A local favorite with over 20 years of history, Baracoa Café transitioned from a snack bar to a modern restaurant and venue. This redesign reflects its evolved identity.
Project Overview
About
Baracoa Café is a restaurant and concert venue in Asker with over two decades of loyal customers. Following recent renovations and a kitchen expansion, the business needed an updated web presence aligned with its new visual identity.
My Role
• Full UX/UI redesign
• Development and implementation in Wix
• Content editing
• Basic SEO setup
Tools
Dates
July – September 2025
Project Goals
The core improvements I focused on
Visual Identity
Refresh the visual identity in line with the renovated interior
Structure
Simplify navigation and remove outdated content
CTAs
Enhance CTA visibility
Mobile
Enhance mobile experience
SEO
Set up foundational SEO
Impression
Let people feel, even through a screen, that Baracoa has grown up
UX/UI Audit – Old Site
The original site no longer reflected Baracoa’s updated identity
Key problems:
• Outdated aesthetic
• Cluttered navigation
• Lack of coherence in design
• Hard-to-read text over background images
• Missing alt tags and no SEO structure
Design Reasoning
The first thing I learned about Baracoa was that the restaurant was quietly changing its identity. It wasn’t trying to be a quick grab-and-go spot anymore.
The owner wanted people to finally notice the food — the part of the business that had been overlooked for years.
My first draft leaned into nightlife: violet tones, neon, a bit of club energy. It looked bold, but it didn’t feel true.
The space itself had just been renovated — deep khaki walls, muted wood, soft geometry. The room had a calm confidence to it. I wanted the website to echo that feeling.
There were also limits: no proper photos yet, a menu still finding its final shape. Instead of forcing a visual story that didn’t exist, I kept the design honest — clean, atmospheric, restrained. Dark tones with a quiet neon hint to keep a touch of evening energy.
The goal was simple: make it clear that Baracoa has grown up — that it’s a place was not just a bar but propper dining.
Visual Refresh
I aligned the design with the new interior: deep colors, contrast, and minimalist elegance to reflect the upgraded dining experience.
Structural Improvements
I cleaned up the sitemap, removing unnecessary pages, and created logical groupings for header and footer navigation.
Usability Enhancements
Clearer CTAs, better hierarchy, responsive layouts, and improved image treatment made the site more engaging and accessible.
Before & After – …home/hero section
Comparing old and new hero sections – highlighting structural and visual improvements.
Responsiveness
Website makes key user actions — checking the menu, booking a table, or buying a ticket — easy to do on mobile.
Key problems of old design:
Navigation was not easy to find.
Buttons were too small for touch interaction.
No quick access to essential actions.
I introduced:
Fixed mobile button in the thumb zone with main actions: reservations, tickets and contacts.
Optimized text size and spacing for legibility.
Redesign is Intentionally Built as a Foundation
A base to build on and space to grow as the restaurant sharpens its identity.
But what about major goals, were they achieved? Let's see….
Visual Identity
Now actually looks like the same place you walk into.
Structure
Easier to find what matters and less clutter to distract user.
CTAs
You always know where to click next — no guessing games.
Mobile
Friendly for thumbs, not just eyes.
SEO
Search engines now know what’s going on.
Impression
Happy clients, happy regulars, curious newcomers.
TakeAways
This case reminded me that good design isn’t always about starting from scratch. Sometimes the best approach is to respect what’s already working and build on it.
I learned how to balance a client’s vision, a loyal customer base, and a physical space — all through thoughtful digital choices.
Get in Touch
I’d love to hear from you.
lana.lantvoit@gmail.com
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