With vines draping from sturdy concrete support pillars, an abundance of lush ferns shielding seats from view and the sounds of jungle wildlife piped in via speaker, Fish Lane’s Town Square feels less like a brand-new drinking and dining hub and more like an overgrown hidden temple – one with a glowing treasure sitting at its heart. This Richards and Spence-designed urban green space is home to Kiki, a brand-new Asian-inspired coffee, cocktail and snack kiosk operated by the group behind beloved Burleigh restaurant Rick Shores and incoming Fish Lane addition Southside. Although originally approached by Aria Property Group with the invitation to open a multi-level restaurant as part of the laneway’s latest stage of development, the prospect of also securing the neighbouring kiosk tenancy struck the Southside team as a logical move. Kiki – described as Southside’s playful sibling – looks to offset the restaurant’s refined aesthetic with a service model and personality predicated on casual fun, approachable appeal and flexible service. The winsome brick rotunda sits directly underneath the rail bridge, surrounded by greenery, a collection of timber seats and a number of recycled-concrete tables (wrought by Five Mile Radius out of waste materials from Southside’s build) with enough room to accomodate 50 seated patrons and 80 standing. Kiki operates from morning until evening, perfectly positioned to capture commuter foot traffic that utilises Fish Lane as a transitional thoroughfare.

Much like Southside, Rick Shores and sorely missed Little Valley, Kiki is an extension of the hospitality group’s spirited explorations into Asian-inspired flavours. The kiosk’s identity takes inspirational cues from the laid-back beach bars common in Southeast Asian countries, meaning its offering is perfectly suited to easygoing afternoon snacks, pre-dinner sips and perky grab-and-go pitstops in the morning. Those that are passing through on the way to work can swing by Kiki and grab a coffee (beans are provided by Bellissimo – with white, black and rotating blends available daily), a revivifying juice (the Phuket Passion is loaded with orange, apple, pineapple, beetroot and ginger – labelled by the team as a tropical hangover cure), pastries from powerhouse patisserie Chouquette or an indulgent doughnut from Doughluxe before facing the day. The core of Kiki’s culinary component is the humble banh mi, which has been given a bougie riff by Southside’s kitchen team. Three kinds are available throughout the day, starting with the breakfast baguette (stuffed with Laos sausage, egg and Viet salad) before moving to the lunch baguette (cured pork, paté and Viet salad) and the vege baguette (grilled eggplant, garlic and salad). As the sun starts to set, Kiki’s boozy beverage list – which spotlights quaffable sips best suited for balmy days – comes into play. A tight selection of cocktails foregrounds familiar concoctions with some tantalising tropical twists, from the Fong Fuego (a spicy mix of blanco tequila, watermelon and Szechuan chilli) to Kiki’s take on a Tommy’s margarita, which boasts a punchy pairing of pineapple and mezcal. While Southside’s wine list favours classic expressions, Kiki’s selection is loaded with natural wines – think smashable and juicy drops like Delinquente Wine Co’s Pretty Boy rosé and Continental Platter’s Pink Lightning bubbles, available by the bottle and glass. The beer selection features popular Asian lagers from 333, Singha and Bia Hanoi, served alongside tins of XXXX Gold, Balter XPA, an IPA from Range Brewing, Ray’s peach hard seltzer and Brookvale Union’s ginger beer.

Kiki officially opens to the public on Friday December 4. Head to the Stumble Guide to find the venue’s operating hours and other important details.