Shamrock Hotel & Accommodation Kyneton — Restaurant in Victoria

We were met with 'someone' who was on the phone when we arrived, and quite literally greated us by looking at us and saying "yeah?". So I decided to go and grab a table...in the largely empty bar. Now, the bar was set up with beautiful bi-fold windows; and given that it was a 25 degree day...you would expect them to be open, but they weren't. They were closed and locked and it was stuffy and uncomfortable. However, given the 'warm' reception we received on the way in, we were not comfortable approaching the person at the bar who greated us to ask if we could open the windows.

Anyway, we felt we had made the effort to come in and sit down, so we ordered two drinks. The 'person', still on the phone, begrudgingly gave us our drinks and took our money, with not so much as a "what can I get you?" Or "there you go mate, enjoy!". So, we sat and 'quickly' drank our drinks, in a stuffy pub, then left and scouted the town for something better.

Thankfully we found The Parkland. This is a wonderful place in Kyneton, with friendly, outgoing, sophisticated and knowledgeable staff, who truly 'rescued' our Saturday afternoon, and gave us OUR place going forward.

So, it's 1 star for existing and having beautiful bi-fold windows...even though they were closed; 0 stars for hospitality...or even service, and 1 star for forcing us to go and look for something better...as such, we found 'The Parkland' and will return to as 'our place' all year round.

You've got a decent pub guys, but times are changing; tourists are coming, and your service needs to improve hugely.

I hope you can achieve this, because you've got a winner if you can...but...

The only positive thing I have to say is the food was delicious. Our table had the chicken schnitzels and the beef burgers.

The outside area is filthy dirty and absolutely plastered in old grime and webs and just not cleaned or taken care of. Windows were filthy too. And the staff were rude. They bring out the food and we ask where our side of garlic butters were for the two schnitzel meals and so the waitress said “sorry I’ll go and get that” and comes back with only one. So we said we had ordered two. So she says “ok I can go and get another if you like” and so we said yes please. Then, she comes back with a receipt in her hand and says to us “here you go. You didn’t actually order the garlic butters so NEXT TIME make sure you order them”. Extremely RUDE! I 100% ordered them when ordering the meals as I had to re-clarify with the girl I ordered with. She said “so did you say garlic butter for one of the Schnitzels?” I said “no. One with mushroom sauce, one with gravy and both with a side of garlic butter” and she said okay and continued taking the rest of the order. They need to teach their young staff how to talk...

The Shamrock Hotel is a home away from home!

The hospitality is excellent. As soon as we arrived my wife and I were looked after by Hayley (the publican) where we were able to check in early so we could enjoy what Kyneton has to offer.

We met with friends (who arrived later) and enjoyed some pre dinner drinks on the comfortable lounges on the balcony where we bathed in the sunset while overlooking the Main Street.

Dinner was very enjoyable, I had the Scotch fillet and sticky date (very large), and the rest of the food was very good at a high standard. I loved the stone & wood (on tap), and also enjoyed some local wines they had on the menu.

We ended up in the front bar enjoying some local live music where it opened up to the street. The locals have gravitated to the energy of this pub, it’s not too fancy or expensive, just a good old fashioned pub that delivers great food and drinks with a fun social atmosphere!

I’m definitely...