Photo: Mykhailo Lukashuk
The new restaurant, located in one of Odesa’s quieter neighbourhoods, is conceived as an open and democratic space, operating under the umbrella of the “Kompot” chain, which has existed since 2007 and is closely associated with Odesa’s hospitality culture.
The restaurant occupies a two-storey building with panoramic windows and high ceilings. The space is conventionally divided into three areas: the dynamic and lively ground floor, the calmer and more ordered second floor, and a spacious outdoor terrace that wraps around the building on both sides. Exposed engineering communications beneath the ceiling reinforce the idea of simple, honest design solutions.
The staircase connecting the two floors is designed in a 1960s style. The panoramic windows on the ground floor open fully using a guillotine system, allowing the interior to merge with the terrace and strengthening the sense of southern openness.
The ground floor interior reflects the energetic, conversational mood of morning Odesa. Furniture in the central area can be easily rearranged, accommodating groups of different sizes or allowing for a quiet breakfast alone at a table built into a column. The city’s eclectic character—where cultures and tastes intersect—is echoed in vintage chairs sourced from both local and European markets.
Upstairs, the seating arrangement becomes more structured. The central visual element is a large, custom-made rounded lamp placed above the lounge area, drawing the space together. The kitchen, also located on the second floor, is partially open to guests. Tall shelving units extend from the kitchen into the dining area, turning storage into a distinctive decorative feature and a kind of visual hallmark of the restaurant.
One of the key materials in the interior is handmade ceramic tile, used on columns and sections of the walls. Artificially aged and chipped tiles in the sink area reinforce the vintage aesthetic and reference the atmosphere of Odesa’s courtyards.
Other materials used in the project include light-toned wood, stainless steel, and leather detailing on the staircase. Greenery supports the biophilic design approach, adding freshness and colour to the space.
“It’s a light, lively and cosy bistro—slightly chaotic, but completely sincere and truly its own. We wanted to show imperfection as a value, and to create comfort through eclecticism, light and openness,” says Dmytro Bonesco, co-owner and art director of YOD Group.