Opened in Spring 2025, Yiaga — meaning “seek and find” in the local Wurundjeri language — is led by renowned Australian chef Hugh Allen. The restaurant delivers an elevated 44-seat dining experience centred on an open kitchen, where the preparation of each dish becomes part of the theatre of the space. The culinary focus is unapologetically Australian, celebrating local produce, craftsmanship and design in every detail, from the ingredients to the custom glassware.
The architectural intervention introduces a new entry sequence, kitchen and back-of-house facilities that breathe new life into the venue while allowing the pavilion’s connection to the surrounding landscape to remain central to the experience. Exceptional Australian design is showcased across every discipline, with warm, earthy interiors that harmonise with the gardens beyond.
The arrival experience has been carefully choreographed to reinforce legibility, anticipation and occasion. A layered sequence of garden, path, doorway, portal, reception and cellar creates a deliberate transition between public and private, exterior and interior — a moment of pause before entering the dining experience.
Drawing inspiration from theatrical environments, the lighting design is conceived as an immersive and emotive journey. A subtle touch of illumination first captures attention and invites guests inward. As visitors move through the curved, textured entry walkway, light draws focus to the rich materiality of the interior, the host station and curated artworks before revealing the dining room beyond.
Within the dining space, light and shadow are used to heighten contrast, intimacy and expression. Hand made terracotta tiles add warmth and texture to walls, and concealed cove details allow light to softly enhance their form. Carefully focused illumination highlights the chefs and the preparation of dishes within the open kitchen, reinforcing the performative nature of the culinary experience. Guests are then guided to softly illuminated tables, balanced against framed views to the surrounding gardens. Custom glass pendants (Concept and lighting integration by Electrolight, refinement and manufacture by Edward Linacre) that appear un-illuminated provide magical pools of light to tables, carefully adjusted in distribution and intensity to add theatre and intimacy.
The Private dining room features a locally made custom light element (Design by Adam Markowitz and Ruth Allen, lighting integration by Electrolight) where we worked with the designers to integrate miniature spotlights carved into the timber that focus light to the table, as well providing an illuminated highlight to the glass blown details.
Throughout the project, considerable care has been devoted to the selection of materials, fixtures, fittings and furniture, with a strong emphasis on local makers and artisans. The resulting environment reflects the same precision, craftsmanship and attention to detail that defines a dining experience at Yiaga.
