Babylon Brisbane by Hogg & Lamb

Just a stone’s throw from the City Botanic Gardens on the banks of the Brisbane River, Babylon Brisbane by Hogg & Lamb transports diners through space and time with its tactile material mix recalling ancient Mesopotamia.

The restaurant sits on the traditional lands of the Turrbal and Jagera/Yaggera people and serves Levantine cuisine from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, Syria and Turkey (think smoked eggplant salad with woodfired capsicum, pomegranate and parsley or pan-fried halloumi with honey, fig jam and wild herb flowers). These rich Middle Eastern flavours and textures infused Babylon’s design brief, with the physical space proving to be just as enticing as the menu.

Curves intersect straight lines, creating views within views, like little picture windows, across each level.

Babylon is a microcosm of Mesopotamia culture. Builder Hammersmith Construction has erected arcades and colonnades, directly referencing the ancient metropolis. Materials have been chosen for their deep earthy textures; from the internal zigzagging breezeblock walls and off-white brick colonnades to the cool travertine flooring and smooth, swirling marble tabletops. Every opportunity to capitalise on depth and detail has been taken. Curves intersect straight lines, creating views within views, like little picture windows, across each level. The effect of these visually colliding structures, shapes and textures echoes the vibrancy of ancient Babylon.

Balancing out the solidity of these hero materials are warm, natural tones and softer textures. Sunlight filters through undulating swathes of fabric suspended from the ceiling. Parquetry flooring brings warmth to specific dining areas, while arches and columns are repeated outside. A view out to the river, past columns, white stucco walls and a set of stairs complete with lush plants, gives permission to pretend, for just a moment, that it’s the Mediterranean Sea beyond.

A view out to the river, past columns, white stucco walls and a set of stairs complete with lush plants, gives permission to pretend, for just a moment, that it’s the Mediterranean Sea beyond.

It is this commitment to storytelling that is Babylon’s greatest strength: a new take on an ancient time and place, with each spatial and material choice weaving a rich narrative tapestry. It makes for an exciting, immersive experience from the moment the first arched threshold is crossed, right until the last delectable bite of dessert.

Architecture and interior design by Hogg & Lamb. Build by Hammersmith Construction. Landscape by RPS Group. Engineering by BSE and Martin Cosgrove and Associates. Development by Mantle Group Hospitality. Joinery by Emtek Furniture, T&H Sheetmetal and Kitchen Workz.