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Restaurant

The Essendon Hotel

914-918 Mt Alexander Rd, Essendon VIC 3040, Australia

Recommended by 12 people

Updated

Find The Essendon Hotel

914-918 Mt Alexander Rd, Essendon VIC 3040, Australia

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+61 3 8352 4235
HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 5:00 – 10:30 PM Thursday: 5:00 – 10:30 PM Friday: 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM Saturday: 12:00 PM – 1:00 AM Sunday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About The Essendon Hotel

Along the Mt Alexander Road strip, The Essendon Hotel trades sticky-carpet nostalgia for crisp dining and generous bistro plates. The dining room runs entirely on seated tables—tailored for sharing hearty portions rather than navigating a crowded bar crowd. Diners single out the slow-cooked beef cheeks falling apart over mash, alongside substantial plates of fluffy gnocchi with lamb ragu and crisp-crusted chicken parmas. Mid-week steak nights turn out charred cuts done precisely to order, backed by an energetic floor crew that keeps group dinners and milestone events running in step. Sunday sessions slow the pace down with live acoustic and jazz sets over tap beers and cocktails, while the dedicated upstairs function room opens out onto a private balcony.

  • Generous Bistro Classics: Hearty portions anchor the menu, highlighted by fall-apart braised beef cheeks, generous bowls of gnocchi lamb ragu, and crisp chicken parmas.
  • Private Balcony Functions: Dedicated event coordinators manage private milestone gatherings in a dedicated upstairs room complete with its own balcony.
  • Sunday Live Music: Sundays feature live acoustic and jazz performances paired with craft cocktails and cold beers on tap.
  • Value-Driven Steak Nights: Mid-week steak nights draw regulars for well-charred cuts cooked to temp without the premium markup.
RestaurantPub

What's On at The Essendon Hotel

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Choose The Essendon Hotel

From seamless private functions to generous bistro favourites and live Sunday music, discover why guests choose The Essendon Hotel.

  • Dedicated Private Upstairs Event Space

    The dedicated upstairs function space features its own private balcony and well-appointed styling, requiring minimal setup for landmark events.

    The room requires limited set up as it well designed and decorated with a balcony set up as well.

    Jodie Talone

  • Prompt Bar and Event Service Execution

    Plentiful dedicated staff and well-managed bar service keep group events flowing smoothly without long drink delays or coordination bottlenecks.

    It was appreciated that there were plenty of staff on hand, particularly at the bar so service was prompt all evening with no long delays.

    Tess B

  • Stress-Free Milestone Celebrations

    Hosts enjoy a stress-free planning process guided by an attentive coordination team that manages setup, timing, and details from start to finish.

    making the planning process stress-free and ensuring the surprise went off perfectly. Nothing was too much trouble, and their attention to detail made all the difference.

    Michelle C

  • Substantial, Generous Portion Sizes

    Guests consistently note hearty, generous dish portions across staples like ragu and beef cheeks that deliver reliable dining satisfaction.

    I couldn't believe the serving size. It was just what this dish ought to be. Large, soft fluffy delightful pillows of gnocci in a delectable ragu, and plenty of them.

    Maureen “Mozzie” Q

  • Sunday Live Music Sessions

    Sunday sessions bring a relaxed weekend mood anchored by live jazz and acoustic sets paired with tap beers and shared plates.

    With a live Jazz band on Sunday afternoon, plenty of good beers on-tap and wonderful staff, The Essendon Hotel is a place that I definitely look forward to coming back to.

    SEEDOEATREVIEW

  • Delightful Seated Dining Ambience

    A fully table-seated bistro and dining room environment creates a welcoming, comfortable setting suitable for group gatherings and milestone meals.

    This was my 4th visit here and always delightful. Food was lovely and a good selection of cocktails / wines etc.

    Warwick Harris

Generous pub and bistro classics executed to perfection

  • Braised Beef Cheek

    the Braised Beef Cheek was falling-apart delicious

    Clair Wood

  • Steak

    we LOVED our steak !!! The food was delicious and perfectly cooked !!

    Ricardo Nehme

  • Gnocchi

    Large, soft fluffy delightful pillows of gnocci in a delectable ragu, and plenty of them. And it was delicious!

    Maureen “Mozzie” Q

  • Tasmanian Salmon

    Tasmanian salmon with the crispest skin and perfect veggies

    Clair Wood

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful service details and function coordination that elevate milestone events and group dining

  • Early Function Room Access for Setup

    Event hosts receive advance access to the private room to set up decorations exactly as desired before guests arrive.

  • Dedicated Hands-On Event Coordination

    Dedicated coordinators like Liam manage milestones end-to-end, providing planning support that keeps surprise parties and 21sts stress-free.

  • Personalised Server Continuity and Detail Recall

    Floor staff track individual guest seating and recall order particulars across extended lunches with continuous single-server attention.

  • Synchronised Group Meal Service

    Kitchen and floor teams coordinate seamlessly during large group bookings to ensure all table meals arrive simultaneously.

Before you head over

Practical tips for planning your visit, dining setup, and private events at The Essendon Hotel.

  • Expect All-Table Seated Dining

    The venue layout is configured with dining tables rather than casual lounge sofas or standing bar perches, so reserve or prepare for seated table service even when stopping by for cocktails and drinks.

  • Coordinate Early Access for Event Decorating

    When hosting private events upstairs, coordinate in advance with the event management team to secure early bump-in access for custom room styling and decorations.

  • Consider Dining Placement for Quieter Acoustics

    Certain alcove tables can experience louder acoustics during peak service hours; request main dining floor placement if quiet, easy conversation is essential.

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