Rombe

The rooftop of a suburban shopping centre isn’t the most obvious site for an edible garden and cafe. But that’s what makes Burwood Brickworks’ 2500-square-metre urban farm and eatery all the more special. The rooftop has views of the Dandenong Ranges, and is split into all-day eatery Rombe, events space The Glass House, and a lush garden managed by Cultivating Community.

At Rombe, there’s a strong emphasis on provenance and seasonality. Try its Indo-French Vadouvan eggs with labneh and smoked carrots, or pastrami-style cured salmon with soft-boiled egg, pickled fennel and potato rosti – both fixtures of the all-day breakfast menu. For lunch, feast on braised beef short rib and gruyere burgers or raw marinated yellowfin tuna spaghetti with fermented chilli and heirloom tomato.

Drinks also reflect the produce-driven ethos, with lemon myrtle and lime cold brew, cold-pressed juices and Victorian wine.

There’s room for up to 120 seated across the sprawling restaurant, which is light-filled with a barn-style A-frame and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the gardens. The restaurant can also be booked for private events, while The Glass House is appropriate for larger parties.