Fitzroy diner Riso reopens as Oko Rooftop and Cafe

The Fitzroy space which until recently housed vegetarian Riso Diner has just reopened as Oko Rooftop and Cafe. It's a speedy expansion of the Oko brand: owner Sebastian Pasinetti's first restaurant opened in nearby Greeves Street in June.

"It's the same landlord as Oko so it's kind of fallen into our laps," he says.

The cafe is an extension of the Mediterranean menu concept at the restaurant, overseen by an all-female kitchen team led by Sebastian's mother, Luciana.

"They are smashing out some delicious Mediterranean brunch," he says.

Dishes include a harissa scramble, hot cakes with medjool dates, and a Scotch fillet steak sandwich amped up with zhoug, a green chilli relish.

Both cafe and the rooftop bar will be open Friday to Sunday, capitalising on the adjoining Rose Street Artists' Market which is a weekend Fitzroy fixture.

Cocktails are available upstairs and in the cafe too: think Mediterranean-spiced Bloody Mary, strawberry and basil Spritz and blood orange Mimosa.

Oko opened with a focus on staff mental health and initiatives have been carried over to the new site.

"We have a traffic light system where staff rate their headspace as red, amber or green before every shift, allowing us to give appropriate support," says Pasinetti.

"It's working really well. We love the environment we've created for our staff."

Oko Cafe & Rooftop, 60 Rose Street, Fitzroy instagram.com/okorooftopandcafe