Description:

When Auckland’s Hotel Indigo began developing a premium dining offering, two things quickly became clear.

First, it needed to feel like its own destination. A space with a unique character and an experience that stood apart from the hotel itself. Second, it should draw on the heritage of the classic bistro, but with a fresh, contemporary twist that felt right at home in this evolving corner of the city.

From this came Bistro Saine – a space inspired by the storytelling and atmosphere of New York, Paris and London, built around a menu that reimagines the classics and an identity that blends old and new. The result is a brand that draws people in with the allure of a timeless bistro experience, then adds a fresh twist that keeps them coming back for more.

At its heart, the concept embraces the tension between heritage and modernity. Bistro Saine feels lived‑in and alive with character, rooted in its location within one of Auckland’s first motorhouses – a space where the industrial and the inspired have long intersected. Here, craftsmanship and conversation mingle, and every plate tells a story. The brand captures this balance, creating an experience that feels confident and considered, understated yet inviting, timeless yet unmistakably of its place.

The design takes its cues from the tactile charm of traditional bistro dining, where meals linger like conversations and details are savoured. The handwritten script, reminiscent of a neighbourhood bistro’s chalkboard, captures that warmth and familiarity. Meanwhile, serif and monospaced typefaces and subtle graphic frames nod to hand‑stamped receipts and menu columns, creating a visual language that feels both crafted and casual.

More than a restaurant, Bistro Saine marks a new chapter for Auckland’s CBD – an area reshaping its identity amid infrastructure changes like the incoming City Rail Link. The brand doesn’t just highlight premium cuisine; it provides a fresh destination for the city to reclaim its social, cultural and economic vibrancy.