Hidden away upstairs along Mooloolaba’s busy esplanade, this modern pan-Asian eatery is worth seeking out.

The lively kitchen extends into a moody, oriental-themed dining space with red painted walls, decorative lacquered wood detailing, and bamboo steamers falling from the ceiling adding dramatic impact minus the kitsch.

Savvy waitstaff set the tone for a relaxed, enjoyable experience of multiple small bites executed with precision and imagination. For the unsure diner, it’s best to let the chef do the choosing with five, seven or 10-course degustation menus available, starting from $55 per person. While the decisive may choose to start with sublimely elegant Hervey Bay scallops capped with a bubble of soy and ginger-infused sabayon and caviar for a salty pop; or perhaps sous vide local Mooloolaba prawns to be wrapped in betel leafs with chilli slivers for a mouthful with kick.

Larger plates offer the likes of local snapper atop cauliflower puree with al dente green beans and a nori paste for a delightful umami hit; or achingly tender duck steeped in master stock with a citrus salad and star anise-spiked caramel.

Desserts may be a simple custard-filled doughnut or an elaborate chocolate mouthful of a plate with silken chocolate ganache, biscotti shards, white chocolate foam, daggers of cacao praline, a salty malt ice cream, blood orange segments, blood orange gel and chocolate twigs.

It’s food well matched to a generous, finely crafted drinks list spanning creative cocktails, sake, umeshu, and an international line-up of wine, beer and spirits.

Spice Bar raises the bar on mod-Asian fare that thinks outside of the box.

Must-eat dish: Scallops with sabayon
Instagram: @spicebar