CAB ROTO was engaged to design a refined yet welcoming interior for Market Bistro, one of the first—and most renowned—restaurants in Maroochydore’s new CBD. Led by restaurateur Tony Kelly, the brief was simple: ‘Give me a city restaurant with a classic French bistro feel.’

The design balances sophistication with warmth, delivering a sense of permanence within a contemporary setting. A striking bulkhead, reminiscent of a 19th-century carousel, crowns the space, its brass tube accents catching the light and reinforcing the bistro’s refined character. Beneath it, carefully arranged large-format tiles create structure around the bar, subtly delineating space without the need for partitions.

…Every design by the Cab Roto team have hit our brief perfectly and have catered to our target demographic seamlessly…

Tony Kelly

Wainscoting frames the painted walls and adds depth and detail to the timber bar, bringing a tactile richness that feels both historic and grounded. Low-height white clay masonry walls break up the open-plan layout, introducing texture and strong form while maintaining clear sightlines for staff and passersby. A curved, vertically angled timber screen functions as a louvre, filtering light and views between the private dining area and the main restaurant dining space.

A ceiling-height wine shelf divides the restaurant from Market Wine Store, allowing an interplay of atmosphere between the two. Retail customers experience the sounds and aromas of the bistro, while diners in the private dining area see through the bottles into the retail space. The store itself—also designed by CAB ROTO—feels like a natural extension of the restaurant, reinforcing the connection between dining and provenance.

Layered lighting shifts the mood from bright and inviting by day to intimate and atmospheric at night. Taking advantage of the building’s glazed envelope and proximity to the street, the lighting design draws in passing traffic, ensuring the bistro remains an enticing focal point in the CBD’s evolving streetscape.

Built under the constraints of a tight timeframe and pandemic-era material shortages, the space remains true to its intent: classic, understated, and built to last.

Photos: Corey Schweikert