We were looking forward to eating at the Builders Arms, but sadly the menu there both the Chinse and the bar menu were not inspiring. So we wandered to the Grace Darling, took one look at the menu, read "Pork Belly" and nearly knocked each other out getting thru the door. Janice had the Pork belly which looked and was delicious. I had the Beetroot Risotto which was equally delicious. The wine list was great, the ambience superb and delightful, delightful staff. We shared the Brulee which was scrummy and left completely satisfied and happy and looking forward to going back to eat there again. Well recommend a feed at the Grace Darling. Actually when I think about it, its always been a reliable yummy place to eat drink and be happy. I asked the chef to marry me, however he did respectfully decline the offer. I think it was the obvious age gap! No harm in trying eh? 5 stars Grace Darling 5 stars!
It's a great venue...great staff..great beer..great gig's...Davey Lane last night was amazing.
Been here a few times now..never disappoints
Stunning pub. Loved the decor and relaxed feel to it. We ordered a steak roll and chicken Parma. Both were very tasty. Will pop in again when we’re in the area. Have heard their sundays roasts are delicious so that’s on my food list.
Normally I go to this bar for a drink. Last time we went there for their steak night on Thursday. It was a delicious $18 steak. Tonight we went for their lamb shank’s night (Monday). $15 the lamb shanks with mash, $20 with a glass of red. We ordered chips and salads to share. We were all happy with our meals. The service was outstanding. Highly recommended
The Wandering Reviewer
+4
I came here for a 50th which was held in a sweet little space separate from the main area. But to get there at 7pm meant weaving my way through all the patrons. This place is still mentally crazily awesomely busy and has such a great vibe. Despite being winter people still sat outside wining and dining and watching the wonders of Smith Street go by.
The atmosphere was friendly and fun.
Staff are excellent and have fantastic lip reading skills because it can be noisy. The music isn’t intrusive but is loud.
The food was great with the burger and Parma being the most popular. Food portion sizes and reasonable prices. You order at the bar your food and drinks - no table service.
Wheelchair friendly. Kid friendly. Parking isn’t to bad. I so so will return
Good beer selection, great gigs, never tried the food but I'm keen to. How could I not appreciate this local institution? I wish there was more promotion of the cooler craft beers on offer, but maybe there's not enough interest to market that. Either way, loved my sour beer that I can't remember the name of.
Cosy vibe with standard pub menu. Came here for steak night which was really enjoyable. For $25 had the scotch fillet with peppercorn sauce and side salad. Steak was well cooked and the sauce was very tasty. Would happily come back here for a casual meal with friends.
This past weekend it was a split decision ('we don't have any other better options') to walk into Grace Darling whilst we waited to meet up with friends after dinner and I'm glad we did, even if it was for a quick drink. I reckon this place is a 'don't judge a book by it's cover type of place' as I was pleasantly surprised with how nice, dimly lit and rustic the interior was compared to the exterior.
Although we only stopped in for a Vodka-Soda-Lime and a couple of pints, I have left with a great first impression and will be back if I'm ever in the neighbourhood!
It was a last minute decision to drop into Grace Darling for a quick drink. So glad we did though because we discovered a range of Bombay Saphite G&T Twists drinks. G&T is almost a staple drink of mine these days (lost count of the varieties of gin at home) but I loved the additional flavour combinations these twists provided.
The Refreshing Twist came with cucumber, kaffir lime leaf, butters and tonic while my “Holiday” came with Strawberry Mint and Tonic. Not sure if it was the amazing tonic varieties from Fever Tree but these drinks were stunning and should be seriously used as a magical elixir.
As an aside when we came here (Tuesday) it was their parma day until quite late. $15 for fairly good looking parma’s $5 for mash (wonder if I could go in and just order Mash).
Glad we paid them a visit.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Such delicious food and I really liked the ambiance of this place. For a pub restaurant, they had done a nice job of creating an area that felt intimate but still buzzing. Dinner lit by candle and separated from the main hustle.
In contrast, the guy who asked us if we had a reservation looked like he’d stepped out of a hip hop music video. It seemed really out of place, but also gave the place its surprising character. The inside dining is relatively small. The waiter looked like he should be working in the pub area, but they do table service and he was very attentive. Even recommended dishes and how the steaks should be cooked depending on the cut (for those out there who aren’t steak fiends - including me).
I had a fabulous dish called “pork cotoletta”. I’ll be eating that again if it’s on the menu. It’s got a nice crumb crunch on the outside of a perfectly cooked pork chop. The salad suited very well, although it took me a few bites to realise the orange was under the rest of the salad. I love salad with almost every bite, so ended up adding some of the rocket salad we’d got for the table (which was lucky, because it was a big piece of pork). All together delicious.
We started with the calamari special, which was very lovely but not running back for. It didn’t help that I’d recently had mind blowing squid somewhere else. Tough to beat.
The others had steak and a burger. The steak was close to being up there with the best steak they’d ever had. It looked delicious! The ‘salad’ it comes with is tiny, so best to get a side salad (if you’re into salad... otherwise just enjoy it with the chips). Someone else had the beef burger and was munching away at it saying it was super yummy.
The wine list was great. The prosecco was lovely and I would definitely go back! I was even congratulated at the end for picking the place - I think they were equally surprised that the pub would have a little restaurant area tucked at the back. We were basically the only people in there at 6:30pm, but by 8pm all the tables inside were taken.
Nice atmosphere, candle lit, warm and classy. The menu is considered and interesting without being over the top. The wine list is relevant with a old world and a few naturals in the cellar list to spice it up.
Went there with my friend , we ordered at the counter & waited for our food after that , because it was very busy when we were there so I kind like this ordering system at least u know u don’t have to wait for their staff to come to you & take your order ,sometime it might take loooong time . I ordered beetroot risotto, very pretty dish i would say , come to the taste , lack of flavours I think , can’t really taste beetroot . I gave 3.5 because my friend ordered slow cooked beef pasta taste better than this unfortunately I didn’t any pic for that dish .
Great space, the architecture is fantastic thus providing several different atmospheric rooms indoors and outdoors.
Chips, eggplant parma etc was good but could be better! The beetroot burger was great. Efficient, helpful and friendly staff.
Definitely worth the visit. Also there drinks menu is extensive and nice vibe :)
Lovely Aperol spritzes for the pretty fair price of $15 a pop. There’s also a decent beer and wine selection. It’s good as a bar and just as good as a venue thanks to the large and dynamic space.
Grace Darling is a Smith St Icon.
Cozy atmosphere inside. Great simple pub food
The grace darling is a good little venue. The bowl of chips are one of the best in Melbourne - mostly because of the smokey/barbecue tomato dipping sauce. There is plenty of space outside (great for people watching) and inside my favourite place to sit is in the undercover courtyard area. Will continue to be regulars here
I haven’t been back to their steak night for ages .. but it’s still tasty and good. Pretty quick as well considering they were quite busy. The standard is consistent. Definitely recommend to try their steak night. One thing that I need to bring up. They need to offer more desserts on the menu
Previous Review:
Normally I go here for drinks, but last time we came here for their steak night on Thursday. It was a delicious $18 steak, chips were crunchy and the sauce was tasty. Tonight (Monday) we came here for the lamb shank’s night. $15 with the mash and another $5 with a glass of red. We ordered chips and salads to share. Very good value and outstanding services. Highly recommended
Stumbled across this place on Sunday and I must say it was the most perfect Sunday afternoon spent on a cold winters day! A Fireplace to sit in front of which kept us cosy & warm. And the food was exceptional. Will definitely be back! 🙌🏻
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