Ember Kitchen & Bar
Industry: Hospitality / Restaurant
Services: Digital Marketing & Graphic Design
Location: Melbourne, VIC
Timeline: 6 Months
Client Goal: Increase online visibility, boost bookings, and elevate brand presence
Business Overview
Urban Ember is a contemporary, casual dining restaurant located in the heart of Melbourne’s inner suburbs. Known for its wood-fired fusion cuisine, locally sourced ingredients, and laid-back atmosphere, the restaurant caters to food lovers seeking both quality and experience. The team wants to boost online visibility, grow bookings, and develop a strong brand identity both on- and offline.
The Challenge
Ember Kitchen & Bar, a new entrant in Melbourne’s competitive dining scene, needed to stand out. While they had a compelling food concept and great location, they lacked a digital presence, cohesive branding, and an effective strategy to attract and convert local foodies and diners.
the Approach
We crafted a full-scale digital and design strategy to ignite Urban Ember’s brand, starting from identity creation to customer acquisition online.
1. Graphic Design
- Developed a bold, fire-inspired brand identity — logo, color palette, and typography that reflect the warm, smoky essence of their wood-fired cuisine.
- Designed a set of branded menus, table cards with QR code menus, and social media templates to ensure consistent visuals across platforms.
- Created event branding kits for wine pairing nights, jazz evenings, and seasonal launches.
2. Website Design & SEO
- Built a responsive, fast-loading website with integrated booking functionality and visual storytelling.
- Optimized the site for local SEO, targeting keywords like “best wood-fired restaurant Melbourne” and “Melbourne modern Australian dining.”
- Integrated Google Analytics, Search Console, and a custom event inquiry form.
3. Social Media Management
- Developed a content calendar highlighting food, behind-the-scenes stories, chef features, and upcoming events.
- Ran Instagram and Facebook ad campaigns, geo-targeting Melbourne foodies with compelling visuals and offers.
- Collaborated with local influencers and food bloggers to generate buzz and social proof.
4. Email Marketing & Lead Capture
- Implemented a Wi-Fi-based email capture system in the restaurant.
- Designed branded email templates and launched a bi-weekly newsletter sharing menu updates, events, and exclusive promos.
- Automated event reminder emails and post-dining feedback forms.
5. Expected Result After 6 Months
| Metrics | Before | After |
| Website Traffic (Monthly) | ~500 | 3,200+ |
| Instagram Followers | 350 | 2,800+ |
| Google Reviews | 12 (avg. 3.8⭐) | 154 (avg. 4.6⭐) |
| Monthly Bookings | 90–120 | 250+ consistently |
| Email List Growth | 0 | 1,300+ subscribers |
6. Key Takeaways
A consistent brand identity builds trust and recognition, forming the foundation of a strong business presence. For local hospitality venues, geo-targeted ads and SEO strategies offer high returns by reaching the right audience at the right time. Thoughtful design doesn’t just elevate visual appeal — it also enhances the overall customer experience. When paired with strategic storytelling and engaging social media, these efforts turn casual visitors into loyal brand advocates.
Ivan Design 