Typography Choices for Kaya’s Table: Finding the Perfect Balance

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Overview

Branding is all about storytelling, and typography is a huge part of that. For Kaya’s Table, an Afro-Caribbean American fusion restaurant, I wanted to capture the warmth, cultural richness, and modern sophistication of the dining experience through the perfect typeface pairing. The goal? A look that feels inviting, elegant, and infused with heritage—just like the restaurant itself.

Choosing the Right Fonts

I landed on two distinct yet complementary typefaces: Playfair Display and Montserrat. Here’s why they work:


Playfair Display (For Logo & Headings) 

This high-contrast serif is bold, timeless, and has a handcrafted feel that immediately brings elegance and heritage into the brand. There’s something about those refined, slightly exaggerated serifs that remind me of vintage Caribbean signage and old-world printmaking. It’s classy without being stiff—exactly the kind of first impression I want Kaya’s Table to make.




Montserrat (For Menus & Body Text)

To balance out the expressive nature of Playfair Display, I chose Montserrat as the supporting typeface. It’s a modern, geometric sans-serif that keeps everything clean, legible, and fresh. Inspired by the typography of Latin American and Caribbean signage, Montserrat brings an urban yet approachable feel to the brand. Plus, it looks fantastic in both print and digital formats, which is crucial for a restaurant that will have menus, social media, and marketing materials.



The Vibe & Feeling We’re Creating

Typography isn’t just about looking pretty—it’s about evoking a feeling. The combination of Playfair Display and Montserrat helps reinforce the brand in three major ways:

🔥 Warm & Inviting – Guests should feel like they’re walking into a space filled with love, culture, and incredible food. 🔥 Bold & Flavorful – Just like the dishes on the menu, the typography should be rich, layered, and full of personality. 🔥 Authentic & Sophisticated – The fonts should reflect heritage and craftsmanship while still feeling contemporary and stylish.

Where These Fonts Appear

  • Playfair Display headlines the logo, signage, and special menu items that need emphasis.
  • Montserrat is used for menus, business cards, letterhead, and marketing materials, ensuring easy readability and consistency.

Final Thoughts

Branding for a restaurant isn’t just about designing a pretty logo—it’s about creating an experience that starts before guests even step through the door. Kaya’s Table is all about bringing people together through food, culture, and storytelling, and I think these typography choices help set the stage for that.

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Do you think this font pairing captures the essence of Kaya’s Table? Let me know!

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