LITTLE
ANDAMAN
Indian coastal flavours with a Mediterranean state of mind.
Barcelona
2023
115 m2
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Concept · Naming · Branding · Interior Design
The Challenge
How do you convince a neighbourhood of discerning Catalan locals to embrace Indian cuisine as part of their weekly routine? And how do you do it from a site almost nobody can see?
Hidden behind a kiosk on Carrer Muntaner, surrounded by established local favourites and competing Indian restaurants, the project faced two significant obstacles: visibility and familiarity. The challenge wasn’t simply attracting guests. It was making an unfamiliar cuisine feel approachable enough for people to return again and again.
Instead of amplifying the clichés traditionally associated with Indian restaurants, we did the opposite.
Inspired by India’s coastal regions and informed by extensive local market research, we developed a concept that softened the cultural barriers often associated with Indian dining. Contemporary interiors, a relaxed cocktail-led atmosphere, modern plating and an approachable menu created an experience that felt immediately familiar to Barcelona locals while remaining unmistakably Indian at its core.
The result was a hidden neighbourhood oasis where curiosity replaced hesitation and where exotic flavours felt surprisingly close to home.
The
Solution
Exotic enough
to intrigue.
Familiar enough
to return.
The Strategic Idea
An Indian
in Disguise
Benzina was never conceived as a themed restaurant. Instead, we looked to the character already present in the space itself. Its industrial bones, its former life as a mechanic’s workshop, and its slightly rough-around-the-edges charm became the foundation for a restaurant with a subtle rock ‘n’ roll spirit. Rather than telling a story outright, the concept reveals itself through atmosphere, contrasts, and personality. Confident, informal, and just a little rebellious.
The Identity
Small Island.
Big Personality.
Named after a remote island in the Andaman archipelago, Little Andaman was conceived as a hidden oasis in the middle of Barcelona. Far removed from the India most people know, the island became the perfect metaphor for a restaurant built on discovery rather than expectation. The identity embraced the idea of a small island with a big personality, combining a bold logo, contemporary graphics, and a vibrant tone of voice into a brand that felt fresh, tropical, and unmistakably modern. An India reimagined for a new generation of diners.
The Space
Somewhere Between Costa Brava and Kerala
The interiors played a key role in making Little Andaman feel instantly approachable. We looked to the relaxed atmosphere of the Costa Brava, a place deeply familiar to local guests, and layered it with subtle references to India’s tropical coastline. Natural materials, soft colours, handcrafted details, and contemporary Indian-inspired accents created an environment that felt both familiar and transportive. Art became the final layer, introducing personality, colour, and a cultural thread that tied the entire experience together without ever resorting to cliché.
The Result
Named Best Asian Restaurant in Barcelona on Joc de Cartes. Three years on, it remains consistently recognised as the city's best Indian restaurant. A neighbourhood spot that became a city-wide destination.