Rooftop dining may seem like an exclusive experience, but when you live in a city with as many high rises as ours, you know there’s no shortage of options. Brisbane boasts some pretty epic twilight city views and 20 or so stories up is undoubtedly the best place to see them from—but if you want more than just a cocktail and a snack from a rooftop bar, where do you go? A Brisbane rooftop restaurant of course.
Next time you and your crew want a meal with a sky high view, here are the best rooftop restaurants in Brisbane to head for.
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. Pisco sours, the national cocktail of Peru, are served in over 40 variations, while Japanese yuzu and saké also have a heavy presence on the bar list. 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 rooftop 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 are perfect for those cruisy, margarita-fuelled 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 Brisbane
Bask in subtropical luxe vibes at rooftop restaurant and bar. Open from breakfast until late night, The Terrace offers views that stretch well beyond the city centre from their South Brisbane position. Their chargrilled 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
Ok, there’s no view from this spot, just the gorgeous sunset skies over the open rooftop above, but in Bulimba offers up some of the best Indonesian and Thai food Brisbane has to offer. 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. Lamb khao soi curry and cured kingfish grace the menu and don’t forget dessert. 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 CBD
With a hotel history that includes star-studded visits from the likes of The Beatles and Alexander Graham Bell, this prime CBD 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.
If snacks and share plates are all you need, check out Brisbane’s best rooftop bars here.