Southside

Entering through an urban tropical rainforest, leathered natural stone and cascading greenery put diners immediately at ease, while plush terracotta-hued banquettes and sturdy, timber-backed chairs ensure they settle in for a good time. This is Southside – a sublimely sexy, three-storey Asian eatery, inspired by the ruins of jungle temples in southeast Asia.

The lively, buzzy Fish Lane, South Brisbane restaurant – now one of city’s most popular – was originally an office building, its shell creatively transformed in collaboration with OGE Group Architects into two levels of dining with three bars and a third storey private dining room.

The ground floor moves seamlessly from outside to in with hangar-style windows that fold vertically opening onto the adjoining fern-filled courtyard. On the opposite end of the long, narrow building stands the kitchen, with its noodle preparation room addressing the street front through an expansive glass window, which allows passers-by to see the chefs in action – serving as a real-time advertisement for the restaurant.

The second storey takes on a unique subterranean vibe with heavy concrete pillars, an almost ethereal arched ceiling and a waterfall of potted plants reinforcing the jungle inspiration; while the third-level 18-seat private dining room appears to be carved from stone, its curved silhouette reminiscent of treasure-lined ancient crypts providing a secluded oasis for guests.

The commercial kitchen design features a noodle preparation room with a large viewing window that addresses the streetscape, allowing passers by to witness the culinary theatre, a real-time advertisement for the restaurant.