Rooftop dining may seem like an exclusive experience, but when you live in Brisbane you know there’s no shortage of options. Brisbane offers some of the best twilight city views and it’s got the restaurants and bars to back it up.
If you’re struggling to choose which rooftop restaurant to try next, here are eight of the best.
Soko Rooftop
Fortitude Valley
Ascend through the canopy to in Fortitude Valley. This Amazonian influenced restaurant delivers a decadent, exotic experience brimming with style and flavour. Soko have literally elevated their menu to new heights. Pisco sour, the national cocktail of Peru, is served in over 40 flavours, and Japanese yuzu and saké have a heavy presence in the rooftop bar. Their tailor-made tasting menu fuses Japanese and Peruvian ingredients and cooking methods and pairs perfectly with the beverages and views, making it one of the best rooftop restaurants Brisbane has to offer.
MAYA
Fortitude Valley
is a true oasis in the heart of Fortitude Valley. The Mexican restaurant and bar has created a space where you feel transported as soon as you hit that top floor. Panoramic views of Brisbane provide a twinkling backdrop as the sun sets and is perfect for those cruisy, margarita-induced evenings. Their Coastal Pacific, Yucatan and Sonoran influenced menu uses fresh, local ingredients to bring together a contemporary rendition of traditional Mexican street fare. Good company is the best pairing for their dishes as well as a cocktail from their extensive bar. Mezcals, sotols and tequilas are the appropriate choice, and there’s no shortage of options. Salud!
Iris Rooftop
Fortitude Valley
A Spanish haven in the clouds, pairs a bold menu with soaring views that overlook the Brisbane City skyline. A tapas menu that includes shaved cuttlefish salad, lamb empanada and Fraser Island spanner crab bruschetta awaits, culminating in one of the most tantalising menus Brisbane has to offer. Not stopping at their restaurant being a cut above the rest, Iris have a bar filled with traditional Spanish drinks like sangria and cocktails that use some of the best imported and house made ingredients.
The Terrace
South Bank
Bask in Brisbane’s subtropical luxe at rooftop restaurant and bar. Open from breakfast until late night, The Terrace offers views that stretch as far as Moreton Island from their South Bank position. Their chargrilled restaurant menu goes perfectly with the view (what menu wouldn’t) and their inimitable bar vibes create the perfect spot for a Sunday sesh or after work drinks.
Lina Rooftop
South Brisbane
South Brisbane’s restaurant and bar is one of Brisbane’s newest and undoubtedly one of the best for sipping at soaring heights. This beach club-inspired spot is keen to make the most of Brisbane’s year-round balmy weather with their infinity pool and there’s no shortage of refreshing beverages to accompany. Their menu is a Japanese smorgasbord of sashimi, kushiyaki and sushi, ripe for consumption while being absorbed into their sunken lounges. Open for a swim most days and then for dinner and drinks as the sun sets, Lina is a must-try rooftop restaurant in Brisbane.
Melrose
Bulimba
in Bulimba seriously offers up some of the best Indonesian and Thai food Brisbane has to offer. Lamb khao soi curry and cured kingfish grace the menu and don’t forget their location. Above their sibling venue, Darvella Patisserie, Melrose’s rooftop dining is next level. Literally. A retractable roof means you dine in no matter the weather, though 90 percent of the year offers up perfect conditions for a trip here. Their cocktail bar has been designed by their mixologist to complement the flavours of their plates and with over 80 bottles of wine to choose from, you’re set. This is a must try for Brisbane rooftop dining lovers.
Hibiscus Room
Brisbane City
Previously Lennons Hotel, a boiling pot of activity including star-studded visits from the likes of The Beatles and Alexander Graham Bell, this prime Brisbane location has been reborn as . A vibrant venue with a nostalgic offering of food and drink, Hibiscus Room is Brisbane’s new go-to for cocktails, classic Aussie fare and a grand old time. The perfect weekend lounger, their rooftop infinity pool looks over Brisbane and as the sun sets is one of the best spots to finish the day. Their restaurant is filled with a delectable assortment of dishes and their bar knows what it was doing when it designed that menu. Their signature, aptly-named Hibiscus sour is the star of the show and our top pick from these guys.
Tetto
Everton Park
Inspired by the rugged cliffs, turquoise coves and pastel seaside towns of the Italian Riviera, Everton Park’s is home to all things Aperol, Amalfi and al dente. Fettuccine and gnocchi dishes are their signature and are the perfect accompaniment on their rooftop setting. The stripy umbrellas will keep the sun off you, but nothing could take away from that Brisbane view.