Sara Caffè

The Challenge

Sara Caffè needed to be three things at once: a morning coffee spot, an evening shisha lounge, and a place for good Middle Eastern food.

That's a lot of identities for one brand.

The owners wanted something that felt authentic to their Lebanese roots but modern enough to attract Constanța's younger crowd. No generic coffee shop vibes, no corporate polish—just real, approachable, and memorable.

The Approach

I started with the logo. A hookah flanked by a fork and knife—simple, direct, honest about what they offer. The Arabic calligraphy wasn't just decoration; it was a nod to the culture behind the food and the experience.

For the menus, I went with contrast: dark, moody chalkboard aesthetics for the coffee and shisha sections (think late-night hangout), and clean, bright layouts for the food menu (because good food deserves good light).

The color palette did the heavy lifting: golden yellows for warmth and energy, deep blacks for sophistication, and pops of cyan blue—a subtle reference to the Black Sea right outside their door.

The Impact

A cohesive brand that doesn't apologize for being a hybrid. The identity works across signage, print, and digital—and it actually looks like the place it represents

Lessons learned: When a business has multiple personalities, don't try to hide them. Celebrate them. The contrast is what makes it interesting.