Scusa

SCUSA is a contemporary Italian restaurant in Lisbon that translates an original and irreverent take on traditional hospitality. Designed by Spacegram, the project rejects the easy clichés often associated with “Italian” dining, avoiding the trap of superficial novelty to create something far more personal: a warm, sun-drenched stage where food takes the lead.

The design ethos resists the urge to be merely “cool” or “now.” Instead, the space is conceived around the timeless act of gathering. Bright oranges, yellows, and terracotta tones evoke the warmth of a Mediterranean afternoon—an “outside looking in” perspective that feels sunny side up. Every detail supports this narrative of intimacy: from the custom tables with their subtle “pizza-folded” edges that encourage closeness, to the soft, golden lighting that accentuates the texture of the walls and the comfort of the meal.

A key narrative device in the main dining room is the custom-sculpted mirror. Far from a standard flat surface, it was molded and fine-tuned to create a fluid, distorting effect. It reflects warmth and movement rather than perfect images, inviting guests to see the space—and themselves—from new, softer angles. It acts as a moment of gentle disorientation, echoing the organic rhythm of the room.

Downstairs, the atmosphere shifts into a more subdued, cinematic experience. This hidden private room pushes colour and texture into bolder hues, creating a “treasure box” feeling. Anchoring this space is the “Popcorn” installation, a sculptural piece that has become one of the most photographed elements of the project. Symbolizing the organic burst of rising dough, it translates the studio’s love for surprise and playfulness, turning a simple ingredient into an architectural statement.

SCUSA is Spacegram at its most honest: inviting, tactile, and playful. It prioritizes the effective dialogue between space, service, and food over meaningless lessons in style. In an era of fleeting trends, SCUSA stands for the belief that good design should be felt as much as seen—a place where the noise of the city fades out over a plate of pasta al dente.

Molto speciale.