A LOOK INSIDE LUA
Welcome to LUA - where fire meets water.
LUA Restaurant is the latest addition by Doltone Hospitality Group, brought to life in collaboration with renowned chef Luke Nguyen. In Vietnamese, ‘Lua’ means fire, a fitting name for a venue built around the intensity, theatre and warmth of open-flame cooking.
The menu is a bold celebration of Asian fire-kissed cuisine, anchored by sustainable Australian seafood and elevated by the drama of an open kitchen, all set against the sweeping backdrop of Blackwattle Bay. Keep reading to explore the detail behind this beautiful restaurant.
Back of House: An area built for high-performance and volume
Behind the scenes, the preparation kitchen is designed to support a high-volume, high-performance operation. The space incorporates cold rooms, ice-making facilities, wash-up zones and dedicated food preparation areas.
Multiple specialised cooking stations including wok, steaming, grill, frying and ovens, carefully integrated to support the diverse nature of the menu (34 dishes in total!) Every element has been designed to optimise workflow, safety and efficiency.
Front of House: Fire at the centre
At the heart of LUA sits the open kitchen, a defining feature of the venue (and our favourite part!)
A custom Super White Dolomite marble bar anchors the space, complemented by a fully bespoke solid fuel open fire pit. This centrepiece required the design and installation of a custom exhaust system and decorative hood, balancing visual impact with stringent performance requirements.
The theatre continues with a live fish tank and a cold seafood display, reinforcing the venue’s connection to fresh, locally sourced produce from the Fish Market itself. Overhead, custom (hand)made Balinese light fittings introduce warmth and texture, softening the industrial precision of the kitchen below.
The Drinks Bar: It’s all about the details
The drinks bar brings together a refined material palette and functional design. A custom marble bar combines the Super White Dolomite with Esmerelda Green stone, creating a striking focal point. Behind the bar, a solid American Oak display frames the space, housing fridges, liquor and a dedicated coffee station, all seamlessly integrated to support a dynamic service environment.
Internal Dining Room: Texture, light and the right choice of furniture
The internal dining area is the “wow factor” room and showcases layered detailing.
An Italian terrazzo tiled floor grounds the space, combined with 45 custom-made illuminated ceiling panels that draw inspiration from the architecture of the fish market roof itself.
A standout feature is the installation of 520 bespoke breezeway tiles, handcrafted in Vietnam using traditional techniques. Each tile has been individually suspended from a full-height structural wall using custom-designed brackets, with over 2,100 individual elements precisely installed to form a striking architectural statement.
Custom banquet seating, dining tables and waiter stations complete the space, bringing a sense of cohesion, refinement and comfort.
External Dining: A seamless extension of the indoor room
The dining area extends the experience into the open air with a beautiful view over Blackwattle Bay and the Anzac Bridge. Custom-made banquet seating and dining tables are paired with large, dark green umbrellas. On the other side of the venue, picnic-style settings and authentic Southeast Asian umbrellas create a more relaxed, yet fine dining environment.
Services and Automation: Precision behind the scenes
Supporting the entire venue is a comprehensive suite of services and automation systems. Mechanical kitchen exhaust systems, misting units and ESP filtration systems ensure optimal performance and comfort. Air conditioning and heating systems have been carefully balanced throughout the space.
Hydraulic services including gas, water and waste are seamlessly integrated, alongside full fire services, both wet and dry.
Electrical, communications, CCTV, and lighting systems have been meticulously delivered, with DALI programmed lighting enabling scene changes throughout the day while maintaining energy efficiency.
This project marks another successful collaboration with our valued client Doltone Hospitality Group, reflecting a shared commitment to quality, innovation and the creation of a space that leaves a lasting impression.