Dinner at Strato Melbourne
Strato Melbourne boasts spectacular views atop the Oakwood Premier Melbourne, some 40 floors high, with stunning dishes to match the views. We were invited (David and Zoe) to experience the new menu and dining experience at Strato Melbourne.
Cocktails to start our dining journey.
This was a luxe but approachable offering and we were blessed to experience the $129 pp "leave it to us" menu, in our opinion a quality and value offering. One of the most impressive aspects of Strato is the service; the service we received in the bar and restaurant was impeccable.
Located in the foodie capital of Australia atop the 40th floor of the opulent Oakwood Premier Melbourne hotel, sits Strato Melbourne. This sky-high venue opened its doors in July 2022 and boasts glamorous furnishings, a decadent restaurant, elegant lounges to enjoy classic wines and cocktails and multiple exclusive VIP function spaces.
In addition to its extraordinary views reaching far over Port Phillip Bay, across the Yarra River, CBD skyline and beyond, Strato Melbourne provides guests with an all-encompassed, quintessential Melbournian experience.
We felt that Strato celebrates local produce well and offers diners an exceptional experience. We enjoyed Blackmans Bay Oysters, Grilled Artisan Bread with whipped olive butter, Burrato & Tomato Medley, Cured Kingfish, Duck Breast with cauliflower and coconut purée and blackberry jus, Salmon with a miso glaze and shiitake mushrooms, and sides of Frites with a delectable truffle salt and garlic aioli and Char-grilled Asparagus.
Dessert also impressed with Coconut Panna Cotta and my favorite the Valrhona Chocolate Mousse. The wine list is strong and I enjoyed Henschke Keyneton Euphonium by the glass.
Arriving at 202 Normanby Street in Southbank, guests make their way up to Strato Melbourne on the 40th floor via a private entry (after touching base with reception) located in the stunning lobby of Oakwood Premier Melbourne.
To the left of the foyer is the main bar lounge, hosting up to 70 people and to the right sits the restaurant. Above both areas sits Level 41, an exclusive dining space dedicated to supporting special occasions, private functions and V.I.Ps who need their own bar and privacy with a view.
The bar area boasts a 16-metre stone bar with an illuminated glass brick frame inside and also has an alfresco terrace, perfect for warmer nights, resembling the famous rooftops in New York City. With 7-metre tall glass windows, guests will enjoy views of the city skyline whilst enjoying appetisers, seasonal cocktails, wines and locally crafted beers.
The restaurant is romantically modern, seating up to 100 guests and has its own private bar made from a stone benchtop and a filtered glass bottom that is subtly lit. Guests can choose between booth or table seating while enjoying incredible views of Port Phillip Bay. We enjoyed the table seating aesthetic.
On the north side of the venue, between the bar lounge and the restaurant is an additional V.I.P. private dining room. Guests can choose between tallboy furniture for a stand-up event or request a long table for a sit-down dinner to host their function. Sheer curtain drapes allow guests some privacy during their function, and if not in use, this space opens up more room within the bar area.
“Strato Melbourne is a must for anyone who is looking for an authentic Melbourne dining experience,” says Christian Sujer, General Manager. “Our vision for this venue has been to show off our amazing city in all its glory. You can expect great food, a creative drinks list and a front-row seat to an undeniably spectacular city skyline."
Since launching, Strato has produced a bucket list venue that’s perfect for people visiting Melbourne, for those celebrating special occasions and also somewhere that’s a go-to for work professionals entertaining clients or clocking off for the day.
Strato’s menu is best described as contemporary modern Australian, boasting locally sourced, Victorian ingredients from places like King Island and Mount Zero and native Australian, seasonal produce. The menu will change to reflect the seasonal produce best available at the time, keeping regulars interested and giving international travellers a glimpse into an organic Melbourne culinary experience.
Complementing the food, Charlie Ainsbury and his team of cocktail evangelists at Proof and Co. have developed a heavenly drinks menu. Blurring the lines between the old world and new world luxury, guests can enjoy classic Negronis and Martinis or venture for something more bitter-sweet and refreshing like a Grand Clover with Aperol, wild strawberry, Grand Marnier, berry puree and foam or a Moondance which is made up of French vodka, white crème de cacao and smoked passionfruit.
“The pantry at Strato Melbourne is plentiful to say the very least,” said Charlie Ainsbury. “We are exploring things like spices, rare botanicals and grains as well as rare liqueurs and spirits. One of the things we’re most excited about here is our collection of rare and old bottlings. Over time, well-loved spirits have become discontinued and distilleries might have shut up shop or changed the recipe. We’re in the process of sourcing these rare bottlings to feature on our spirits menu at Strato Melbourne.
The wine and beer offered at Strato Melbourne is a natural extension of the restaurant menu offering, boasting a wide array of incredible by-the-glass options and different-sized pours available. Both local and international products are available catering for all tastes. Highly recommended.