Thornbury Taphouse — Restaurant in Melbourne

Update on dining experience 17/10/22

I came back here again and the service had improved vastly from the last time. The food were good portions and music was playing the entire time. The staff were a lot more knowledgeable of all the types of beer on the menu and nothing was forgotten from our meal. Faster service this time too. Very satisfied, it seems that my considerations were taken into account from my previous review. Thanks guys!

Update on dining experience 12/9/22:

I revisited the Taphouse for the first time in a few months which I noticed was under new management. A bit disappointing overall. The staff were nice enough. However, the service was a bit all over the shop and slow. We requested for tomato sauce with our parmas and it didn’t arrive. The younger blonde lady who brought the parmas out most likely pretended she didn’t hear me, or because they were understaffed and planned to redirect the request to the kitchen or someone else. That waitress AT THE END OF OUR MEAL when clearing plates and glasses, she said “ohh you got your tomato sauce.” However, I chased the sauce up with the bartender prior to eating, and he forgot. So 3-5 minutes later I remind another waitress who put our order through and she brings it out. The bartender apologised for forgetting it when we left. It’s fine, these things happen. The first beer my partner wanted (Tallboy and Moose one) which was on the menu- the waitress couldn’t add to the order as it wasn’t on their POS system; surely they could have just put it through as another one the same price and checked if they had it available at the bar? Although she seemed new, she didn’t seem very familiar with all the types of beers. The second beer being the Taphouse Lager which my partner asked for was not brought out and he received a different one that was quite expensive instead. We didn’t say anything and at least it tasted good. The food is still great but like someone else pointed out, there was no music playing for most of the time we were there which lacked in the ambience too. I’d be back but more likely for takeaway from now on.

Experience Early 2022 with previous management:

I went here for dinner last night with my partner and sometimes come for takeaway too. There are always great deals here and really tasty pub style meals, with great beer and cider! The strawberry pisco sour needed some serious improvement though as suggested last night as it didn’t taste like pisco or sour at all. However, I really appreciate that you waived that off the...

21,000 reviews on Google and I’m thrilled how my adult children have also become astute diners. Tonight was no exception:

Last family dinner for a few weeks and we chose @thornburytaphouse which fortunately for us was #halfpricetuesday night. The menu has plenty of “pub style” choices” but the 1/2 prices apply only to selected items. As usual, we each had a debrief of the quality of our meal, the service, ambience and whether we’d return. Overall, we gave it 3 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️. So let’s begin: If you look at the photos, the burgers were served in a bun with chips on the side. No salad or any garnish. So presentation wasn’t great. All of our chips were a little dry as though they’d been sitting in bain marie for some time. The spicy chicken was dry too. The buns, didn’t look great, but they were fresh and held the minimal contents together. The Parma was a good size and was accompanied by a nice little bowl of side salad and some chips. The herb marinated chicken breast had an abundance of flavours but the mash lacked the smoothness it deserved. We don’t often have dessert but heck, it was half price night, so we ordered two homemade sticky date puddings with vanilla ice cream and salted butterscotch sauce. For $12 each, the portion was small, at the most 5cm square and 2cms thick. The vanilla ice cream wasn’t creamy, more icy like gelato. And not enough butterscotch sauce which would’ve helped it wasn’t moist like a pudding should be. Staff: friendly enough but somewhat ambivalent. The orders were taken quickly and food on the table within 15 minutes but getting their attention for a dessert order took some time. Ambience: lovely seating and the chairs were very comfortable. There are a number of places to eat and drink in separate spaces from others. The lighting and wall set is appealing and makes for an inviting atmosphere. Parking: good parking and a team passed right out the front. Dining available indoors and outdoors. Disabled access. Kid friendly. Dietaries catered for.

So many great places to eat in Thornbury, we shall try another before returning.

#thornburytaphouse #taphousethornbury #thornburyrestaurants #thornburyrestaurant...

Went to try their bottomless meat platter which might not be for vegans but it is definitely worth its weight in beef, brisket and booze!

The platter itself was protein packed and loaded high with a mountain of chips and onion rings. Still confused if the meat is also as bottomless as the drinks for the 90 min special on a Sunday but my dad and I only got through one before we were full so it wasn't worth asking the question.

The 14hr smoked beef brisket was definitely my fav, with the epic 300g beef rib coming in a close second. The coleslaw is nothing special but it doesn't have to be when the meat is so good! And the pickles a definite win especially when combating any meat flavour fatigue.

I had great chats with Jude about all things rotating beets and signature cocktails and with spritz included in the special seriously at $59pp, one or two spritz in and you have already made your money's worth!!

Already looking forward to that mango splice beer that is next to be kegged, that spicy marg Jude has brewing and having no room left for an ice-cream sundae with sprinkles on this occasion, I promise I'll be...