Art Wine Bar to open

A new premium dining concept, Art Wine Bar & Restaurant, is set to open in Suva in the coming weeks, marking a notable addition to Fiji's evolv­ing hospitality sector.

This is the latest venture by Shakil Zoro Bhamji, founder of Habibi Hospitality Group, which owns The Coffee Hub.

Mr Bhamji said the wine bar and restau­rant would feature a carefully developed contemporary menu, supported by a cu­rated wine selection and a strong focus on service.

"The concept reflects our broader ap­proach to hospitality - combining opera­tional discipline with a focus on guest expe­rience and brand differentiation," he said.

Over the past decade, his work through Habibi Hospitality Group and The Coffee Hub has helped shape some of Fiji's well-known hospitality brands, with a focus on structured teams and consistent service standards across multiple locations.

Recruitment underway

As preparations continue, the Habibi Hos­pitality Group has begun a targeted recruit­ment drive for the new venue.

Unlike larger openings, the restaurant would operate with a deliberately small, specialised team in line with its premium positioning.

Industry sources say roles across the kitchen, front-of-house and bar are being filled through a selective process focused on experienced professionals with strong technical skills and backgrounds in high end service.

While recruitment for new venues is com­mon, the limited number of roles and the profile of the project have drawn inter­est from hospitality workers, particularly those based in Nadi, the Coral Coast and outer island resorts.

Mr Bhamji confirmed applications would be open for a short period, with final selec­tions expected before launch.

Raising the bar for urban dining

The opening is expected to strengthen Su­va's position as a growing hub for premium dining.

Industry observers note a shift in con­sumer expectations towards higher service standards, curated beverage programmes and more immersive dining experiences -trends the new concept aims to meet.

As competition increases, stakeholders will be watching how the concept influ­ences service standards and movement of skilled workers within the sector.