RAILWAY TAVERN The Bottle-O — Restaurant in Southern Cross

Was recommended to go here by a couple of locals for dinner. Arrived around 6pm on a Friday night to complimentary bar snacks (party pies & sausage rolls) and extremely friendly and welcoming staff. Had a jalapeño-loaded pizza (appropriately called the burning caboose!), the best garlic & cheesy garlic bread I've had in years plus tried three of their 5 parmies, the Texan, Mexican and Hayley's. The parmies came with a generous serving of chips, garden salad and potato salad - all were absolutely delicious. They easily accommodated the rest of our group of 13 in the beer garden and the food, while slow to come out, was always served hot, fresh and amazingly delicious. They also offer takeaway.

Great food aside, the staff cannot be talked up enough. Everyone working here was exceptional, despite us overtaking the front bar initially before discovering the back bar and beer garden. We were all treated like long-lost friends and felt very welcome by all the staff, especially the barman who had us in stitches all night and introduced us to some very tasty shots! The chef even came out (on request) to meet our group and receive our praises for her hard work, after we'd been chatting to the owners for a while.

All in all, exactly what I'd expect for a country pub, and then some. If you're passing through Southern Cross, do yourself a favour and stop for the night here. You won't...

As I sit in the far corner, most of the locals have left, just a small handful of local legends. A local with a fresh baby welcomes me and tells me how their life is going great and they're loving living here.

It's pretty warm and this blue slushy with white rum is (Malibu) is keeping the buss going while I devour my chicoen and cranberry sauce pizza.

There's a pool table, two dart boards, a juke box and there must be a skimpy night because I'm seeing signed posters and stickers. I'm sure it goes off here, bet Friday's are sick.

Locals are boisterous and charming, someone brought a dog.

Finally the staff have been super charming. just like that extra bit genuinely nice that makes you feel at home even though you're going to sleep in a swag in the camping spot across the road.

Woah they did...

What a great pub. Fascinating character with the locals sharing their stories. Garth the owner with his wife tell their story of their journey and what they love about their town Southern Cross. They had a power outage and yet the local still patronage the local. The atmosphere is something to be experienced. The railway has a colourful history having been burnt down twice and yet still has an historic revelance. The service is beyound comparison from the bar service, accommodation and meals. The ambience and experience are to be acknowledged. Thank you for adding to my country pub experience. Well done to all...