New Sydney Hotel — Restaurant in Hobart

-New Sydney Hotel, Hobart (22/4/25): “The best Parma in Hobart”, I will be the judge of that. At $29 + $2.50 for leaves on the side, the price was a bit of shock considering the apparent deflated prices in the big apple. The chips were not overly chunky as I’d usually like and were over salted. They were however very well cooked. The salad was very basic, only a few types of lettuce leaves, lacking the other regular components I’d expect in a salad. The dressing was quiet interesting, tasting like a honey garlic vinaigrette of some sort. The overly salted chips paired perfectly with the salad which I think not only saved saved the sides, but elevated the dish. Upon first look, the Parma was average size and thickness, nothing suggesting it’s the Hobart crown jewel. The cheese was spot on, reasonably thick, great texture, quality and toasted beautifully. Cutting into the schnitzel revealed a crumb that was crispy on the outside and soft on the inner. The chicken was ridiculously juicy, at one point ejecting fluid off the plate. The taste experience began before even eating: the volatiles of the smoked ham instantly made themselves know to the olfactory sense. The Napoli sauce was layered generously and retained a smoky flavour from the ham. It was slightly sweet and not at all bitter. The sweet napoli, smoked ham, succulent breast, light crumb and quality cheese made for a great Parma experience. All elements of the dish tied in exceptionally well. I’m not sure what I could suggest other than a more diverse salad, less salty chips and a larger schnitzel to fill the meal out. This was a very good Parma and a great Irish pub packed with paraphernalia. This Parma is in ‘too much of a good thing territory’. It had a rich flavour, was very unique and refined, so should be eaten infrequently and enjoyed according, not a once a week feed as other high scorers in this list. Overall, I’m pleasantly surprised and very impressed - 9.0/10. The...

The New Sydney has really gone downhill. I am going to document last two times I have gone to get a meal there.

Friday, a couple of months ago, the pub had recently been handed over to new management, so I was willing to let this slide. However, we got there as a group of four locals at 12:00, and ordered some meals. After 55 minutes our meals had still not turned up. We queried. They said they were coming and asked if we would like any more drinks to which we answered yes. The drinks took another 20 minutes to arrive, and the meals followed shortly after that, so after having planned to have around 90 minutes to eat a meal, as I had a 1:30 appointment, I had to try and eat what I could in the few remaining minutes I had left and leave the rest of the meal behind.

However, today was the final straw. I was walking around thinking where could I go for lunch solo, I thought Fox Friday but I looked and they were too busy. So I thought ahh you know what I'll try the New Sydney.

I got in there at 12:35, and ordered a drink and a parmy at 12:39 (The actual charge went through at 12:40). I sat down at one of the window seats, and listened to a couple opposite me discuss what they were going to order. After another few minutes I saw a friend of mine on the street w/ a business associate, and they came in and ordered a meal too and sat nearby.

Wait wait wait... Eventually the couple opposite me got their meal. Followed by the other group I knew, and I continued to wait. At 1:10 I went up to the bar because I had to leave.

The single staff member was attempting to serve all the customers, so I continued waiting until he finally got to me and I said I wanted a refund.

"You ordered 18 minutes ago"

"I ordered 32 minutes ago, I have to go, I want a refund"

Positives: I got my refund

Negatives: I'll never go back again, and I'll make sure to warn every local away from the New Sydney...

Returned after an excellent dinner last year; The New Sydney Hotel (The Greatest Little Pub In Town est 1835) is situated in Bathurst Street Hobart, near the Central City Shopping Mall, offers log fires, 16 Beer on tap, (these change regularly) 11 wines by the glass, Function room, Beer Garden, Irish session 3pm to late every saturday and open 364 days a year. Note: No TV, No Pokies. The moment you walk in the door you are greeted with a large eclectic array of Irish signs, photographs, and Irish memorabilia. On the dining end wall is a large colourful copy of a renoir master painting, depicting a French Dining Scene. The bar area is expansive and comfortable, with dining areas available at either end. The side wall occupies a large menu board, topped with character portraits of many famous people, including, Entertainers, Prime Ministers and Presidents, all creating a fascinating and friendly ambience. This Hotel is unpretentious, quaint and cosy. The extensive menu includes, blood sausage, lamb rump, pork belly, crispy goat, bobby veal, and paella, all prepared by a very experienced International chef. The dessert menu is to die for, including golden syrup dumplings with Baileys ice-cream and honeycomb, a Trio of berry, pistachio and coffee ice cream and vanilla creme brullee, with coffee soil and pistachio. We chose crumbed scallops with beer battered fries and salad, a perennial favourite; and crispy goat shoulder served with spiced chick peas, pumpkin and chick peas tendrils, for the more adventurous, and served in its own small frypan on a wooden block, looked good, tasted even better. Our desserts of golden syrup dumplings with Baileys ice-cream and honey comb, Vanilla creme brullee, with coffee soil and pistachio, finished the meal very satisfactorily, a memorable dinning experience. The excellent service staff contributed to the excellent evening. A must visit...