The Kurrajong Hotel
The Erskineville pub has a new look and menu after too many years shuttered.
Overview
It's been over five years in the making, but Erskineville's Kurrajong Hotel finally reopened post-renovations in September of 2025. The sprawling corner pub was shuttered for an extensive facelift after coming into new ownership in 2019, only to never reopen and become repossessed in 2024. Now, it's back, and in top form, restored to true heritage glory and now complete with Kurrajong House, boutique accommodation on the top floor.
The 1930s pub has always been a "locals pub run by locals". That mission statement remains true for new venue head Johnny Mathias, alongside chef Francesco Catellana, Culinary Advisor George Calombaris and a bar team headed up by Brandon Marignano.
Now comes a menu of elevated pub grub, beginning with snacks like cheese and garlic milk buns, lobster nuggets with charred orange and cajun, scallop ceviche with nam jim dressing, salmon roe and finger lime and puffed pork crackling with chipotle rouille and anchovies. Smaller start plates follow, with tuna tartare accompanied by grapefruit, green tomato and shiso alongside classics like salt and pepper calamari with Sichuan pepper and lime aioli.
Moving to mains, it becomes a focused affair. Steak lovers can tuck into 300g wagyu picanha or Angus striploin with house-made red wine, peppercorn or mushroom sauce. Otherwise, diners can indulge in the likes of house-made vodka rigatoni with anchovy crumb, grilled king prawns with yuzu, tarragon and black garlic labneh or a classic chicken schnitty with cabbage and pea salad (and chips, obviously).
Weekly specials take things up a notch from $1 wings and $10 burgers, too. Monday is all about $25 fish and chips, Tuesday offers $35pp Brazilian bbq, Wednesday's are home to monthly rotating French dishes, Thursday is a lasagna day, Friday is curry night, and Saturday calls for all-you-can-eat oysters from 3.30–5pm. Oh, and desserts? Your choice falls to basque cheesecake, pistachio rice pudding or a sweet and salty dark chocolate mousse.
On the bar side of things, there are five beer taps and house wines from Alpha Box & Dice. Cocktails get a mention too, with a short but sweet list of classics and two house special slushies, Just Peachy and Madame Yuzu.
Images: Trent van der Jagt
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