Went here on Wednesday steak night which is great value at $20 with a glass of wine.
Just take a look at the photo to see how perfectly cooked this medium rare piece of mouth watering steak was.
I haven't had a steak cooked this consistently anywhere in quite some time.
Add to that the drink you get, the chips are well salted and you get a salad that unlike many other pubs has clearly been made with some good ingredients.
A great local.
We came for their parma and pot night (I think it’s a Tuesday?). It’s great value and the parma is good. It’s of decent size, the chicken is tender and the chips aren’t bad. I wish there had been more Napoli sauce though.
What a cute place right next to my place that I hadn’t discover yet. I went there on a Thursday night when they had an amazing live Jazz band. I had caesar salad which was great. We enjoyed the rooftop and listening to the music.
The Water Rat has a great local pub feel but with the menu of a proper restaurant. Amazing burgers, some great Mediterranean and a wine and bar list that is up there with South Melbourne's great restaurants.
Definitely a good spot for Friday lunch or dinner! The southern fried chicken burg is a definite winner!
Great deal on the Parma tonight - $20 with a glass of wine, and a fabulous steak. Really enjoyed our cavolo Nero side and cheesy garlic bread to start.
Not super cheap, but then for food of this quality, it was still very reasonably priced. They also had a great brown ale on tap, along with other standard tap beers. We'll certainly come back when we're in the area
I've had a question in my mind for a while, I have posed it on Twitter a few times but never got a suitable response, and that question is "Where would I find Melbourne's highest parma?" Now calm down Cheech, by "highest parma" I simply mean the highest from ground level I would be able to partake in some chickeny, cheesy, tomatoey goodness. I thought I was onto something when The Imperial opened their rooftop deck, however after I found they made the shocking decision to not allow their parmas above ground level my dream of a parma with a view was crushed
Really clean and nice looking venue, we went in for the Wednesday steak night the steak was delicious. I was also really happy with the friendly service, my friends and I will certainly go back!
Pub is recently renovated and looks classy. Friendly staff. About 6-7 local beers on tap. Had the beef burger. Tasty and cooked to your liking.
I really enjoy this pub! The staff are legends and always beyond friendly. Their lunch menu is a great price point and their food is delicious. Love their pulled pork burger (that thankfully isn't too sweet!) and the shoestring fries that go along with it.
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This is my local. Rain, hail or shine, I can get there easily and enjoy a nice meal and drink. The bar menu is Ok but for Nancy and I, the restaurant is what we opt for.
During winter, the fireplace is on, so if you can get a table close to the heat, you won't be disappointed. We love the tables by the window. Little candles create a nice feeling, fairy lights on the tree outside and the decor make for a great ambience and you're well protected from the ruckus in the adjacent bar area.
I've had the eye fillet a few times and it's been absolutely brilliant and on par (for me anyway) with the steaks I've had at Rockpool and The Point. I know that may sound like a big call, but consider what you're paying elsewhere. It's still not a cheap steak for the size, don't get me wrong, but the cut of meat is top notch and they execute it well.
Nancy and I have been here during the day for a Sunday Roast special (large serving so make sure you're hungry) and for dinner as well. Dinner is our choice. We've taken friends there too and ended up having dessert which was also top class. It's always been a quite setting even if there is a function upstairs and we sit back, relax and enjoy good food and a glass of wine.
I consider it to be a local's favourite and not an establishment outsiders would commute too but maybe I'm wrong. All I know is it's never disappointed.
We had a small private function upstairs. It was some of the best hospitality customer service I have ever experienced. The food was also beautiful. The setting is also lovely, and the roof top area perfect on a sunny afternoon. I would highly recommend.
Love this place. Your local for after work drinks or dinner. Love their little section at the back with their fireplace. Food is very hearty at this place and reasonably priced. Perfect restaurant for your cold winter nights. A great range of wines too.
The atmosphere is much improved. $20 Lunch Menu much more attuned to the local office worker market. Had the fish and chips. Good serving well presented. Batter a bit gluggy. Chip excellent.
Great food and exceptional service!! Nothing was too much of a hassle. The atmosphere is really nice in the restaurant part of the pub because it's quiet enough to have an intimate dinner but still open enough to have access to the pub area.
We were keen to try the Water Rat post renovations and feel we have found our new local. The venue has a very warm feeling and the staff were delightful. We both had a wonderful roast dinner (a selection of beef, chicken or pork was on offer) & was delicious. We will be back next Sunday...
Came into the Water Rat tonight, food and service was amazing! Could not be happier! The staff were exceptional and the food was fantastic! Compliments to the chef and staff for making it a thoroughly enjoyable experience!! Will definitely be back... The Ribeye Steak for two; Amazing! I would highly recommend this place to my family and friends :)
We came into the water rat South Melbourne tonight and couldn't have been happier with the service and the food. We had the ribeye for two and it was amazing. Compliments to the chef. We will definitely be back on a regular basis
Food is amazing and I definitely would recommend for a warm summers with afternoon drinks. I personally have hosted an event upstairs on their deck and it truly is an amazing space, I was very surprised as I didn't even know it existed!
Service is second to none, I have 2 pubs closer to my place and prefer to go to the water rat everytime. I have never had a bad meal here, the food is quality and cooked well. Ricotta dip and semolina calamari are must haves.
Great food. I have eaten here a number of times, each time trying something different from the menu and each time being more impressed than the last.
Best steak!!. My parents were over visiting from Tasmania on Weds 18 March 2015 and I wanted to take them somewhere for a nice steak. I randomly selected The Water Rat Hotel and we had the best night - everything from the lovely service of Adrian the bar tender to Jack the chef who came out and had a chat to us at our table. Where do I start with how amazing the steak was!! Definitely 10/10 and next time my parents are over visiting again we will go back to the Water Rat.
Amazing Food!. Come here! Food was incredible - lamb was some of the best we've ever tasted, steak was absolutely superb and the mussels were delicious! Hadnt been here before so thought we'd give it a shot after seeing some pics on-line and now truly stuffed after a brilliant meal. Thank you to the staff and Chef Jack for one of the best meals we've had in Souh Melbourne, will be back and bringing friends! Cheers, Richard
Ignore the old reviews - this is a new place and the food was divine and impeccably prepared
They are onto a good thing!. Have been to the Rat a couple of times now since it has reopened, once just at the bar and the other with a group of 8. Menu is great, I had the mushroom and quinoa burger which was sensational. My son loved the chips! Food is great, wine list is fantastic and will definitely be back.
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Water rat hotel cnr park and moray sts south melbourne. Wow how the water rat has changed sensational makeover this place has gone from a pub to a class restaurant and bar i visited the rat on monday for lunch with 3 friends who i must say are hard markers on food and wine but we all came up with 1 answer awesome food and great wine list at reasonable prices. we enjoyed small,medium and large plates the standouts for me were cripy spiced chicken with sesame and tamari beautiful and soft then flathead and chorizo sliders superb.then a fantastic pappardele with goat ragu shaved pecorino divine not to mention the garlic and chilli prawns all the dishes were the quality of a top class restaurant without the fancy pricing if you live or work near this place you should try it i cant speak highly enough of the food and wine and besides that you have a more than friendly and attentive staff members try the rat you will be impressed my highest rating ever on urbanspoon 9/5 out of 10 these guys know there stuff enjoy garry r
Great meal all round. Reasonably priced. Good attentive and friendly service. Scotch fillet was a good cut and was cooked perfectly. Calamari entree was a treat also
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Rebirth. Looked forward to a new lease of life on my corner pub. Service a little shaky but friendly, so that makes up for a lot.
Have tried the chicken wings, brocollini and the calamari... have to say, happily surprised! The calamari was the best pub calamari I've had in years and years, after having been disappointed with this staple in the past. The calamari was soft and spicy.
The sliders aren't fantastic, although they read well off the menu. The pig ear slider was disappointing, it was waaay too crispy, teeth shatteringly crispy and was lost in the roll. The chips were good, especially the mustard aioli. The terrine was more like a pate but the onion jam that it came with was tart and sweet and lifted the meal well.
Will be back to try a few of the mains to test out whether this place becomes my regular or not.
There are too many pubs in South Melbourne turning out pretty average food, hopefully the new Water Rat rises above and makes a claim as being a go-to place in this highly competitive city!
Festivus - Yes Please!. New management know what there doing
good staff, good food, great beers and finally some specials
Try the $12 parma.................Nice ;)
Love my stone & wood beer too!
Beautiful food and venu. We had a large function here on Friday night, and the Chef was able to provide high quality meals to all guests in a short timeframe.
I would highly recommend the Water Rat Hotel to anyone it is a dining event with gorgeously presented food.
And the DESERTS!!!! Make sure you leave room for them because they are delicious!!!
We will definitely being attending there again.
Thanks for a wonderful night Chris, Michou and the rest of the team!
Cheers
Julie
Wonderful. A few weeks ago I had my engagement party here, straight away we knew this was the place to be.
Alex, who assisted with our big event was a little gem! it ran so smoothly and everyone had a wonderful time. we have been back since for meals and drinks and can't get enough of the place, and they remember us every time!!
food was lovely, decor is amazing!
Friendly staff, delicious food and beautiful wines. A great gastro pub :)
The food and service is fantastic. Will definitely return
Straight away greeted by a young good looking gentleman, I think his name was Allan, or Alex? Was looked after every step of our fine dining experience. You're not cool unless you dine at the water rat!
I had a wonderful experience a couple of weeks ago while at The Water Rat Hotel, we were greeted by a young girl (Alice or Alex?) who knew the answer to every question on the menu-not very common in a lot of places I have been too!!
The atmosphere was lovely and the presentation of each dish was so beautiful and unexpected! I have been back since and been impressed every time- highly recommend
Great food, great staff.. This is definitely a fine dining experience! welcomed with smiles and service straight away. The staff are so friendly and well presented, and they take hospitality to a very comfortable level willing to have a chat, and your experience is in their best interest. The food is absolutely wonderful, and the beer and wine selection is always changing, so it's a new experience every time. 10/10.
I find the Water Rat Hotel a hidden gem in the South Melbourne area.
Fantastic selection of boutique beers and bar snacks as good as any place in Melbourne.
Great atmosphere and friendly staff.
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Wedding review. Our experience of the water rat spanned over 11 months planning our wedding. Unfortunately there was a turnover of staff last year but we got the results on the night which is all that matters.
They have won numerous awards for their food & I can see why. The food was a real highlight on the night and a huge thank you to Head chef Chris who's menu is unforgettable. I am still craving the food from the night! He also helped us a lot with pre-planning so went beyond his chefly duty & went to the extra effort to accomodate our other requests, so they are flexible, unlike other reception places. The wine list is of top standard & for a wedding we didn't want your standard wedding food, they delivered something extraordinary with a great selection..... have I mentioned delicious
Sorry for the belated review but hopefully this will help anyone holding a function there in the future. If you are worried by the other reviews, just make sure you deal with Chris or Vic, they sort things out.
Unfortunately its not the hippest bar in town but its an institution & please keep this place alive. The decor is real nice & the deck is gorgeous.
Solid pub feed. This yet another of Melbourne's pubs that has been done up and improved their menu. For a monday lunch there was no one in the place but the interior still made for a good atmosphere. Service was good - as you would hope with only one table to tend. The ocean trout was a very nice meal. Good serve and well cooked. The sauce and soft shell crab it came with were also a winner. The eye fillet did look the good too.
The coffee was also pretty decent for a Hotel.
Worth a go for a relaxed lunch.
Yummy. Friday night, walked in & easy enough to get a booth, we both ordered the chicken parmie, best I've ever had, not to mention the chips!!
Well dine here again!
I loved the feel of this place as soon as I walked in. The decor is warm and cosy, yet spacious. The menu had many inviting choices but find it hard to go past duck risotto at any time and it didn't disappoint. Good wine choices by the glass and the service was very good. Very happy to have this as a local.
I really liked the chilli penne pasta although I had to ask for the food to be reheated. The place is nice, service friendly and the happy hours prices are ok. Will come back!
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Hidden gem in the heart of Melbourne.. Do not be fooled with the exterior image of the water rat. It is not just a pub nestled in the quiet back streets of South Melbourne. This venue is a classy, heritage venue reception catered for engagements, business events, fundraisers and birthdays.
I held a Charity Arts Auction Fundraiser (The Power Of One) after coming back from Africa this year at Water Rat Hotel.
My guest were impressed with this hidden gem. Upstairs Crystal Bar and Deck function room had all that we were after, the atmosphere, ambiance, the service, the venue was amazing and the chandeliers, tea light candles and leather couches given an arty and classy feel yet relaxed and intimate. Outside deck with outdoor heaters overlooks Parks Street however no one can see in giving it that private and intimate feeling.
I myself was overwhelmed with the support Lia (function manager and management) were giving us. Knowing it was a fundraiser they customized a package without blowing all budgets and supported us to all their ability. The staff was so efficient, friendly and not to mention the canapes/finger food and wine was a superb selection.
Lia and Water Rat Management are not just a business. They're good Samaritans where their pride and key objective is to make our important day, whether it is our wedding, engagement, birthdays or as in my case fundraiser to try to change lives a successful event and memorable moments of our lives.
Impeccable service Water Rat team.
Upendo Artist Association and kids in Tanzania could not thank you enough. Asante Sana!
Great job to all staff!. I would like to thank DP for his comment.
We do appreciate all feedback and do take it seriously- after all this is what makes all the staff work harder.
In The Water Rat's defence, unfortunately we are not a Pub any more. We are focusing on high level of service, great atmosphere and fantastic food and wine.
If you read the testimonials we have been receiving, you will see that it is working very well.
If you prefer to buy a bottle of wine from a bottle shop that is fine, but it will not be the same having it at home as it would be having it at The Water Rat or any other venue if that matters.
We are here to provide a service and a great atmosphere with high quality food and this is what you are paying for.
Hope you do find the right venue for your needs and thank you for your feedback once again.
Pretty good place for drinks and catch ups. We came for Parma night. Serving was generous and tasty. I also had the panna cotta. Pretty good for the price.
Great pub. We went here for an event. Relaxed and casual atmosphere. The staff were friendly.
Good food and friendly service. Come on Wednesdays because you can pay $20 for a 250g porterhouse steak, chips, salad and a glass of wine. They have mushroom, pepper or red wine sauce. Great stuff. I had the fish and chips and they were great. They give you the whole bottle of tomato sauce if you ask for any so you can put as much on as you like!
Made a booking online only to get there and there was none helping out in the restaurant. Finally someone just told us to grab a seat and there was no mention of a booking.
We were brought menus and then left alone for longer than we wanted.
However, when there lady finally arrived to take out orders everything went uphill from there.
The waitress we got was wonderful and bubbly. The food was amazing and reasonably priced.
We will definitely be back.
Side note: the restaurant isn't very big and only has a curtain dividing it from the pub but does have warm decorating. However there are quite a few tables for dinner in the pub and on a Saturday if want terribly noisy.
Classic pub. Food was great, try the wagyu steak.
Wow we had a brilliant night here last night. Sensational food- I had brined and flame roasted chicken. My partner's steak was something else. Friendly and attentive staff made for an excellent dumbing experience.
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