diff --git a/examples/api-samples/src/electron-browser/updater/sample-updater-frontend-contribution.ts b/examples/api-samples/src/electron-browser/updater/sample-updater-frontend-contribution.ts
index 9c9bff21aa780..ed4baca3c1231 100644
--- a/examples/api-samples/src/electron-browser/updater/sample-updater-frontend-contribution.ts
+++ b/examples/api-samples/src/electron-browser/updater/sample-updater-frontend-contribution.ts
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ export class ElectronMenuUpdater {
         this.setMenu();
     }
 
-    private setMenu(menu: Menu = this.factory.createMenuBar(), electronWindow: BrowserWindow = remote.getCurrentWindow()): void {
+    private setMenu(menu: Menu | null = this.factory.createMenuBar(), electronWindow: BrowserWindow = remote.getCurrentWindow()): void {
         if (isOSX) {
             remote.Menu.setApplicationMenu(menu);
         } else {
diff --git a/packages/core/src/browser/common-frontend-contribution.ts b/packages/core/src/browser/common-frontend-contribution.ts
index 3abcb7012c0ab..d764ca7dc9c81 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/browser/common-frontend-contribution.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/browser/common-frontend-contribution.ts
@@ -354,16 +354,38 @@ export class CommonFrontendContribution implements FrontendApplicationContributi
         this.updateThemeFromPreference('workbench.colorTheme');
         this.updateThemeFromPreference('workbench.iconTheme');
         this.preferences.onPreferenceChanged(e => {
-            if (e.preferenceName === 'workbench.editor.highlightModifiedTabs') {
-                this.updateStyles();
-            } else if (e.preferenceName === 'workbench.colorTheme' || e.preferenceName === 'workbench.iconTheme') {
-                this.updateThemeFromPreference(e.preferenceName);
+            switch (e.preferenceName) {
+                case 'workbench.editor.highlightModifiedTabs': {
+                    this.updateStyles();
+                    break;
+                }
+                case 'workbench.colorTheme':
+                case 'workbench.iconTheme': {
+                    this.updateThemeFromPreference(e.preferenceName);
+                    break;
+                }
+                case 'window.menuBarVisibility': {
+                    const { newValue } = e;
+                    const mainMenuId = 'main-menu';
+                    if (newValue === 'compact') {
+                        app.shell.leftPanelHandler.addTopMenu({
+                            id: mainMenuId,
+                            iconClass: 'codicon codicon-menu',
+                            title: 'Application Menu',
+                            menuPath: ['menubar'],
+                            order: 0,
+                        });
+                    } else {
+                        app.shell.leftPanelHandler.removeTopMenu(mainMenuId);
+                    }
+                    break;
+                }
             }
         });
         this.themeService.onDidColorThemeChange(() => this.updateThemePreference('workbench.colorTheme'));
         this.iconThemes.onDidChangeCurrent(() => this.updateThemePreference('workbench.iconTheme'));
 
-        app.shell.leftPanelHandler.addMenu({
+        app.shell.leftPanelHandler.addBottomMenu({
             id: 'settings-menu',
             iconClass: 'codicon codicon-settings-gear',
             title: 'Settings',
@@ -378,11 +400,11 @@ export class CommonFrontendContribution implements FrontendApplicationContributi
             order: 1,
         };
         this.authenticationService.onDidRegisterAuthenticationProvider(() => {
-            app.shell.leftPanelHandler.addMenu(accountsMenu);
+            app.shell.leftPanelHandler.addBottomMenu(accountsMenu);
         });
         this.authenticationService.onDidUnregisterAuthenticationProvider(() => {
             if (this.authenticationService.getProviderIds().length === 0) {
-                app.shell.leftPanelHandler.removeMenu(accountsMenu.id);
+                app.shell.leftPanelHandler.removeBottomMenu(accountsMenu.id);
             }
         });
     }
diff --git a/packages/core/src/browser/core-preferences.ts b/packages/core/src/browser/core-preferences.ts
index 1888d91d0438d..1505725da3f50 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/browser/core-preferences.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/browser/core-preferences.ts
@@ -97,6 +97,20 @@ export const corePreferenceSchema: PreferenceSchema = {
             default: 'code',
             description: 'Whether to interpret keypresses by the `code` of the physical key, or by the `keyCode` provided by the OS.'
         },
+        'window.menuBarVisibility': {
+            type: 'string',
+            enum: ['classic', 'visible', 'hidden', 'compact'],
+            markdownEnumDescriptions: [
+                'Menu is displayed at the top of the window and only hidden in full screen mode.',
+                'Menu is always visible at the top of the window even in full screen mode.',
+                'Menu is always hidden.',
+                'Menu is displayed as a compact button in the sidebar. This value is ignored when `#window.titleBarStyle#` is `native`.'
+            ],
+            default: 'classic',
+            scope: 'application',
+            markdownDescription: `Control the visibility of the menu bar. A setting of 'toggle' means that the menu bar is hidden and a single press of the Alt key will show it. 
+            A setting of 'compact' will move the menu into the sidebar.`,
+        },
     }
 };
 
@@ -112,6 +126,7 @@ export interface CoreConfiguration {
     'workbench.silentNotifications': boolean;
     'files.encoding': string
     'workbench.tree.renderIndentGuides': 'onHover' | 'none' | 'always';
+    'window.menuBarVisibility': 'classic' | 'visible' | 'hidden' | 'compact';
 }
 
 export const CorePreferences = Symbol('CorePreferences');
diff --git a/packages/core/src/browser/frontend-application-module.ts b/packages/core/src/browser/frontend-application-module.ts
index 8ab0b4dd709fc..9283ce978f2fa 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/browser/frontend-application-module.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/browser/frontend-application-module.ts
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ import {
     ApplicationShell, ApplicationShellOptions, DockPanelRenderer, TabBarRenderer,
     TabBarRendererFactory, ShellLayoutRestorer,
     SidePanelHandler, SidePanelHandlerFactory,
-    SidebarBottomMenuWidget, SidebarBottomMenuWidgetFactory,
+    SidebarMenuWidget, SidebarMenuWidgetFactory,
     SplitPositionHandler, DockPanelRendererFactory, ApplicationShellLayoutMigration, ApplicationShellLayoutMigrationError
 } from './shell';
 import { StatusBar, StatusBarImpl } from './status-bar/status-bar';
@@ -131,8 +131,8 @@ export const frontendApplicationModule = new ContainerModule((bind, unbind, isBo
     bind(ApplicationShell).toSelf().inSingletonScope();
     bind(SidePanelHandlerFactory).toAutoFactory(SidePanelHandler);
     bind(SidePanelHandler).toSelf();
-    bind(SidebarBottomMenuWidgetFactory).toAutoFactory(SidebarBottomMenuWidget);
-    bind(SidebarBottomMenuWidget).toSelf();
+    bind(SidebarMenuWidgetFactory).toAutoFactory(SidebarMenuWidget);
+    bind(SidebarMenuWidget).toSelf();
     bind(SplitPositionHandler).toSelf().inSingletonScope();
 
     bindContributionProvider(bind, TabBarToolbarContribution);
diff --git a/packages/core/src/browser/menu/browser-menu-plugin.ts b/packages/core/src/browser/menu/browser-menu-plugin.ts
index 9187a01355430..f7990bb20e5fa 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/browser/menu/browser-menu-plugin.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/browser/menu/browser-menu-plugin.ts
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ import { ContextKeyService } from '../context-key-service';
 import { ContextMenuContext } from './context-menu-context';
 import { waitForRevealed } from '../widgets';
 import { ApplicationShell } from '../shell';
+import { CorePreferences } from '../core-preferences';
 
 export abstract class MenuBarWidget extends MenuBar {
     abstract activateMenu(label: string, ...labels: string[]): Promise<MenuWidget>;
@@ -45,6 +46,9 @@ export class BrowserMainMenuFactory implements MenuWidgetFactory {
     @inject(CommandRegistry)
     protected readonly commandRegistry: CommandRegistry;
 
+    @inject(CorePreferences)
+    protected readonly corePreferences: CorePreferences;
+
     @inject(KeybindingRegistry)
     protected readonly keybindingRegistry: KeybindingRegistry;
 
@@ -54,15 +58,31 @@ export class BrowserMainMenuFactory implements MenuWidgetFactory {
     createMenuBar(): MenuBarWidget {
         const menuBar = new DynamicMenuBarWidget();
         menuBar.id = 'theia:menubar';
-        this.fillMenuBar(menuBar);
-        const listener = this.keybindingRegistry.onKeybindingsChanged(() => {
-            menuBar.clearMenus();
-            this.fillMenuBar(menuBar);
+        const preferenceListener = this.corePreferences.onPreferenceChanged(preference => {
+            if (preference.preferenceName === 'window.menuBarVisibility') {
+                this.showMenuBar(menuBar, preference.newValue);
+            }
+        });
+        const keybindingListener = this.keybindingRegistry.onKeybindingsChanged(() => {
+            const preference = this.corePreferences['window.menuBarVisibility'];
+            this.showMenuBar(menuBar, preference);
+        });
+        menuBar.disposed.connect(() => {
+            preferenceListener.dispose();
+            keybindingListener.dispose();
         });
-        menuBar.disposed.connect(() => listener.dispose());
         return menuBar;
     }
 
+    protected showMenuBar(menuBar: DynamicMenuBarWidget, preference: string | undefined): void {
+        if (preference && ['classic', 'visible'].includes(preference)) {
+            menuBar.clearMenus();
+            this.fillMenuBar(menuBar);
+        } else {
+            menuBar.clearMenus();
+        }
+    }
+
     protected fillMenuBar(menuBar: MenuBarWidget): void {
         const menuModel = this.menuProvider.getMenu(MAIN_MENU_BAR);
         const menuCommandRegistry = this.createMenuCommandRegistry(menuModel);
@@ -348,6 +368,9 @@ export class BrowserMenuBarContribution implements FrontendApplicationContributi
     @inject(ApplicationShell)
     protected readonly shell: ApplicationShell;
 
+    @inject(CorePreferences)
+    protected readonly corePreferences: CorePreferences;
+
     constructor(
         @inject(BrowserMainMenuFactory) protected readonly factory: BrowserMainMenuFactory
     ) { }
diff --git a/packages/core/src/browser/shell/index.ts b/packages/core/src/browser/shell/index.ts
index b376c3c672c70..c24c9f758e3b1 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/browser/shell/index.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/browser/shell/index.ts
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
 export * from './application-shell';
 export * from './shell-layout-restorer';
 export * from './side-panel-handler';
-export * from './sidebar-bottom-menu-widget';
+export * from './sidebar-menu-widget';
 export * from './split-panels';
 export * from './tab-bars';
 export * from './view-contribution';
diff --git a/packages/core/src/browser/shell/side-panel-handler.ts b/packages/core/src/browser/shell/side-panel-handler.ts
index 66b8cf3f03d46..7d577bbb54a03 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/browser/shell/side-panel-handler.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/browser/shell/side-panel-handler.ts
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ import { MimeData } from '@phosphor/coreutils';
 import { Drag } from '@phosphor/dragdrop';
 import { AttachedProperty } from '@phosphor/properties';
 import { TabBarRendererFactory, TabBarRenderer, SHELL_TABBAR_CONTEXT_MENU, SideTabBar } from './tab-bars';
-import { SidebarBottomMenuWidget, SidebarBottomMenuWidgetFactory, SidebarBottomMenu } from './sidebar-bottom-menu-widget';
+import { SidebarMenuWidget, SidebarMenuWidgetFactory, SidebarMenu } from './sidebar-menu-widget';
 import { SplitPositionHandler, SplitPositionOptions } from './split-panels';
 import { animationFrame } from '../browser';
 import { FrontendApplicationStateService } from '../frontend-application-state';
@@ -65,12 +65,18 @@ export class SidePanelHandler {
      * tab bar itself remains visible as long as there is at least one widget.
      */
     tabBar: SideTabBar;
+    /**
+     * The menu placed on the sidebar top.
+     * Displayed as icons.
+     * Open menus when on clicks.
+     */
+    topMenu: SidebarMenuWidget;
     /**
      * The menu placed on the sidebar bottom.
      * Displayed as icons.
      * Open menus when on clicks.
      */
-    bottomMenu: SidebarBottomMenuWidget;
+    bottomMenu: SidebarMenuWidget;
     /**
      * A tool bar, which displays a title and widget specific command buttons.
      */
@@ -107,7 +113,7 @@ export class SidePanelHandler {
     @inject(TabBarToolbarRegistry) protected tabBarToolBarRegistry: TabBarToolbarRegistry;
     @inject(TabBarToolbarFactory) protected tabBarToolBarFactory: () => TabBarToolbar;
     @inject(TabBarRendererFactory) protected tabBarRendererFactory: () => TabBarRenderer;
-    @inject(SidebarBottomMenuWidgetFactory) protected sidebarBottomWidgetFactory: () => SidebarBottomMenuWidget;
+    @inject(SidebarMenuWidgetFactory) protected sidebarWidgetFactory: () => SidebarMenuWidget;
     @inject(SplitPositionHandler) protected splitPositionHandler: SplitPositionHandler;
     @inject(FrontendApplicationStateService) protected readonly applicationStateService: FrontendApplicationStateService;
 
@@ -120,8 +126,9 @@ export class SidePanelHandler {
     create(side: 'left' | 'right', options: SidePanel.Options): void {
         this.side = side;
         this.options = options;
+        this.topMenu = this.createSidebarMenu();
         this.tabBar = this.createSideBar();
-        this.bottomMenu = this.createSidebarBottomMenu();
+        this.bottomMenu = this.createSidebarMenu();
         this.toolBar = this.createToolbar();
         this.dockPanel = this.createSidePanel();
         this.container = this.createContainer();
@@ -187,9 +194,9 @@ export class SidePanelHandler {
         return toolbar;
     }
 
-    protected createSidebarBottomMenu(): SidebarBottomMenuWidget {
-        const bottomMenu = this.sidebarBottomWidgetFactory();
-        bottomMenu.addClass('theia-sidebar-bottom-menu');
+    protected createSidebarMenu(): SidebarMenuWidget {
+        const bottomMenu = this.sidebarWidgetFactory();
+        bottomMenu.addClass('theia-sidebar-menu');
         return bottomMenu;
     }
 
@@ -232,6 +239,7 @@ export class SidePanelHandler {
         const sidebarContainerLayout = new PanelLayout();
         const sidebarContainer = new Panel({ layout: sidebarContainerLayout });
         sidebarContainer.addClass('theia-app-sidebar-container');
+        sidebarContainerLayout.addWidget(this.topMenu);
         sidebarContainerLayout.addWidget(this.tabBar);
         sidebarContainerLayout.addWidget(this.bottomMenu);
 
@@ -385,12 +393,30 @@ export class SidePanelHandler {
         this.dockPanel.addWidget(widget);
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Add a menu to the sidebar top.
+     *
+     * If the menu is already added, it will be ignored.
+     */
+    addTopMenu(menu: SidebarMenu): void {
+        this.topMenu.addMenu(menu);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Remove a menu from the sidebar top.
+     *
+     * @param menuId id of the menu to remove
+     */
+    removeTopMenu(menuId: string): void {
+        this.topMenu.removeMenu(menuId);
+    }
+
     /**
      * Add a menu to the sidebar bottom.
      *
      * If the menu is already added, it will be ignored.
      */
-    addMenu(menu: SidebarBottomMenu): void {
+    addBottomMenu(menu: SidebarMenu): void {
         this.bottomMenu.addMenu(menu);
     }
 
@@ -399,7 +425,7 @@ export class SidePanelHandler {
      *
      * @param menuId id of the menu to remove
      */
-    removeMenu(menuId: string): void {
+    removeBottomMenu(menuId: string): void {
         this.bottomMenu.removeMenu(menuId);
     }
 
diff --git a/packages/core/src/browser/shell/sidebar-bottom-menu-widget.tsx b/packages/core/src/browser/shell/sidebar-menu-widget.tsx
similarity index 78%
rename from packages/core/src/browser/shell/sidebar-bottom-menu-widget.tsx
rename to packages/core/src/browser/shell/sidebar-menu-widget.tsx
index f85573635bb87..710cdbf424990 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/browser/shell/sidebar-bottom-menu-widget.tsx
+++ b/packages/core/src/browser/shell/sidebar-menu-widget.tsx
@@ -20,9 +20,9 @@ import { ReactWidget } from '../widgets';
 import { ContextMenuRenderer } from '../context-menu-renderer';
 import { MenuPath } from '../../common/menu';
 
-export const SidebarBottomMenuWidgetFactory = Symbol('SidebarBottomMenuWidgetFactory');
+export const SidebarMenuWidgetFactory = Symbol('SidebarMenuWidgetFactory');
 
-export interface SidebarBottomMenu {
+export interface SidebarMenu {
   id: string;
   iconClass: string;
   title: string;
@@ -31,11 +31,11 @@ export interface SidebarBottomMenu {
 }
 
 /**
- * The menu widget placed on the bottom of the sidebar.
+ * The menu widget placed on the bottom or top of the sidebar.
  */
 @injectable()
-export class SidebarBottomMenuWidget extends ReactWidget {
-  protected readonly menus: SidebarBottomMenu[];
+export class SidebarMenuWidget extends ReactWidget {
+  protected readonly menus: SidebarMenu[];
 
   @inject(ContextMenuRenderer)
   protected readonly contextMenuRenderer: ContextMenuRenderer;
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ export class SidebarBottomMenuWidget extends ReactWidget {
     this.menus = [];
   }
 
-  addMenu(menu: SidebarBottomMenu): void {
+  addMenu(menu: SidebarMenu): void {
     const exists = this.menus.find(m => m.id === menu.id);
     if (exists) {
       return;
@@ -55,14 +55,14 @@ export class SidebarBottomMenuWidget extends ReactWidget {
   }
 
   removeMenu(menuId: string): void {
-      const menu = this.menus.find(m => m.id === menuId);
-      if (menu) {
-          const index = this.menus.indexOf(menu);
-          if (index !== -1) {
-              this.menus.splice(index, 1);
-              this.update();
-          }
+    const menu = this.menus.find(m => m.id === menuId);
+    if (menu) {
+      const index = this.menus.indexOf(menu);
+      if (index !== -1) {
+        this.menus.splice(index, 1);
+        this.update();
       }
+    }
   }
 
   protected onClick(e: React.MouseEvent<HTMLElement, MouseEvent>, menuPath: MenuPath): void {
diff --git a/packages/core/src/browser/style/sidepanel.css b/packages/core/src/browser/style/sidepanel.css
index 77e34a6901c0a..1ccdc62b838cd 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/browser/style/sidepanel.css
+++ b/packages/core/src/browser/style/sidepanel.css
@@ -186,17 +186,17 @@
   flex-grow: 1;
 }
 
-.theia-app-sidebar-container .theia-sidebar-bottom-menu {
+.theia-app-sidebar-container .theia-sidebar-menu {
   flex-shrink: 0;
 }
 
-.p-Widget.theia-sidebar-bottom-menu {
+.p-Widget.theia-sidebar-menu {
   background-color: var(--theia-activityBar-background);
   display: flex;
   flex-direction: column-reverse;
 }
 
-.p-Widget.theia-sidebar-bottom-menu i {
+.p-Widget.theia-sidebar-menu i {
   padding: var(--theia-private-sidebar-tab-padding-top-and-bottom) var(--theia-private-sidebar-tab-padding-left-and-right);
   display: flex;
   justify-content: center;
@@ -207,10 +207,14 @@
   font-size: var(--theia-private-sidebar-icon-size);
 }
 
-.theia-sidebar-bottom-menu i:hover {
+.theia-sidebar-menu i:hover {
   color: var(--theia-activityBar-foreground);
 }
 
+.theia-sidebar-menu > i.codicon-menu{
+  font-size: calc(var(--theia-private-sidebar-icon-size)*0.7);
+}
+
 /*-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 | Perfect scrollbar
 |----------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
diff --git a/packages/core/src/electron-browser/menu/electron-main-menu-factory.ts b/packages/core/src/electron-browser/menu/electron-main-menu-factory.ts
index e0d22f1973605..74625511f0976 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/electron-browser/menu/electron-main-menu-factory.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/electron-browser/menu/electron-main-menu-factory.ts
@@ -71,33 +71,49 @@ export class ElectronMainMenuFactory {
         @inject(MenuModelRegistry) protected readonly menuProvider: MenuModelRegistry,
         @inject(KeybindingRegistry) protected readonly keybindingRegistry: KeybindingRegistry
     ) {
-        preferencesService.onPreferenceChanged(debounce(() => {
-            if (this._menu) {
-                for (const item of this._toggledCommands) {
-                    this._menu.getMenuItemById(item).checked = this.commandRegistry.isToggled(item);
+        preferencesService.onPreferenceChanged(
+            debounce(e => {
+                if (e.preferenceName === 'window.menuBarVisibility') {
+                    this.setMenuBar();
                 }
-                electron.remote.getCurrentWindow().setMenu(this._menu);
-            }
-        }, 10));
+                if (this._menu) {
+                    for (const item of this._toggledCommands) {
+                        this._menu.getMenuItemById(item).checked = this.commandRegistry.isToggled(item);
+                    }
+                    electron.remote.getCurrentWindow().setMenu(this._menu);
+                }
+            }, 10)
+        );
         keybindingRegistry.onKeybindingsChanged(() => {
-            const createdMenuBar = this.createMenuBar();
-            if (isOSX) {
-                electron.remote.Menu.setApplicationMenu(createdMenuBar);
-            } else {
-                electron.remote.getCurrentWindow().setMenu(createdMenuBar);
-            }
+            this.setMenuBar();
         });
     }
 
-    createMenuBar(): Electron.Menu {
-        const menuModel = this.menuProvider.getMenu(MAIN_MENU_BAR);
-        const template = this.fillMenuTemplate([], menuModel);
+    setMenuBar(): void {
+        const createdMenuBar = this.createMenuBar();
         if (isOSX) {
-            template.unshift(this.createOSXMenu());
+            electron.remote.Menu.setApplicationMenu(createdMenuBar);
+        } else {
+            electron.remote.getCurrentWindow().setMenu(createdMenuBar);
+        }
+    }
+
+    createMenuBar(): Electron.Menu | null {
+        let preference = this.preferencesService.get<string>('window.menuBarVisibility');
+        preference = preference ? preference : 'classic';
+        if (preference && ['classic', 'visible'].includes(preference)) {
+            const menuModel = this.menuProvider.getMenu(MAIN_MENU_BAR);
+            const template = this.fillMenuTemplate([], menuModel);
+            if (isOSX) {
+                template.unshift(this.createOSXMenu());
+            }
+            const menu = electron.remote.Menu.buildFromTemplate(template);
+            this._menu = menu;
+            return this._menu;
         }
-        const menu = electron.remote.Menu.buildFromTemplate(template);
-        this._menu = menu;
-        return menu;
+        this._menu = undefined;
+        // eslint-disable-next-line no-null/no-null
+        return null;
     }
 
     createContextMenu(menuPath: MenuPath, args?: any[]): Electron.Menu {
diff --git a/packages/core/src/electron-browser/menu/electron-menu-contribution.ts b/packages/core/src/electron-browser/menu/electron-menu-contribution.ts
index da71787d08ad4..8e9231e7428de 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/electron-browser/menu/electron-menu-contribution.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/electron-browser/menu/electron-menu-contribution.ts
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ export class ElectronMenuContribution implements FrontendApplicationContribution
         }
     }
 
-    private setMenu(menu: electron.Menu = this.factory.createMenuBar(), electronWindow: electron.BrowserWindow = electron.remote.getCurrentWindow()): void {
+    private setMenu(menu: electron.Menu | null = this.factory.createMenuBar(), electronWindow: electron.BrowserWindow = electron.remote.getCurrentWindow()): void {
         if (isOSX) {
             electron.remote.Menu.setApplicationMenu(menu);
         } else {