A good pub does exactly what it promises on the tin: a spot to catch up with mates, knock back a few pints, and naturally, tuck into a parma.
These days, Melbourne's pub scene runs the full gamut, from nostalgic, Australiana-soaked public bars to swish dining rooms helmed by top-tier chefs. With a plethora of options, finding your go-to can be a bit of a mission.
Whether you're chasing a frosty schooner or a parma that hangs off the plate, we’ve rounded up the best 20 pubs in Melbourne for 2025.
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Melbourne's Best Pubs At A Glance
- Jump To The Best Pubs For Craft Beer In Melbourne
- Jump To The Best Diver Pubs In Melbourne
- Jump To The Best Gastro Pubs In Melbourne
- Jump to The Best Pubs In The CBD
If you're chasing the city's best Irish pub, Guinness, a good spot to get a steak or even just tuck into a tasty craft beer we've got you covered with our top recs for Melbourne's best pubs.
Without further ado, here are our picks for the city's best watering holes. These are Melbourne's best pubs for 2025:
The Best Gastro Pubs In Melbourne
Alright, the name gastro pub is probably a little dated, we'll admit but what else do you call these pubs with excellent food offerings, a decent wine list and a stunning refurbed interior? If you've got a better way of describing them, drop us a DM. But for now, these are Melbourne's best gastropubs for a bite.
Royal Oak Hotel
442 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy North
Image credit: Royal Oak Hotel | Supplied
From the crew behind the ever-loved Marquis of Lorne, the Royal Oak Hotel has had a slick glow-up and wasted no time cementing itself as one of Melbourne’s best gastro pubs. It’s got all the nostalgic Australiana feels—vintage beer mirrors, footy on the screen and beers chilled to perfection.
But the food is dialled up, from a schnitzel lounging in a pool of rich mustard sauce to the strip steak sidled up to whole-roasted shallots and a peppercorn jus.
The Gertrude Hotel
148 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
Image credit: The Gertrude Hotel | Niki Schuch
When Andy Lockyear (ex Rockpool Bar & Grill) and Iza Dawkins took over The Gertrude Hotel, they took this pub from diver to gastro, trading the hectic pink and green lightning bolt frontage to a modern Euro makeover with curbside dining underneath cedar trees.
Inside, it’s all the Aussie pub suspects, reimagined with Italian flair, think share-style food, hand-stretched pizzas, homemade pasta and an indulgent tiramisu—all inspired by Dawkins’ trip to Italy.
The Lincoln
91 Cardigan Street, Carlton
Image credit: The Lincoln | Supplied
This 170-year-old Carlton icon is still serving up the pub classics like bangers and mash but it’s not afraid to flex its culinary chops with elevated plates like pumpkin gnocchi with summer squash, sage, cime di rapa and goat’s curd.
The Lincoln is also match-day ready, with plenty of tables for the whole crew, beer flowing from the taps, and a wine list that could hold its own against some of Melbourne’s best pubs.
The Vic Hotel
43 Victoria Street, Footscray
Image: The Vic Hotel | Supplied
Dating back to 1870 (making it possibly the oldest pub to grace this list) The Vic Hotel is a little bit of everything you want in a good pub: steeped in history with a tasteful refresh, but also all the brews and menu classics you're after.
Take a peek at the unique, oval bar top in the main bar before you find yourself a seat and dive into a wagyu cheeseburger, chorizo scotch egg (our personal fave drinking snack), a hand-crumbed parma or a monster Otway Pork cutlet. There's also a ripping selection of vegetarian options as well like their beer battered halloumi burger, or ricotta gnocci.
Whether you’re in search of a hearty meal or just a place to chill with mates, The Vic Hotel continues to be a beloved staple in Footscray for both old-timers and newcomers alike.
The Builders Arms Hotel
211 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
Image credit: The Builders Arms Hotel | Supplied
Announcing its charm on the corner of Gertrude and Gore Street, The Builders Arms Hotel is classic Melbourne pub territory. Inside, it’s split into three: a bar, a refined bistro and a secluded beer garden out back. With Andrew McConnell at the helm, expect inventive pub fare, a sharp drinks list and a crowd that knows good food when they see it.
Marquis Of Lorne
411 George Street, Fitzroy
Image credit: Marquis Of Lorne | Supplied
Perched proudly on the corner of Kerr and George, the Marquis of Lorne is no ordinary pub. It nails the classics, including the humble chicken schnitzel, but the real game-changer is the rockling burger, stacked with dill aioli, shallots, cos and a pile of chips. Cap it off on the intimately spaced rooftop, and you’ve got a local that delivers on all fronts.
The Orrong Hotel
709 High Street, Armadale
Image credit: The Orrong Hotel | Supplied
Perched on the corner of Orrong Road and High Street, this landmark got a glow-up a few years back, but all the original charm is still intact. With 150 years under its belt, The Orrong Hotel earned its rep as the local’s local, serving up the classics (parma, Angus burger) alongside slicker options like panko-crusted pork cutlets.
The Best Dive Pubs In Melbourne
Sometimes you need a spot that's a bit dirty, divey and all around relaxed to sink a few pints. A lot of the city's great old pubs haven't had a glow up yet, making those sticky carpets, arcade games and cheap pints feel authentic and we're here for it. These are our fave dive pubs in Melbourne.
The Royston Hotel
12 River Street, Richmond
Image credit: The Royston Hotel | Supplied
The Royston snagged a spot on our best parmas guide, so it’s no surprise it’s also in Melbourne’s top pubs. Tucked away on River Street in Richmond’s quiet backstreets, it’s a no-brainer to visit on Mondays or Wednesdays for their famous $19 parmas, and make sure to schedule a round of pool first thing when you do.
The Prince Alfred
619 Church Street, Richmond
A Church Street favourite, affectionately known as P.A’s, The Prince Alfred is a top spot for putting back a couple of schooeys. With over 15 beers on tap, you can go an entire visit without ever sampling the same beer twice. Dogs are welcome and encouraged, and the menu is stacked with stellar options.
The Retreat Hotel
280 Sydney Road, Brunswick
You won’t find a reliable 'best pub in Melbourne' list that doesn’t include Brunswick’s Retreat Hotel. This spacious beer garden is primed for whiling away the weekend with a sizable beer selection, live music in the band room and pub trivia every Monday and Tuesday to kick off the week.
On the food front, the pub classics are in abundance but it's the cheeseburger with a bourbon barbecue sauce that's the go-to.
Windsor Castle
89 Albert Street, Windsor
Big, green, and topped with pink elephants, The Windsor Castle Hotel isn’t exactly royal, but it’s a palace for locals. Drool over top-notch pub grub and prize lazy Sunday arvos spent cradling a cold one while catching up with mates in the lush beer garden.
The Corner Hotel
57 Swan Street, Richmond
Image credit: The Corner Hotel | Supplied
The Corner Hotel, just a short stagger from Richmond Station, is the home of live music in Melbourne. The beer-soaked floors of the band room and sunlit rooftop terrace all pile into the legacy that the Swan Street venue has cultivated since originally being built back in the early nineteenth century.
Grab a few frosty pints and tuck into the extensive menu from pasta, parmas steak sangas and more, all while taking in the sunset vistas over the CBD.
The Standard Hotel
293 Fitzroy Street, Fitzroy
Image credit: The Standard Hotel | Supplied
Dripping in esoterica and retro quirkiness, this backstreet pub is a gem worth searching for. The Standard Hotel is part traditional pub, part sprawling beer garden, known for its quality rotation of live music and no-fuss menu.
They’re vegan and vegetarian-friendly, and there’s plenty to choose from when it comes to drinks, an easy contender for the best pub in Melbourne.
The Tote
67-71 Johnston Street, Collingwood
Built in the 19th century and carrying its name for nearly 150 years, The Tote is a Collingwood institution. Forget polished interiors—this place oozes rock ’n’ roll, soaked in spilled beer and punk energy. Grab a pint, settle in and soak up the real deal: live local music that keeps the spirit loud, proud, and unapologetically raw. The Tote isn’t a pub; it’s a rock shrine.
The Best Pubs For Craft Beer In Melbourne
So you're feeling a little fancy and want to indulge in a bangin' $20 pint? Hey, that's what payday is for right, it's your shout? Craft beer's definitely high on drinkers' lists of needs and wants at a good pub, so we've picked out a few of the best in Melbourne.
The Esplanade Hotel
11 The Esplanade, St Kilda
Image credit: Hotel Esplanade | Supplied
Simply put, there is no other pub like the Espy. St Kilda’s Hotel Esplanade has been an iconic establishment of the area since its inception 146 years ago. The revamped Espy now boasts 12 bars over its five levels with an insane range of handpicked wines, signature cocktails and craft beers.
Holmes Hall
15 Holmes Road, Moonee Ponds
Image credit: Holmes Hall | Supplied
The team behind The Ascot Lot gave the old Russo’s supermarket a new lease, transforming it into Holmes Hall—a sprawling 300-seat mess hall, tap house, bottle shop, and laneway bar.
Expect quality pub fare from golden parmas to share-style plates of burrata, plus a fridge full of 20 crafty tins and local brews like Mountain Goat and Range on tap.
Railway Club Hotel
107 Raglan Street, Port Melbourne
The Railway Club Hotel is Port Melbourne pub royalty, nestled in a charming Victorian-era building on Raglan Street. Known for ice-cold pints and seriously premium steaks — think rib eye and T-bone, touted as one of the top spots for a rib eye or t-bone in town.
Beer lovers, rejoice: seven taps pour everything from craft gems like White Rabbit Dark Ale to good ol’ VB in the fridge.
The Best Pubs In Melbourne CBD
Surprisingly, the CBD is a bit of a dry-zone for good pubs. But that's okay, because we've done the hard yards after work and sussed out a few of the best to whet your whistle. Whether that be after work, or pre-game, or for a cheeky brew before dinner, these are the best pubs in Melbourne CBD.
Garden State Hotel
101 Flinders Lane, Melbourne CBD
Garden State Hotel stretches across four stylish levels, serving lush greenery and good times in equal measure. With space for up to 800 revellers, it’s one of Melbourne’s biggest beer gardens and come summer, it’s packed to the rafters but equally in winter with a double-sided fireplace.
There is no shortage of options on the menu, choose from a hearty pub fare or freshly shucked oysters.
Morris House
120 Exhibition Street, Melbourne CBD
You've got elevated pub classics, zesty summery cocktails and the usual suspects on the beer and wine front. On sheer size alone, this is definitely one of the best pubs Melbourne CBD has in the mix.
The Mitre Tavern
5 Bank Place, Melbourne CBD
Melbourne’s oldest pub? The Mitre Tavern reckons so, circa 1850, give or take a pint. The ceilings are low but the steaks are sky-high. They pour a mean Guinness, but the real showstopper is the Butcher’s Board for Two: eye fillet, wagyu rump, ribs, Kransky, and more. It’s a carnivore’s dream, just bring a mate and maybe a bib. For more on Melbourne's best pubs for steak, head over here.
Leading image credit: Builders Arms Hotel | Roberto Pettinau
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