We're not saying bigger is better. But in the case of Umaga Bakehouse, it doesn't hurt.
At nearly 4,000 square feet, it’s one of the largest Filipino bakeries in the U.S., and Aida Napoles of AGN Design turned that space into a sun-dappled, modern refuge for sweet-toothed Chicagoans. Think warm earth tones, bronze tile accents, floor-to-ceiling windows and a bespoke S-shaped wooden table that curves through the space, doubling as seating and display.
Umaga has earned buzz for its Filipino staples, from fluffy ensaymada to hot pandesal, ube-infused treats and even halo-halo. Now, Napoles' work has been named to the shortlist for the 2025 Restaurant & Bar Design Awards.
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The Restaurant & Bar Design Awards, founded in 2008 in the U.K., sees over 14,000 entries from 100 countries judged by big names from the worlds of interior design, architecture and gastronomy. Umaga’s inclusion sends a clear signal that Chicago’s design-forward hospitality game is earning some serious international cred.
"We’re beyond thrilled to share that Umaga Bakehouse has been shortlisted for the 2025 Restaurant & Bar Design Awards in the Americas – Café category!" the Umaga team wrote on the bakeshop's Instagram page. "Endless thanks to Aida @design_agn for creating a space truly worthy of celebrating Filipino culture. Also another huge thanks to @dylan_martin_furniture for the incredible millwork and his exceptional craftsmanship. @jcoursework for sharing your beautiful artistry with us that truly honors our Filipino roots and allows everyone to be connected and proud of our heritage. We’re honored to stand alongside so many incredible projects and can’t wait for the awards ceremony this October in Dubai."
The Restaurant & Bar Design Awards feature five categories each for the Americas, Asia, Australia & the Pacific, Europe and the Middle East & Africa, as well as 14 global categories that are not region specific. Those five categories are Cafe, Hotel, In Another Space (hospitality spaces located in anything from airports to cinemas), Standalone and Surface Interiors, which celebrates "how surfaces such as walls, ceilings and floors come together in creating a food and beverage space."
Of course, reaching the shortlist is just the first step. The awards ceremony will be held later this fall in Dubai, so eyes from Miami to Manila will be watching to see if Umaga Bakehouse can take home the award. That would be a really sweet treat!