Melrose Restaurant & Rooftop Bar

Melrose Restaurant & Rooftop Bar brings contemporary Pan-Asian dining to Oxford Street in Bulimba, with a menu built around sharing. The kitchen combines local produce with Southeast Asian techniques, moving from small plates and seafood to substantial charcoal-grilled and wok-fried dishes. The approach suits a relaxed meal with friends, a long lunch or an occasion where everyone can try something different, with cocktails and a curated wine list designed to accompany the food.

The menu includes familiar formats with a distinctive Melrose take. Its signature bao range features pumpkin, crispy duck, chicken and soft-shell crab, while the sharing dishes include charcoal-grilled octopus, hamachi kingfish ‘kinilaw’, beef marrow rendang and barramundi in banana leaf. There are also plant-based choices such as roasted pumpkin green curry and wok-fried sticky eggplant. For something more substantial, the charcoal-grilled pure wagyu rump cap is served with two signature sauces, while desserts include ube bombe Alaska, miso chocolate tart and sticky jackfruit pudding. Diners can also leave the selection to the kitchen through the chef-curated shared menu, with dietary requirements invited in advance.

Set upstairs at 37 Oxford Street, Melrose is described as a rooftop sanctuary with skyline views, stylish yet inviting décor and a lively setting that works for both casual catch-ups and special celebrations. The venue’s events reinforce that versatility: Tuesday’s shared set menu is aimed at date nights, Wednesday combines wine and a main with a complimentary chef’s share plate, and weekend offerings include sunset platters and a Sunday bao-and-drink deal. The bar area also hosts a laid-back music session on the last Sunday of each month, according to the listed programme.

Melrose is owner-directed by Anna Pholaket, whose connection with hospitality began through family markets and a Thai restaurant in Wellington. After 15 years in Brisbane’s private banking sector, she returned to food with the aim of creating a place centred on connection and celebration. Her Cambodian-Thai family background informs the venue’s hospitality story, while the team’s focus is on warm, consistent service. In Bulimba, it is a considered option for couples, groups and diners marking a special occasion, with shared food and an open, social style at its centre.