Coming Soon: Luc Lac Is Queens Wharf's New Indochine-Inspired Restaurant and Bar From the Crew Behind Donna Chang

The list of ways that Brisbane's inner city will change when Queen's Wharf launches from August 2024 — and the range of new eateries opening to help — is hefty. The $3.6-billion precinct has 12 hectares to fill, after all. Don't go thinking that you've heard about all of them yet, either. Lúc Lắc is the latest restaurant and bar that's been announced for the revamped riverside stretch of the CBD, with the Ghanem Group getting in on the Queens Wharf's action.

This hospitality crew is already behind Donna Chang, Boom Boom Room, Bisou Bisou, Iris Rooftop, Byblos Bar & Restaurant and Blackbird Bar, Dining & Events in the Queensland capital — and for Lúc Lắc, it's keeping a focus on Asian cuisine, as the first two fellow venues on that roster also sport. This time, rather than Chinese or Japanese meals, Indochine-inspired cuisine will be on the menu. So, you'll be tucking into flavours from Vietnam, Thailand and Singapore, all in an 159-seat site within The Star Brisbane.

Set to open sometime in September 2024, Lúc Lắc takes its name from a dish, in fact: Bo Lúc Lắc, aka shaking beef. Brothers Adonis and Nehme Ghanem, Ghanem Group's directors, came across it on a research trip to Asia. They're aiming to make their new venture as memorable and as vibrant as they found the traditional Vietnamese staple — and as flavoursome.

Under Executive Chef Jake Nicolson, Lúc Lắc will indeed serve up its namesake, but as a peppered beef tossed with lemongrass and betel leaf. That's one of the restaurant's signature offerings, alongside spring rolls with pork and snail, baby goat yellow curry and crispy spotted blue grouper. Elsewhere on the menu, claypot curries, plenty of dishes tossed in the wok and grilled meats will feature, plus Australian produce such as Fraser Isle spanner crab, Moreton Bay bugs, King River wagyu, Skull Island prawns, scampi caviar from Western Australia, and periwinkles and abalone sourced from Victoria.

While enjoying a bite — starting with lunch and running through till late, when DJs will provide a soundtrack — patrons will peer into the open kitchen. Around diner, subtropical decor featuring floral fabrics, brass and animal prints are designed to leave an imprint. If you choose to eat indoors, you'll be in the 58-seat main area with booths. Outdoors, 46 guests can get cosy.

Made from jade onyx stone slabs, the bar sits in a space that also caters to 58 people, all beneath its rattan pendant lights. That's where Asian beers and international wines, including a riesling from the Clare Valley's Rieslingfreak made especially for Lúc Lắc, will hail from — as will cocktails crafted with Asian ingredients.

"We are thrilled to be a part of a world-class entertainment and leisure destination of the calibre of The Star and to bring another unique Ghanem Group concept to the city's dynamic dining landscape," said Nehme Ghanem.

"Our family has earned its hospitality stripes in Brisbane since 1978. With two successful Asian restaurants already in our portfolio, our love of Asian food and culture inspired us to extend these culinary credentials further. We have poured much love, meticulous detail, and incredible design into Lúc Lắc, which we are looking forward to unveiling in coming months."

Donna Chang

Boom Boom Room

Find Lúc Lắc at The Star Brisbane, Queen's Wharf Road, Brisbane from sometime in September 2024 — we'll update you with an exact opening date when it is announced. Head to the restaurant's website for more details in the interim.