Albert Park Hotel

Albert Park Hotel is a bar rather than a pub, and quite a nice one at that. It’s the kind of place that really lends itself to summer; there’s an outdoor area out the front that begs passers-​by to join in the festivities, and another terrace out the back.
I’ve mainly been here for Oyster Frenzy events, which I can’t recommend highly enough, by the way — totally decadent, great quality of food, and a lovely treat of an evening if oysters tickle your fancy.
Oysters aside, I think this would be a great place to while away a sunny Sunday, with a group of friends and a couple of bottles of wine. It’s on the other side of town for me so not super convenient for regular attendance, but if you’re on the south side, this seems like a pretty nice place to be.

What a fantastic concept — Oyster Frenzy 6. All you can eat oysters washed down with a fine selections of drinks.
Now reality. Regardless of the price, all you can eat brings out the best and worst. I think there is a subconscious reaction that this is the last meal before hibernation. Or maybe it’s just get as much value as you can regardless of everyone’s collective enjoyment?
Anyway the quality of the food is fantastic. The bar is lined with oysters from across Tasmania to South Australia. Simple sauces round them off. I recommend this event for the food and people watching, just maybe with 30 – 40 people less in the room. Think Suzuki night market, but in a hotel.

um, what happened?! I remember there being a lot more grill and seafood fare on offer here, not Mexican and Asian-​themed (expensive) «street» food.
Had the $ 20 special — Thai salad (very chili, almost tasted like it was made hot just for the sake of it :() with pork belly on top and two fish tacos. all were OK but more Asian themed taco than Mexican. The sauce was a little too overpowering spicy. «tortillas» seemed a little-​rubbery/​not-​soft-​enough too… I definitely preferred the menu of old though. This one was trying a little too hard…

Its a gorgeous summers evening when we head to the back of the Albert Park Hotel, uncharted territory for us the recently renovated restaurant is just gorgeous! Comfortable, welcoming and with a lovely looking open courtyard and fishes swimming above the kitchen pass.
It’s the Albert Park Oyster Bar & Bistro so oysters we shall have, with 7 on the menu we go for a mixed dozen with;
Tom Thumb, Clair de Lune, Rusty Wire and Label Rouge all from NSW Batemans Bay… WOW! Read more at my blog

We were recently featured in The Age’s food magazine Epicure (Read our take on it here). So in line with the feature, which focused on Melbourne’s best lunch deals, we took ourselves to The Albert Park Hotel to once again sample their delightful lunch menu. The Albert Park Hotel is owned by Julian Gerner and Tom Walker who also own and The Newmarket Hotel which opened few months ago down the road from us. We have visited a number of times but feel like they are taking a long time to find their feet — deciding on whether they are a restaurant, Mexican drinks and street-​food stop, bar, restaurant or a combination of all of these. This dilemma is no concern for The Albert Park Hotel which has nicely landed in the market as a professional outfit that specialises in seafood in all its glory.
Found directly across from Andrew’s Hamburgers (The best burgers in Melbourne!) we usually stop over at the hotel for a drink while we wait for our order. There is very limited outside space but when the locals finish work the inside becomes a buzzing hive of activity showing that this newish establishment has taken to the local like a horse to water. The interior is split into bar, tables and booths while towards the back, the fine dining comes into its own with warm wood draped in shades of black and white. But we were not here for that dining experience — but we will be back to put it through it’s paces.
The Albert Park Hotel has one of Melbourne’s great affordable lunch specials going around — Taco & Thai Salad for $ 20. We decided on a combination of 2 tacos but each ordered a different salad. The first taco was the lobster tacos «surf & turf» w/​guacamole, crispy pork and grilled pineapple salsa. The Asian flavours around a Mexican food staple really worked wonders. The pineapple was the perfect combination with the slices of lobster and avocado.
This was matched by the tuna sashimi and crab salad w/​green mango and holy basil & crispy fish. It certainly had a good kick of chilli — and this is from the mouth of a chilli addict. But the warmth was nicely complemented by the fresh fish.
The second taco was the crisp prawn taco w/​chipotle mayo, Baja coleslaw and jalapenos. It was just as good as the first. Maybe even better. The second salad we decided upon was the sticky pork salad, w/​Crystal Bay prawns, spicy green papaya salad, peanuts and Thai herbs. It was on the list and of course it had to be ordered. I just love how the pork worked so well with the seafood warped in the little parcels of deliciousness. And again with the added asian flavours, this hit the mark with spectacular style.
The Albert Park Hotel is a destination ding and drinking spot close enough to the city but in leafy surrounds and within walking distance to the beach. So this summer, head down for a quick feed, take it all off with a beach stroll and then if you feel like it, fill yourself back up at Andrew’s Burger on the way home. Such is life.

I’ve been to Albert Park Hotel a few times mostly upstairs in their function room which also leads to an outside terrace area. The mood up here is great, the lighting is dim, the lounges are stylish and the wait staff a very attentive and their selection of cocktails are extensive.
Downstairs there is another bar and outdoor area which is locate at the front of the Hotel, it almost spills out onto the street on a summers evening. You can be sure the Albert Park will be bustling on a Friday night for after work drinks and similarly on Saturdays when many functions are held upstairs, especially around Christmas time and the New Year.
I have also had the pleasure of eating at their Oyster Bar and Grill that is priced well delivering and supporting the best and freshest local seafood. Their flavours and marinades are right on the money and you can tell they take pride in what they serve and how they serve it.
Also, ring in the weekend with $ 1 oysters from 6pm to 7pm every Friday night. This Friday, they’re freshly-​shucked from Coffin Bay.