The third location of Middle Eastern restaurant Delbar opens in Atlanta’s Buckhead neighborhood.
Translating to ‘heart, captured’ in Farsi, Delbar is a love letter from Founder and Executive Chef Fares Kargar to the women in his life who instilled a deep appreciation for Middle Eastern cooking.
Designed to transport guests to the Iranian countryside, Delbar Buckhead features grand wooden arches, hand-glazed Moroccan tiles and biophilic touches.
The 6,000-square-foot space features a main dining room and indoor bar as well as a covered outdoor patio and bar that hosts live entertainment on weekends.
While the new Buckhead location features many of Delbar's identifiable touches like light, earth-toned walls, lush greenery and rustic wooden elements, the custom arches, Moroccan fountains, vibrant fabrics, and intricate light fixtures are distinct to the Buckhead location.
“The main goal was to create a space that feels both intimate and luxurious while showcasing the rich cultural elements that define Delbar’s brand,” says Kargar. “We wanted the design to transport guests to a timeless setting inspired by Middle Eastern architecture and hospitality, with a modern, approachable touch.”
The artwork throughout the restaurant was curated to complement the overall aesthetic, with pieces that tell a story of culture and heritage. As is the case in each Delbar location, Kargar tries to incorporate work from artisans from the Middle East and Iran.
Grand wooden arches, inspired by traditional Middle Eastern architecture, line the room with banquette seating beneath. The seating features vibrant, textured fabrics by Zak & Fox and Iranian designer Natasha Baradaran along with wooden and marble tables. The walls and booths throughout the space are lined with pottery, plants and ceramic wall decor by Turkish artist Lori Ceramic.
Overlooking the dining room, the mezzanine floor is a private event space that can seat up to 40 people.
Beyond the main dining room, the restaurant features the aptly named sunroom that is designed to evoke the tranquil ambiance of a Middle Eastern Garden atrium. The light-filled space is lined with floor-to-ceiling windows with an open-concept seating layout. At the heart of the space lies a banquette adorned in hand-glazed Moroccan tiles.
The grand fountain serves as a focal point for the space, a nod to traditional courtyards, and symbolizes hospitality and serenity.
Project: Delbar Buckhead
- Founder and executive chef: Fares Kargar
- Architecture and design: Fares Kargar, Archie Bolden and Fathom Architecture
- Fabrics: Natasha Baradaran, Zak & Fox
- Tiles and fountains: Marrakech Connection
- Custom lighting: Marjan Rad
- Ceramic wall decor: Lori Ceramic
- Millwork: Cabinets By Design
- Size: 6,000-square-feet
- Private dining room: seats 16 people; mezzanine private event space seats 40 people
Images courtesy of Andrew Thomas Lee
