Hellenika Restaurant, Saudi Arabia

Hellenika’s brief to Forsite Creative was to create a seafront destination that transports guests to the shores of Santorini in an authentic yet laidback environment. The space needed to embody a true Greek experience of alfresco dining amongst olive trees, travertine pavers, and linen sails. The restaurant had to showcase various elements and experiences from the burnished bronze bell at the bar to the lustrous seafood display and mouthwatering open kitchen grill.

The biggest challenge was to creating an outdoor Greek terrace & courtyard in a fully enclosed space. Authenticity in mimicking traditional design & construction methods indigenous to Santorini drove the design of the space to form an alfresco Greek experience. To create an open sky feel was challenging, soft lighting emulating candle lit terraces was integral to complete the aesthetic along with a blue painted open ceiling above the linen sails.

The design boasts soft hues of blues, greys, & whites build the tranquil palette which is immediately evident on arrival leading into the bar area emulating Santorini’s alleyways. The sea fronted restaurant is brought to life with statement olive trees, large urns, & pottery in niches along softly sculpted white claylike walls. A pergola like ceiling structure clad in wood branches & linen sails play a crucial role in recreating seaside open air Greek taverns.