Good vibes, friendly staff and locals. One side has ceiling to floor windows giving it a very modern and spacious feel while the other side has more a traditional pub vibe. The pizzas were good with generous amount of topping.
Hummus, falafel and zucchini salad = yes please! Really enjoy the village belle, fab outside area, lots of space, good food and it’s super central.
Modern and funky interior. I went after work for some drinks and entrees; it was a lovely place. Good service and drinks were great! Happy hour between 4pm - 7pm was great with a selection of drinks and cocktails.
Another one on my 'to do' list that I finally got to.
My work colleagues and I (7 in total) headed there for a late lunch mid week. We all ordered completely different meals, ranging from Chicken Parma to Fish of the day and each of us agreed-the food was pretty good.I wouldn't say the lasagne I ordered was the best I've had but it was relatively fresh and well sized.
Worth calling out was the relatively slow service. It felt like light staff were on ( Understandably at 2pm) but ordering drinks etc took time.
Definitely worth checking out and would good back again. The venue aesthetics are really well done and quite warm on a cold Melbourne day.
Came here for a friends birthday dinner. Really lovely place, we were surprised just how nice it was inside from the outside. Food was good and generous portion sizes. Our only complaint was the music was very loud. It was hard to even talk to the person next you. It was a bar as well, but it was difficult to talk to anyone over dinner.
The Village Belle is back! After a $15 million dollar refurbishment, it looks amazing. The bar area has loads of natural light and greenery everywhere. We went to check out the lunch menu.
Called into Village Belle Hotel for a few drinks and to catch the end of a footy game on the big screen. There was quite a crowd with the same idea in mind so we grabbed our beer and g&t and headed to the beer garden where there was a little more space. Was a cold day so we were glad for the hearing and the roof being covered over like a green house. It was incredibly easy to get a drink despite the crowds.
This venue is awesome and a great spot to visit for all sorts of occasions whether it be Friday drinks, dinner, watching a sports event, a night out etc. What I love the most about VBH is the space - it's HUGE and compartmentalised so you can walk around and move from space to space depending on whether you want to dance, have a drink, sit down and have a meal etc. The decor is also very stylish and I love the industrial/greenhouse aesthetic it has as part of its open-air section. I've not had food here before but have heard it is excellent - I'll come back for sure and recommend this for anyone in St Kilda looking for a spot to hang out that's not so crowded!
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Would I return? For a quality Sunday sesh, hell yeah!
If you used to come here in the old days to watch Greyhound racing and sink pots of Draught, you might not recognise the old girl. Village Belle spent millions on a huge 18-month renovation—this was money well spent.
The front bar is still there as is the draught! But now you have also got a huge atrium space and beer garden plus an upstairs cocktail lounge and DJ floor. The whole thing is a multi-level behemoth, able to cater for everything from private functions to an afternoon with the boys.
Getting down to the food. The menu is designed for easy eating. There are your usual pub classics and a few Euro-style fine dining options. I went for dinner with a couple of friends and then when headed upstairs for a cocktail. As I wasn’t feeling very hungry this evening I ordered the salt and pepper calamari with roquette salad & chips $18. The serving size was not very big and you certainly pay a higher price because of the venue and its setting. The dish was however nice with the calamari cooked well, not rubbery and the chips were on point. Check out my pics! If I was feeling more hungry I would have ordered a pizza as these looked great along with the parma.
Service? Prompt and polite.
Wrap up: Grab the crew, clear the schedule, and settle in for a quality Sunday sesh.
BONUS: There’s a dedicated private function space above the atrium with it’s own bar.
4.0
We popped in to the Village Belle for a quick beverage on the way to Meatsmith to get some more of those delicious beef patties. The Village Belle used to be the seedy pub at the less than desirable end of Acland St. It has undergone a serious multi million dollar makeover. While the old pub building remains - with pokies - a beautiful new space has been built on the North West side of the old pub. We sat in the garden bar - part of the new space - and soaked up the airy ambience, surrounded by beautiful greenery and indoor trees! I had a Great Northern beer - cold, crisp and fresh. While we didn’t eat on this occasion, the menu looks fantastic. Gourmet pizza and classic pub fare. Those eating around us looked to be very satisfied. And if you are into novelty value, this must be the only pub in town with a retractable roof over the garden bar. What a great space.
the name explains it all, its like entering a whole village of bar. so from a sports bar, to fine dine, to disco, to a large lounge, they have it all. so best way is to enjoy drinks, and get in to the groove of music, amazing crowd puller. so should you feel like enjoying a great weekend at st. Kilda, then this is the place....
Super sexy new fit out. Staff were on the top of their game killing the service. Food was beautifully cooked and plated. Love the truffle jus, why wouldn’t you? Back for drinks another tome for sure.
George David Michaelides
+4
Great pork belly, I was impressed at the serving size and the taste of the pork itself, it wasn’t overpowering and didn’t smell like some pork can from pubs. Beer is cold and the garden is a great place to hang out after your meal what more could you ask for
Since the refurb the whole experience at the Belle has been lifted. The decor is modern and clean, the menu is simple but executed so well, paired with a delicious cocktail and you have yourself the perfect local which can be enjoyed with friends or family, any time of the day.
Really surprised to see some negative reviews about the service below? We organised a lunch on Sunday for 7 people and couldn't have asked for a better day. The food servings were huge and the wait staff were fantastic. We were constantly asked whether we were happy and whether we wanted to order anything else and the food was delicious. While the parma might seem expensive at $27, it is definitely worth it, with some of the best chips I've had for a long time! Great place for a sunday session!
Great atmosphere and feel. The recent refurbishment really paid off. Tried the food and the Salt n Pepper Calamari was perfectly cooked and tasty, Soft shell Bao was a little different in flavors but worked. I would have preferred traditional flavors though and more creaminess to balance out the steamed bun.
Super food salad was also good but this is more a meat establishment which kinda showed in the vegetarian options. Decent serving size and attentive staff. Thumbs up for this one.
Good place, lots of potential but.. WTH with the music?! Is crap!! I like how it was renewed..
Eat Play Live Melbourne
+4
We stopped in for an early 4pm dinner - the dinner service starts at 5pm but before that they offer their pizza menu plus a selection of share plates.
The hotel is newly renovated and they've created a great dining space. Loads of natural light, a retractable glass roof, lots of semi private nooks separated by multiple levels and an abundance of greenery. There is also a bar upstairs, and the sports bar downstairs has had a makeover too.
We ordered both the meat eaters and the herbivore pizzas. Lots of toppings, lovely light and crispy base and great flavours. The only negative was the level of service. There were plenty of staff about but we had to attract someone's attention every time we wanted to order. Even after our plates had been taken and our drinks were almost empty, no one asked us if we'd like to order more. Im hoping this was just a minor blip before the dinner shift started because otherwise i'd recommend this place for atmosphere and food quality
Place looks fantastic from the renovations. Ordered a Marinara and margarita pizza. The marinara was a big disappointment- when paying $24 you expect to see visible seafood on top. It was pretty much a saltier version of the margarita. They were tasty though and I loved the thin crust. The service is friendly.
Dined here and tried the meat feast Parma and omg it was huge I can usually scoff down most big sized meals but I actually struggled with this one chips were perfect Parma tasted awesome was just disappointed I couldn't eat it all.. good beers on tap as I'm not a fan of craft beer can't wait to go back again..
The service is really slow. Takes about an hour to get your food for some reason? but order the mexican parma and you won't be disappointed. warning it it massive so make sure you're hungry! Would go back :)
Have never had a better $10 steak, will come back often for the ultimate weekly debrief. The only thing better than the steak was the immaculate service offered by management and the barstaff. 6 potatoes out of 5.
Love to go there on a Thursday night, which is the Parma chicken night. Do go before 7pm because the happy hour is before 7! It's a huge dish with 2 piece chicken in one, side salad with fries. Always worth going, enjoying it with beer!
This is an unassuming hotel that is often overlooked I'd say, purely because of the way it looks. However, upon entering the decor is beautiful, there's a lovely beer garden and the bar staff are quick and efficient while being friendly. The food is a 7/10 - definitely room for improvement - the salad is a bit thrown together but otherwise a lovely meal - garlic bread is also a great starter. Also big bonus for the fact they play 80's, 90's, 00's and today's music for a welcome variety!
Great atmosphere, friendly staff and awesome food...in particular the parmas! Try the Mexican parma, they've got the flavour and spice just right!
Good pub food.. Came to the Village Belle for a friends birthday and found the food to be really good. I had the Chilli Brisket and it was delicious. Most of the others had Parma's and they were the biggest Parma's I have ever seen. Everyone was pretty happy with their meals. We also had a bowl of chips and the chips are amazing!
The beef burger is huge and tastes fantastic .. well worth it
Pretty good value. We ate here for a weekday lunch and enjoyed it. Menu is reasonably priced, with mains around the $15-$20 mark. We ate off the express lunch menu - I had a chicken burrito with chips and my sister had fish and chips for $10 apiece. The burrito said it had sour cream and guacamole which I couldn't taste or see but it was delicious nonetheless. My sister enjoyed her fish and said it was cooked well. Highly recommended for good, old-fashioned pub grub!
Melbourne Epicurean Juror
+4
20 guests & no complaints. Attended a mate's 40th last week at the Village Belle Hotel bistro, the tucker was great, in the group of just under 20 I didn't hear of any complaints. If your a big eater this is the place to go for a plate full of good quality food, I couldn't get through all my lasagne. Like most pub food it was excellent value for money. My congratulations to the pub staff for getting it right.
Phill Jury (food critic & writer)
Can't fault their Parma night. Their staff are fantastic although their uniformity is a little disheveled. Their meals are fantastic, fresh and the quantity is "Aussie ". Exceptional location for the bistro not shoved out the back right front and square. Their pie is a standout . There security are friendly and accommodating giving an Instant warm feel. I think you will have a great dining experience
Good pub food. My husband and I have eaten here many times, because it is just down the road. It is always good and always filling. The bands on Friday and Saturday night are always fun. A word to the wise, one Parma can easily do two people, they are massive!
One of the best parmas in melb. Seriously good parmas here, even better on Thursday's when they are $13! Traditional is good, Mexican is spicy and gravy good on the Aussie. The chips are some of the best I have had at a pub and the side salad is decent.
Been before on steak night and that was also a winner.
Great pub in st kilda, I'm a fan!
Great pub grub....very very good
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Have eaten here so many times I've lost count. I've always gone on Tuesday $14 steak night. I've ALWAYs had their incredibly good cheesy garlic bread and a consistently beautifully cooked steak exactly to our liking.
Never had a bad experience here, though you must book early on steak night as the place is tiny, very cosy, but crowded, in a good fun sort of way though. Village Belle is always a reliable favourite, though not in a car through out December when all of St Kilda is hugely busy, you have zero chance of finding a car park ....
but the tram stops across the intersection ... at the end of Acland Street, so do try this great place, especially cosy and buzzy in the winter time, and less packed, but full of atrmosphere, always excellent service, very prompt, professional and good attention to detail.
Ah hem, on a less dinner-ish note, they often have back packers as wait staff, and I cannot hear enough of the irish brogue - love it big time, cant help but tip a lot as I just love listening to their voices!
A regular haunt!
Yummy bacon and mushroom pasta for $10.
Parma Thursday's! $13 for a good sized parma. Yummo!! A good local hangout away from the pretentiousness of acland street.
Good pub atmosphere and value for money parma.
Tuesday $13 Steaks. I came here for the first time tempted by their $13 rump steak on Tuesdays. The rump was cooked beautifully (med-rare) and wasn't stringy or chewy. The veg and mash on the side was yummy, as was the mushroom sauce! Will come back.
Top Spot for Local Nosh. They revised the menu a while ago to make it more current and the prices are moderate and the food is good pub nosh - steaks and parma's - AND they manage to stick 1 or 2 good fish dishes ( tuna/ barra/salmon) in as well! - You Go Village Belle - and the chips are great.
Service is friendly and the carpet in the bar is still sticky - what more could you ask for in a pub??!!
Good pub food at the right price. Good food good staff good location good value, Nothing fancy just what a pub should be.
Village Belle Hotel has quite a nice Parmigiana that ticks almost all the boxes! The Chicken used is 100% real juicy Chicken Breast with a GBD Crumb Coating sealing in all the moisture of that delicious Chicken Breast! Then on top it's blessed with what I consider to be a pretty impressive pub Sauce indeed, accompanied with that of course is some fresh Leg Ham as well as a Golden Brown Delicious layer of Melted Cheese!👌🏼
The Chips are also pretty good but unfortunately the salad was pretty average, All in all though I'd Definitely Recommend Village Belle Hotel for a ice Cold Beer or a decent pub Meal.
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We had great food here, especially the roasted Lamb, beautiful cooked. Great, size with vegetables.
The only two things we unhappy about, as following
There is no mint jelly sauce offered as the feedback from waiters it's ran out the day before. So why fixed it while the menu served roast lamb, especially it ran out 24hrs ago then there are time to fix it. Especially the Woolies just cross the road.
We would like to change the order if we have been noticed.
Second, the barmen served the wine always under standard line, it's a big no no to us. Even the waiter agree with us that it should be more.
But we decided no more wines after two drinks.
We have at least three people in this table who worked in hospitality industry, two of us are even the owner and manager in other Hotel and restaurants. We know what's a stander wine and serve.
If the barmen don't want to listen, we will go somewhere else.
Hospitality is always about service and experience.
It's very very pity.
But we do give the credit to the chef and one of waiter who are very good at table service.
Very cool bar with great vibes, super friendly and helpful staff
Amazing cocktails and other drinks
Monday, whole day HAPPY HOUR which is AMAZINGGGGGGGG!!!
Also, there is a pokie attached, have fun with friends.
But I did not try the food.
Hello Monday cheap eats! We had the $17 pizzas and Parma’s, delicious, what a feast. Will be back, thanks for having us!
We had a party of 10. The door was delicious and the service was very good. Attractive surroundings and for a large space it was nice and warm on a cool evening. Very enjoyable.
Absolutely no hesitation in recommending.
Fun place with really good food. Great service. Only downside is, it was really loud. We had a hard time hearing each other. But well worth a visit!
Went here recently for dinner and a boogie with a group of friends!
Staff were super friendly, food was great, cocktails were even better! Dancing upstairs later in the night was a little bit HOT (was a hot day in Melb) but otherwise a great place!
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