Bundoora Hotel — Restaurant in Melbourne

PLEASE NOTE THE 1 STAR IS DUE TO A LIMITATION OF GOOGLE REVIEWS THIS DESERVES A 0 STAR.

Where do I start we booked a table for 6:30 arrived a few minutes early only to find they didn't have our table in the system correctly and had no knowledge of what table we were meant to be seated at.

After this we ordered through their QR code which advises no waiting in queues and priority orders, it didn't register a drink initially so we had to make a second order and payment for that drink. The 3rd drink a vanilla milkshake didn't arrive until over 45 minutes later. We asked a staff member who we had been told was the manager Jacquie, who responded quite rudely with a "didn't I tell you it would be a 45 minute wait" when we informed them no she gestured around the room and said well we are very busy and doing the best we can (again rudely), none of this was raised as we can wait for food we understand post lockdown people are still finding this hard and busy nights can be hard however the rudeness was uncalled for especially when the question regarded a drink.

Food eventually arrived an hour and 15 minutes from our order time, when it arrived the steak was not how we ordered, the chips (yes chips) were overcooked, the parmigiana was flavourless, the fish was probably the only redeeming feature of the meal but it wasn't exactly good.

As far as overall service it was very poor, people were seated and then served within minutes, other patrons who clearly knew the staff were given priority, a large number of tables were not served a basic bottle of water and glasses something which we were not given. The manager seemed unsure of the tables locations as she seemed lost and had no idea where a lot of the meals were meant to go, on one occasion she was wandering around aimlessly unsure of what table she was mean to go to. When food was served the manager offered no apology however another wait staff did apologise to us (Thank you to that young girl for showing that someone did care). We did also notice a large number of people leave the restaurant due to lack of communication regarding food times and how long it could take.

Overall, we will not return to this venue which is a shame as we are close by and were hoping to have a nearby place to get a decent meal from...

Meal quality is inconsistent and overpriced for its portion. Chips had little salt and my "mega" parma wasn't so mega because 350g of chicken parmigiana is standard for if you went elsewhere in the other side of Melbourne or even Regional Victoria. My parma was only decent when comparing with other parmas I had over my pub crawling experience.

Some of my family relatives didn't even have good meals at all, which if you want vegetables, you'd be charged extra.

There seemed to have been limited staff which there was only a couple of waitresses at the front of house (yep, there was no hosts at the front when I came around 11:30am). Either way, I think the waitresses could have had more of a smile when dealing with customers.

Out of my pub experiences I had, I felt the pub facilities here are tired and would need to become more modern for my liking (I mean it didn't have character at all, it looked like an early 21st late 20th century standard pub with little story). One of the larger pubs in the area.

Toilets weren't great. The men's toilets had no soap and its dryer was right near a cubicle which would inconvenient for someone desperately needing to use the cubicle while someone was drying their hands with a pretty good dryer.

Overall considering my "mega" parma I had on Saturday 29th July 2023 lunch was at $30 and only at a standard size yet nowhere near as good as where other pubs I have been to offer and the fact that some of my relatives for the family reunion found this place too far for them (considering some live in Northern Victoria), my family, my relatives and I won't come back here.

Better off dining in Wallan where my family normally have...

We attended a 70th birthday party at Bundoora Hotel, and it was such a great lunch! We arrived around 1pm and stayed until about 4pm, so we were there during the busy Saturday lunch rush. It was definitely bustling, so I’d recommend making a reservation if you’re planning to visit on a weekend, especially during busier months. The location is super convenient, right next to a tram stop in a small shopping block. It’s easy to spot, the big building with the bottle shop attached, just beside Woolworths.

I ordered the chicken Caesar salad, which was a classic take with a generous serving size that suited me perfectly. The staff were absolutely lovely, friendly, attentive, and incredibly helpful. They went above and beyond for our large group, even helping us take a group photo after lunch. They also stored the birthday cake for us and allowed balloon decorations, which added a nice personal touch to the celebration.

The venue itself is very versatile, with a bistro and bar area, a pokies section, a kids’ playground, and even a smoking area. There are also plenty of screens for watching sports, making it a great spot for families or groups with varied interests. I really enjoyed the classic Aussie bistro vibe here, it’s warm, welcoming, and perfect for casual gatherings.

Bundoora Hotel seems to be a popular choice for families in the area, and it’s easy to see why. If you’re after a solid pub meal with a relaxed atmosphere and great service, this is a fantastic pick for...