Bar Rochford

Bar Rochford was another Canberra fine diner recommended by a friend who’d lived in the capital for some time, and it proved a highlight of a brief long-weekend visit. The space oozes confidence and elegance: quaint stairs, a handsome timber bar, generous windows and views over London Circuit from the Melbourne Building, all setting the tone before a drink or plate even arrived. The atmosphere is matched by friendly, experienced staff who strike that rare balance of humour, fun, and professionalism. My reservation placed me at the bar, where I was well looked after from the outset with a Riverland orange wine before embarking on Bar Rochford’s flagship set menu. Dishes unfolded with clarity and restraint: chilled rockmelon and nasturtium soup lifted by strawberry gum; coppa with corbaci peppers and nectarine; duck rillettes with cumquat relish and curry leaf; and grilled sardines paired with sugarloaf cabbage, elderflower and coriander. Lighter moments followed - pel de sapo with cucumber, mint, pickled almond and ricotta salata, and a crisp cos salad with marigold, poppyseeds and green sauce - before a deeply satisfying roast lamb leg with carrot, habanero, green olive and sweet potato leaf anchored the meal. Dessert came in the form of mango and passionfruit rice pudding with mint sorbet, followed by a few well-judged after-dinner mints: a hospitality-favourite amaro, what I recall as a rye-leaning Manhattan-style cocktail, and, of course, a couple of pints of Guinness. Thanks to the team at Bar Rochford, and to my mate Matt for the recommendation. I hope to return before too long, and would readily point any visitor to the nation’s capital in their direction!

Lovely atmosphere, not too noisy especially earlier in the evening. All wine by the glass was superb and we stayed for a second round because it was so enjoyable. Oysters with Cherry Blossom Granita were tasty. Would definitely be back and will book a table next time to get a prime seat as we did a walk in today!

What a wonderful establishment with excellent staff and a fantastic selection of food and drinks and cocktails on offer. Had a few cocktails and they went down well, but the on tap Guinness was also poured to perfection. Nice view out the window, though the atmosphere inside is most enjoyable. I have heard about this place again and again! My first experience here... it lived up to everything worthwhile. Will be back! Excellent! *****

Bar Rochford is an upstairs venue with a nice vibe. It offers an extensive wine list and various cocktails, making it a pleasant spot for drinks. The bar staff were friendly. Food looked good, though we did not eat. It was full but they managed to squeeze us in. We would have preferred the Cava to be cold. But other than that, this is a great venue and we definitely recommend it.

If you're looking for an effortless blend of old school luxury with modern day ingenuity, Bar Rochford is your place. I was lucky enough to sit at the bar with my book, quickly abandoned to chat with the enchanting staff (Justin was especially lovely). Sampled wines, nibbles (potato galette is to die for, sardines are mind blowing), and cocktail (one of the best gimlets I've had the pleasure of tasting. Already looking forward to coming back on my next trip to Canberra. Thank you for a perfect evening.

A Heartfelt Farewell to Bar Rochford *** Feel free to skip out reasons for being there… but don’t skip the food review ! It was great!! Bar Rochford has been a special place for us over the past four years, marking both the start and now the end of a significant chapter in our lives. Our journey with Rochford began when we first visited Canberra for ANU Open Day, helping our daughter decide whether this would be her future place of study. After stepping into the bar for the first time, we knew—if nothing else—her university choice would give us the perfect excuse to keep coming back. Fast forward to today, and she has just graduated, making this visit likely our last for some time. ***** here is the food review bit :-> To the incredible staff and chefs at Bar Rochford, thank you for making our final night so memorable. While our past visits were often centered around many (many) expertly crafted cocktails—don’t judge!—this time, we opted for a full dining experience, and it was nothing short of exceptional. The food was simply outstanding, from the entrées to the mains. Every dish was beautifully prepared, and the creativity behind the menu was evident in every bite. Beyond the cuisine, what truly sets Rochford apart is its atmosphere—a warm, eclectic space where people from all walks of life come together over great drinks, food, and music. The cocktail craftsmanship remains unmatched, but now we can confidently say the food is just as extraordinary. Whoever is driving the vision behind this place, from the kitchen to the bar to the overall experience, deserves immense credit. Bar Rochford is more than just a bar—it’s a Canberra institution. While our regular visits may be coming to an end, we’ll certainly be looking for an excuse to return in the future. Until then, thank you for the memories.

Consistently good service, there when you need them but not overbearing. Lovely menu that always seems to be changing to keep things interesting with options to suit most. Great wine bar setting which is comfortable and interesting. Some dishes were nicer than others but flavours were generally great. I could nitpick a few things but overall a really pleasant experience every time I’ve been here.

You know when you've had a really good time at a place - when you don't want to leave. This is that place. The food and drinks were par excellence. And the service by Alba was so friendly without being too much. She is a delight. The booths are so comfy too. We're from Sydney and would consider coming back just for dinner. A wonderful experience.

Great cocktails, nice food and a low light atmosphere that's quite classy but still very comfortable. You don't get the impression it's arrogant or exclusive or trying to be anything that it isn't. Go there, you won't regret it.

Probably my favourite of the bars I checked out on my visit to Canberra. The staff were friendly and helpful and the decor is classy but relaxed. Classic wine bar vibe but my margarita was on point. Will be back to explore the wine list.

A bit pricey but well worth it for friendly, knowledgeable staff and opportunities to taste wine before choosing a glass.

I've been in ACT for one week now and Bar Rochford is by far the best, most welcoming establishment I have been to in year. Coming from the US, Nico and his crew have their service down to an art. The prices are no different than any other ACT establishment that I've been to in ACT, but the attention to detail and service are a 'bar above' (pun intended) the rest. Bar Rochford reminds me of Little Branch in NYC. Thanks for making me feel at home, when home is over 9000 miles away!

The lamb tartare is pretty good for a shared plate. You may think the beef tongue is for the bold, but once it comes out, it just looks like any shaved deli meat. Very well presented. Cheese platter is very good, albeit pricey. We were 5, and we smashed through it. The fresh sourdough was delightful. The cocktail and wine list had some variety, we weren't disappointed with the selection. Like most new and hip bars, this place was dimly lit and quite noisy; with some very well-dressed and attractive patronage. The owners have done a great job with the decoration, and intimacy created through the furnishings and ambient music. Staff forgot about us a few times, probably due to being incredibly busy.

Came here the other night with some co-workers. I hear it got voted best bar in Australia by some gourmet magazine. I liked the place, but that seems a bit much. It's a small space with an even smaller kitchen, but I was pleasantly surprised at the dishes they were pumping out. Bar food, elevated at this place. They had a range of things on the menu and all were fairly priced. We had the broccolini with smoked tahini, had the burrata with honey and some other things.... Fantastic simple dishes, but flavor profiles were just elevated. Broccolini was cooked perfectly, which with such a small thing is very difficult to nail just right. You'll have to forgive me, we had some other dishes as well, but when you're out drinking..... well, you know. Out here there seem to be a ton of lagers, pale ales, ipa's etc. They have an oatmeal stout that's on the menu and a nice respite from all the basic beers I see back home all the time. They appeal to everyone :) Our bartender was very attentive and you could tell he took pride in his job and his craft as a barman. Also, they play vinyl records here and had some gangstarr playing when we walked in. CLASSIC hip hop. Props for that one, I'll definitely be back.

Love going to Canberra and eating and dining out at some of the best places ever. Places like this wine bar is a great find. The bartender from dinner recommended it so here we are. Great wine bar Canberra!! I knew you had it in you :)

I haven't been in Canberra terribly long, but to this point, Bar Rochford makes the best drinks I have found. The atmosphere is very hipster, very Portlandia and we loved it. Only draw backs are the prices and the noise. The prices are what you would expect in NYC, Boston, London, San Francisco, etc., not Canberra. Yes, the prices are high, but they back it up with quality of service and taste. As for the noise, I'm impressed how loud it is. It can be a bit obnoxious.