Image credit: Paper Tiger
Almost six months ago, vibrant modern-Asian restaurant Paper Tiger was forced to halt service to immediate effect due to an overnight kitchen fire. Now, the restaurant is finally announcing it will reopen its doors, and a few intriguing changes are in order.
Pencil it in: Friday, 10 October will be the first dinner service for the new look Paper Tiger. After that, the restaurant will open seven days for lunch and dinner.
The first, and perhaps most exciting change, is the new hours. Upstairs, sister venue Wax Bar is pumping every weekend ’til 2am. Co-owner Karl Tang tells us that Paper Tiger will match those hours to juxtapose Wax’s energetic, dancey atmosphere with a classy, dimly-lit cocktail bar that will take over the space once dinner service concludes. It’s the perfect one-two combo and it’ll mean there’s always something on offer at 285 Rundle.
“Wax has more of an energetic style,” Karl says, “which we’ll still maintain. Downstairs at Paper Tiger, it’ll be more like a cocktail lounge.” Karl says they’re hoping to attract a new late night crowd that aren’t as likely to head to Wax on a night out. As the team has brought Paper Tiger back up to scratch, Wax has also had a few touch-ups, so be sure to check it out next time you head upstairs.
The next new addition is Chef Ben Liew’s updated menu, and my goodness it sounds decadent. Here’s what you can expect: char-rice rolls with lap cheong and prawn, Chinese sausage with garlic chives and bean sprouts, sticky lamb ribs with homemade Uyghur seasoning, pomegranate, and coriander, nem nướng Vietnamese grilled meatballs with lettuce and Asian herbs, and stir-fried sambal kang kong.
Here’s where it gets really special: Paper Tiger is also introducing four ultra-special dishes that require at least a full day’s notice. XO Hennessy Cognac Lobster Noodles with southern rock lobster, crispy egg noodles and XO Hennessy Cognac; Singapore Chilli Mud Crab with garlic chilli paste, cherry tomatoes and golden mantou; Lemongrass Pork Tomahawk with Berkshire pork, sticky fish sauce and spring onion; and Chicken Rice Clay Pot with shiitake mushrooms, jasmine rice and master chicken stock.
The restaurant has aimed to keep the interior fairly close to how it was at the beginning of 2025, spacious, elegant, and modern. The whole kitchen has had to be renovated, but the main changes elsewhere are a new set of bold red curtains, some updated flooring, and a new sign. “A little more elegant than before, I would say,” is how Karl describes it.
It’s been a long road to get to this point, and the fire hasn’t made it easy. “Unfortunately [the kitchen] was pretty damaged,” Karl said. “Not much left in usable condition.”
“We’re very fortunate that a lot of staff are coming back, so we have a great team again, the same old team,” Karl says. “It’s been a very long period and [it’s been] frustrating, but we’re also very excited.”
Whether elegant modern-Asian dining is on your radar or elevated drinks into the early hours are more your scene, the new look Paper Tiger is almost ready to make its return to Rundle Street.
Paper Tiger
Where: 285 Rundle St, Adelaide
When: Reopens for dinner 10 October
For more information, click here.
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