Melbourne has a strong pub culture, but the best gastropubs in the city go well beyond a basic pint and parma. A good gastropub keeps the relaxed feeling of a local hotel or bar while lifting the food, drinks, service, and atmosphere into something more memorable. Across Melbourne, that can mean premium steaks, seafood, modern Australian pub classics, craft beer, wine lists, beer gardens, rooftop views, heritage buildings, and kitchens that take food seriously without making the room feel stiff.
This guide brings together some of the best gastropubs in Melbourne, from polished South Melbourne and Port Melbourne pub restaurants to Carlton North beer gardens, historic CBD hotels, and relaxed Richmond bars with contemporary pub food. Whether you want a Sunday roast, a long lunch, a steak dinner, a beer garden session, a pre-event meal, or a classic Melbourne pub with better-than-usual food, these venues show how broad the gastropub category can be.
Lamaro’s Hotel
Lamaro’s Hotel is one of Melbourne’s strongest examples of a true gastropub: a neighbourhood hotel with serious food, polished service, and the warmth of a classic South Melbourne local. Located on Cecil Street, it has the kind of old-world pub character that makes people settle in, but the kitchen pushes the experience well beyond standard pub dining.
The menu combines modern Australian cooking with elevated pub favourites, making it useful for both casual meals and special occasions. Diners might come for steak, seafood, pasta, bar snacks, Sunday-style comfort food, wine, or a long lunch that turns into the afternoon. The appeal is that Lamaro’s can be relaxed and refined at the same time.
Lamaro’s Hotel is best for long lunches, business meals, family dinners, date nights, wine, and anyone looking for a gastropub with real dining-room confidence. It opens this guide well because it shows what the best Melbourne gastropubs do: keep the pub soul while taking the food seriously.
Address: 273-279 Cecil Street, South Melbourne 3205
Lamaro's Hotel Menu
Starters
Warm olives & toasted bread
Cured anchovy on toast
Shaved fennel, sumac, crème fraîche (3)
Riverine steak tartare
Riverine steak tartare, mustard mayo, shallot, caper, witlof, aged balsamic
Pan-seared Authentic Epirou Saganaki
Marinated baby figs
Salumi Platter
San Danielle prosciutto, Wagyu brseaola, spicy calabrese, salami, pickles & toasted sourdough
Fresh shucked Oysters
Freshly shucked oysters gathered from far and wide. Your waiter will inform you about today’s selection. Shallot dressing or spearmint, finger lime Nahm Jim
Entrées
Stracciatella
Witlof, caramelised walnuts, roasted grapes, toasted sourdough
Chilled Cucumber Salad
Chilled cucumber, maple & mint labneh, shredded fennel, picked shallot, dill, chilli oil
Eggnet Poached Chicken
Eggnet, poached chicken, young coconut, pomelo, cashew nut, beansprout, crispy rice, lime & tamarind dressing
Wood-fire Grilled Scallops
Roasted pork belly, tamarind & palm sugar dressing, spearmint
Twice Cooked Octopus
Capsicum harissa, fennel, capers, pickled red onion, saffron orange dressing
Red Snapper Ceviche
Red snapper ceviche, charred octopus, roasted corn, crispy shallots, green herb dressing
Mains
Ravioli
Homemade ravioli w/ lemon & ricotta, baked heirloom tomatoes, Napoli, crisp pecorino, basil oil
Seafood Linguine
Tiger prawns, bay bug, fennel, poached heirloom tomato, bisque reduction
Veal Schnitzel
Sourdough crumbs with parmesan and lemon, pan-fried with Italian slaw, Diane sauce
Red Duck Curry
Crispy fried egg, sweet and sour sauce, coconut rice
Atlantic Miso King Salmon
Atlantinc Miso King Salmon, corn puree, crème fraiche, spinach, burnt tomato, fennel
Saffron Pilaf
Saffron pilaf, charred kipfler, zucchini, pumpkin, mint raita, smoked pesto, roasted pumpkin seeds
Butterflied Spatchcock
Lentil, butternut sqash puree, asparagus, burnt white onions, lemon
Wood-Fired Grill Mains
Grilled fish collars
Miso glaze, charred root vegetables, pickles, nam yum dressing, bonito
Riverine Black Angus Beef Burger
Bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese, pickles, sauces & fries
Riverine Ribeye on the Bone
Chefs premium cut of beef, served with fat chips & all the sauces. Ask your waiter for the weight of the day.
300g Grass Fed Riverine Scotch Fillet
200g Grass Fed Riverine Black Angus Eye Fillet
250g Black Angus Porterhouse
Extra sauce
Sides
Rocket salad
Pear, pecorino, honey mustard dressing
French fries
Wok Fried Wombok
Sesame, ginger, soy
Crispy Brussels sprouts
shallot, pickle, Nuoc nahm dressing
Broccolini
Cafe de Paris butter, almonds, pecorino
Sauteed exotic mushrooms
Mushrooms, spinach, garlic pepper, parsley
Desserts
Mangomisu
Fresh mango, lady fingers sponge soaked in mango coulis, mascarpone and a crisp cashew meringue
French Chocolate Tart
Tart of French silken dark chocolate, hazelnut praline mousseline, almond Florentine, vanilla bean ice cream
Rhubarb and Peach Crumble
Spiced poached rhubarb, caramelized peach, crunchy rolled oat and pecan nut crumble, ice cream, drizzled with a strawberry consommé
Sticky Fig Pudding
Fig clafoutis, rich decadent butterscotch sauce, Jock’s Armagnac and Prune ice cream, honeycomb wafer
Rocky Road Slice
Milk chocolate, almonds, pistachio, goji berries, cranberries, marshmallow, freeze dried strawberries
Chefs’ selection of Fine Cheese
A trio of regularly changing Chefs selection cheeses, from near and far, complimented with Barossa bark crispbread, homemade fruit compote and roasted walnut. (please ask your wait staff for today’s selection)
Bar Snacks
Salumi Platter
San Daniele prosciutto, wagyu bresaola, spicy Calabrese salami, pickles & toasted sourdough
Marinated warm olives with toasted bread
Gippsland Chianina Meatballs
Rich tomato sugo, wood-grilled sourdough
Steamed Prawn & Ginger Dumplings
Chilli, black bean sauce (4 pieces)
Bamboo and Chestnut Veggie Dumplings
(4 pieces)
Chef's Selection of Fine Cheese
Lavosh, muscadelles, walnuts, quince paste. 1 for $15 2 for $30 3 for $40
Charred Corn Ribs
Corn, paprika, pecorino & lime
School Prawns
Prawns, Tajin salt, aioli
Matcha bao with roasted duck, cucmber & hoisin
Bar Meals
Lamaro’s Famous Veal Schnitzel ‘n’ Slaw… on a grande roll
Lamaro’s Burger
House made 180gm prime beef patty, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese, pickles, special burger sauce & fries
Lamaro’s Steak Sandwich
Swiss Cheese, rocket, tomato, onion jam, dijon mustard & aioli
French fries
Kids Mains
Pasta with Napoletana & shaved Parmesan
Fish and Chips
Veal Schnitzel & Fries
Minute Steak & Fries
Cheeseburger & Fries
Kids Desserts
Vanilla Ice-cream with chocolate topping
Fruit Salad
The Clare Castle Hotel
The Clare Castle Hotel is a Port Melbourne pub restaurant known for taking classic pub hospitality and giving the food more polish. Set on Graham Street, it has the relaxed feeling people want from a local hotel, but the menu leans into seafood, steaks, wine, and generous dishes that make it feel like a proper dining destination.
The restaurant is especially known for seafood, including Moreton Bay bugs, along with chargrilled steaks, pub classics, oysters, fish, wine, and dishes built for both casual and celebratory meals. It works well because it does not abandon the pub format. Instead, it improves it with a stronger kitchen and a more complete dining experience.
The Clare Castle Hotel is best for seafood lovers, Port Melbourne locals, family meals, steak dinners, group lunches, and diners who want a pub that feels comfortable but still food-focused. It belongs in this guide because it shows how a suburban hotel can become one of Melbourne’s most reliable gastropub-style restaurants.
Address: 354 Graham Street, Port Melbourne 3207
The Clare Castle Hotel Menu
KIDS MENU
CHEESE PIZZA
CHICKEN NUGGETS & CHIPS
SPAGHETTI & CHEESE
SPAGHETTI & MEATBALLS
CHEESEBURGER & CHIPS
FISH & CHIPS
BREAKFAST
BREAKFAST YOUR WAY
Village Pot Set Yoghurt - Gippsland.
Natural (150g)
Village Pot Set Yoghurt - Gippsland.
Greek Style Thick & Creamy (150g)
Phillippas Apricot Muesli (60g)
w/ Full Cream, Low Fat, Soy (+1), Oat (+1), Almond (+1)
Phillippas Cranberry Granola (60g)
w/ Full Cream, Low Fat, Soy (+1), Oat (+1), Almond (+1)
Sanitarium Weet Bix (2)
w/ Full Cream, Low Fat, Soy (+1), Oat (+1), Almond (+1)
Kellogg's Coco Pops (50g)
w/ Full Cream, Low Fat, Soy (+1), Oat (+1), Almond (+1)
BBB - Breakfast Brioche Burger
w/ Fried Egg, Bacon Rasher, Rocket, Cheese
House Made Baked Beans
w/ Baked Beans
House Made Baked Beans & Egg
w/ Scrambled Eggs, Baked Beans
Scrambled Egg
w/ Scrambled Eggs
Bacon & Egg
w/ Scrambled Eggs, Bacon
Sausage & Egg
w/ Scrambled Eggs, Beef Sausage
Buttermilk Pancakes (2)
w/ Maple Syrup
Pain De Mie Toast (White Slice) (per slice)
Condiments are complimentary.
Wholemeal Toast (per slice)
Condiments are complimentary.
Sour Dough Toast (per slice)
Condiments are complimentary.
Gluten Free Toast (per slice)
Condiments are complimentary.
Croissant (1)
Condiments are complimentary.
Poached (per egg)
+ Benedict (Hollandaise & Ham) +6
Fried Eggs (per egg)
Sunny Side Up / Over Easy or Over Hard
Scrambled
Butter, Full Cream + Chives
Moreton Bay Bug Scrambled
Bug, Butter, Full Cream, Cheese, Chilli + Chives
LUNCH / DINNER MENU
Turkish Pizza Bread (8 pieces) (V)
w/ garlic, oregano
Garlic Bread (4 pieces) (V)
Cheesy Mozzarella Garlic Bread (4 pieces) (V)
Freshly Shucked Oysters
refer to our specials for the source of today’s fresh oysters
Natural (GF) (each - min of 3)
w/ mignonette sauce
Granita (GF) (each - min of 3)
w/ aperol spritz granita
Kilpatrick (each - min of 3)
Vegetarian Spring Roll (each) (V) (VE)
w/ chilli dipping sauce
Prawn Spring Roll (each)
w/ chilli dipping sauce
Moreton Bay Bug Toast (each)
deep fried on pain de mie toast
Moreton Bay Bug Slider (each)
w/ butter leaf, pickled onion, sriracha mayo, coriander
Whipped Fetta (1-2 people)
w/ tomato, onion + 4 slices of turkish bread
Grilled Haloumi Cheese (V) (GF)
w/ dried figs, honey, white balsamic
Moreton Bay Bug Brioche ½ Roll
w/ capers, gherkin, dill, celery, mayo, salmon roe + caviar
Italian Style Meatballs (3 meat balls)
w/ house made tomato sauce + parmesan cheese
Eye Fillet Beef Satay Skewer (1) (GF)
w/ hot peanut dipping sauce
Flash Fried Calamari (GFO)
w/ rocket, pickled onions, lime aioli
Garlic King Prawns (4 prawns) (GFO)
w/ creamy garlic sauce on a bed of jasmine rice
JB’s Moreton Bay Bugs (2 halves) (GFO)
in the shell w/ creamy garlic sauce
The Great Northern Hotel
The Great Northern Hotel is a Carlton North pub with one of Melbourne’s most loved beer garden atmospheres. Located on Rathdowne Street, it is the kind of place that works for a sunny afternoon, a casual dinner, a footy session, a group catch-up, or a relaxed meal where the drinks and setting matter as much as the food.
The menu covers pub classics, snacks, burgers, steaks, roasts, parmas, wings, salads, sides, and family-friendly options, giving it the range needed for a proper neighbourhood gastropub. The Great Northern’s strength is that it keeps things approachable. It does not need to feel formal to be good. It succeeds by combining good beer, hearty food, outdoor space, and a strong local following.
The Great Northern Hotel is best for beer garden sessions, casual dinners, families, groups, footy fans, and anyone looking for a relaxed pub meal in Carlton North. It adds an important neighbourhood-pub side to this guide, showing that gastropubs can be social, easygoing, and still very food-friendly.
Address: 644 Rathdowne Street, Carlton North 3054
The Great Northern Hotel Menu
Shared platters
Shared platters for a group of people, allow approximately 4-6 pieces per person as rule of thumb.
Fish Bites, tartare sauce & lemon
(20pc) - $100
Beef/Vegan/Chicken burger sliders
(20pc) - $100 (Choose 1 option)
Chicken Skewers, lemon pepper, sriracha aioli
(20pc) - $80
Prawn cutlets, panko crumbed & bearnaise
(20pc) - $80
Chicken sandwiches, cold sandwiches, poached chicken, chives, aioli
(20pc) - $100
Wild Boar Dim Sims (Option for steamed or fried)
(20pc) - $145
Wild Boar Sausage Rolls
(20pc) - $145
Wallaby Party Pies
(20pc) - $145
Bowl of chips
$14 GFO
Bowl of wedges
$14
Chocolate Brownie
$15 per serve
Sticky Date Pudding
$15 per serve
GNH Cheese Board, selection of 3 seasonal cheeses(150g), Lavosh, Quince, Kalamata Olives, & Pear
$53 per serve
$65 per Person function menu
Choice of entrée, main course and dessert
Calamari, lime aioli, lemon (gf)
Spicy chicken wings, blue cheese sauce (gf)
Vegetarian Nachos, guacamole, sour cream (v/vo)
Fish and chips, tartare, salad (gfo)
Schnitzel, gravy, chips, salad
Chicken Parma, chips, salad
Eggplant Parma, chips, salad (v/vo)
Lemon Pepper Calamari, chips, salad (gfo)
Sticky Date Pudding
Chocolate Brownie
STARTERS
Chips | Wedges (V)
Sweet Potato Fries (V)
beetroot aioli
Garlic Bread (V)
Salt & Pepper Calamari
sweet chilli mayo
Korean Fried Chicken
chipotle dip
Panko Crumbed Flathead Tacos (3)
slaw, avocado, feta, lime, sour cream & sriracha mayo
Satay Chicken Skewers (4) (GF)
cucumber dipping sauce
MAINS
Chicken Schnitzel
chips, slaw & gravy or aioli
Chicken Parmigiana
chips & slaw (add ham + $2)
Beef & Bean Nachos (GF)
guacamole, tomato salsa & sour cream
Beer Battered Flathead Fillets
chips, salad & tartare
Grilled Barramundi (GF)
white wine cream sauce, lemon potatoes, carrots & beans
Pan Fried Salmon & Prawns (GF)
spicy coconut sauce, potatoes, snow peas & coriander
Moroccan Chicken Thigh Fillets (GF)
kumera mash, broccolini, preserved lemon & olive sauce
Bangers and Mash
cumberland pork sausages, peas, onion gravy & mash
Crumbed Lamb Cutlets
mash, veg & gravy or minted yoghurt
Roast Lamb Rack (GF)
rosemary & garlic, salsa verde, asparagus, snow peas & potatoes
Roast Pork (Fri to Sun)
crackling, mash, baby carrots, peas & gravy
STEAKS
with chips & salad or mash & veg; mushroom sauce, green peppercorn sauce or Diane sauce
Wagyu Rump (GF)
350g marble score 5-6
Eye Fillet (GF)
260g yearling grass fed
Sirloin (GF)
250g yearling grass fed
KIDS
with ice cream
Ham & Pineapple Pizza
Chicken Nuggets & Chips
Penne Bolognese
DESSERT
with ice cream
Tiramisu
Sticky Date Pudding
Kids Ice Cream
PASTAS & SALADS
Grilled Chicken & Haloumi Salad (GFO)
prosciutto, semi-dried tomatoes, avocado, pine nuts, sourdough croutons, capsicum, Spanish onion & balsamic vinaigrette
Asian Lamb Salad (GF)
redcurrant marinade, lettuce, vermicelli, carrot, Spanish onion, cucumber, peanuts & nuoc cham dressing
Chicken Caesar Salad (GFO)
sourdough croutons, speck, parmesan, egg, half-dressed with house dressing
Vodka Rigatoni (VO)
tomato, cream, pancetta, parmesan, basil & bocconcini
King Prawn Linguine
garlic, lemon crumb, olive oil, chilli & rocket
BURGERS & SANDWICHES
with chips
Steak Sandwich
rocket, tomato, bacon, caramelised onion, aioli
Chicken Schnitzel Burger
avocado, tomato, slaw, bacon & sriracha mayo
Hamburger
cheese, bacon, lettuce, pickles, tomato, onion & special burger sauce
Grilled Haloumi Burger (V)
roast field mushrooms, tomato, lettuce, avocado & relish
PIZZAS
(GFO + $5)
Supreme
mozzarella, ham, pepperoni, mushroom, pineapple, capsicum, olives & egg
Garlic Prawn
pepperoni, Spanish onion, baby spinach & chilli oil
Meatlovers
pancetta, pepperoni, cabanossi, ground beef, Spanish onion & bbq sauce
Peri Peri Chicken
mushroom, capsicum, Spanish onion, tomato, peri peri sauce
Vegetarian (V)
tomato, mushroom, capsicum, eggplant, olives, Spanish onion, oregano & aioli
Margherita (V)
mozzarella, tomato sauce & basil
Extra Condiments
TRADIE’S ROLLS
Chicken Schnitzel Roll
with gravy
Roast Pork Roll
with crackling & gravy (Available Fri-Sun)
SAUCES
Gravy
Hot English Mustard
Mushroom Gravy (v)
Wholegrain Mustard
Peppercorn Gravy
Dijon Mustard
Garlic Butter
Horseradish
Young & Jackson
Young & Jackson is one of Melbourne’s most iconic pubs, sitting opposite Flinders Street Station at one of the busiest corners in the city. Its history, location, rooftop, bars, dining spaces, and constant flow of locals and visitors make it a landmark rather than just another CBD pub.
The food offering sits in classic pub territory, with dishes that suit city visitors, after-work drinks, pre-event meals, casual lunches, and groups passing through the CBD. The appeal is not only the menu but the setting: a heritage hotel, a central meeting point, and a room that feels connected to Melbourne’s history and daily rhythm.
Young & Jackson is best for visitors, CBD lunches, casual dinners, after-work drinks, pre-theatre meals, and anyone who wants a Melbourne pub with real history. It belongs in this guide because a great gastropub is not only about food. It is also about place, atmosphere, and the way a venue fits into the life of the city.
Address: Corner Swanston Street & Flinders Street, Melbourne 3000
Young and Jacksons Menu
Entree
Smokey Hummus
toasted turkish bread, dukkah
Duck Liver Pate
Cognac, grilled sourdough, jelly
Calamari Fritti
crispy fried, fresh chili, rocket, lime
Burrata
tomato confit, zucchini, olive oil, torn basil
Yellowfin Tuna Carpaccio
thinly sliced, chili, radish, herb oil, lime gel
Mains
Warm Beetroot Salad
roast beetroot, fried spiced cauliflower, feta, roast almonds, rocket, mustard dressing
Lamb Rack
mustard crust, colcannon, green beans, shiraz jus
Gnocchi
pan fried gnocchi, blistered tomatoes, robust mushrooms, mustard green pesto, pecorino
Risotto
tiger prawns, squid, barramundi, tomato, white wine, garlic
NT Barramundi
crispy skin, white bean and lemon ragout, brussel sprouts
Chicken Breast
soft polenta, confit tomato, fried sage, cider sauce
Off The Grill
Our hand selected Graziers steaks are cooked over stone enhancing the flavour of these quality cuts of prime beef.
Signature American Rib Eye 400gm
mixed feed
Cape Grim Free Range Porterhouse 300gm
grass fed
Westholm F1 Wagyu Rump 300gm
grain fed
Sides
Chips
rosemary salt
Leafy Greens
lemon dressing
Green Vegetables
black sesame
Kipflers
crispy sage
Heirloom Carrots
honeycomb
Desserts
Butterscotch Sticky Date Pudding
ice cream
Coconut Panna Cotta
vanilla, passionfruit
Bread & Butter Pudding
chambord liqueur, sour cherries, ice cream
Affogato
espresso, baileys, ice cream
Daily Set Menu
$35pp
Glass of Stonyfell Quarryman Shiraz or Sauvignon Blanc
Fresh bread & infused olive oil
250g Rump Steak
Cheesy Gnocchi, Spinach, Jus
Grilled Salmon
Creamy Mash, Peperonata, Angel Hair Chilli
Linguini
Squid, Tiger Prawns, Chorizo Crumb, Pecorino
Chicken Breast
Salsa Brava, Crisp Herbed Potatoes, Broccolini, EVOO
Beetroot Salad
Fried Cauliflower, Feta, Roast Almonds, Rocket, Mustard Dressing
A bite sized sweet treat
Leaf Tea or Barista made coffee
Smalls
HALF FISH & CHIPS
Battered fish, chips, salad, tartare
JNR PARMA & CHIPS
Half a schnitzel, ham, cheese & napoli, chips, salad
MINI SCHNITZ
Half a schnitzel, chips, salad
150G STEAK & CHIPS (GR)
Minute steak, chips, salad
Sweets
MILO TIRAMISU
Savoiardi, coffee, choc malt, coffee liqueur, mascarpone
BUNDT CAKE
Caramelised white chocolate, raspberry, toffee
VANILLA SLICE
Caramelised pastry, custard, wild peach
Sides
HOUSE SALAD
Leaves, spanish onion, fried capers, persian feta, lemon dressing
SAUTEED VEGETABLES
Buttered, cream, mustard
MASH POTATO
Butter, nutmeg
CHUNKY GARLIC & PARMESAN POTATOES
Bar Plates
FRESH BREAD & BUTTER
Truffle butter
CLASSIC FRIES (GR)
Aioli
Y&J SPICE BAG
Chips, chicken, spices, capsicum, onion, curry sauce
S&P SQUID (GR)
Burnt lemon, mango aioli
POTATO CAKES (V)
Beer battered, salt & vinegar seasoning, house made ketchup
STICKY FINGERS
Chicken tenders, hot honey, sesame, green onion
CHUNK OF CHEESE (GR)
Clothed cheddar, crackers, dried fruit
FRIED GNOCCHI
Truffle, parmesan sage, chilli filament
BEETROOT HUMMUS (GR) (V*)
Chickpea crumb, feta, tortilla chips
MORETON BAY BUG CROQUETTE
sesame, lemon, chilli
BURRATA (GR)
blood orange, mint, EVOO, warm bread
Pub Mains
BARRAMUNDI (GR)
Braised leeks, sauteed greens, cauliflower cream
CLASSIC CHICKEN SCHNITZEL
Crumbed chicken breast, green salad, chips, lemon. Add gravy 2
CHICKEN PARMIGIANA
Schnitzel, tomato sugo, smoked ham, cheese, green salad, chips
STEAK ONION & ALE PIE
hand cut chips, tomato relish
FISH & CHIPS
Beer battered, green salad, lemon, tartare
PRAWN SPIRALE
Prawns, confit garlic, chilli, tomato, capers, evoo
PUFFED RICE SALAD (GR)(V)
Blackened corn, pomegranate, cucumber, tomato, peanuts, soft herbs, apple vinaigrette
HALOUMI (GR)
Cucumber, heirloom tomatoes, olives, capsicum, chickpeas, honey pearls
PORK CUTLET
Panko, crushed potato, green bean salad, preserved lemon, vinaigrette
CAPE GRIM PORTERHOUSE 300G (GR)
Grain fed, green salad, chips, choice of sauce
BLACK ANGUS SCOTCH FILLET, 300G (GR)
Grass fed, green salad, chips, choice of sauce
BLACK OPEL WAGYU RUMP 300G (GR)
MB6-7, green salad, chips, choice of sauce
Sauces
Red wine jus (GR)
Stout & mushroom
Creamy pepper
Confit garlic butter (GR)
Truffle butter (GR)
Rich meat gravy
Adds & Toppers
Add fried egg
Add grilled prawns
Add pulled lamb
Add haloumi
Add extra gravy
Hand Helds
STEAK SANDWICH
Scotch fillet, bacon onion jam, gruyere, leaves, mustard, aioli, damper roll, fries
MEATBALL SUB
Pork meatballs, tomato sugo, mozzarella, fried basil, long roll, fries
Y&J CHICKEN BURGER
Crispy fried chicken, chipotle aioli, slaw, milk bun, fries
LAMB BURGER
Pulled lamb, lettuce, tomato, feta, cucumber yoghurt, damper roll, fries
ADD GRAVY
gravy, mushroom, pepper
ADD POT OF CURRY SAUCE
Concrete Boots Bar
Concrete Boots Bar is a Richmond pub and bar with a casual, local feel and a menu that leans into contemporary pub food. Located on Burnley Street near Swan Street, it is useful for drinks, group bookings, functions, casual dinners, and relaxed neighbourhood catch-ups. It has the kind of personality that makes a pub feel lived-in rather than generic.
The food is built around approachable pub comfort, with dishes that suit beer, cocktails, functions, and social meals. A good gastropub does not always need to be white-tablecloth refined. Sometimes it needs strong drinks, satisfying food, flexible spaces, and enough character to make people want to stay. Concrete Boots fits that more casual, bar-led side of the category.
Concrete Boots Bar is best for Richmond locals, casual dinners, after-work drinks, birthdays, functions, and groups who want pub food with a relaxed bar atmosphere. It rounds out this guide by adding a more neighbourhood-driven and event-friendly gastropub option outside the CBD.
Address: 381 Burnley Street, Richmond 3121
Concrete Boots Bar Menu
NIBBLES
Beef BRISKET CROQUETTES
Cornichon mayo, pickled onion and pickled green tomatoes
BANG-BANG PRAWNS | GFO
Lightly dusted and fried, drizzled with bang-bang sauce
JALAPEÑO MAC-N-CHEESE BITES | V
Jalapeño mac-n-cheese, crumbed and fried with housemade aioli
PUMPKIN ARANCINI | VG |GFO
Crispy and savory arancini with napoli sauce
MIGHTY FINE GARLIC BREAD | V
Parmesan, oregano, chilli and fresh garlic butter on a ciabatta bread
SEASONAL PICKLES | VG | GF
Rotating selection of house pickles. Ask staff for more info
TO SHARE
CHICKEN WINGS | GFO
Crudités with blue cheese dip tossed in either buffalo or BBQ sauce
CALAMARI FRITTI | GFO
Semolina crumbed calamari on a bed of napoli and rocket, served with lemon mayo
CRISPY CHICKEN BITES | GFO
Southern-style fried chicken bites, served with lemon and housemade aioli
CAULIFLOWER WINGS | VG | GFO
Crudités with vegan aioli dip tossed in either buffalo or BBQ sauce
SIGNATURE NACHOS | V | GF
Chicken tinga or jackfruit chilli, corn chips, mozzarella, avocado and pickled jalapeños
Tacos
All tacos are served in flour tortillas. Corn tortillas available as GFO. 3 tacos per serve.
BANG-BANG PRAWN TACOS | GFO
Lightly floured and crispy prawns, coleslaw and bang-bang sauce
CHICKEN TINGA TACOS | GFO
Pulled chicken thigh in red sauce, lettuce, avocado and chipotle mayo
PULLED PORK TACOS | GFO
Slow cooked tangy pork shoulder, lettuce, pickled red onions and lemon mayo
JACKFRUIT CHILLI TACOS | VG | GFO
Pulled jackfruit chilli with beans, lettuce, avocado and pickled jalapeños
Mains
CHICKEN SCHNITZEL
Golden brown, crispy schnitzel, gravy, chips and house salad
PEPPER CRUSTED BEEF BRISKET | GFO
15 hour slow roasted beef brisket, peppercorn glaze, assorted pickles and chips
CHICKEN PARMA
Golden brown, crispy schnitzel topped with napoli sauce, ham, mozzarela with a side of chips and house salad
Burgers and Rolls
All burgers and rolls come with a side of chips or salad
SQUIZZY TAYLOR | VGO | GFO
Beef patty, american cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, tomato sauce and mustard
LAMB SHOULDER ROLL | GFO
12 hour slow roasted lamb shoulder, coleslaw, gravy and aioli in a ciabatta roll
STEAK SANGA | GFO
150g topside minute steak, american cheese, rocket and chimichurri in a ciabatta roll
CADILLAC FRANK | GFO
Rustic fried chicken thigh, american cheese, coleslaw, pickles and chipotle mayo
PORK BELLY ROLL | GFO
12 hour slow cooked pork belly, crackling, rocket, pickled red onion and cornichon mayo in a ciabatta roll
CHOW HAYES | VGO | GFO
Southern-style fried chicken thigh, american cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles and aioli
Dessert
BASQUE CHEESECAKE | GF
Creamy cheesecake with butterscotch sauce
Final thoughts
The best gastropubs in Melbourne show how flexible the category can be. Lamaro’s Hotel brings refined South Melbourne pub dining, while The Clare Castle Hotel gives Port Melbourne a seafood-and-steak-focused pub restaurant. The Great Northern Hotel adds Carlton North beer garden energy, Young & Jackson brings CBD history and landmark status, and Concrete Boots Bar offers a more casual Richmond bar and pub experience with contemporary comfort food.
Together, these venues show why gastropubs remain such an important part of Melbourne dining. They can be historic or modern, polished or relaxed, food-led or beer-garden-focused, built for long lunches or quick after-work drinks. Whether you want seafood, steak, pub classics, craft beer, a rooftop drink, a beer garden, or a local bar with good food, Melbourne has a gastropub for the occasion.