Discover LaFrida’s Inspired Décor

LaFrida is more than a restaurant. It’s a love letter to an iconic artist and a source of Mexican national pride. Every wax candle, glass heart, and elaborately dressed Catrina reveals a story steeped in the bold spirit of Frida Kahlo, a world-renowned and beloved painter whose unapologetic vision of beauty, culture, and identity still inspires generations. At Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach, LaFrida is a feast for the palate and the senses, with its generous invitation to delight in Chef Anaisa’s creations while enjoying live music, soothing Pacific breezes, and the engaging artistry on and around every table.

Here, chandeliers with handmade glasswork cast dramatic shadows over blown-glass stemware and hand-stitched dresses. Paintings inspired by Kahlo’s distinctive style grace the walls, while lovingly melted candles set the tone for evenings of magic and romance. As you settle into your high-backed, throne-like dining chair—a blend of Spanish colonial and vintage European influences—you begin to feel the presence of something grander, a cultural celebration wrapped in even the simplest details.

Known as much for her provocative self-portraits and unflinching introspection as for her fierce pride in Mexican heritage, Frida was a revolutionary force in the art world and beyond. Her personal style was rooted in traditional dress, adorned with symbolism, and reflective of her love for folk art and elevating pre-Columbian heritage.

LaFrida honors this spirit not just in name but in every piece of decoration. The restaurant is a living gallery that draws from Kahlo’s vibrant palette and her personal take on femininity, culture, and the importance of defining your own identity. From its ambiance-setting entrance, anchored by giant heart-shaped candles, LaFrida immerses diners in an atmosphere that is as rich and layered as every course.

Every corner of the restaurant tells a story. Gracing LaFrida’s central tables and alcoves are beautifully dressed calaveras Catrinas, skeleton figurines most often seen during Día de los Muertos celebrations across Mexico. These joyful tributes to the ancestors offer a playful nod to the nature of life and the enduring human spirit.

Typically crafted from clay or papier-mâché and painted in theatrical hues, these calaveras represent a Mexican artistic tradition that dates back centuries. At LaFrida, they lend the dining room a sense of historic reverence and cheeky whimsy, reflecting the same themes of duality—life and death, beauty and pain—that permeated much of Kahlo’s work.

Along the back walls, diners are treated to modern versions of what was among the most arresting features of Kahlo’s persona. At LaFrida, several traditional Tehuana dresses are prominently displayed against cobalt blue backdrops, a nod to her childhood home and present-day Mexico City museum: La Casa Azul. This ensemble, native to the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in Oaxaca, is known for its richly embroidered floral patterns, velvet bodices, and lace skirts.

Frida Kahlo frequently wore Tehuana dresses, adopting the look not only as a nod to her maternal heritage but as a visual statement of feminist and cultural pride. At LaFrida, the dresses on display are handmade by regional artisans and serve as powerful symbols of the artistic expertise that is passed from one generation to the next and the bold strength, color, and cultural depth Kahlo championed.

From the ceiling and near the dresses hang blown-glass hearts that glisten like sacred relics. At first glance, they seem purely decorative, but these too are deeply meaningful. Each glass heart at LaFrida is made from recycled materials, repurposing the restaurant’s empty bottles into luminous symbols of love and transformation. More than just repurposed glass, these pieces serve as gentle reminders of what it means to reimagine what’s been left behind.

Before you even take your seat at the restaurant, you’re greeted by a towering heart-shaped candelabra glowing with dozens of wax-dripped candles. This display, set atop a carved pedestal, serves as both altar and invitation. Its soft flicker marks the beginning of your experience and creates an atmosphere of intimacy and artistry, perfect for a romantic date or a special celebration. The melted wax cascading over the sculpted base captures the ephemeral beauty of a night well spent: warm and fleeting but etched into memory.

The paintings at LaFrida saturate the space with her spirit. Portraits of her color the restaurant’s walls, in the largest one, she is flanked by other Mexican women wearing traditional Tehuana dresses. A mirrored frame flickers with butterflies and light, transforming one iconic image into a glowing tribute. Together, these pieces invite guests to dine in dialogue with the artist and her enduring message. The paintings may not be Kahlo originals, but they are reverent, deeply felt interpretations that celebrate her legacy.

Together, these visual elements form a rich tapestry that reflects the restaurant’s culinary mission: to elevate traditional Mexican flavors with modern sophistication and layered emotion.

In this space, stories are conveyed in every bite and with every thread in fabric, glow of firelight, and gleaming glass. Every detail—from hand-embroidered hem to melted candle wax—invites you to feel, reflect, and savor every second you are there.

Book your Sunset Beach getaway and experience the magic at LaFrida for yourself.