Top, Best & Fun Rooftop Bars in The Phoenix

"Back in the day, a visit to Sydney wasn't complete without a visit to the family-friendly nooks and picture-perfect crannies of the Grounds. You'd know it was a long wait to get in, but it was an honour you'd queue for. While the brand of prettily plated café fare popularised by places like the Grounds has filtered out to eateries around the city, it's still a lovely spot to wander around, pet the pigs and grab a fresh brewed takeaway coffee to sit in the sun with."

"This cafe is constantly rated one of Sydney’s best for a very good reason. The Grounds of Alexandra is a cornucopia of whimsical delights. From the farm animals (meeting the famous pig, “Kevin Bacon” is a must) to the play area, fountain and rambling paths leading through gardens and lanes bursting with flowers, statues and tiny creative details, the external grounds at The Grounds is, in itself, worth a visit alone."

"One of the best Italian restaurants in Sydney is offering up a whole heap of their menu highlights for pre-order and pickup, much to the fortune of Potts Point locals, and much to the envy of everyone else. And yes, that includes their mind-blowing pasta scampi, as well as their fried calamari, and even the pretzel with whipped roe from sister restaurant 10 William St. order.hungryhungry.com"

"Great wine, delicious food and genuine service is all rolled into one at Fratelli Paradiso, a friendly One-Hat restaurant in Potts Point. Although not as swanky as other restaurants on the list, the hospitality here makes you feel right at home. Match that with a seasonal gourmet menu and you’ve certainly got one charming, laid back eatery worth visiting."

"Café Sydney’s rooftop position, chic interiors and sweeping harbour views make this an essential dining spot, especially during Vivid. Unlike the other venues, Café Sydney sits atop the popular Vivid projection at heritage-listed Customs House, so diners are right at the heart of the action. Book a seat on the balcony so you can enjoy the sunset and watch the lights turn on."

"Don’t be fooled by the boring name—Cafe Sydney is anything but, this is the place to go to for a bite of local cuisine, boasting some of the best food in the city. They’re famous for their sweets, so make sure to leave some room for dessert. Laid-Back Fine Dining"

"What makes it special: You get to experience absinthe in the charmingly professional way it was intended to with their nonpareil fountain equipment and the thrill of a new and lucid experience!. Regardless of whether absinthe is a mythical drink you’ve yet to encounter, or a good old friend you frequently venture with, the experts at The Absinthe Salon will treat you just right!. The one of a kind experience begins from their fancy yet skilfully engineered fountain filled."

"The Absinthesalon is an intimate little establishment that’s ideal for taking a trip back to la belle époque. This bar features 30 varieties of French and Swiss absinthe. The intoxicating green liquid is prepared in the traditional fashion, with ice cold water dripping gently over a sugar cube in your glass."

"This distillery is definitely one of the most award-winning ones in the region. In fact, it was named as the World’s Best Distillery Experience by the Barleycorn awards. It is also part of the Top Three Distilleries in the World, as recognized by the Global Distillery Masters in London."

"274 Old Northern Rd, 2154, Castle Hill (NSW). 7.3 / 10 468 reviews"

"But all that thigh-burning just primes you for the reveal: swing open the door at the top and there you are, in a lushly planted oasis in the Sydney skyline. A smiling bartender hands you a VB throw-down while you flip through the menu. It might only be a quarter past six down on street level, but up here, it is always time to take it easy."

"If cocktails and charcuterie are the name of your date night game, then Old Mate's Place should be on your radar. The romantic Sydney CBD bar and restaurant offers artisanal sips and local fare by the bucketload, with a gorgeous outdoor terrace for those gushy sunset moments."

"One of Sydney's best secret bars also happens to house one of its best terraces. Head to Old Mate's Place for sun tanning in the warmer months, where lush foliage and tall buildings act as a backdrop, while you make your way through the menu of potent cocktails."

"Decked out in hanging foliage, a chic muted colour scheme and a dedicated cocktail bar, Elm Rooftop is a hidden gem on the top floor of The Taphouse. With views of Darlinghurst's Centennial Park, this place is a must for alfresco drinks and pub-style snacks."

"Lovely Watsons Bay, east of the city centre and north of Bondi, was once a small fishing village, as evidenced by the heritage cottages that pepper the suburb’s narrow streets (and now cost a fortune). It's a lovely day trip by ferry for an exploration of South Head and a leisurely lunch. While you’re here, tradition demands that you sit in the pub's beer garden at sunset and watch the sun dissolve behind the Harbour Bridge, jutting above Bradley’s Head."

"Established as a military base and fishing settlement in the colony's early years, Watsons Bay is a charming suburb, with a popular waterfront…"

"Since this Melbourne hotspot first opened its Surry Hills site in 2017, Chin Chin has been one of the most sought-after restaurants in Sydney. And it's not hard to see why. Whether you're here for an evening feast or one of the Yum Cha Weekends events, you can expect gorgeous interiors and a menu of Asian bites, including prawn har gau and stir-fried lobster tails."

"Housed inside a heritage-listed building, and serving some of the finest Southeast Asian plates around, Chin Chin boasts the wow-factor, and then some. This popular spot is best-known for it's Yum Cha boozy lunch, which takes place every weekend and includes dumplings, prawn toast and custard buns washed down with bottomless cocktails."

"Zesty stir fry and spicy curries are what Chin Chin does best. Feast on their herby pad seuw with braised beef or opt for a green curry of chicken and apple. Currently, they offer takeout and are working toward a limited delivery service."