The World's 25 Most Amazing Rooftop Bars And Restaurants

Since the dawn of time, humans have been drawn skyward. Over the course of thousands of years, we finally figured out how to construct buildings that stack dozens of stories on top of one another, and we fill them with opulent furnishings fit for kings. So what do we do when we get to the top? Have a drink, of course. These are the world's 20 most amazing rooftop bars and restaurants. 

Three Sixty has the best of all worlds in St. Louis. It's on top of the Hilton, so you can stay where you play. You get a 360-degree vista from the roof (hence Three Sixty, get it?), taking in the Gateway Arch, the Mississippi River, and a view directly into Busch Stadium. Grab a drink and a small plate by chef Matt Wessel and relax by a fire pit at the outside bar, one of several indoor bars, or the dining room. 

There's no finer view of Corfu's old town and azure waters than the one you'll get from the rooftop restaurant of the gorgeous seventeenth-century Cavalieri HotelHotH. Open from May to October, the cozy balustrade-lined restaurant is a great place to enjoy cocktails and traditional Greek fare. 

This poolside lounge is tucked away on a deck perched a few stories up in this sparkling new apartment-hotel from The Donald, and it's a welcome retreat from the bustling SoHo neighborhood. You can order a wide variety of cocktails, wine, beer, and even bottle service, or snack on menu items like tableside guacamole, a seafood tower, or a lobster roll.

From the Batali/Bastianich team, Eataly's Birreria is a sprawling rooftop restaurant and brewpub for the in-house brewery. The menu features an innovative selection of house-made sausage dishes as well as a well-balanced selection of cheeses, mushrooms, and salumi. The beer list includes artisanal cask beers that are brewed on the premises, and the view over Madison Square Park and the city beyond is breathtaking.

Located on top of Charleston's Market Pavilion Hotel, the Pavilion Bar provides both city and water views. The menu offers a collection of casual seafood- and meat-based dishes with a slight twist. Enjoy the duck confit nachos while taking in a beautiful Southern sunset.

George's at the Cove boasts an acclaimed rooftop bar called Ocean Terrace. The food is gorgeous, fresh California fare; the cocktails are amazing. The views from the roof deck are stellar and show off fabulous sunsets over the ocean. 

The Hotel Viking has been one of Newport's finest hotels since it first opened in 1926, and its rooftop bar provides a stunning view of the town. Open daily from May through September, this bar is a must-visit for locals and tourists alike. Cocktails are surprisingly affordable, and include the Widows Walk (gin, Grey Goose Citron, St. Germain, peach schnapps, sour mix, club soda, and mint) and the Bermuda Rum Swizzle (Goslings Black Seal and Gold Bermuda rums, orange and pineapple juice, grenadine, and bitters). A full raw bar is also available, as well as salads and cold sandwiches. 

Yes, Level 107 does indeed refer to the floor you're on. This sleek and stylish lounge is open daily from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m., and is located 107 stories above Las Vegas, at the very top of the Stratosphere Hotel. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer a 360-degree view of the Strip, and even though there's no outdoor space, you'll feel like you're on top of the world. Visit between 4 and 7 for half-price appetizers and 2-for-1 cocktails. 

This recently renovated rooftop bar is atop one of Venice's tallest buildings, the restored mill that's today the Hilton Molino Stucky. A daytime respite (its somewhat bizarre restaurant, CATs, is open from May to September and serves sushi and dishes that seem to resemble cat food) becomes one of the hippest (and most romantic) nightspots in Venice after the sun goes down. 

This landmark luxury hotel in the heart of New Orleans embodies all the best aspects of Southern hospitality. From their location alongside the historic French Quarter to their fancy schmancy furnishings, The Roosevelt is widely regarded as being one of the city's top hotels. An underappreciated gem is the rooftop pool and bar, which boasts a view of the surrounding neighborhood, a sparkling pool, and craft cocktails. The pool is only open during the summer months and is limited to hotel guests only, so start planning your stay now!

360 Istanbul is the most stunning rooftop bar in a city that has no shortage of them. With floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over Beyoglu's old embassy row, the restaurant is one of the city's finest, but if you step outside you'll find yourself on a sprawling terrace with views across the Bosporus strait and to the Marmara Sea. On the weekends, the entire venue turns into one of the city's hippest clubs. 

This rooftop restaurant is definitely a departure for bar-goers used to the hipster scene in Portland. An Asian fusion rooftop establishment situated on the top floor roof deck of The Nines luxury hotel, Departure looks more like a modern art installation. The restaurant serves what they describe as "accessible modern pan Asian cuisine," and customers can enjoy their snacks and craft cocktails on the sumptuously appointed roof deck overlooking a spectacular view of Portland's downtown.

Sitting at the very top of the Prudential Building in Boston's Back Bay, Top of the Hub shows off amazing views of the city and of the Charles River. Seriously... it's even higher than the building's observation deck. Not only do they have beautiful food, they also often feature live music. Top of the Hub is a great date-night destination, as well as a good stop for Sunday brunch. 

From The London's top floor, diners at The Rooftop can enjoy views of Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and Hollywood while dining outdoors. Every weekday from 6:30 to 8:30, the restaurant holds "The London Hour," during which guests can enjoy discounted cocktails and a menu that includes items like crab toast with herb salad and sriracha mayo, rock shrimp tempura with sweet chili, and brick chicken a la plancha with cucumber and feta. 

Located on top of Rome's intimate Hotel Palazzo Manfredi, Aroma doesn't just offer what's quite possibly the finest view of the Colosseum you'll find anywhere, but also a Michelin-starred dining experience. For 140 euros (or 210 with wine pairings), you'll get to enjoy one of Rome's finest restaurants with a view that's simply unparalleled. A glass canopy keeps diners warm during the winter, but for the rest of the year, they can sit alfresco.

You can sample cocktails, food, and an incredible view of the Chicago skyline year-round at ROOF. The menu offers a selection of plates to share, ranging from flatbreads to sushi to duck-fat fries. This venue is definitely a place to be seen, so dress for a swanky night out. 

Area 31 is widely known for having one of the best rooftop views in Miami, showcasing both the water and the Miami skyline. The menu includes dishes like swordfish, crab cakes, and other seafood options, and there is a huge dessert selection including cheesecake and éclairs. A good tip: It can be very busy, so getting there early is a plus! 

If you're looking to relax in true Middle Eastern luxury, visit the rooftop lounge atop the One&Only Royal Mirage's Arabian Court in Dubai. Couches piled with embroidered cushions, ample candlelight, and traditional architecture create a magical atmosphere, and a wide variety of cocktails help start or end the evening on the right foot.

Atop São Paulo's ultra-contemporary crescent-shaped Unique Hotel, this rooftop hotel bar is as stunning as its view of São Paulo's skyline and Ibirapuera Park. At the center of Skye Restaurant & Bar is a crimson pool with an underwater sound system; around it are a lounge area and alfresco bar. French chef Emmanuel Bassoleil has designed menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner that are a mix of Brazilian, French, Italian, and Japanese cuisines, which perfectly complement the many variations on the caipirinha, Brazil's national drink, made with cachaça, sugar, and fruit.

The Hotel Gansevoort's Plunge Bar + Lounge in New York City's Meatpacking District takes rooftop restaurants to a whole new level. With a 360-degree view of the New York skyline and the Hudson River, Plunge is west-facing so that guests can enjoy sunsets over the Hudson River. The indoor space features a huge loft with flat screen TVs, a DJ booth, a main bar with a translucent roof, and soaring 20-foot ceilings. Outside, you'll find wraparound balconies, a grill, cabana, and a pool. Sign us up. 

Located in this historic area in Mexico's central highlands, Rosewood, which opened in the center of town in 2011, is one of the finest hotels you'll ever encounter. This complex of interconnected buildings features a renowned restaurant called 1826, but after enjoying a meal there, be sure to make your way up to their stunning rooftop tapas bar, Luna. The cocktails served here, which include stunning margaritas and mojitos, are second to none; the menu of small plates features well-executed international-style dishes; and watching the sun set over the town's terracotta spires, bell towers, and rooftops is an awe-inspiring experience. 

Mumbai's highest rooftop bar looks like it's straight out of a sci-fi movie, with purple ambient lighting, a mod circular central bar, and 630-degree views from 34 stories up. A daily happy hour offers two-for-one Champagne and cocktails, and it's even open during monsoon season thanks to a detachable canopy and windscreen. 

This open-air, ivy-covered deck is a certified West Hollywood hotspot, with plenty of celebrities who call themselves regulars. Some of the city's finest views can be had while enjoying cocktails like the Summer Fun, made with vodka, fresh lemon juice, strawberries, agave nectar, and Champagne; bites include an avocado wrap, crab cake, and chicken club. A poolside lounge during the day becomes one of the city's most popular nightclubs at night. 

Located on the 57th floor of Singapore's Marina Bay Sands Hotel, the 12,000-square-foot Sky on 57 serves a renowned menu of upscale French-inspired Asian cuisine from chef Justin Quek, who's coming to New York as a part of this month's Singapore Restaurant Week. The restaurant is sleek and modern, featuring undulating wood and floor-to-ceiling windows revealing stunning views of Singapore. Sit outside in the Flight Bar and Lounge and you'll be afforded that great view complete with slat wood flooring and rows of planted trees, and venture to the other side and you'll encounter a full bar and pool area, with one of the most jaw-dropping infinity pools you'll ever see. 

Located high up on the roof of the 64-story Banyan Tree Hotel, this multi-level bar and restaurant affords some of the most amazing views anywhere in the world. From this dizzying height, you can enjoy barbecued seafood and grilled steak at restaurant Vertigo, then climb a few more steps to Moon Bar for cocktails like the Vertigo Sunset: Malibu rum with pineapple, cranberry, and lime juices.