Looking for a hidden gem Asian restaurant in South Bank, Brisbane?

Here's a tip: watch where the locals eat at lunchtime.

South Bank has no shortage of restaurants. With QPAC, the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, hotels and some of Brisbane's biggest attractions nearby, thousands of visitors pass through the precinct every day.

But among all those visitors are people who work here every day — and they've had plenty of time to work out where they actually want to eat.

That's one reason Ma Pa Me on Little Stanley Street is particularly interesting.

It isn't hidden down an alley or behind an unmarked door. In fact, it's right in the busy heart of South Bank.

It's a hidden gem that's hiding in plain sight.

If you're heading to a show at QPAC and looking for authentic Asian dining nearby, there's one extra thing that matters almost as much as the food: getting to the theatre on time.

A pre-show dinner should be part of the night, not something that has you checking your watch between every mouthful.

Located on Little Stanley Street in South Bank, Ma Pa Me is around a 10-minute walk from QPAC and specialises in modern Southeast Asian regional cooking. More importantly for theatre-goers, the restaurant is accustomed to working around show times.