Bar Rochford

Maureen WEBBER

Edited a year ago

Well. You have to be determined to find this place. I missed it twice and if you use a device for mobility it's not for you. I sat at the bar as I had no reservations. Not incredibly comfortable, but the bartender was comforting. The spicy margarita was excellent. In fact I am going back for one before I leave Canberra for Jamaica. The toast topped with anchovies. Oh yes. A definite must.

Kathleen Ooi

a year ago

We had the absolute best experience here. We had the potato galette, anchovy toast, stracciatella, tongue, cos lettuce salad, pork and creme brulee tart. Food was top notch - every single dish was absolutely delicious and we enjoyed every bite. On top of the food, I must give a shout out to the service. The service throughout the night was fantastic and attentive, but our dessert was wrongly delivered to a different table. This was picked up by our waiter Nick and quickly rectified, but to apologise, he took off the drinks and tart from our bill which we didn't expect at all but was so kind. We paid the bill (with the drinks and dessert removed) and left while he was busy with another customer, and as he thought the dessert hadn't been removed from our bill, he actually took the effort to find us on the street in an attempt to reimburse us! We have never experienced such amazing service and felt compelled to write this review immediately. We will definitely come back soon

Elizabeth R

2 years ago

Second time visiting this lovely restaurant. We came back for the anchovy toast but were super blown away by the lamb ribs. The sauce was amazing. Sticky date tart and roasted rice ice cream were also ✨✨✨

D'Arcy Barron

Edited 7 months ago

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.

Ole Nimeton

7 months ago

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.

James Sturges

a year ago

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.

N M J

3 months ago

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.

Raymond Robinson

5 months ago

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! *****

Alana Freeman

7 months ago

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!

Ashley Starford

3 months ago

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!