Monster Kitchen and Bar

I had high hopes for Monster Bar in Canberra, but unfortunately, their cheese board fell well below expectations, especially considering the premium $39 price. For that price, I expected a thoughtfully curated selection with a balance of quality cheeses, fresh accompaniments, and attention to presentation. Instead, what was served looked like something hastily thrown together at home. The board featured a few basic cheeses, some tired grapes and raisins, a handful of mixed nuts, dry crackers, and a small piece of quince paste. One of the cheeses even looked like it had been sitting out too long. It was underwhelming and felt like an afterthought, not a premium experience. When we politely raised this with the waiter, their only suggestion was to return the board. No attempt was made to offer a replacement, a better alternative. For a venue that charges premium prices and markets itself as high-end, this lack of customer service was very disappointing. What makes this even more frustrating is that venues like Ambrosia provide cheese boards that are not only generous and beautifully presented but also far more reasonably priced. Ambrosia’s platters show real care, with artisan cheeses, fresh produce, and well-matched sides that make you feel the price is justified. Monster Bar needs to seriously improve both the quality of their offering and their approach to customer service. At the moment, it feels like style over substance, and not worth the money. OUTRAGEOUS

Nice and hard-working staff. Environment very unexpected. Food was regular. Dessert was out of this world. Celebrated my birthday, staff and chefs were very kind. Bathroom were beautiful and amazing for photo taking and general use.

RIP Monster. The old Monster was our go-to for special occasions, and whilst over the last year we’d noticed a distinct drop in the level of customer service we’ve always tried to give the place the benefit of the doubt as the food and menu remained excellent. We were aware of the change in approach to an omnivore menu before we booked, and knew we’d miss the tasty veggie, vegan (and almost entirely) GF offer. Tonight we had booked an early table before a film. We were met hesitantly, shown to a dining table in the bar area where we were seated and told to order at the bar. We assumed perhaps a new approach to early evening dining or that there was an event in the main dining area. Sadly no, this is the new status quo and both our first round of drinks and food were served to the wrong table. Whilst the food was tasty, it was overpriced, and if we’d have booked for an (even more) special occasion we’d have been left with a bad taste in the mouth. A disappointing experience.

This is a nice venue within Ovolo Nishi on the ground floor. The layout of the restaurant is nice, as it is open and there is space between tables. You have to order food and drinks at the bar, so it doesn't have a typical restaurant feel to it. We were coming to watch a movie at Palace cinemas but came here first for a beer. It is nice that they have a fireplace, as the venue has a warm and cosy feel. It would be most convenient if you were staying in the hotel to come down for a meal.

A Thursday night birthday celebration that was 5/10. Staff not familiar with table reservation system and actual table location. Bar staff needed assistance with drinks, senior staff took over and was excellent. Bar staff were also waiters so had a lot of work. I took empty glasses to bar at one stage as table was becoming crowded. Entree was interesting with a load of olives, no cheese. Perhaps chef was off for night. Winter flu is raging in Canberra. Staff tried to give more mains to people who already had them. Lovely location and atmosphere and food quality was almost what I had been told to expect from others recommendations. Gonna return in summertime.and try again.

Hi Monster, I’m very disappointed with the service today. It’s been some time since I was here last and it doesn't have its old charm. I’m all for restaurant trying new things but this is not the way to go. When I’m visiting a nice restaurant I hope that there is table service and not have to go to the bar to order food like a common pub, that’s not what I’m here for. The new menu is also very disappointing, hardly any decent options. Food tasted decent but half of the meals came out half an hour apart. Over all very disappointed with the overall experience, I really wish they go back to what they use to be, I miss the old monster.

The Monster Becomes A Monster. Monster used to be the pinnacle of meat-free dining in Canberra, serving lovingly crafted set menus with care and attention to detail, paired with fantastic wines, and a sommelier by your side to tell you nonsense about the wine you're drinking. Always an amazing experience. This experience is sadly no-more. Immediately upon arriving we discover that the beautifully decorated and intimate dining room has been closed for general use, open only for "events" we are told. Instead our group of 4 were seated on two rounded triangular bar tables pushed together right in front of the hotel check-in. Two of us resigned to sit on dog-bed-esque cushions on a bench, the other two onto rickety bar stools. One table was half-bathed in bright light, the other in near total darkness, a miracle of physics. Enquiries about a better table were met with a blank stare and a confused, drawn out, no. The menus that were handed to us were printed on newspaper thin paper that tore as you turned them in their leather ring binder. The unwiped table immediately smeared an oily substance over one of the menus. We were then left to our own devices and told to order at the bar. Okay, no table service but perhaps the kitchen can be the saviour of the night. Previous experiences at Monster have delighted my tastebuds and dazzled my eyes. Sadly this was not meant to be. The glorious plant-based set menu or à la carte options had been thrown to the wayside for regular pub fare with fine dining prices. The one vegan main was a $38 braised cabbage, with red-wine lentils, and a haphazard mound of rocket. The humorous nature of paying $38 for cabbage-flavoured cabbage was not lost on us. The steaks my compatriots ordered were the size of an overgrown mouse, with a mound of chips and no salad. The one redeeming feature was a lovely bottle of Claire Valley Tempranillo that we ordered. Seeking to get to the bottom of the stark changes I asked a waiter that was clearing our table if there had been any management changes recently. They inform me that the once shining beacon of plant-based dining had undergone two ownership changes in the past 12 months. It appears that the new owners never learnt what made Monster great, and instead have decided to pillage the eatery for as much money as they can before selling it off to another clueless shmuck. The waiter said the new owners have lots of restaurant experience, but with how our night turned out, I struggle to imagine that they are successful endeavours. Please, future diners, heed my warnings. There is no hope for you here. Head somewhere else, you deserve better.

Nowhere near what it used to be. Our wine order was messed up and one of the entrees we wanted to order was "unavailable as it hadn't finished defrosting". For what they are charging I would expect it wasn't frozen in the first place. Decor is still lovely, go have a casual drink, but I would go elsewhere for food.

Writing this review after experiencing this hotel lobby restaurant and bar at all times of the day and visited/ordering food and/and drinks 8+ times. Overall will rate at 3 stars for "ok" but the 2 star rating "could be better" really sums it up. To start: I love their veggie initiative - all foods for the year will be vegetarian which is awesome and great for the earth. The building itself is awesome too, and the decor is nice, sleek and modern with some interesting art. Food and service are okay, not many healthy options but food comes out quickly. If you are not an adventurous eater the veggie burger and fries may be your best bet. We ordered edamame once but it was so salty and spicy it wasn't really edible. Biggest pet peeve: Operating hours do not adhere to what is published on website. Even with revised COVID hours, kitchen/bar often close earlier than published on their own website and staff is unclear when asked what time they are actually closing, which is awkward because no one wants to be ordering food or drink or lingering when the place is about to close. Another big issue is that the restaurant website also advertises room service and takeaway but the website hasn't worked in 3 weeks but will take you through the whole process before saying the order cannot be completed. Not ideal, especially for a hotel bar/resto where people may be arriving and needing sustenance at odd hours. Overall okay, but could do better.

Omg omg wow wow my husband took me in a date night and the service was soo warm and welcoming and the staff were friendly and always made sure we were ok and if we needed anything. The food what can I say cooked to perfection fast service and tasty food I would 400% return and recommend to any one