Douro, Maine
Douro is a Portuguese-inspired seafood restaurant on Portland’s waterfront, bringing European sophistication and coastal informality to Maine’s growing dining scene. Conceived as a lively yet elegant venue, the restaurant celebrates high-quality ingredients prepared with restraint, complemented by a broad wine program, bright cocktails, and a welcoming atmosphere. With brand positioning already in place, we were asked to create a brand identity that would capture a playful but mature balance — establishing Douro as a standout new destination in Prentice Hospitality’s expanding Maine portfolio.
RESTAURANT BRAND IDENTITY DESIGN
RESTAURANT BRAND GUIDELINES
DESIGN FOR PRINT
Culturally and visually rich, Portugal offered a wealth of inspiration for the brand identity, from vintage conserva packaging to ornate, patterned tiles. Our solution draws directly from the tradition of Portuguese Azulejo tiles and their influence on classic street signage. The colour palette reflects this heritage: a sun-washed yellow serves as the primary tone, echoing the warmth of Portuguese streets and carrying through the interior design. This is anchored by a deep, street-sign–inspired blue, with accents of soft pink introduced sparingly for contrast and playfulness. The result is a brand identity that feels both authentic and contemporary, rooted in Portuguese culture yet perfectly tailored for a modern Maine destination.
While exploring signage, we initially planned to redraw an existing typeface, but luck was on our side when we discovered a reference that included all the letters we needed in the perfect sequence. Carefully redrawn and refined, this became the restaurant’s wordmark.
As a visual asset, we also recreated several key elements from traditional Azulejo tile designs. Used sparingly throughout the brand, these details add a distinctive Portuguese flavour that feels unique and ownable. Typesetting across the brand draws heavily from Portuguese street signs, imbuing the identity with character and helping Douro bring a touch of Portugal to Portland.