You Gotta Try This: Great food and the best views at The Top Rooftop Bar & Lounge in Rockford
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
Get our newsletter
You Gotta Try This is the Rock River Current’s dining feature focused on signature dishes at your favorite local restaurants. Want to see one of your favorites here? Email news@rockrivercurrent.com to suggest a local staple.
Where: The Top Rooftop Bar & Lounge
Address: 416 S. Main St., Rockford, on the 12th floor of the Embassy Suites by Hilton Rockford Riverfront Hotel
Hours: 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday; 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. (Closed Monday-Thursday)
You have to try: We liked multiple options on the menu, but here are three we’d say you should consider including in your order: Caribbean pork sliders, romakee, and carne asada tacos.
Restaurant news: New name, expanded menu as Fuego Nuevo Grill prepares to move to East State Street
What’s in it: The Caribbean pork sliders feature slow-cooked salsa verde pork and pineapple salsa served on a grilled polenta cake.
The romakee is a serving of six apple-smoked bacon-wrapped teriyaki water chestnuts dressed in Asian plum sauce.
The carne asada tacos have a tender marinated skirt steak dressed with pico de gallo and goat cheese crumbles served on soft corn tortillas.
Why you should try it: The Top Rooftop Bar & Lounge feels simultaneously like an escape from the city while also being in the heart of downtown Rockford. The dining experience feels like something you’d be more accustomed to at a rooftop bar at one of the Chicago skyscrapers. The views overlooking Davis Park and the Rock River are one of a kind in the city of Rockford, but even on a cloudy day the food here makes The Top a worthwhile stop.
The menu is designed to be light and shareable, but it’s still a more substantial meal than traditional tapas.
The Caribbean pork sliders feature a juicy and tender pulled pork, and the carne asada tacos are a well-seasoned and delicious-smelling treat. Both pair well with the fruity cocktails such as the Davis Park Daiquiri and Flight 1913. The Davis Park drink is refreshing with a hint of sourness, and it’s garnished by lime and strawberry. It compliments the smokiness of the tacos and the sweetness of the pulled pork.
The romakee is a nice blend of sweet Asian plum sauce and savory applewood smoked bacon.
Restaurant news: Lawmakers working on relief for Rockford restaurants that faced spike in unemployment rates
The tuna nachos are a hearty blend of rare Ahi tuna steak tips and a salsa that has hints of sweetness and a spicy kick from the fresh jalepeno peppers. This big plate of nachos is a meal on its own.
Pro tip: Now that the weather is cooling, the indoor bar will fill up quickly. Make sure to call ahead for a reservation. Or you can sit for a drink by one of the fire pits on the rooftop.
Contact: thetoprockford.com; 815-668-7878
More photos
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas.
