Annerley’s Vietnamese Icon Red Lotus begins New Chapter at Cafe O-Mai

For more than a decade, Red Lotus has been a familiar name to many locals seeking Vietnamese flavours in Annerley. Now, the Nguyen family is bringing the restaurant even closer to its sister venue, with Red Lotus relocating a few doors down to operate from the existing Cafe O-Mai site on Cracknell Road.

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The move marks the end of Red Lotus’ standalone tenancy, but not the end of the restaurant itself. According to the family’s announcement, it will be business as usual with a new and improved dinner menu once the relocation is complete. The shift allows the two long-running venues to work side by side under one roof rather than maintaining two separate shopfronts on the same street.

Cafe O-Mai will continue its daytime service, offering its well-known breakfast and lunch menu. In the evenings, the venue will transition seamlessly into Red Lotus mode, serving the restaurant’s traditional dishes from the Nguyen family’s longstanding repertoire. By bringing both operations together, the family aims to simplify staffing and kitchen logistics while keeping the experience consistent for customers.

The Nguyen family has noted that the change has been planned for some time. With both businesses only metres apart, staff previously had to prepare and transport ingredients between the two kitchens each day. Consolidating everything into one location reduces that workload and creates a more sustainable setup for the team, particularly for family matriarch Kim Nguyen, whose cooking has shaped both venues over the years.

While the move reflects operational efficiencies, it also opens the door for something new on the local dining strip. The former Red Lotus premises will eventually become available for another tenant, potentially adding more variety to the Cracknell Road pocket that has evolved into a popular food destination for Annerley and Moorooka residents.

One change diners can look forward to is the availability of Cafe O-Mai’s banh mi later in the day. The family hopes to cater to customers seeking a quick evening bite, especially those who enjoy eating outdoors. Picnic benches behind the cafe offer views stretching towards the Scenic Rim, and takeaway banh mi can be enjoyed in this quieter, leafy corner behind the building.

Red Lotus began its life in Brisbane’s Chinatown Mall before later settling into Annerley, where it developed a loyal local following. Cafe O-Mai, which opened later, has gradually become one of the suburb’s most recognisable Vietnamese eateries, known for its casual setting, colourful murals and relaxed neighbourhood feel. Bringing the two venues together is seen as a natural next step for the family as they look to streamline operations without changing what long-time customers love.

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The first Red Lotus dinner service in its new home is scheduled to begin on a Tuesday evening, with the family expecting a smooth transition for regulars. For locals who have visited both venues over the years, the change means the same flavours and faces—simply under one roof.

Published 10-December-2025