Seven Days of Sydney's Best Pub Meals
Hearty meals for Sydneysiders on a budget.
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Remember the good ol' days, when ten bucks could buy a decent feed at a pub, any time of day, any day of the week? Well, regular budget meals might be a thing of the past. But, that doesn't mean it's impossible to get some bang for your buck. It's a matter of knowing where to go and when. Heaps of Sydney's pubs still put on high-quality fare for low-end prices, but most of them only do it on particular days.
So, we thought we'd do you a favour and scope out the best deals. Here's your every-day-of-the-week guide to the city's finest cheap pub grub — from 50 cent wings to $1 dumplings to $9.90 chicken schnitties. Round up your pennies and get stuck in. You're so welcome.
Image: Dove & Olive.
MONDAY
Only one day into the working week, but not ready to face those grimy, grimy dishes? Let the good folk at Surry Hills's Dove & Olive take care of the dirty work for you and focus on savouring the results. $9.90 will buy you a decent-sized, tasty schnitty with fries and salad. In fact, their $9.90 specials are available all week, till Thursday, so it's worth having a peek at what's happening on other days. Meanwhile, among the lush greenery of the airy Woollahra Hotel, swap 15 bucks for a generous steak with mushroom, peppercorn or parsley butter sauce. If you're northward or have a little more time for dinner, grab a friend and catch a ferry to Manly, where you can soak in ocean views while tucking into two for one meals in the Hotel Steyne's Seaside Bistro.
Image: The Clock.
TUESDAY
Sometimes, there's no better place in town to relax after — or during — a long day than on The Clock Hotel's shady verandah in Surry Hills. Take a mate with you on a Tuesday and you'll score two meals for the price of one, anytime between 12pm and 3pm, and between 5pm and 10pm. If you're lunching, treat your coworker buds to a cheeky James Squire One Fifty Lashes — goes down a treat.
If you're in the mood for a quick side-trip Mexico, head to The Norfolk on Cleveland Street for soft shell tacos. At 3 bucks a go with five flavours to choose from, they're a steal. Or, for a swim with your meal, pack your togs and escape to The Narrabeen Sands for 'Tight-Ass Tuesdays', when all mains worth up to $28 go out the door for $15 each.
Image: The Morrison.
WEDNESDAY
Celebrate hump day by swinging into Paddo for $1 wings among the exposed brickwork, tiled walls and leather benches of the elegantly revamped The Village Inn. That's right, with any schooner purchase, you'll score as many chicken flying bits as you can handle — all for $1 each. On the other hand, if you're thinking about seafood, head into the city for $1 oysters at The Morrison. You get one hour from 6pm to do like the Walrus from Alice in Wonderland. For a more substantial feast, there's a treat to be had at Cronulla's newly refurbished Northies in the form of a beef burger and schooner of James Squire pilsner for $15.
Image: Bridgeview Hotel.
THURSDAY
At North Shore institution Willoughby's Bridgeview Hotel, a burger and matching beer cost just 20 bucks, with seasonal specials to boot. Be sure to check out the district views from the rooftop. If, however, you're on the south side of the harbour, the Woolloomooloo Bay Hotel will trade you 15 bucks for a half-rack of BBQ pork ribs between 5pm and 9pm. Or, at Newtown's Coopers Hotel, join the lively local crowd for a two-for-one gastropub meal and maybe a James Squire Swindler Summer Ale or two. Only one day till the weekend, right? You can get through Friday with your eyes shut.
Image: Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel.
FRIDAY
Dive straight into the weekend with harbour views and a $15 pizza or pasta at the Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel. Or, to squeeze in a mini Spanish vacation before you go paint the town red, wander down to the Clovelly Hotel, where, for $23, you'll be rewarded with a hearty paella and sangria. The Spanish theme continues in Balmain at The Riverview Hotel, with $5 tapas on the go between 5pm and 7pm. Options at this gastropub sound like they're worth a lot more than a fiver. They include mushroom polenta chips with gorgonzola, spiced squid with harissa aiolo and cajun chicken tulips with pomegranate molasses and chilli.
Image: Strawberry Hills Hotel.
SATURDAY
Come the weekend proper, it's hard to beat a visit to the Strawberry Hills Hotel. The long-standing king of cheap pub grub in Sydney, the Hills offers $12.50 pub classics, not only on Saturdays, but all week long. Recover from the night before and get strength for the one coming with serious protein hit: rump steak, chicken schnitzel, fish and chips and salt and peppered squid are all on the menu. A similar deal is happening over at The Shakespeare, self-described "home of the $12.50 meal". For that very price tag, the legendary pub will sort you out with fish and chips, spinach and ricotta rigatoni, chicken schnitzel, rump steak (add $5 to make it surf and turf) or spicy vege nachos. Otherwise, jump over to the cosy, rustic Stoned Crow in Crow's Nest and settle down to a pizza for $8.90.
Image: Bald Faced Stag.
SUNDAY
Many a languid Sunday afternoon has been spent at Leichhardt's Bald Faced Stag in the company of what could be the bargain of the millennium: chicken wings for 50c. But, then again, one dollar dumplings at the Marrickville Ritz Hotel put up some stiff competition — they start serving them at 11.30am and don't stop till 9pm. If you're a stickler for tradition and Sunday means only one thing to you: roast, then Irish Pub PJ O'Brien's, in the city, is your friend. For $15, you get a choice of beef, lamb or chicken, along with creamy mash, seasonal veggies and gravy.
Top image: The Norfolk.
