Hold Bar & Eatery — Restaurant in Melbourne

The food was pretty good. I did notice, when entering the main restaurant section, that the wall decorations included an inverted cross. This was a turn off, and if it was just my wife and I, we would have left immediately. We were, however, being taken out by our friends, and so didn't want to spoil the mood. Our friend, however, decided to cleverly open a discussion with one of the owners about the decor, and hence asked about the inverted cross. The patron then proceeded to explain that the inverted cross is actually a St.Andrew's cross; she said that St.Andrew wanted to be crucified upside down because he did not feel worthy of being crucified like Christ. Initially I was relieved but, when she later mentioned that she and her business partner were "a couple of goths", I was dubious. It didn't make sense. I later reserached the St.Andrew's cross and found that my intuition was right; she was talking BS. She thought she would avoid losing a customer by deception. This place is not for me. For those of you that are fans of the occult or satanism, this is your eatery. My friends and I will definitely...

Beautiful, cosy yet vibrant atmosphere with exceptional food and service!

We came here on a Friday night after work and enjoyed a beautiful dinner. Initially, we booked the place for their tempting dessert and cocktail offering, but once we saw the food menu, we changed our plans and we’re so glad we did.

We tried the beef brisket, which was tender and full of flavour, the oven-baked crunchy potato wedges that were perfectly seasoned, and the homemade gnocchi, light, fresh and full of personality. Every dish was carefully prepared, with attention to both presentation and taste.

The setting strikes the perfect balance: softly lit and relaxed, yet full of life and energy. The overall vibe make it a place where you instantly feel comfortable and welcome.

The waitstaff, the chef, and the bartender, did a spectacular job. They were friendly, attentive and clearly enjoyed what they do, which made the whole experience even better.

A warm, cheerful place with great food, great people and a wonderful atmosphere. Highly...

So, don’t let my 4 stars detract you, this is purely based on a value for money standpoint. If there were a rating for the quality of the meal itself vs the cost, it would get a 6, at least.

A non-descript venue, a hidden gem if you will. Opening the door you would be mistaken to think Hold is your run of the mill cafe, but heading into the main section of the venue you’re greeted with a warm, welcoming atmosphere and wonderful, friendly and unassuming staff (and a huge emphasis on the staff)

We had the garlic and chive focaccia as a starter; a stand out! The chive butter served with the focaccia is a great addition. For mains, we opted of a chicken and (I think?) pumpkin purée and the $30 steak and beer/wine special. Chicken was the standout; poached and seared after the fact. This is not your Mums average chicken, sh*t is fire! Steak, although a great cut, was your pub standard fair.

All in all, a wonderful venue, and I will...