Overview
From a rooftop glamping hotel to rumours of a rooftop bar at Tullamarine Airport, Melbourne's high spots have been getting more and more attention. The latest addition to the mix is QT Melbourne's secret rooftop garden.
Not that the space, dubbed Secret Garden, hasn't existed before now. It was established the garden a couple of years ago by Andy Harmer, executive chef of QT's Pascale Bar and Grill, who has since been using it as a source of fresh produce. Every morning, he and his team head up into the sunshine to harvest vegetables, herbs, flowers and fruit in their wonderland of natives and rare varietals. Next time you're perusing the menu, look out for fruit salad sage, karkalla, native river mint and blue lily pilly.
Now, for the first time, the garden has become open to the public — more specifically, to parties. Get together with 10–25 mates and you can have the beautiful space to yourself.
There's a couple of food-and-drink packages available. With ten people, you can partake in a long, lazy, multi-course feast made up of dishes like asparagus, truffle and stracciatella, and rose veal with almond gazpacho and secret garden radish, all with matching wine, cocktails and spirits. Meanwhile, if you're travelling with a bigger group, you can opt for a two-hour experience that gives you a private chef, private bar and handpicked selection of share plates.
Find Secret Garden at QT Melbourne, 133 Russell Street, Melbourne. More information and to make a booking, visit the hotel website.