Persian/Levantine restaurant DOOD, on Newcastle’s Quayside, has been shortlisted for a global design award alongside leading hospitality destinations in the likes of New York, Miami, Barcelona and Dubai.
DOOD has been named as a finalist for the visual identity category in the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards 2025, an international competition that celebrates the world’s most creative hospitality spaces. Now in its 17th year, the awards are recognised as the most prestigious in the industry, spotlighting venues that push boundaries in design, innovation and experience.
DOOD opened in November 2024 and quickly gained a reputation for its interiors and menu. Set within a Grade II-listed former map printing house, the restaurant offers a refined take on the flavours of Persian and Levantine cuisine – with everything from succulent mangal-grilled meats to freshly baked taftoon bread.
Designed to be a place where cultures connect and stories are shared through food, DOOD’s space blends the building’s original character with worn Persian and Middle Eastern detail – from the warm, low lighting and bespoke furnishings to the muted colour palette, hand-finished textures and carefully curated artwork.
DOOD’s branding and interior vision has been brought to life by London-based design studio Run For The Hills. Christopher Trotman, creative director at Run For The Hills, said: “We had an absolute blast collaborating with the DOOD team on this project. They had a brilliant concept, inspired by the nomadic travellers on the ancient Silk Road, and it was a true joy to bring their vision to life. It’s not often we get to create such a rich tapestry, an immersive brand world that guests can step into that takes them away to another time and place. The brand is fully intertwined in the interior space – not just the menus and the usual brand touchpoints you would expect – but through the hanging Persian rugs we created that subtly featuring brand motifs, the framed art on the walls, the design of DOOD’s own beer can (Nomad’s Tale Pale Ale), even the tiles in the bathroom featuring our nomads, and all tell stories of the silk road.”
The awards ceremony will take place on October 27 at EPIK Dubai.
To find out more about the awards and view the full shortlist, visit restaurantandbardesignawards.com/entries/shortlist
