Take a culinary journey around the world at the Nomad Eatery
Atelier Agave Nomad Eatery share a long history—even before we began production, I had the opportunity to discuss the plates and bowls I’d designed on the potter’s wheel with the kitchen team. The very first batch produced in Portugal was then sent to Nomad. Today, I’m visiting to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the design hotel in Basel.
The Nomad Eatery’s concept is centered around “Cocktails & Street Food”—culinarily speaking, this means a mix of highlights from around the world. From fattoush to gyoza to tacos, you can eat your way from continent to continent here. The “simplicity” of street food is deliberately emphasized: the food isn’t arranged with tweezers, but rather stripped down to the essentials.
And the concept works: You start with one of the bites and a fantastic drink from the bar, then spontaneously decide where to go next on your culinary journey—whatever takes your fancy. It’s just like being at a street food festival or in a tapas bar in Spain. The best part is that the bites and snacks are perfect for sharing, so you don’t even have to decide.
As I sample the dishes, Thomas from the Nomad team tells me about the idea behind the concept: Of course, the idea of travel is central, and that’s reflected in the name “NOMAD.” It’s important that guests feel at home. At the same time, it’s also about having an experience. Whether you’re just here for a meal or staying the night, you’re sure to get that vacation vibe. Thomas says: “From the positive feedback, we can tell that there’s a need for a concept like this here. The relaxed atmosphere and the high-quality cocktails are also very well received by our guests from the region.” The Eatery doesn’t see itself as a “classic restaurant,” but rather as a place where you simply want to spend time—which fits well with the fact that there’s often live music, for example during Sunday brunch.
In addition to the small dishes, there are also a few classics for those with a big appetite: The Big Nomad Burger has become a citywide sensation, and from Asian short ribs to miso cod, there are plenty of tempting options here as well.
The versatility of the menu is also reflected in the selection of tableware: several of our colors are in use, and different shapes can be used for different dishes. As a designer, I find it amusing, for example, to see how the ribbed mug—actually intended as a teacup—is used here as a bowl for sides: french fries, rice, or soup! The cappuccino cup can also be used for cocktails—for example, for the classic Bloody Mary.
