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Mijo Modern Mexican Restaurant

Studio Munge

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Feature Dining Room - Brandon Barre
Bar - Brandon Barre
Banquette Vignette - Brandon Barre
Feature Dining Room - Brandon Barre

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Comments
Innovation
Functionality
Creativity
Eco-Social Impact
Total
JURY VOTES
Restaurant
7.90
7.85
8.40
7.50
7.91
Julie Payette
Julie Payette Cofounder and Partner at v2com newswire
5.5
5
5.5
4
5
Benoit Florençon
Benoit Florençon Photographer at Benoit Florençon
4.5
6
6.6
4.5
5.4
Rene Toneman
Rene Toneman Partner and Creative Director at Silo
5
4
5
3
4.25
Rabih Hage
Rabih Hage Founder at Rabih Hage
4
4
4
4
4
Ben Zhang
Ben Zhang Founder at Shanghai Jielu Decorative Design Engineering
5.05
6.11
5.05
4.85
5.27
Dustin Stupp
Dustin Stupp Creative Director at Vave Studio
While certainly a conversation star...
6.5
6.5
8.5
5
6.63
Jason Immaraju
Jason Immaraju Creative Director at NVE Experience Agency
I would have liked to see a little...
4
4
6
3
4.25
Jana Kleine-Kalmer
Jana Kleine-Kalmer Interior Designer and Artist at Jana Kleine-Kalmer
6
4.02
8.01
2.17
5.05
Irene del Valle de la Sen
Irene del Valle de la Sen Studio Director at Roth Architecture
4.5
6
5
4
4.88
Yenny Zhang
Yenny Zhang Retail Designer at Nike
6.5
6
6.5
5
6
Thomas Tse
Thomas Tse Design Director at Inspiration Group
5.3
6
5
4
5.08
Christopher Dessus
Christopher Dessus Founder at Paf Atelier
3.99
3.99
3.99
3.99
3.99
Rune Ricciardelli
Rune Ricciardelli Creative Director at Visual Display
6
6
7.5
5
6.13
Torquil McIntosh
Torquil McIntosh Cofounder at Sybarite
5
5
6
5
5.25
Eric Tsui
Eric Tsui Founder and Design Director at Kingwoo Strategy and Design
5
5.5
4.5
4
4.75
Client
Stations Casino
Floor area
600 ㎡
Completion
2023
Social Media
Instagram Linkedin
Furniture
Finishes
Lighting
Furniture
Furniture

Mijo Modern Mexican Restaurant, located within the newly opened Durango Resort and Casino near the Las Vegas Strip, is a striking example of design-driven innovation and cultural creativity. Conceived through a collaboration between Station Casinos, Clique Hospitality, and acclaimed design studio Studio Munge, Mijo reimagines the traditional Mexican dining experience with artistic flair and meaningful cultural storytelling.

At the heart of Mijo’s identity is a bold design vision that blends tradition with contemporary aesthetics. Drawing inspiration from the agave plant—an enduring symbol in Mexican culinary and cultural heritage—Studio Munge has infused the space with forms, textures, and colors that honor its legacy. The result is an immersive environment that balances authenticity with modern sophistication.

Design innovation is evident in how familiar cultural elements are reinterpreted through a modern lens. The custom host stand, shaped to resemble a sliced agave, anchors the entrance with solid wood craftsmanship. A tiered bottle display, echoing an agave cone, becomes both a functional and sculptural focal point. The bar, finished with Fusion Blue Quartzite and glossy ceramic tiles, features a circular coved ceiling that enhances the lighting and highlights artisanal detailing.

Creativity flows throughout the venue, with every detail designed to evoke wonder. The entrance sets a theatrical tone with marigold installations, a tufted orange velvet sofa, and a striking Mariachi skeleton figure. Inside, guests encounter evolving palettes and textures: from metallic blues and hand-woven wicker screens to warm terracottas and plush velvet banquettes, each space unfolds as a chapter in a larger visual narrative.

The dining area further reflects this layered storytelling. A vaulted, tunnel-like space features romantic plaster finishes and radial floor patterns, centered around a handcrafted ash wood table detailed with marquetry. Clay pendants above add rhythm and intimacy. A semi-private room, framed by arched wood carvings and ashwood walls, offers an elegant space for gatherings, maintaining the tactile richness of the overall design.

Outside, the patio continues the design language with beige terracotta tiles, curved wood slat screens, and a dramatic 11-foot rope chandelier. Custom banquettes with terracotta leather and piped detailing create a cozy, refined atmosphere, while a mosaic-tiled table evokes traditional Mexican textile artistry—merging craftsmanship with storytelling.

Mijo’s design reflects a thoughtful engagement with cultural expression. By reinterpreting iconic symbols and materials through a contemporary lens, it creates a dining experience that is immersive, respectful, and emotionally resonant. The project highlights how design can bridge tradition and innovation, enriching the guest experience and contributing to a broader appreciation of Mexican artistry.