Hardimans Hotel

Established in 1870, Hardimans Hotel in Kensington took on new ownership in 2018 and had a substantial refurbishment. Now, it’s an archetype of what a great pub should be. There’s a popular front bar, a beer garden, live sports most nights, a function space for hire and a dining room serving all of the pub classics at attractive prices.

At the bar there’s a considered roster of beers on tap that’ll appeal to casual drinkers and aficionados alike. Sure, there’s Furphy and Stone and Wood, but there are also plenty of brews from locals such as Bonehead Brewing, Hop Nation and Two Birds. The wine list is almost all Australian, and in the summer there’s a long line-up of spritzes that are perfect to sip on in the beer garden.

That outdoor area has covered and uncovered sections and plenty of standing heaters. Inside there are several dining rooms, but the pick of the bunch is the one out the front, which gets near-panoramic views and lots of natural light thanks to the pub’s corner location.

The menu is long and caters to almost every taste. There’s a parma, a steak, a burger range and a long list of pizzas (topped with That’s Amore cheese). It’s worth coming in on a weekend for the $24 roast. It comes with all of the fixings, from veggies to Yorkshire pudding.