Palm Springs-inspired, Charlie’s Rooftop, unveils bold new menu
Written By: Mia Pennington
Palm Springs - inspired rooftop bar, Charlie’s Rooftop, has hit the new year running, unveiling a bold new menu that signals an exciting direction for the beloved Newcastle venue.
With new Head Chef Ghulam at the helm, dining at Charlie’s this year has stepped into more refined territory.
Known for afternoon cocktails and sharing plates with friends, Charlie’s Rooftop has now also become a space for sophisticated, seasonal dining with a newly launched menu.
We had the opportunity to sit down, taste our way through the new menu, and experience first-hand the rooftop’s shift toward a more considered, finer-dining approach.
Meet the chef behind the menu
Stepping into the role with nearly a decade of experience in the kitchen, Ghulam brings a foundation shaped by fine-dining environments and a deep respect for timing and technique.
Since beginning his culinary journey in 2015, he has worked across cafes, restaurants, and bars, developing a style that feels both experimental and seasonally considered.
Within this new menu, guests will find a thoughtful balance between vibrant shared plates and bold, refined mains, a collection of dishes that feels as personal as it is delicious.
“My inspiration comes from working in fine dining environments throughout my career, picking elements from everywhere and creating my own thing,” Ghulam says.
When considering the direction of the menu, Ghulam adds, “I wanted to create an elevated bar dining experience, somewhere people can sit down and have proper food in one of the most beautiful rooftop bars in Newcastle.”
The result? A flavour-packed, bold new menu filled with fresh ingredients and stellar variety.
A closer look at the menu
If there’s one dish that captures the essence of this new chapter at Charlie’s, it’s the Pressed Lamb Shoulder, and what I’m dubbing as the Hero Dish of the new menu, featured in the menus Come Dine with Me, section, where you can find the chef’s finer dining considerations.
The dish pairs rich, slow-pressed lamb with layers of potato gratin, and a glossy peach caramel sauce, it’s a combination that feels both comforting and excitingly unexpected.
“Lamb has always been one of my favourite meats, it’s something I’ve always played around with,” Ghulam says. “When we first tested the peach caramel, people thought it might be too sweet. I said, "It will work.”
Alongside the Come Dine with me Menu, you can still be sure to find what Charlie's previous menu has been known for - those seasonal, exciting share plates you can order as you share drinks among friends - but with Chef Ghulam’s, experiential and considered touch.
“We’ve kind of created two different menus, upstairs is more share-style, relaxed, that rooftop energy. Downstairs is where you can sit and experience a proper dinner,” he notes.
What's most special to every dish, is that “Everything is house made. Every sauce. Everything.” Ghulam says. “Being a seasonal menu, every plate you can find is filled with that real and raw freshness you can only find through using local producers”
The new direction of Charlie’s
Now open Wednesday through Sunday, venue manager Harry Dagwell says, “With the extended opening days, we really want to add to our locals’ regular rhythm. People will see familiar faces, and Charlie’s will become a space you come back to every week, knowing you’re going to get the same familiar experience.”
“At the moment, we’re known more for the bar, but we really want to step into a fine-dining experience, and that’s what this new menu is all about,” he says.
When asked what this new menu means for the future direction of Charlie’s, Harry explains, “This new menu signals that we’re filling a gap we haven’t hit before. We want people to come in from 5 o’clock onwards, enjoy dinner, have dessert, and then finish the night with drinks.”
“If you’re trying the lamb shoulder, it ties really well with certain cocktails. The menu is designed to work across food and drinks, so guests get a complete experience,” he adds.
Make Charlie’s Rooftop your next outing
Charlie’s Rooftop is open Wednesday through Sunday, from 4pm until midnight, offering both a refined midweek dining experience and the lively weekend vibes the venue is known for.
Guests can enjoy Charlie’s famous weekly specials, including the refreshed Sunday Club, featuring $15 cocktails and $14 slushies, perfect for winding down the weekend.
The rooftop is also available for private events and functions, with flexible packages that allow guests to enjoy the new menu and signature drinks in a semi-private setting, making it ideal for celebrations or casual gatherings alike.
Being a seasonal menu, now is the perfect time to visit Charlie’s and experience it all for yourself.
