s cross-cultural dialogue between Seoul and Paris.
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