Chamberlain Hotel, Sydney

Since its major refurb a couple of years ago, the Chamberlain Hotel is now resplendent in tones of chrome, dark chocolate and lacquered wood. The food remains low-key pub grub. Orders aren't taken at the bar, but at the separate food service counter at one end of the kitchen.

We place our orders with the friendly server, and as he taps in our dishes and sorts out the change, I relish peeking into the clanging kitchen where pots are being shaken, flames are leaping and tea towels are tossed urgently over shoulders.


King prawn skewers $14.00
served with rice and stir-fried vegetables


Traditional fish and chips $12.00


Grilled ocean perch with roasted vegetables $15.00

My colleagues are reasonably happy with their dishes but I am ecstatic with mine. My ocean perch is firm and moist and lightly seared to a golden hue.

The king prawn skewers seem a little pricy at $14.00 with only four (barely king-sized) prawns, and the battered fish is apparently somewhat oily.

I receive a number of envious looks towards my plate and it is declared "the winner" of everyone's meals (hurrah, I love having the winning meal). I had noticed my perch fillet (fresh, not frozen) being dusted with flour and sealed in the fry pan. The potatoes too, are soft and fluffy on the inside, slightly crisp and caramelised on the outside.

Most of the menu here is your usual pub grub: chicken burgers, rump steak burgers, fillet steak burgers and fish burgers, join calamari and chips, chicken schnitzel, chicken parmigiana and garlic prawns.


Cafe ate at The Chamberlain Hotel
428 Pitt Street, Sydney
Tel: +61 (02) 9211 1929

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