Edition 17: What makes lighting design a key ingredient in a memorable dining atmosphere?

Lighting is a powerful tool in restaurant and hospitality design, working like an ingredient in a recipe. It enhances the overall dining experience, transforming a meal into a sensory journey. From enhancing the ambiance to highlighting a restaurant’s design elements, thoughtful lighting can set the mood, guide attention, and amplify the overall atmosphere. In this edition of Lighting Design Talk, we're chatting with Simi Burg (Veit) CLD, IALD, LC, MIES , HLB Associate Principal and leader of our Miami studio, to gain insights into the ways light elevates the dining experience.

1. Supporting the presentation of the plate.

Lighting design is pivotal in establishing a restaurant’s identity and enhancing the guest experience. The right lighting does more than just illuminate—it creates an atmosphere that resonates with the culinary theme and desired mood of the space. For instance, in MAASS Restaurant, lighting was carefully selected to reflect the relaxed sophistication of a coastal dining experience. Simi explains that understanding the essence of the cuisine and the type of dining experience a restaurateur envisions allows lighting designers to make informed decisions about color temperatures, light intensity, and source placement.

Lighting can transport guests from the everyday into an immersive experience—whether evoking the warmth of a French countryside bistro or the inviting glow of a classic Italian trattoria. By aligning lighting choices with the theme, designers ensure that every detail of the environment supports the overall experience, enhancing both the visual and emotional connection guests feel when they walk through the door. - Simi Burg, Associate Principal

2. Enhancing the flavor of the atmosphere.

Just like the right seasoning transforms a dish, lighting enhances the dining atmosphere, creating a mood that complements the experience. In the Four Seasons Hotel in New Orleans, lighting plays a pivotal role in guiding guests through a luxurious environment. The warm ambient light in the lobby, combined with layers of carefully placed light, draws guests toward the signature bar on the first floor. The custom chandelier acts as a stunning visual centerpiece, creating a welcoming atmosphere that sets the tone for the entire experience. Similarly, lighting techniques such as uplighting in palm planters cast beautiful, intricate patterns on the ceiling, evoking the lush outdoor environment of New Orleans. Lighting designers carefully select color temperatures and intensities that evoke the restaurant’s theme and cuisine. Whether evoking the warmth of a tropical destination or the sophistication of a high-end dining experience, light transforms a meal into an immersive sensory journey.

3. Understanding that timing is everything!

One of the most significant advancements in lighting design today is the use of flexible lighting systems that allow for dynamic transitions throughout the day. The ability to adapt lighting to different moments in the restaurant—whether it’s daytime brightness, happy hour ambiance, or late-night intimacy—ensures that the space remains functional while maintaining a consistent, enjoyable atmosphere. At MAASS, the lighting system was designed to transition smoothly from day to night, with settings that adjust to varying natural light levels throughout the day. This adaptability is made possible through dimming systems and advanced technologies such as tunable white lighting. Dim-to-warm technology allows the lighting to mimic the warm glow of incandescent bulbs as lighting dims and the evening progresses, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere that feels natural and relaxing. Meanwhile, tunable white lighting adjusts the color temperature independent of lighting intensity to complement different times of day or moods, with cooler settings during the day and warmer tones in the evening. This seamless transition ensures that every dining experience is optimized, from the bright, lively energy of lunch to the warm, intimate mood of dinner.

Lighting is more than just a functional element—it's a critical ingredient in creating an immersive and unforgettable dining experience. By thoughtfully designing each aspect of lighting, from ambiance to timing, we can enhance the atmosphere and elevate the guest experience, one meal at a time.