The exterior of London’s Bethnal Green Town Hall Hotel is a quintessential Edwardian edifice, but behind its imposing architecture lies Elis – a new restaurant that masterfully mixes its influences.

Rafael Cagali is the chef behind the venture – his second restaurant inside the East London town hall turned hotel. It’s intended to offer a relaxed atmosphere and menu that blends his Brazilian and Italian backgrounds.

Studio Nathan Miller designed Elis’ interiors, adopting a crisp, clean approach that emphasises the restaurant’s existing Edwardian period wood panelling and high ceilings. These features are accentuated by a contrasting wall covered in glossy white tiles and ceilings hung with clusters of pendant lights.

A bespoke brass wine station and a custom banquette – upholstered in patterned fabric that playfully references the busy Edwardian wallpapers popular when the town hall opened in 1910 – are other standout features.

Elis’s menu is also happy to blend cultural references, serving dishes Cagali says are inspired by his childhood. Expect pasta dishes and plenty of meat dishes – short rib pappardelle, picanha steak skewers served with palm hearts and kale, and Iberico pork with black beans and chimichurri.

Patriot Square, Bethnal Green, London, E2 9NF

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