Daytrip designs atmospheric Cafe Kowloon in London Fields railway arch

London studio Daytrip has completed the interior of Cafe Kowloon, a modern Cantonese restaurant beneath a railway arch in London Fields, east London. Designed in collaboration with restaurant group 6 of 1, the space contrasts utilitarian surfaces with glossy finishes and splashes of red and green. Guests enter via Wonton Charlie's, a daytime wonton noodle bar. The design avoids pastiche, instead reinterpreting Hong Kong's cha chaan teng culture through a contemporary London lens, according to Daytrip co-founder Iwan Halstead. Pale corrugated surfaces line the walls and ceilings, while ten wooden barstools with red seats sit at a stainless steel counter overlooking the open kitchen. Rich glossy brown mosaic tiles, wood panelling, and bright green fibreglass shelving offset the industrial materials. The main dining area features glossy red tables with built-in lazy Susans and curved cherry timber banquettes with leather upholstery. A large neon sign illuminates green fibreglass grating behind the bar, and a sound system supports weekend DJ sets. Red lighting and stainless steel sinks extend the atmosphere into the bathrooms. Photography is by Studio Hahn.