O'Connell's - South Melbourne

We had several service mishaps when we dined on Christmas Eve, that included incorrect entree order, bread plate and butter being whisked away whilst someone was still eating bread, and incorrect wine being poured into a glass containing different wine. I understand that perhaps it is difficult getting staff at this time, but these were rookie errors and made the dinner less than special.

After a number of years absence my wife and I returned to O'Connells to enjoy a Saturday night out with a number of old friends. The food was great and the pub has a healthy wine list. Unfortunately I don't think the head waiter could have tried any harder to be more rude, dismissive and unpleasant. Maybe he got his nose out of joint when we questioned why they brought us a bottle of champagne that was room temperature and had not been chilled. Anyway this set the tone for the night and any ambience that the venue tried to create was destroyed and the service when downhill from here. If you are looking for a great night out with family and friends than I strongly recommend you look elsewhere. We will not be returning and will spend our $900 bill at a more engaging venue

Review On arrival, we ordered a bottle of champagne which was not chilled when it arrived. We asked if there was another bottle of the same and it was the same temp. Ordered a completely different bottle of champagne and it was also warm. Head waiter was rude and when asked if he could wipe up a spillage (as a result of when one of the waiter staff poured the warm champagne), he did so in haste! Water glasses were topped up at the start of the evening and then nothing at all for try rest of the night. I was the last to leave the restaurant and they didn’t even say a word as I left that’s right, no thank you or have a good night! They certainly didn’t walk me to the door to open it for me as I left. We enjoyed the food but the service left a terrible taste in our mouths. We won’t return. Additionally, it was almost $175/head. Don’t bother go somewhere else there are plenty of other places that can manage both good food and good service.

A lovely pub in the quieter part of South Melbourne down towards City Road. This place has been an institution of the area for decades and with good reason. The place is very quaint with several rooms for the restaurant area, function rooms and public bar area. The menu is sophisticated but also has the great pub classics but more on the upmarket style. Prices are on the higher side but the food is amazing. Service was very attentive at first but we did notice that other tables were being catered to more often than ours. Our desserts also took a lot longer than anticipated and we had to ask. Overall though a beautiful pub and worth frequenting.

Superb food with an extensive wine list including some superb New Zealand Pinots. Impeccable service and hard to beat. Well done!