Royal FTG Hotel — Restaurant in Melbourne

We are regular customers at the bistro here and have been for some time (probably 3 years?)

The dining room is a very civilised, homely environment that is reasonably well spaced out, and doesn't tend to be too noisy. Glass walls also help give a more open feeling without being cavernous.

The key reason for our attendance is the Senior's meal options. The choice of meals for seniors is excellent, and very cost effective. The portion sizes are very reasonable and the quality is good.

The specials are a little overpriced though, although the choices are usually very good.

The regular menu is expansive enough with plenty of choices - three different parmagianas, steaks, light meals and salads etc. There are also pizzas and burgers, as well as children's options.

The staff almost always greet you with a smile and upon arrival, quickly seat you. Meals are brought out fairly quickly as well. Staff are highly attentive to cleanliness and maintenance of the facilities.

The only issue is that sometimes vegetables don't seem all that fresh - as if they've come from a giant pot that's been boiling all day. I've been to other hotels (regularly) where vegetables are always fresh - consistently. This is one area where they could improve - otherwise, servings are great.

As nice and civilised as the bistro area is, the poker machine area is a slum. Rough as guts with drunkards wanting to punch on regularly. There is almost a class-line drawn between the bistro and pokies area.

If you're looking for a family-friendly environment for a nice meal, the...

I am so disappointed to be writing this review! The royal has been my local for 33 years, and for 33 years, I have never EVER had a terrible experience until now! This is the second time we have gone back since covid. Almost 12 months since we have been last and we said we were not going back then, tonight we decided it was time to finally try again and that was a big regret! Twice now we have had the worst chicken Parma with so much cheese on top that is just obviously coving up the cheap chicken and horrible sauce put on, garlic bread is honestly no better then the black and gold you buy at the supermarket also drowned in cheese had this also twice now, and the new way of ordering our food witch is table service is an absolute shambles! I can’t believe how terrible the staff where at there unorganized new way of serving, and not to be able to walk up to bar and get your own drink, just plan bull! As for the toilets both times I have been they have been just a mess both male and female and there is seriously no need for the uncleanliness of them! Just gross! The royal used to be an amazing place, such a shame and so so so disappointing to see such a massive change in such a bad way to food and service! As for the gun waitress the used to work there, well it looks like she has gone and I will say girl you are sadly misses! I am just so so so disappointed! This is definitely not a nice place to eat! Such...

I came to this Royal Hotel a few times and used to like it so much; great ambiance and good price food. Today I had such bad experience there. I ordered Christmas in July lunch (quite standard menu today) the main took a very long time to come. All my friends who orders regular meals finished the food and I was still waiting. I tried to ask and the waitress in red was not interested to check for me. Secondly, I ordered an vegetarian pasta dish to my in-law; the menu didn’t say there is opinion and garlic there and we just ordered assuming it’s no onion and garlic. It turned out there is onion in the sauce and I brought to the counter and again talked to the waitress in red. I asked whether we can take away as obviously my in law can’t eat due to allergy to onion/garlic. She said they don’t offer take away. Then I asked whether we can get refund or change another dish. What she said is NO, No, and No!!!!! Eventually we totally wasted a dish that no one even tougher it. How would they (or at least this waitress in red) in so not helpful and flexible. Firstly the menu didn’t say there is onion and garlic, then my first n law really couldn’t eat the dish and why they couldn’t let us change, refund or simply pack up to take away? Why she is so mean and rather waste the food than being a little bit helpful.

Surely it’s hard for us to dine there again although it might be just that waitress in...