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Published by Nadia Pearl

January 4, 2019 · 5 min read

Best Rooftop Bars & Terrace Restaurants in Melbourne

There’s nothing quite like the vibe of rooftop dining. Customers are gladly swept up in the magic combination of amazing skyline views and vibrant ambience.

Because who doesn’t love sun-kissed patios and breezy high-rise terraces? It makes for good times in even better settings, and thankfully rooftop bars in Melbourne are in abundance. What’s more, the city is also home to rooftop restaurants churning out truly gourmet food, from humble pub classics to sophisticated Mediterranean cuisine.

A sneak peek of the Melbourne skyline from Red Hummingbird Rooftop Bar. Source: Quandoo

If you’re after beers in the afternoon sun, cocktails for sunset drinks or dinner amongst the city lights, our list will have you sorted. We’ve found the top terrace restaurants and best rooftop bars Melbourne has to offer. Literally rising to the top of Melbourne’s dining scene, check out these spots for a memorable outing with mates, family or significant others.

Best Rooftop Bars in Melbourne

Rooftop Bar

First on the list, the legendary Rooftop Bar. This place has all the ingredients for a perfect rooftop recipe – views of the CBD skyline, sun-soaked terrace, craft beer and signature cocktails. But probably the greatest feature is that come summer time, Rooftop Bar is home to an atmospheric outdoor cinema.

Located seven storeys up the historical Curtin House on Swanston Street, the bustling bar has a superb drinks list to match the gastronomical energy of the entire building. You can order food from the Rooftop Burger Shack or instead book a table at a Curtin House restaurant before or after rooftop drinks. Cookie, The Toff in Town and Mesa Verde are three of Melbourne’s leading restaurants and all conveniently located below Rooftop Bar.

Open Monday to Sunday, 12pm – 1am. Located at Level 7, Curtin House, 252 Swanston Street, CBD, Melbourne 3000.

Goldilocks

If crowds at the Rooftop Bar are too much (highly likely due to its huge popularity), why not check out their playful next door neighbour Goldilocks? Also located on Swanston Street, this hidden bar is perched above a Chinese restaurant in the Denyers Building.

With a rotating drinks menu and expert mixologists behind the bar, you can sip on boutique cocktails or hoppy craft beers while taking in the breathless view of Melbourne’s city centre. The Asian bar snacks like steamed dumplings are a welcome addition.

Open Monday to Sunday, 2pm – 1am. Located at Level 4, Denyers Building, 264 Swanston Street, CBD, Melbourne 3000.

Rooftop at QT

Put simply, Rooftop at QT is about sophistication and class. Situated on the 11th story of the boutique QT Melbourne hotel, this glamorous bar has views to kill and serves crisp cocktails that are mixed and poured with true expertise. Thanks to their weatherproof retractable awning and sizeable indoor area, the Rooftop at QT is perfect all year round.

But with such a polished atmosphere, dress code is consequently enforced. We recommend looking sharp when visiting, as the importance of fashion comes only second to cocktails at this cosmopolitan bar.

Open Monday to Wednesday, 3pm – late; Thursday & Friday, 12pm – late; Saturday & Sunday, 1pm – late. Located at Level 11, QT Melbourne, 133 Russell Street, CBD, Melbourne 3000.

Heroes

Rooftop bar, Asian hawker eatery and karaoke venue all rolled into one, Heroes on Bourke Street is a vibrant place with an unmistakable fun energy. Opened by the team behind Fancy Hanks and Good Heavens – another rooftop bar – the venue is spread over three floors above Nitro Lab. It’s safe to conclude, the rooftop bar serves as the ultimate cherry on top.

Suitable all year round, the bar oozes style with casual vibes, creative cocktails, and Singaporean and Malaysian street food. FYI, you can even visit the rooftop on Sundays and enjoy a yum cha bottomless brunch (see here for more bottomless brunch spots in Melbourne).

Open Wednesday & Thursday, 4pm – late; Friday to Sunday, 12pm – late. Located at 188 Bourke Street, CBD, Melbourne 3000.

Siglo

With crisp white tablecloths and Parisian wicker furniture, Siglo bar is an European-style and open-air terrace of classy elegance. Further to theme, patrons are invited to enjoy attentive table service and take in the gorgeous view over Parliament House, St Patrick’s Cathedral and Princess Theatre. The premium drinks list is of the highest quality, so sit back and savour your chosen Italian aperitif, flute of champagne, peaty single malt or Cuban cigar in style.

Open Monday to Sunday, 5pm – 3am. Located at 2/161 Spring Street, CBD, Melbourne 3000.

The Red Hummingbird

A sublime rooftop hangout with an unpretentious atmosphere, The Red Hummingbird serves as a friendly oasis in the CBD. Punters can feast on delicious Japanese snacks – think gyoza dumplings, karaage chicken, prawn tempura and takoyaki octopus balls – and wash them down with tap beer, wines and signature cocktail jugs of sangria and mojitos.

With such a stellar combination going on, it’s little wonder these guys get busy. So we recommend booking ahead of time to guarantee a table, ensuring you enjoy that classic rooftop view.

Open Monday to Sunday, 2pm – late. Located at 246 Russell Street, CBD, Melbourne 3000.

Madame Brussels

Likely the most quirky and tongue-in-cheek establishment on our list, Madame Brussels is a garden party-themed rooftop terrace with a playful approach. For a rather fancy outing full of character and charm, visit this Bourke Street venue and indulge.

They do scandalous cocktail jugs, delectable tea party nibbles like charcuterie and cheese platters, and rich raspberry cupcakes. With staff dressed in tennis whites and a space decked out with pink hues, white picket fences and garden furniture, Madame Brussels comes together as a memorable rooftop experience like no other in Melbourne.

Open Monday to Sunday, 12pm – 1am. Located at 59 Bourke Street, CBD, Melbourne 3000.

Sagra

With a beautifully designed space and upmarket approach, Sagra’s rooftop bar is a lush place for an Italian aperitivo. Gather with family or friends and take in the view over suburban Melbourne – all while enjoying antipasti alongside spritzes, negronis, prosecco, robust red wines and more.

If you’re planning a whole evening out, we recommend coinciding your rooftop drinks with a booking at Sagra’s restaurant. That way, one can savour both rooftop drinks and seasonal Italian cuisine of the highest quality.

Open Monday & Tuesday, 5pm – late; Wednesday to Sunday 12pm – late. Located at 256 Glenferrie Road, Malvern, Melbourne 3144.

Best Rooftop Restaurants in Melbourne

Naked In The Sky

Naked For Satan (Upstairs) is a fifth-floor rooftop bar and restaurant with a panoramic view of Melbourne. This means it’s the perfect spot to bask in the sun, sip on expertly-curated drinks and eat your way through a Spanish-inspired menu. The tapas selection ranges from 18-month aged Serrano jamon and baked Hervey Bay scallops, to beef tartare with anchovy and pumpkin ravioli with goats curd.

The extensive drinks list, meanwhile, really shines with an impressive spirits collection of house-infused vodkas, premium gins and more. For both food and drink, Naked In The Sky is undoubtedly one of Melbourne’s favourite rooftop dining establishments.

Open Monday to Sunday, 12pm – late. Located at 285 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne 3065.

Melina on the Rooftop

Located on top of The Greek Centre, Melina on the Rooftop has sweeping views over Melbourne from its 13th-storey dining room. What’s also worth mentioning, is that diners can enjoy the authentic Greek food and stunning views any time of the day.

Open from breakfast until late, customers are welcomed to savour Mediterranean brunch, antipasto lunch or a mezze spread of grilled meat and seafood for dinner. Their drinks list is also worthy of a mention, with quality cocktails, wines and spirits available.

Open Monday to Friday, 7am – 11pm; Saturday, 9am – 1am; Sunday, 11am – 11pm. Located at 168 Lonsdale Street, CBD, Melbourne 3000.

The Imperial Hotel

One of the city’s oldest pubs, The Imperial Hotel rooftop venue is a friendly mix of sports bar, beer garden and restaurant combined into one. For that reason, this casual and spacious waterhole in the CBD is ever-popular with the Melbourne crowds.

With a primetime view of Parliament House in one direction and the Melbourne skyline in the other, it really is the perfect place to unwind over a cold one and hearty pub food. Australian burgers, pizzas and moreish sharing plates all feature alongside an extensive drinks list.

Open Monday to Sunday, 11am – late__2-8 Bourke Street, CBD, Melbourne 3000

The Local Taphouse

The Local Taphouse is just as their name suggests, a friendly neighbourhood tavern for St Kilda locals. Specialising in craft beer and cider, The Local have 20 rotating varieties on tap and a curated bottle list. Their quality drinks list is further strengthened by a healthy addition of craft spirits and selected wines.

But The Local is more than a bar, also faring as one of Melbourne’s leading gastro pubs. Except to see dishes like roasted eggplant with apricots and pine nut stuffing, braised veal shank with saffron risoni and grilled barramundi with rock and fennel salad. The fact that they house a rooftop packed all year long is just a bonus.

Open Monday to Sunday, 12pm – late. Located at 184 Carlisle Street, St Kilda East, Melbourne 3183.

Bomba

Bomba is a two-level venue housing a Spanish tapas restaurant and ambient rooftop bar. The passionate team behind Bomba are dedicated to bringing the taste and vibrance of Spain’s dining out scene to the heart of Melbourne.

For the full menu of flavoursome and seasonal tapas, patrons can dine in the ground floor restaurant. But we recommend checking out the rooftop bar with its amazing views and a thirst-quenching, sophisticated drinks list. The rooftop kitchen whips up delicious tapas of the same magnitude as the restaurant. Be sure to try the likes of Catalan toasties, Spanish cured meats, patatas bravas and gambas al ajillo prawns.

Open Monday to Sunday, 12pm – 3pm and 5pm – 12am. Located at 103 Lonsdale Street, CBD, Melbourne 3000.

The Provincial

This laidback bar and eatery is about bringing people together, whether it’s for after-work drinks or weekend party celebrations. That The Provincial happens to be on a sun-kissed rooftop in Fitzroy makes it that much better.

Amongst the relaxing atmosphere and casual decor, you’ll find a menu of finger-licking tasty food like burgers, hotdogs and pizzas; the type of food that’s perfectly washed down with tap beer, classic cocktails and refreshing glasses of sparkling, white or rosé wine. Bottomless brunch on the weekend is also available.

Open Monday to Friday, 12pm – late; Saturday & Sunday, 11am – late. Located at 99 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne 3065.

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