Best Rooftop Restaurants NYC 2022! Isla & Daintree: Australian NYC Restaurant & Rooftop Bar
By Delaina Dixon | May 9, 2022 | Lifestyle, Travel
When you think about Australia, sunny beaches and the hunky Hemsworth brothers probably come to mind. But there is so much more to love about Australia, as in its seafood and refreshing Mediterranean-inspired dishes. Oh, to find an Australian NYC restaurant! Well, Divas, we have! We had the opportunity to sample the culinary delights in midtown-Manhattan restaurant Isla, which specializes in Australian-based cooking. And we can truly say it’s “bewdy bonza!”
What Is Isla?
Isla is an Australian NYC restaurant in midtown Manhattan. Nestled inside Hotel Hendricks, this cozy nook of a bistro serves up authentic Aussie dishes in sleek Manhattan style. The menu features simple, natural ingredients that let the authentic flavors of the food shine.
What To Order At Isla
We started the meal with a glass of natural red wine. At this Australian NYC restaurant, red wine is served chilled. Isla has small and large plates, but what caught our eye was the Whole Roasted Branzino with Sweet & Sour Fennel.
Fennel usually gives off a bitter taste, but our server explained it’s grilled for this dish, and it was ridiculously good. This fish is filleted and it’s definitely enough for two. Order a side of crispy warm fries, called house chips, with aioli and ketchup for a perfect dining pair.
Make sure you save room for dessert. Isla’s sweet finishers include Medjool Date Cake with English toffee that gave us caramel brownie vibes, and Strawberry Rhubarb Pavlova, a traditional Australian meringue-based dessert. These treats come in generous portions so there is more than enough to share.
Best Rooftop Restaurants In NYC 2022: Daintree
Dessert is finished, but the night isn’t over. After filling your tummy with Isla’s yummy fare, zip up to Hendrick’s 27th floor for rooftop bar Daintree. You’ll sit on a colorful hodgepodge of furniture and look out at the Empire State Building while sipping on inventive cocktails or a non-alcoholic margarita, which we found quite refreshing. Lite bites are also available.
Daintree also has a small outdoor space a few flights up. Be prepared to hike up a steep staircase, but the fresh air and clear view is worth the climb.
Isla and Daintree: Best Australian Restaurant NYC
Isla’s menu options are healthy and reflect the good earth and sea surrounding Australia. we hear that live music featuring Aussie artists is available in its lounge on Thursdays. Daintree has a chill vibe that makes these spots their own little Down Under oasis right in the middle of NYC.
Isla and Daintree are located at 25 West 38th St. in Manhattan. Make your reservations today.
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photo credit: Amanne Media
