The third edition of the GRAIL AWARDS concluded on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, with the awards ceremony held at the Ioannis Despotopoulos Auditorium of the Athens Conservatoire. The GRAIL Architecture, Interior Design, and Lighting Awards—produced by Vasilios Bartzokas and Dimitris Fakinos—brought together the Greek creative scene, consistently and resolutely aiming to promote the outward-looking presence of Greek architecture both within Greece and internationally.

Cinapos restaurant by STONES AND WALLS has been honored with an Award in the Food & Entertainment category of the Interior Spaces and Lighting section at the GRAIL Awards 2026. Located in Thissio, the restaurant occupies a historic building deeply rooted in the neighborhood’s collective memory, conceived to evoke the atmosphere of a Sunday family gathering. Guided by a commitment to authenticity, the design strips away previous interventions to reveal a contemporary dining experience articulated through a sequence of interconnected spaces, unified by a central patio anchored by an olive tree. A distinctive artwork by Anna Mentogianni, together with carefully curated antique pieces, enriches the warm, intimate ambiance crowned by the open Athenian sky.

Cinapos restaurant is located in the heart of Athens, in the Thissio area, and is housed in an iconic building with a layered and multifaceted history. Over time, the structure—originally serving as King Otto’s stables and later becoming the first café in the area, as well as functioning as a public school for many years—has accommodated different uses, remaining closely intertwined with the life of the neighborhood and its residents, and preserving a strong sense of collective memory. The revival of the space and the restoration of its authentic character constituted the core challenges of the project. 

The design intent was to shape a welcoming, familiar, and warm environment, reminiscent of a Sunday family gathering. 

The aim was for visitors to feel at ease, dining in a setting that carries a subtle nostalgic touch while maintaining a clear contemporary identity.

In seeking a balanced dialogue between past and present, the intervention began with a careful “stripping down” of the building. 

Previous layers and later additions were removed, while as many original elements as possible were preserved. This process revealed a clear architectural canvas, allowing for precise and measured interventions. Each decision was guided by respect for the building’s inherent qualities, highlighting its authentic beauty and seamlessly incorporating its natural charm into the restaurant’s contemporary design. Authenticity operates as a central conceptual axis, extending beyond spatial design and cuisine to define the overall transformation of the venue. 

At its core lies the central patio, where an olive tree stands rooted in a built-in planter that embraces the seating area. As a symbol of continuity and tradition, the olive tree introduces a sense of serenity and familiarity. 

The spatial experience unfolds through a sequence of interconnected areas that transition organically into one another. 

Around the planter, guests are able to sit and observe the multiple functions of the restaurant unfolding simultaneously. The bar, enriched by a distinctive artwork by Anna Mentogianni, introduces an artistic layer within the overall composition. The front dining area is defined by an imposing monastery-style table and the sensory presence of the open kitchen, fostering an atmosphere of warmth and shared experience. Antique furniture and buffets filled with jars of pickled goods further evoke the intimacy of a domestic kitchen environment.

In the rear dining area, antique pieces carefully selected from various vintage shops in Athens contribute to a sense of uniqueness and historical continuity. The courtyard, characterized by a lush garden and a countryside-like ambiance, completes the spatial narrative, offering a calmer and more relaxed setting. Functionally and atmospherically, the central patio operates as the unifying element of these diverse sensory experiences. 

Framed by stone elements and metal corbels and open to the Athenian sky, it forms a natural ceiling that enhances the spatial cohesion and reinforces the project’s architectural emphasis on authenticity, materiality, and memory. By allowing the building’s inherent character to guide the transformation, the project achieves a cohesive grounded atmosphere. 

The central patio, with the olive tree as its focal point, anchors the experience and unifies the diverse spatial sequences, while the curated objects, artwork, and garden elements collectively reinforce a sense of familiarity.

Facts & Credits
Title Cinapos | Around The Greek Table
Typology Interior Design, Restaurant
Architecture & Interior STONES AND WALLS
Design Team Afroditi Bonatsou, Sotiria Fasoi Mylona, Natasa Aslani, Tzella Raskopoulou
Lighting Design Gallis Lighting
Graphic Design & Main Artwork Anna Mentoyanni
Photography Martha Vosdou, Katia Maria Sarantidou (Styling), Mia Dorier (Production)
Text by the authors

Learn more about GRAIL Awards 2026, here!


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