Layla

Shane Delia, the chef and restaurateur behind lauded Melbourne venues Maha and Jayda, has opened his first Queensland restaurant in the heart of West End. Layla opened in March 2025 at the Thomas Dixon Centre – housed in a heritage-listed basement space where Shane and Studio Y have crafted a luxurious yet informal dining room with a lush alfresco terrace. At Layla, Shane is not looking to replicate his past successes, instead challenging himself by working with new ingredients and embracing different environments. The menu merges Middle Eastern flavours with influences from the spice trade, blending Southern Indian, Sri Lankan, and Malaysian ingredients with Middle Eastern dishes. The share-style menu features items like Hervey Bay scallops with carrot hummus and a slow-roasted lamb shoulder with smoked eggplant. With a 150-bottle wine list curated to match Brisbane’s climate and a produce-driven cocktail menu, Layla seeks to make an exciting culinary statement.