Crackle Bae, Melbourne VIC

Crackle Bae is an exciting new Vietnamese restaurant brand, making its debut with a thoughtfully crafted interior that perfectly mirrors the vibrant, health-conscious essence of its cuisine.. From the outset, the design was focused on creating a fresh and energetic brand identity that would resonate with diners and reflect the rich flavours of Vietnamese cooking.

The project began with the creation of mood boards and the exploration of four distinct colour palettes. A bold and bright green emerged as the defining core colour, symbolizing the freshness and vitality of Crackle Bae’s food. This vibrant hue flows seamlessly throughout the interior, appearing in shades across the ceilings, seating, counters, and graphic accents. To complement this, touches of orange were introduced in the framework, adding warmth and continuity.

Collaborating with a talented graphic designer, we ensured that every visual element—from branding to spatial accents—was cohesive and aligned with the overall atmosphere of the store.

Located on a corner of Madame Brussels Lane in Melbourne’s CBD, Crackle Bae boasts large windows that flood the space with natural light and offer serene garden views. To leverage this natural feature, banquette seating was thoughtfully placed along the windows offering customer’s an alfresco dining experience on a warm day. Outdoor seating, arranged at contrasting colours, further enhances the restaurant’s open and inviting vibe. The original windows and entry door were preserved, with modern graphic vinyl applied for a fresh, modern look.

Balancing creativity with practicality, the design made clever use of budget-friendly material. By retaining existing kitchen walls and making only slight modifications, we minimized demolition and avoided costly changes to the ceiling services as well as maintained an existing niche for the recessed display fridge. These thoughtful choices ensured both high-quality finishes and cost efficiency while keeping the project within budget.

The finished design is a lively, engaging space that truly embodies Crackle Bae’s brand identity. The store’s vibrant atmosphere and thoughtful layout have already won over diners, as seen in the long queue and glowing feedback on opening day.

Crackle Bae’s first store design sets a high standard for its brand, creating a space that’s as fresh and flavourful as its menu.