Introducing Layla by Shane Delia – Brisbane’s newest hotspot opens with a bang
Layla is OPEN! An exciting new chapter in Brisbane’s culinary story is underway with celebrated chef Shane Delia wowing guests on opening night of his new restaurant Layla.
“There is a real buzz in Brisbane; I can feel it and I’m excited,” Shane told the assembled crowd at the Thomas Dixon Centre. “I’m honoured to open Layla as my first venture in a city that is continually showing ambition as a vibrant new culinary destination in Australia.”
More than 250 guests got a first taste of the share-style menu that is bursting in flavour while also sampling some of sommelier Darcy Curnow’s finest from a 150-bottle wine list.
The grand opening of premium restaurant Layla is another milestone in the transformation of the Thomas Dixon Centre in Brisbane’s emerging cultural hub of West End. VenuesLive is hospitality partner of the Thomas Dixon Centre, the home of Queensland Ballet.
A new all-day café called Tom’s Kitchen has opened near the venue entrance while the Centre’s stunning spaces are being brought to life as venues for a variety of private and corporate events, featuring a menu inspired by Shane Delia and Layla restaurant.
Put Layla on your must-experience list for Brisbane. It’s a stunner!
📌 Layla, by Shane Delia
Thomas Dixon Centre
Corner Montague Road & Raven Street, West End, Brisbane.
Opening Hours: Tues-Wed from 5:30pm; Thurs to Sun
from 12noon.
Bookings ➡️ www.laylabrisbane.com.au
Layla offers an aromatic feast for the senses, championing local Queensland produce and drawing inspiration from a diverse array of exotic subcontinent and Middle Eastern influences.
Shane Delia’s passion for delivering exceptional culinary experiences and bold Middle Eastern flavours has established his flagship restaurant Maha as a mainstay of Melbourne’s dining scene for the past 17 years, and extends to his other beloved Melbourne venues Maha North, Maha East, and Jayda.
Layla is an extension of the artistic excellence celebrated at the Thomas Dixon Centre. Accessed from the corner of Montague Road and Raven Street in West End, the restaurant is housed within the historical, heritage-listed section of the building, and can also be entered via a spiral staircase or lift from the ground floor of the Centre.
Melbourne-based architecture firm Studio Y has led the design of Layla, harmoniously connecting a dimly lit moody restaurant interior and a bright, sunlit, adjoining outdoor courtyard. In the main dining room, exposed brick walls connect to the history of the original building dating back to 1908, alongside luxurious, tactile materials in blue velvet upholstery, walnut timber, blue terrazzo floors and brass accents. A softer palette outdoors complements the open-air terrace in the form of natural beige umbrellas and stone topped tables surrounded by lush greenery.
Leading the Layla kitchen is Head Chef Simon Palmer (Black Hide by Gambaro, Urbane, Gerard’s Bistro, E’cco Bistro), who has collaborated closely with Delia and his team on an immersive spice-forward menu celebrating a diverse mix of international influences. “It has been amazing working alongside Shane, learning from him and his unique approach to spice, and coming up with what we believe is a new offering to Brisbane’s dining scene,” says Simon.
“There’s so much incredible produce in Queensland that you can’t get anywhere else in the world, it’s been a lot of fun experimenting with ingredients that I’m not typically known for – kaffir lime, ginger, lemongrass; I’m excited to test something new at Layla,” adds Shane.
Prioritising a flexible offering whether it’s for an express pre-theatre dinner, family celebration, or private event, the menu at Layla is split between an a la carte offering and two banquet menus with optional drink pairings from a ‘Feed Me Feast’ for $90pp and $80 wine pairing, or a ‘Premium Feed Me Feast’ at $135pp and $95 beverage pairing.
Complementing the share-style menu, Layla’s cocktail list is also seasonal by design, highlighting a variety of native Queensland ingredients. Sommelier Darcy Curnow (Rockpool Bar & Grill, Delia Group) has curated a considered 150-bottle wine list that features local and international varietals from small batch makers, sustainable growers and traditional winemakers.
“Brisbane’s subtropical climate played a key role in shaping our wine selection at Layla. I wanted wines that would thrive in the city’s warmth—crisp whites, vibrant rosés, and elegant, lighter-bodied reds that could be enjoyed whether you’re sitting in the sun with a seafood dish or settling into a cozy dinner in the cooler months,” says Darcy.
Textural and zippy Sauvignon Blancs from Adelaide Hills and Marlborough feature beside mineral-driven, elegant Chardonnays from Margaret River and Burgundy. A variety of skin-contact whites, rosé, and amber wines from the likes of Cullen Wines and Lucky Cat add an extra layer of intrigue. Highly drinkable reds lighter in style sit alongside structured yet food-friendly wines such as Barossa Shiraz and Cahors Malbec.
Seating 90 between the main dining room, private dining room and outdoor courtyard, Layla will be available for private events and full venue buyouts. The culinary vision for Layla will also shape the food and drink offering across the Thomas Dixon Centre’s retail arm and catering packages including for the Centre’s Kite Terrace and Bar for functions of up to 120.
“We are honoured to provide a second home to Shane and his team as his first venture in Queensland, showcasing the very best of Brisbane’s arts, culture, and now exceptional dining with the opening of Layla,” says Lisa Summer-Hayes, Director of Customer Experience at Thomas Dixon Centre.
“We’ll be exploring spice in an inventive way, but we’re not here to educate people. At the end of the day Layla is about bringing people together around the table, sharing really tasty food and memorable experiences,” adds Shane Delia.
