Our Favorite Food Spaces

These Tenant Improvement Superstars Have It All

[TOPIC: Food & drink tenant improvements | Restaurant & café design | Interior atmosphere & brand identity | Tenant improvement process | Commercial design for food spaces | Local businesses & hospitality design | Client-focused interiors]

Our region is full of incredible food talent, and we’re proud to have designed some of the most inviting, functional, and personality-filled restaurant and café spaces in the South Sound. These commercial tenant improvement projects help local food businesses thrive — supporting not only beautiful food but also spaces that encourage community, comfort, and connection.

Below, we highlight a few of our favorite restaurant tenant improvements — and our staff’s favorite menu items from each.

Olympia Coffee Roasting Company

We’ve had the good fortune to design all six of this award-winning roaster’s Washington locations, including their headquarters and shops in Olympia, Tacoma, Columbia City, and Seattle. Each location reflects the spirit of its neighborhood and features an artisanal touch that helps make Olympia Coffee’s cafés some of the most welcoming “third places” around — spaces for gathering, studying, working, and relaxing.

Design highlights

• Wood tiles and geometric wall panels at the downtown Olympia roastery
  

• Italian porcelain tile at the Wildwood location in Olympia
  

• Custom light-and-shelf combination at the Seattle Cedar Hall café
  

• Patterned floor tile and metal kick plate at the Tacoma location
  

• Sleek light fixtures and custom wall paneling at Columbia City
  
  

Staff favorites

• Vanilla americano
  

• Ethiopian pour-over
  

• Scallion pull-aparts
  

• Lavender latte
  

• Vanilla chai
  

• Haupia latte (seasonal)

  

  
  

Dos Hermanos

This family-owned spot started as a food truck and quickly became beloved for its scratch-made corn tortillas and traditional recipes. Located inside Olympia’s 222 Market, Dos Hermanos features a large custom mural by a local artist, bright teal tiles, and warm wood tones that make the space feel vibrant and welcoming.

Staff favorites

• Nachos with carnitas
  

• Fresh lime margaritas
  

• Pork carnitas tacos

Chelsea Farms Oyster Bar

A true gem of the 222 Market, Chelsea Farms Oyster Bar brings farm-to-table shellfish from their family-run operation right here in the South Sound. Plush blue velvet booths, oyster shell chandeliers, and an airy layout create an elegant yet comfortable space for both special occasions and casual evenings out.

Staff favorites

• Raw Chelsea Gems
  

• Scallops — melt-in-your-mouth good!

  

  
  

Sophie’s Scoops Gelateria

Sophie’s Scoops serves authentic Italian-style gelato made from locally sourced milk and cream, with seasonal flavors inspired by regional farms. For their second location at Westman Mill Apartments, we designed a space that mirrors the brand’s buoyant personality — with soft pinks, oranges, floral wallpaper, and bright, playful lighting.

We also built in an Instagram-worthy moment: a cheerful bench nook framed by pendant lights and colorful wallpaper — the perfect place to enjoy dessert and snap a photo.

Staff favorites

• Raspberry sorbet
  

• Cardamom gelato
  

• Olympia fog
  

Howdy Bagel

“Fresh Bagels, Hot Coffee, Kind People.” This Tacoma favorite radiates warmth, inclusion, and joy. We designed the space to reflect the founders’ big-hearted and eclectic energy — with a bright teal exterior, jade-green handmade tile, custom peach wallpaper, fluted white glass lights, and repurposed architectural elements.

Every detail was meant to feel welcoming, authentic, and full of personality — a space that celebrates the community as much as it does great food.

Staff favorites

• Pastrami breakfast sammy
  

• Lox sandwich
  

• English breakfast
  

• Avocado toast
  

Why Tenant Improvements Matter

Each of these food spaces shows how thoughtful design can bring a brand’s personality to life — helping businesses thrive, customers feel at home, and communities come together. Beautiful food deserves beautiful spaces, and we love helping our clients create them.

© Artisans Group Architecture + Planning — Sustainable Architecture, Passive House, and Passive Building Design Experts