Halls Gap Tavern — Restaurant in Victoria

It was in our time of greatest need that i begin my tale, of the darkest day of our lives which could have brought our ends. A tale of grief and fear, loss and love, of those who would deny Darryl his crown.

Twas but a year past in the winter of our discontent, as plague was ravaging our humble lives and throwing all we knew into dissaray that our story begins.

My lost and lonely friends and i sought shelter from a blizzard that threatened to consume us, my dear friend Jake almost succumbing to the bitter cold biting at his flesh, it was feared to be our end.

We braved through the blistering blizzard for a hearth to warm our bones and ridgid skin, to each place we sought in these high mountains they turned us away, they feared we were victims to this plague, though we were safe as any. To each establishment we approached we met only locked doors and scowls.

Each person turned away as if we were lepers bringing forth only calamity and death. Yet were lost souls crying for safety.

This was our darkest moment.

Jake fell to his knees, no longer could he survive this ice, this tempest bearing upon him.

"Are we not to be accepted here, will they not show us love and warmth, what has happened that they would not let us into their homes as we would if the circumstances were changed?"

It was then we saw it, like the golden gates of heaven basking us in a warm glow, was this a mirrage or our saviour

We approached at haste, afraid to hope. Jake barely making it to the door as we held him in our arms, if we were turned away now we would surely lose him, a reality we couldnt dream to bear.

Through the door we burst, the blizzard flying in our wake, taken arm in arm by a gentle fatherly figure, darryl.

Without hesitation, cold pints we were offered before we were brought to a table upstairs to enjoy in peace and decadence.

Were we not to be turned away as we were each time we sought shelter, when death creeped closer and the end was in sight??

No

For but a night we had a home away from home, parmas fit for kings and lords, yet were humbly brought before our weary selves. Pints of golden broth to warm the soul and refresh the spirit, as if midas himself had touched them.

We survived by the grace of more than a resturant, a home, By more than a man, but the king of halls gap who saw himself as not above his subjects, but amongst them to revel and serve to which we owe a debt of gratitude to never be repayed, yet we must try, for it is...

Halls Gap has an abundance of accommodation and places to dine - from Air B&B’s, motels, lodges,caravan, camping, restaurants, cafes and I’ve stayed in and eaten at almost all of them. In fact I remember camping here in 1965 and hearing my first ever koala bellowing (to attract a mate). Here I am tonight all these years later in a town that suffered dreadfully through Covid with lack of patronage and later when it opened, lack of staff. Tonight we tried #hallsgaptavern which looks somewhat dated from the outside but don’t let that fool you. On a Monday night, the place was busy with diners. Chris, the owner, bartender, server takes your food order and he’s an all round great guy - reminds me of the typical Aussie man who has a heart of gold and knows how to deliver good customer service. My partner ordered a scotch fillet steak (medium rare) and it came out perfect. I mean perfect! As a fussy steak eater, he was rapt that 300kms from the heart of great Melbourne food, Halls Gap held its own. I ordered a vegetarian pizza which I’d ordered the night before at another local eatery. Yes I know, I’m not vegetarian but it’s my favourite pizza. OMG - the size, the toppings, the flavour superb. Living in Melbourne we can choose from gourmet pizzas and diverse range of bases and toppings, this was a down to earth, back to basics, deliciously tasty pizza and a large portion size. To accompany our meal, Chris recommended a bottle of Mt Stapylton Shiraz and again, great choice which apparently an award winner in the region. The ambience has a very rural and endearing feel. It’s what I love it about eating locally. Wholesome food. Fabulous service. Thank you Chris and your team for a memorable dinner. Parking available on site. Disability access. Didn’t check the bathrooms. Dining outdoors available but watch for the kookaburras that’ll cheekily fly down and snap up some of your food. Kangaroos plentiful in the paddock next door. Cockatoos and Corellas abundant. Well...

Came in for dinner as the tavern looked nice situated under the trees and reading other reviews it sounds like a good place to have dinner. Walked in and the restaurant, it was clean and looked like a typical tavern inside, looking out the windows and you are met with really nice views, the trees and wildlife are beautiful.

The lady who served me was really nice, and the guy at the bar was also really nice, both made conversation and were very friendly. I ordered a pizza as it mentioned home made sauce and my partner ordered a chicken schnitzel with gravy. The meals came out fast looked really well presented, we started eating my pizza and I realised that while the pizza lots of toppings it had no flavour, the sauce was bland and all I could taste was the dough, I think the sauce needed some extra salt, herbs or garlic to flavour it. My partner also didn’t enjoy the schnitzel, while it looked good it had the flavour of a frozen schnitzel, the texture and crumbs didn’t taste fresh. Sadly we didn’t finish our meals and left to have...