Tucked away in the heart of the CBD, Babylon Rooftop & Garden Bar offers a Middle Eastern escape within Westfield Sydney. Located on level seven, this vast 800-seat restaurant is a hidden gem, complete with an expansive outdoor terrace. Despite its size, the restaurant is divided into intimate rooms and cozy alcoves, which create a warm, inviting atmosphere.

Headed by renowned chef Arman Uz (formerly of Efendy in Balmain), who hails from Turkey, the menu is a vibrant homage to the street food of Turkey, Israel, Lebanon, Cyprus, and Egypt. The Levant-inspired menu is designed for sharing and is divided into meze (starters), flora (vegetables), fauna (meats), and ocean (seafood). A standout feature is the custom-built three-meter-long Mangal and rotisseries, where many of the dishes, including vegetables, are expertly cooked over wood fire and charcoal, infusing them with rich, smoky flavors.

The pre-theatre menu offers a selection of six meze dishes, along with two main course options. All the food is all beautifully plated on stylish serveware, with generous portions that are sure to satisfy.

To start, we were served warm house-made Turkish bread with za’atar smoked butter and two dips: leblebi, a rich hummus topped with macadamia dukkah and olive oil, and babaganoush garnished with fennel pollen and pomegranate seeds.

Craving some cheese, we were pleased to see the pre-theatre menu included a haloumi dish. Pan-fried Jersey cows’ Australian Tilba adding local honey and topping the dish with fig jam and delicate viola flowers.

The fattoush salad, while not the typical leafy green variety, offered a light but satisfying contrast to the richer flavors on the table, and the cracked pita chips provided a perfect vessel for scooping up the mix of radish, melon, cucumber, tomato, and mint.

It was a tough choice between the mains: Turkish coffee-cured and roasted duck, leek, pomegranate, coriander and fesenjan sauce, or Shish Tawook wood-grilled chicken with kisr, tomato and garlic labneh. We opted for the latter, and smoky chared chicken was juicy and tender inside. Accompanied by baked rice pilav, flavoured with spices, barberries, cashews and peas, which complemented the dish beautifully.

The drinks menu at Babylon is a must-explore, offering over 250 whiskies, 400 spirits, and an impressive selection of Old and New World wines. The cocktail list is equally enticing, with creative zero-proof options and non-alcoholic beverages. We chose the Bloody Shiraz Spritz from the signature cocktail list, a refreshing blend of Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin, wild rose vermouth, and sour plum — a perfectly balanced drink.

Whether you choose to dine inside the stylish restaurant or take in the views from the rooftop bar, Babylon’s ambiance is nothing short of stunning. Inspired by the ancient Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the space is filled with lush greenery and opulent design touches, including swooping Italian travertine archways, dusty pink upholstery, marble-topped tables, and cozy booths tucked away behind luxurious burnt orange velvet curtains. Gold accents add a touch of glamour throughout the space.

Located just a five-minute walk from the State Theatre and Theatre Royal, Babylon is not only a feast for the eyes but also for the palate.

Located Level 7 Rooftop, Westfield, Pitt Street, Sydney

To book visit: https://www.babylonrooftop.com.au/