Martin Brudnizki Studio's Enchanted Oceanic Design for Sexy Fish Dubai

CairoScene

28-03-2025

Studio Martin Brudnizki's vision for Sexy Fish Dubai turns marine maximalism into a bold, immersive masterpiece.
Mar 28, 2025
If Alice tumbled down the rabbit hole and into the depths of the ocean, she'd find a world where the wonders of the deep come alive. Here, in Dubai's Sexy Fish restaurant, corals glow, mythical creatures lurk, and opulence shimmers like sunlit waves. This Japanese-inspired dining destination is designed by the London- and New York-based Martin Brudnizki Design Studio as a 'marine maximalism' experience.
The adventure begins at the entrance, unfolding like a hidden cave beneath the ocean's surface. A soft aquatic glow reveals a striking teal blue octopus sculpture by the English artist Damien Hirst floating over the reception desk, its presence both mesmerising and surreal, setting the stage for a world where the extraordinary reigns. The surrounding walls sprawl with intricate shellfish and coral motifs transforming the space into an intricate underwater tableau—one that blurs the line between reality and fantasy.
Walking into the main dining area, a golden central bar commands attention, crowned by a sculpted column that stretches to the ceiling. Soft, hidden lights glow through its translucent coloured glass cladding, casting an ambient radiance. The warmth of the space is enriched by deep green upholstered dining chairs, their tones echoing the mysteries of the sea.
Above, large glass koi fish drift weightlessly, their transparent forms capturing movement as if suspended mid-swim, tails curling in an unseen current. No detail is overlooked—even the golden glass table lamps resemble baby jellyfish, their delicate glow pulsating like gentle creatures adrift in an endless ocean.
Lighting in the space is more than just illumination—it's an orchestrated experience that breathes life into every corner. Designed by London lighting studio 18Fifty, it subtly guides the eye without overwhelming, flowing through the bar, gliding over the precious stone marble flooring, and exuding a sense of understated elegance within this carnival of oceanic excess.
No detail was spared—not even the bathroom. Draped in coral pink marble and onyx, you might think that's the pinnacle of luxury. But at its center, a shellfish-inspired fountain cradles the sinks, like a whimsical scene from 'The Little Mermaid'—if Ariel decorated her cave with trinkets from Barbie's world. Glass wall sconces shaped like shells cast a soft glow, while vibrant coral reef wallpaper wraps the space in underwater fantasy. And just when you think the journey is winding down, the ceiling blooms with cascading pink flowers, keeping the spectacle alive.
Photography Credit: Martin Brudnizki Studio