You won’t want to throw your gherkin at the wall in this family restaurant. The new look and feel of this cultural icon has had more than a makeover – it’s gone for radical surgery. Looking like its taking a leaf from cool communal restaurant dining such as Wagamamas, the new look McDonald's is designed to impress a fickle, funky crowd with an appetite.

Not only has McDonald's gone groovy, they’re also moving away from the “one look wherever you go” mentality, responding to the latest trends to keep the retail environment connected to the location.

Tom Williams JuicyDesign, the brains behind the beauty, said that the new Maccas is “about contemporising the look of McDonald’s outlets. It’s not about one look, but developing a style for each site that reflects the individual environment and location.”

The move away from the trademark yellow and red brand is unprecedented, and the impact is immediate, as was found during what should have been a quick visit by this intrepid reporter. Checking up on the McDonald's in the Strand and on George Street, Sydney, the new design by Juicy made us feel warm, welcome and loved. High ceilings, spacious luxury, loads of natural light and neutral colours perfectly complemented our chicken McNuggets™.

“Our desire is to design restaurant spaces that reflect their surroundings and the people that use them, creating contemporary dining spaces,” said Tom Williams.

We agreed as we lounged back on the upholstered banquette seating with our chocolate thickshakes, and admired the original features that had been exposed, repaired and repainted, including the 6-metre diameter dome above our heads. It’s now an antidote to city pressure, and we felt in no rush to finish and get out of there. The retro feel custom wallpaper and white leather seating would certainly not be amiss in any self-respecting inner city bistro.

Tummies filled we checked out the white pendant light fittings by Euro Luce which we're sure we’d seen in Milan, gracing the walls of the “I Saloni” furniture fair, and the white stone tables. We’d be sure to get back here when we next craved a dose of French fries.

But don’t just take our word for it. See for yourself at 375-377 George St, Sydney.

For more info about McDonald’s or any other products, contact JuicyDesign director, Tom Williams on 0416 152 192, 02 9550 3558 or visit our website on www.juicydesign.com.au