SUBSCRIBE NOW
    • Design

    When colonial influences take a green turn: Inside Mystras restaurant in Goa concocted by Beyond Designs

    MAY 30, 2023 | By Alexa De Souza
    Night view of the central courtyard where the bar is located. A Pegasus sculpture made of weathered iron floats from the centre of the high-ceilinged courtyard. Photographed by Atul Pratap Chauhan
    The outdoor dining area of the restaurant features outdoor furniture from Beyond Designs’ Home, the fountain and the wood-fire pizza oven. Photographed by Atul Pratap Chauhan
    The serene outdoor landscape dining area of the restaurant. Photographed by Atul Pratap Chauhan
    The waiting area of the restaurant is a warm and inspiring area with red brick walls, vaulted ceilings, and chequered black and white flooring. The furniture is custom-made by Beyond Designs. Wrought iron lights, artwork, and accessories are from Beyond Designs’ Home. Photographed by Atul Pratap Chauhan

    Stationed as a world of its own with visual intersections of old-world and European design styles, this restaurant in Goa in the quaint but equally abuzz locale of Assagao reflects timelessness. Christened Mystras, it is a fitting reflection of the bold and decadent artistry that Beyond Designs and its founders and principal designers Sachin and Neha Gupta, are often known to undertake, witnessed across the restaurant’s sprawling 20,000 sq ft area.

    Not only does each area inside Mystras harbour striking but inspiring views and experiences, but a private dining room ideal for intimate events lays its canvas open to guests, while appreciating the fantastic vistas of the lush green outdoors of the coastal state.

    The entrance foyer leads to the waiting room of the restaurant. Lights and accessories are from Beyond Designs Home; Photographed by Atul Pratap Chauhan

    Colonial influences

    If you’re familiar with the thick blankets of green and the inebriating whiff that the wind in Goa carries, you’ll instantly recognise it as soon as you set foot inside the restaurant. But the joy of contrast transpires almost immediately, as layers of regality and cosiness, plush furniture, mixed with ornate, dark wooden elements declare its inclination towards an evident colonial style, incorporated with a hint of eclecticism.

    The use of red earthen stone bricks ground the architecture perfectly in its surroundings. The waiting lounge, with its red brick walls and vaulted ceiling, takes you back to another era with its earthy-toned seating, plush cushions, vintage patterns, and plenty of deep red hues. The chandeliers and wall sconces from Beyond Designs Home add an exquisite touch to the setting.

    A vestibule that connects the indoor with the outdoor of the restaurant; Photographed by Atul Pratap Chauhan

     

    The bricked walls and arches of the courtyard are made of red stone furnished with wooden dining tables with linear brass inlay work and cane chairs bringing an artisanal touch to the dining experience; Photographed by Atul Pratap Chauhan

    Rustic meets tropical

    Vintage finds blend like a well-made martini inside Mystras, equal parts classic and stylish. Beyond Designs’ love for dramatic taste is seamlessly narrated here, retelling their design philosophy that transform four-walled spaces into an experience. Furthering a unique aesthetic language, raw and rustic with exposed brick walls and wooden rafters, the interiors of Mystras are juxtaposed with sleek, modern furniture and lighting. The earthy tones and soft light fixtures create a warm and inviting ambience, making it a perfect spot for a romantic dinner or a gathering with friends.

    The outdoor seating area is equally stunning, which transports you to the tropical, the land of Goa, with a beautifully landscaped garden, a fountain, and comfortable seating under a canopy of trees. It features wooden pillars and a terracotta sloping ceiling, which pairs well with the tropical theme. Sicilian-painted plates on the verandah walls embrace the trend through soft furnishings, such as pops of bright green in the surrounding flora.

    This alfresco area opens out to the outdoor dining space with cluster seating, and a wood-fired stove all nestled amid picturesque landscaping.

    The waiting area of the restaurant is a warm and captivating space with red brick walls, vaulted ceilings, and chequered black and white flooring. The furniture is custom-made by Beyond Designs. The wrought iron lights, artworks, and accessories are from Beyond Designs Home; Photographed by Atul Pratap Chauhan

     

    The newly added verandah space with wooden pillars and a terracotta roof aligns the aesthetic with the existing structure; Photographed by Atul Pratap Chauhan

    Decor and textures in focus

    The decor style instantly turns the space into an oasis of quiet leisure. Whilst some busy patterns require simple, pared-back furnishings to balance it out like the glorious neutral curtains used in the interior and the simple white fountain in the garden dining space. The tropical theme thrives when a lot of colours and textures are in the mix, like the patterned dining tables, oversized mythical creature in the interior courtyard, and chequered tiles.

    The lush beauty of the outdoors inside is a timeless element incorporated. Large plants add playfulness to the overall look. Heliconia psittacorum, palm leaf, banana leaf, and yucca are a few plants that have been used, aligning perfectly with the interior and exterior.

    The tropical outdoor dining area of the restaurant features outdoor furniture from Beyond Designs Home; Photographed by Atul Pratap Chauhan

    The defining piece in the space is a Pegasus sculpture suspended mid-air which is a stunning visual against the bar, and the courtyard’s high ceiling dramatises the magnificent artwork. The inner verandah features cosy seating, wooden dining tables with liner brass inlay work, and chic cane chairs, adding an artisanal detail to the dining experience. The curtains with tiebacks create a romantic vibe, while the outer verandah space has similar seating.

    “The private dining room on the left of the waiting room provides an intimate setting for special events. The many seating options available offer a unique view and experience for every guest. The entire space is thoughtfully designed to create an inviting atmosphere that is both chic and laid back,” share Sachin Gupta and Neha Gupta, Founders and Principal Designers of Beyond Designs.

    Mystras restaurant in Goa is an excellent example of colonial architecture merged with natural surroundings. The design philosophy is rooted in creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that still manages to surprise with dramatic touches, and the result is a stunning restaurant space that is sure to impress.

    You may also like: Neha and Sachin Gupta of Beyond Designs portal us to the Orient with Miss Nora