If you find yourself in the backstreets of South Melbourne, be sure to head to The Montague. Despite its recent renovations, the neighbourhood spot hasn't lost its charm. Pull up a seat by the open fire in winter or sit out on the sunny footpath in the warmer weather. You can pick from the extensive wine list of predominantly Aussie vino or grab a pint of regular craft beer. The Montague also has a range of cocktails if that's more your speed, including espresso martinis, negronis and margaritas.
The kitchen dishes up seasonal pub feeds using locally sourced ingredients. On the menu, you'll find steaks, a beef burger on a house-made bun ($25), roast chook ($32), lamb and mint sausages with mash and peas ($28), battered fish ($28) and bunch of starters and sides.
If you're there on a Sunday afternoon, there's one thing that should be a high priority: a hearty weekend roast. The generous $28 Sunday roast special is a long-running favourite, swinging through a weekly rotating menu, each variation served with all the must-have trimmings. Maybe it'll be some slow-roasted lamb shoulder matched with crispy spuds and slaw, or perhaps a plate of pork starring plenty of crackling and roasted veggies.
