Tres Amigos, designed by Compartment S4, is a 1,500-square-foot Mexican restaurant in Ahmedabad that bridges the gap between cultural authenticity and contemporary dining. Once a beloved food truck, this culinary gem has evolved into a vibrant brick-and-mortar establishment, retaining its casual charm while embracing a refined dining experience. The design pays homage to Mexican traditions, integrating artistic and cultural elements that resonate with diners while creating a welcoming and dynamic atmosphere.
A Thoughtful Layout for Diverse Experiences
Tres Amigos offers a carefully zoned layout to cater to varied dining preferences, balancing privacy, community, and cultural immersion. Upon entering, guests are greeted by a waiting area and a merchandising display that hints at the restaurant’s eclectic personality.
The booth seating area, designed for intimate dining, features earthy yellow upholstered benches and wooden tabletops. Custom block-printed Mexican-patterned textile screens extend toward the ceiling, creating a cozy and artistic enclosure. These motifs, a hallmark of Compartment S4, infuse the space with character and artistry, transforming simple colors into a vibrant collage.
At the heart of the restaurant lies the elongated community table, a nod to Ahmedabad’s communal dining culture. This central feature fosters interaction and transforms into a grazing table during special events, enhancing the social dining experience. Flanking the community table, sofa seating along the walls is adorned with subtle decorative motifs, further blending comfort with visual appeal.
Celebrating Mexican Heritage Through Design
Tres Amigos is a vivid celebration of Mexican culture, brought to life through carefully curated design elements that blend tradition with modernity. At the heart of the space, three towering handmade lamps, inspired by desert cacti, stand as sculptural centerpieces, paying homage to Mexico’s natural landscapes. The walls feature custom skull rugs designed by Studio Arisaa, reinterpreting the iconic Mexican skull motif with a contemporary twist, adding texture and color against the otherwise muted backdrop. Wooden hanging lights, crafted from disks and threads, evoke the charm of traditional craftsmanship, casting a warm glow that enhances the space’s welcoming atmosphere.
The terracotta-tiled flooring, interspersed with gray accents, visually breaks the elongated layout of the restaurant, creating a harmonious balance. A live counter at one end introduces an interactive dining element, framed by custom-designed patterned tiles and a fluted glass canopy. Above, the ceiling painted in a bold rustic red hue adds to the raw and dynamic character of the space, seamlessly tying together the cultural and modern design narrative. These elements collectively transform Tres Amigos into a vibrant dining destination that celebrates the artistry and heritage of Mexico.
An Immersive Dining Experience
Every design choice in Tres Amigos serves to enhance the dining experience, from the carefully placed serving counters that blend functionality with aesthetics to the vibrant, symbolic decor that bridges cultures. The live counter adds energy and engagement, while the custom details—like fluted glass panels and bold flooring—bring cohesion to the space. With its dynamic layout, symbolic decor, and immersive atmosphere, Tres Amigos appeals to families and younger diners alike, offering a truly unique and memorable dining experience.
FACT FILE
Project Name – Tres Amigos
Studio name – Compartment S4
Principal Designer – Manuni Patel, Krishna Parikh, Aman Amin, Kishan Shah, Monik Shah, Nishita Parmar, Prasik Chaudhari, Vedanti Agarwal
Execution team – Ashish Mistry and team
Location – Ahmedabad, India
Carpet Area – 1500 sq ft
Photography – MKG Studio
Rugs- Studio Arisaa