Toronto’s newest dining destination, Daphne, has been named a finalist in the 8th annual GRAY Awards for Hospitality Design. The project, led by Studio Paolo Ferrari, reimagines the American bistro as a space that balances grandeur with intimacy, nostalgia with experimentation.
The restaurant spans multiple rooms, each designed to feel like part of a larger story. Guests enter through a small, transparent wine cabinet that offers a preview of what lies ahead. Beyond it, the Great Room opens with vaulted ceilings and an open kitchen, where every stage of food preparation is visible. The effect resembles being welcomed into a lavish, lived-in home rather than a traditional restaurant.
A Space That Feels Like a Film Set
The design takes inspiration from cinema, particularly the contrast between Stanley Kubrick’s precise, immersive worlds and the warm, inviting aesthetic of Nancy Meyers films. This duality appears most clearly in the Drawing Room, where red ochre walls feature commissioned pencil drawings that resemble photographs from a distance. A botanical-inspired pendant light hangs overhead, recalling the early photography of Karl Blossfeldt.
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A mirrored corridor, decorated with a hand-painted mural of natural scenery, guides visitors to the bar. The space feels like a lush conservatory, with the backlit, glass-topped bar as its centerpiece. Its fluted exterior references Beaux-Arts architect Henry Bacon. The bar’s separation from the main dining area creates two distinct but connected experiences, encouraging exploration.
The entirety of the furniture and lighting is custom-designed, reinforcing the sense that Daphne exists in its own world. The studio’s approach blends art, architecture, and storytelling, resulting in a space that feels both timeless and bold. Details like the mural or the playful greenery in the Drawing Room reward closer attention, making discovery part of the appeal.
Design as an Experience, Not Just a Setting
Studio Paolo Ferrari, established in 2016, specializes in creating immersive environments for hospitality, retail, and residential projects. Their work often reflects deeper cultural influences, and Daphne follows this tradition. The team includes designers Shelley Tang, Stuart McQuarrie, and Joanna Wenderska.
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The studio works with prestige and emerging luxury brands or through private commissions, delivering highly considered guest experiences through attention to detail and full immersion into worlds both luxurious and distinct. Visitors might feel as though they’re wandering through a space where every corner reveals something unexpected. The restaurant doesn’t just occupy a building; it creates a world within it.
The GRAY Awards winners will be announced later this year. Daphne shows how a restaurant can be both a destination and an experience.
For those who dine there, the space leaves a lasting impression. It’s a place where every detail matters, from the custom lighting to the hand-painted mural. The restaurant’s design ensures that the experience lingers long after the meal ends.
