Kitchens
14 Bistro And Restaurant-Style Kitchens
Brimming with 19th century French charm, these bistro-style kitchens evoke lingering meals spent at your favorite European brasserie. Defined by classic details like subway tile, industrial lighting and cafe-inspired seating, this look is truly timeless. Click through for inspiration on how to bring it home.
A classic bistro kitchen gets a hit of personality with patterned tile underfoot for a rug-like effect. Black-framed shelves are mounted snugly under the upper cabinets, while hidden cabinets behind the island provide secret storage space.
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cabinet installation, Cortina Kitchens; wall tile, Olympia Tile & Stone; floor tile, Mettro Source; lower cabinetry colour, Raccoon Fur (2126-20), Benjamin Moore; hardware, Atlas Homewares; oven by Wolf, Tasco Appliances; counters, TCE Stone; light fixtures (on hood), RH Restoration Hardware; wood flooring, Torlys; canisters, Old Faithful Shop; casserole dishes, Peaks & Rafters.
Designer Mazen El-Abdallah creates an airy vibe in his kitchen with a white backsplash and cabinets. Black steel doors lead out to the balcony while a Saarinen table and Thonet chairs lend a chic bistro note to the space. Floating wooden shelves create warm contrast.
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An eclectic art collection mounted on a panelled wall and an island-hugging banquette are the main attractions in this timeless bistro kitchen. Trad pendant lights hover over the countertop for a classic look.
Mosaic floor tiles, inspired by European bakeries, add an old-world feel to this modern bistro kitchen. Bentwood x-back chairs mimic what you’d find in a rustic French cafe.
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In designer Sarah Hartill’s kitchen, it’s all about the details. Brass pulls accent the all-white cabinetry while open shelves display Sarah’s pottery collection, resulting in a modern take on the classic bistro kitchen.
Designer Allison Willson warms up a white bistro-style kitchen with textured grasscloth wallpaper, herringbone-patterned travertine floors and a wood-panelled ceiling.
Shaker-style cabinets painted Dark Olive (2140-30) by Benjamin Moore introduce contrast in the otherwise white space, and fit nicely with the home’s historic character. The open shelves keep the look of the kitchen light.
Glamorous and atmospheric, this Montreal kitchen by designer Luc Beauvais takes its inspiration from intimate French boîtes. Flat-front black cabinets recede, allowing the intricate tile floors to steal the show. The exotic tile pattern adds warmth to the sleek cabinets, masculine palette and industrial touches, such as nickel pendants.
A large island takes center stage in designer Ingrid Oomen’s kitchen. Herringbone oak floors are another classic touch, contrasting the lightness from new windows and french doors, white cabinets and full-height bistro tile.
A dark wood floor and island are practical and chic. “Make your stove the focal point of the space,” advises the homeowner, chef Lynn Crawford. “My kitchen island, sink and seasonings are right beside the stove, so all I have to do is pivot!” The butcher-block countertop on the island (which incorporates generous cookbook storage) makes it look unfitted and authentic, just the place for a professional to get to work.
A grey and white mosaic marble floor takes on the effect of a rug. Dark-stained cabinets, state-of-the-art appliances and a showstopping marble floor create a high-performance, handsome space with international flair.
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Milk-glass schoolhouse light fixtures, black and white marble hex tiles and a chunky marble countertop are tried and true French bistro elements. The clean white backdrop and stainless steel appliances, meanwhile, update the look. A framed chalkboard panel with an Eiffel tower is a smart, affordable art idea that can be changed easily.
This pantry makes perfect sense for homeowners who are veteran entertainers. Checkerboard floors, marble counters and flooring, and glass-front cabinets establish the Parisian bistro look, while ample cupboards house six sets of china, and the long counter is perfect for prep and serving.
Designer Barbara Purdy uses a high-contrast grey grout for the white subway tile wall. It complements the dark counters and gives the tiles graphic punch. Open shelving in a warm wood adds an unstudied, rustic touch that suits the wood-frame cabinets and allows for a revolving display of vignettes.