The Albert Park Hotel

After some unfortunately timed COVID-19 delays, the 137-year-old Albert Park Hotel has finally got to unveil its grand makeover at the hands of new owners Colonial Leisure Group.

Joining a stable of popular venues that includes the likes of Lucky Coq, Bimbo Deluxe and the Portsea Hotel, the pub's jumped back onto the scene with a contemporary new look and a modern Chinese food offering. The full revamp has gifted the space with a new four-storey atrium and old-meets-new interiors bringing new life to the venue's original brickwork and historic features.

A contemporary food offering from Head Chef Karloong Yee is available throughout the venue, but takes centre stage within the restaurant, Happy Valley, with a menu that fuses familiar Chinese flavours with modern technique and local ingredients. Expect dim sum aplenty, alongside the likes of san choi bao, peking duck pancakes and a kung pao chicken laced with facing heaven chilli. Char siu pork pairs with black pepper and honey; and ice cream comes fried with a chocolate fortune cookie crumb.

You can match snacks — perhaps barbecue pork buns or seafood spring rolls — with a few crisp brews and some footy in the front bar, or take advantage of the Aussie-led wine lineup and a reserve list that's at once high-end and affordable.

Upstairs, a comfy hideaway awaits in the elegant lounge bar, where crafty cocktails come courtesy of Bar Manager Asher Spitz (Boilermaker House). Settle in with the likes of an Espresso Tropicale, featuring vodka, szechuan spices, espresso and coconut.

Images: Simon Shiff