There’s a new trend in novel dining experience that is spreading from South Korea to Malaysia, Tokyo and now Lisbon. These two-dimensional restaurants are a fun location for casual dining and are incredibly Instagrammable.
The first two-dimensional (2D) restaurant opened in South Korea back in 2017. The café is an incredible design which combines white walls and backgrounds with black-rimmed detailing, making it difficult to tell the difference between the 2D and 3D elements.
The tables and chairs which are, necessarily, 3D feature the same white background with black detailing as the 2D elements, so that it seems like you are eating inside a cartoon.
2D restaurant in Seoul
The first 2D restaurant in the South Korean capital was inspired by the Korean drama W – Two Worlds. The plot centers on a girl who falls inside a cartoon that her father was creating. She then begins to live a double life inside the 2D and 3D worlds.
Taking the drama as inspiration, the café recreates the feeling of living in a 2D world. There’s even a room with mirrors and props, such as a 2D cowboy hat, where diners can take photos. Don’t worry though – the snacks, teas and hot chocolates it serves up are definitely 3D!
The 2D café (or Gream café, as it was also known, after the holding company) proved to be so successful that the company behind it went on to open a second, larger café in the city. In 2017, the new 2D café – called YND 223-14 – opened its doors. With the main seating area three times the size of the original café, plus a charming rooftop featuring landscape view of the neighborhood and illustrations of clothes hanging on a clothesline, YND 223-14 is six times larger than its predecessor.
The café concept is such a hit that it was featured on the US TV drama “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before”.
2D café in Tokyo
The success of the 2D café concept is now being replicated in cities around the world. In Tokyo, the 2D concept can be enjoyed in the Shin-Okubo café. It cleverly combines the white walls and black outlines of the 2D art concept, so you aren’t really sure where the 2D world ends and the 3D world begins.
As with the other 2D cafes, it’s a highly Instagrammable dining experience. Plus, you can enjoy a wide range of bubble teas and a range of Korean-style shaved ice desserts.
2D café in Lisbon
Now, Europe has finally got its own 2D café. The 2D Brunch and Bar replicates the 2D design concept of white backgrounds and black outlines so that you can enjoy the feeling of living inside a 2D world.
The Lisbon café, on Avenida Novas, was designed by the Tropical Solido group. It was inspired by the other 2D cafes around the world and wanted to bring the design concept to Europe. The décor is just as incredible. The menu, however, is different. At the 2D Brunch and Bar you can enjoy local Portuguese delicacies, including a gin happy hour on Thursdays.
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