Montreal restaurant Minnibar by Ivy Studio "embraces its raw shell"

Japanese minimalism has informed the interiors of this light-filled Italian restaurant in Montreal, designed by locally based Ivy Studio with its first in-house designed chairs.

Located on the ground level of a Downtown high-rise residential tower, Minnibar utilises the 20-foot (6-metre) ceilings, corner aspect and almost square floor plan to its advantage.

A pale stone-clad cafe counter drops in height to become an omakase-style ledge — At the entrance to Minnibar, a pale stone-clad cafe counter drops in height to become an omakase-style ledge

Ivy Studio left the building's structure entirely visible, and only added elements where functionally necessary – using the principles of Japanese minimalism as a guide.

"Minnibar embraces its raw shell," said the studio. "Exposed base-building elements – including the naturally sealed concrete floor, formidable concrete columns, walls, and the ceiling slab – are left untouched."

A slender black ledge along large windows provides space for dining — A slender black ledge along the windows provides space for dining

The kitchen, bar and pizza counter are housed within an enclosed central core, allowing the cafe and restaurant spaces to flow openly around the perimeter.

Morning patrons have easy access from the entrance to the cafe counter, which is clad in monolithic, cream-colored stone with a leather finish.

Restaurant interior with triangular shapes in the wall-mounted lighting and millwork details — Triangular shapes can be spotted in the wall-mounted lighting and millwork details

As it continues into the space, the counter drops in height and is replaced with an omakase-style ledge crafted from white oak.

Opposite, a black shelf runs along the windows to provide additional bar dining space, accompanied by circular white stools.

A main dining area arranged symmetrically around glowing wall-mounted artwork — The main dining area is arranged symmetrically around glowing wall-mounted artwork

"The design employs a strict monochromatic palette, playing with off-white and grey shades punctuated by sharp black integrations," said Ivy Studio.

"To give the minimalist aesthetic a profound sense of depth, the design introduces subtle, highly tactile finishes: hand-plastered walls, heavily textured stones, opaque stained wood grains, and translucent textiles."

A custom stainless steel DJ booth sits at the apex of sight lines in two directions

The main dining space features freestanding black tables for flexibility, which are typically arranged in a symmetrical layout around an adjustable glowing artwork on the back wall.

Several custom furnishings, which represent "a study in contrast and craftsmanship," are installed throughout the restaurant.

Restaurant with a largely monochromatic palette, evoking a Japanese minimalist aesthetic — A largely monochromatic palette evokes a Japanese minimalist aesthetic

These include Ivy Studio's first in-house designed chair, which features softly curved legs and a delicate backrest – all crafted from ash wood and stained soft yellow.

The sculptural, stainless steel DJ booth was created in collaboration with local shop Procedures Industries and is equipped with built-in vinyl players.

Triangular details recur throughout, including in the stainless steel bar counter footrest, windows into the wine cellar, wall-mounted light fixtures and millwork.

Rice-paper screens help to shade the interiors from bright sunlight and also form acoustic buffers across the ceiling.

Omakase-style bar and accompanying chairs crafted from white oak — The omakase-style bar and accompanying chairs are crafted from white oak

"Minnibar successfully harmonises the gritty, raw shell of downtown Montreal's urban architecture with the refined, atmospheric principles of Japanese minimalism," said the studio.

"By contrasting heavy, exposed concrete with custom monolithic furniture, dynamic lighting, and an uncompromising dedication to sound and culinary craft, the space transcends the traditional restaurant model to offer a truly immersive, day-to-night destination."

Yellow wooden chair with a black table — The restaurant features Ivy Studio's first chair designed in-house

Ivy Studio has completed multiple restaurants across Montreal, including the "bold and glamorous" Limousine, the marble-filled Hayat, and Piatti, which was resurrected after a fire.

The firm's portfolio also includes an indoor golf club, an ad agency in a converted bank and a creative hub with a "work in progress" aesthetic.

The photography is by Alex Lesage.

Project credits:

Design and architecture: Ivy Studio
Project team: Gabrielle Rousseau, David Kirouac, Guillaume B Riel, Philip Staszewski, Vincent Maillé, Sandra Zimmerman
Construction: Groupe Général Construction

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