Settlers Inn Hotel — Restaurant in Port Macquarie

After trying many places down in the main are of Port Macquarie on a Sunday afternoon and getting either rude service or no service, we made our way up to the settlers inn. Just hoping to have a nice Sunday session, some lunch and a couple of cocktails. It was just before the busy lunch period and they had no problem letting us in. They had tables booked out for lunch but did not over book so there was still space for walkins. We found a table in the nice beer garden and enjoyed a fantastic lunch. The only fault we could place on the food was the schnitzel topper the outback, there was too much raw onion on the meal. It would have gone a long way just to cook the onion or just leave it off entirely. My partner ended up just picking it off. Raw onion is very over powering. But once removed, perfect lunch. Their mashed potato was amazing. I was so full and couldn’t stop eating it. Their schnitzels were thick and cooked perfect. Still juicy on the inside while capturing the crispy outside. The cocktails were delicious and the staff were helpful and very friendly.

They have three dining options, a nice relaxed beer garden, the inside bistro area and a kids area which has a play area and is outdoor/garden setting. We found this nice as it kept kids occupied so childless patrons could enjoy their lunch as well. It filled up very quick while we were there but we noticed they had a decent turn around and even when busy we didn’t have to wait in long lines to be served from the bar.

The only fault for the whole pub would be more comfortable seating. Outside of the bistro areas it was mostly high sports bar stools with no padding or picnic tables in the smoking session. We ended up moving around quiet a bit till we found the only comfortable seating. Blue tall chairs with backs on them across from the bar. I think people would stay longer if there was more comfortable options for not eating in. It’s a lovely pub with a lovely atmosphere, little comfort goes a long way for people to stay and drink more.

Other than that it is completely worth the visit. We enjoyed the food and cocktails so much we decided to come back around dinner time to take advantage of their 50 cent wings (the best wings!) and even decided to eat here the following night. Which was A public holiday and was completely booked out and all tables for dining were full. But to accommodate they allowed people to dine in the sports bar area.

Fantastic food, good service, happy to help, you just feel welcomed and the make a genuine effort to be a good pub and a relaxed place to be. Good for singles and family’s, price is great. And is very...

Bar/hotel check-in and pub security staff are great, very friendly & helpful. This is where the good ends, for the accomodation.

Considering the pub is neatly and professionally presented I thought I’d give the accomodation a go, for a quick stop-over while travelling through the area, late at night.

Oh my gosh. I wouldn’t let my enemy sleep there. I tried google image searching: ‘worst’ and ‘dirtiest motel rooms Australia’ to gain a reference point for how I felt about the place and tbh most looked significantly nicer. Here’s the problems:

Grubby marks and stains on everything INCLUDING the sheets/blankets which had various brown stains and a general muddled brown stained appearance.

everything seems extremely old and worn. I shuddered thinking of what the mattress might look like under those dirty blankets.

It didn’t appear that most of the room was serviced; There were leftover takeaway meals and half-drunk milk in the fridge, there was a small amount of personal belongings left behind, the toilet rolls were half used, the toilet didn’t really look cleaned and not all beds were completely tucked in at the bases. This last one might sound so picky but in reflection, it’s probably indicative of the rush spent on preparing the room overall

The carpets look like they’re growing diseases based on the amount of marks and stains over them and the sheer age of them. I’d be challenged to understand anyone who would feel comfortable taking their shoes off

There’s a little patio and it’s dirty and unswept

It didn’t seem that safe. It’s round the back of the pub, where the skip bins are, in a seperate building. It’s super dark walking to the building at night, up the external stairs to the room, and it feels a bit desolate

It’s the kind of place you’d see on an eerie crime show.

I’m not sure if there was a TV or basic necessities because I was outta there quick.

Check-in man was helpful & lovely & gave us a refund right away.

There’s not many options for late check-in / 24hr reception in the area however ended up finding Rydges which was immaculate (as you’d expect), and only $40 more, or so, per night which is more than worth it just to feel clean, let alone all the additional facilities that a hotel like that provides.

Reviewing because honestly, booking a night here from out of town, using info available on the settlers inn website, it’s very reasonable to assume it’s decent for a quick night stay. But it‘s not. If cost is a concern for anyone, there’s a couple of backpackers in port which would be a...

Ordered a rump and chips last night. After going to the bistro window to collect my meal I went to get utensils and condiments from the table they have them set at. There was no salt. So i went back to the bistro to ask for salt the chef said 'they have it behind the bar". So I walk to the bar and ask "could I have some salt please?" Barmaids response was "it's in shakers out there, you need to find it'. I explained there was none out there and that I was only asking at the bar as that's where I was directed to by the chef at the bistro. Her response to that was 'sorry we don't have any then!' I then asked am more expected to eat my meal without salt, water n a restaurant?, Seriously?' her response "i guess so'. So I picked up the plate and sat it on the bar them walked around the bar to find the manager explained to him the situation and that the meal is sitting over there on the bar and I won't be eating it. Some may think I'm being petty, I say you shouldn't have to be sent all over a restaurant to find salt for a meal you have paid for. The meal looked great and disappointed I didn't get to eat it, I didn't get a refund on the food and said I was happy to cop it on the chin and chalk it up to a lesson learnt as to what the standard of service is at the settlers inn at Port Macquarie. I highly recommend avoiding the place like the plague and don't let it reflect on Port Macquarie as everywhere else the 16 of us that met up there for this weekend was great. I should have known better after the reception the of us that went there got and the drink order fubar at the beginning, which is a whole other story. By far the worst dinner experience I've had...