Grace Darling Hotel

The Grace Darling has been a staple of Smith Street for a long, long time — built in 1854, it's apparently the second oldest pub in the city. Regulars will have clocked plenty of hours knocking back drinks in the footpath beer garden out front, but when it's cold, we'd rather be indoors near one of the two blazing fires. The food is classic pub fare on the fancy side, while the candlelit bar has a dozen local draughts on tap. Add to that an atrium restaurant out back plus two separate bandrooms, and it's clear why the Grace Darling Hotel is still standing after all this time.

If you're swinging by for a feed, its menu is divided up into six sections. Snacks include the likes of smoked avo guac with vegetable crisps, fried vegan mozzarella sticks, a charcuterie board with house terrine, salami and pickles, as well as crispy chicken tenders and slow braised lamb ribs. There are two parmas on the menu — chicken and eggplant with vegan cheese. Elsewhere, you'll find burgers, salads and desserts, as well as mains, including everything from pan-fried potato gnocchi to 300-gram scotch fillets with red wine jus. 

For drinks, it's got 13 beers on tap and a good two dozen in cans, while the wine list is approachable and well-curated with a good selection of oranges thrown in, including the Margaret River Skin Contact Jumping Juice. 

If you're keen to rock out, there are regular gigs at the Grace Darling, as well as a monthly Soap Box comedy night featuring local talent and a life drawing session on Tuesday evenings from 7pm–9pm.

Top image: Julia Sansone