Napier Hotel

Amazing pub restaurant in Fitzroy. The food was excellent. The best Kangaroo steaks in Victoria was the recommendation from a friend and they were right! All the food ordered was excellent. Thoroughly recommend this restaurant. It is very dark, but worth it.

Such a great pub in the backstreets of Fitzroy. They have Guinness on tap and plenty of other beers (including the blueberry pot I had) with an outdoor area. Food is supposed to be pretty good so will have to try it next time.

Recommend the kangaroo steak which is quite tender and comes with a lovely bearnaise sauce. We had also the lamb shanks which were deliciously accompanied by a beetroot salad

Had a really nice time coming here. I’ve never been to a pub in Melbourne like it, the dim, cozy interior being the way it is. The pork knuckle was great, but the portion size was underwhelming. That was my only criticism there. The snapper special was also beautiful. Perfectly cooked fish. The kangaroo was a massive portion size, so it’s definitely value for money. It was dry in parts, but the meat is not super even so I imagine it is hard to cook evenly. The bernaise sauce was probably the best I’ve had. I would like to know how the ophthalmologist sign got there.

There are many great gastro pubs in Melbourne and then there is the Napier. The absolute benchmark for food served in a great pub. Their standard menu has great burgers and parmas, then the extensive specials board really shows how talented the kitchen staff are. Super friendly staff at the front, make the experience welcoming everytime. If you appreciate impressive food in a relaxed environment, where everyone is welcome, the Napier is the must go food experience. July 2023 update: I have been going here for 20 years, however the secret is now out. Napier is deservedly super busy and still the absolute benchmark of gastro pubs. April 2024-Still the absolute benchmark, just go. 2025-Still simply the very best gastro food pub you will experience. The kangaroo fillet is exceptional and as always, their specials board are next level. If you appreciate amazing food, start here.

Food was fantastic. Worth every penny. Everything was so tasty. Staff were super friendly and accommodating.. Can not wait to come back.

One of the best steak sandwiches in Melbourne, hands down ($30). The steak was properly sized, covering the entire sandwich, and it was accompanied by fresh lettuce, tomato, and grilled onions. I appreciated the inclusion of a béarnaise sauce for dipping the sandwich and chips, which added extra flavor. There was also tomato sauce already on the table, which was a nice bonus. The steak was tender and cooked to a perfect medium rare. The only minor issue was that the bread became a bit damp from the juices of the steak, but overall, it had a decent structure.

We were told we simply had to try the kangaroo here, and they weren't wrong! The kangaroo was cooked to perfection, tender and flavorful. The portions were generous, and the staff provided excellent service. The prices were very reasonable for the quality of the food.

ORDER AT THE BAR. SELF-SIT INDOORS & OUTDOORS. CAN CALL AHEAD TO BOOK A TABLE. A MUST-TRY TO MELBOURNE! Wanted to try kangaroo while in Melbourne & this was the highly recommended place. A cute corner pub with lots of street parking in the area. Casual & good vibes; could easily just hang for a couple of hours. Decent list of BEERS on tap. INTERNATIONAL VISITORS will opt for NOBLE BOY. The KANGAROO was served as fillets with a BERNAISE sauce with fries & a salad. Great portion size & the roo was so tender. It reminded me of lamb but not as gamey. The fries were also amazing! Light, crispy, & not too greasy. I ate every single one. CHICKEN PARMA is also a popular dish here & some say it's the best in Melbourne! You have the option of HAM or smoked kangaroo as a topping. Comforting & hearty dish, you can't go wrong. We also go one of the SPECIALS: PORK RACK. Pork was well-cooked & the POTATO TART was unique.

Dropped in this local bar, sitting on the bar and enjoyed my bar man pulled me a pale, delicious tasted for a cool summer here in Melbourne. Napier & Fitzroy, not far from the #2 coolest street "Gertrude Street" recently ranked by the TimeOut. I over heard that they have incredible kangaroo steaks, I shall come back again. Pale Australian $6.96 so good Cucumber Fantasy $7.05 so so.

Wow! Came here on a recommendation - one of the best chicken Parmigiana in Melbourne. It is a lovely Melbourne corner pub - it has Fitzroy football memorabilia in the walls ( special if you're a Lions fan ) very much from past happier time. It was simple walk up and order, pay then find a seat at the tables. Ordered the chicken parmigiana and it was excellent - nice big serve with salad and chips. Great place for a drink and a meal to soak in some of the old Fitzroy.

Had an overdue catchup with work mates here. Tried their Bogan Burger. Steak potatoe cake Beer root chicken schnitz!! W/ massive chunks of potatoe wedges! n just to balance it out some salad with a tangy French dressing. Loved it. Had prepped for the meal but I still experienced the sweats!! n just as I thought I had finished realised the schnitz dropped to bottom!!

I came on this trip as excited as possible to try some kangaroo, and the fillet at Napier didn't disappoint one bit! Matter of fact, I put it above any steak I've ever had. Pair it with the smattering of bearnaise sauce and the salad and fries, and you have my favorite meal that I've eaten so far in Aussieland. Save some of that leftover bearnaise sauce for your fries for a frygasm. But Napier isn't just about the 'roo; this place has incredible character too! The vintage posters and advertisements throughout the dining room as well as the old fireplace make the ambiance warm and welcoming. Don't wait for a server to take your order; just walk up to the bar and place your order. And while normally I'm a huge advocate for eating outdoors, if you do so; you're missing out on the decor inside. I also tried a bite of a friend's chicken parma...I'd toss it four stars as well.

For some reason I kept on getting this place mixed up with another pub in the area and I kept on walking in, grabbing my beer, and wondering why the rooftop deck was never open. Well, one day, to the horror of the staff, I started walking up the stairs to discover that there actually wasn't a roof-top deck in this pub. Okay, the staff were really nice, despite the fact that I was convinced that there was a rooftop deck in this pub (and I really have to give them a lot of credit for that because there are some places where they are nowhere near as tolerant). Anyway, I finally worked out that there was another pub, but I still have to say that this place is pretty cool, especially that trophy head wearing the McDonald's t-shirt.

This is one of the classic Fitzroy pubs, and it's certainly got a following. It's warm, inviting, and has a big patio area for the smokers. What keeps me coming back here, though? The best kangaroo in Melbourne. No debate. You're welcome in advance. ~ Disclosure - I'm a former Yelp employee.

The Napier Hotel is off the main street of Brunswick, so it's a little tucked away but very nice. Upon walking in, I believe there was an AFL (Australian Football peeps!) game so it was pretty fun in there. There are long tables on both ends of the establishment and we snagged a spot for 3. FOOD: Burger. Perhaps I'm still digging the whole use of beetroot (I was baffled) and found it to be delicious. Not dry, tasty, and a good portion and decently priced by Australian standards. DRINK: A decent beer selection option here, I saw many opt for both beer and wine here. Overall, a solid place to hang out with your mates and enjoy each other's company. A definite win for me in Melbourne!

Two words - Bogan Burger. Steak. Chicken schnitzel. Potato cake. Bacon. Egg. Cheese. Caramelised onions. Pineapple. Beetroot. Lettuce. Tomato. With wedges and salad. Only $17.50. Need I say more?

Recommended by friends and I wasn't disappointed. The staff were friendly and we didn't have to wait too long for our food. I ordered the kangaroo fillets and it was well prepared. Also a nice place for casual drinks with a good selection of beer on tap.

I had heard about the Napier's acclaimed Bogan Burger and finally saved up the hunger to order one. Crammed between two slices of Turkish bread, the Bogan Burger included a piece of steak, chicken schnitzel, bacon, egg, cheese, tomato, beetroot and a potato cake. The verdict? It was OK. Although, the burger itself didn't have any special flavour. it seemed more like random ingredients thrown together. A bit like a kindergarten collage! It was also a shame we had to wait over an hour for our food on a Wednesday night. (In fairness, a few other people seemed to be waiting a while too - perhaps it was just a one off and unfortunate kitchen malfunction?) Otherwise, the Napier is a cosy and well attended little Fitzroy pub that has a great local feel. Posters of the former VFL Fitzroy football team still line the walls. The Napier is perfect for catching up with friends for a few casual drinks any night of the week. As for the food? Despite my experience, I have heard good things about the kitchen so will give it another shot.

One of the things that we wanted to try on our trip to Australia was kangaroo. Family that we were staying with right away picked this place as THE place where we would try it. Kangaroo is not an easy piece of meat to cook, its not very forgiving and if not cooked right could ruin it. So we had a little bit of exploring around Melbourne and then met up here for dinner. This place is quite small, has a pub feel to it, lighting is on the dimmer side. The BF and his cousin ordered the kangaroo steak. I ordered the Bogan burger, thinking that the it sounded interesting and that it would be smaller portions. I copied and pasted what was in the burger... "Bogan burger - steak, chicken schnitzel, caramelised onions, cheese, pineapple, beetroot, egg, potato cake, bacon, lettuce, tomato with wedges and salad. $24" Wow, it was a huge burger! Bigger than my face, I was really sad I couldn't finish it and even sadder when they said that they don't have "Take Away" boxes :(. This is definitely a share-able meal between two people. Even though I didn't get to finish it, this was definitely one of my most memorable meals in Melbourne. Loved it!

Any pub that has an item on the menu called the Bogan Burger is a winner in my book. Especially when the Bogan Burger consists of steak, chicken schnitzel, caramelised onions, cheese, pineapple, beetroot, egg, potato cake, bacon, lettuce, tomato served with wedges and salad. If that hasn't convinced you to go check this place out then I will tell you about it's 140 year history and how it is every bit the archetype of a Melbournian pub. But then again if a Burger with three different kinds of meat, served with wedges can't convince you - then you are either vegetarian or not the type of person who should step foot near a pub of this calibre.

Great Melboure Pub! Was at the Napier for a big family birthday/ reunion celebration. There was about 12 of us and we were easily accommodated. It is bar service, which suited us, and they had a extensive wine, beer and food menu. Burgers were the popular choice amongst the group. I had the steak sandwich but have to admit I had food envy of my sisters fried chicken burger. The whole group enjoyed their menus from Sunday roast to thai green curry. The main pub is decorated with old Fitzroy Lions memorabilia. Service was friendly

The Napier is a great local pub to meet friends and have a drink and a chat. It's quiet enough for conversation and the pub has a comfortable, cozy vibe (with a fireplace) as well as outdoor seating. There are large wood tables and benches that, while a little uncomfortable on my bottom, work well for larger groups of people. When here, I'm usually enjoying one of the beers on tap. But the food I've scammed, I mean shared, with friends has been tasty. For vegetarian options, the seasoned potato wedges and quinoa cauliflower salad get a thumbs up from me.

Be warned giant size portion of food can be found here! And I mean giant portion of food. So unless you have come here with an appetite, maybe it would be better for you to share. The most thing here it the bogan burger, which has every kind of meat that you can think of... that's right, beef, chicken, egg, beacon, potato - everything. All in one burger. Saying that, if that sounds a bit disgusting to you, don't worry the 'normal' burgers here are great! From the wagu beef burger to the veggie burger, it is all good. Also, have a look at the specials, as they are also awesome. Came and tried the Cherry Ripe cheesecake, and it was as good as it sounded. However, I couldn't finish it, as it was the largest piece of cake I have ever seen. Also, the add to this place, they have a great list of wine to serve, and craft beers. So you can also come here if you are not wanting to eat. But I am not going to lie, that is the draw card for this place. As the atmosphere is like a corner local pub, nothing special.

Chicken parm with kangaroo smoked! Comes with salad and fries. Huge portion meant for 2 at least. We were coming for a snack postlunch pre-dinner at 3

Ideally located on the Napier Street bike highway, right on the mini-roundabout across from the Fitzroy Town Hall, the Napier Hotel is a warm and inviting spot to hang out and has some of the best traditional Aussie pub food you can find. Big long wooden benches, a warm fire, friendly bar staff and a fun clientele make it a cool spot to spend time with friends. The menu is extensive and the portions are massive. It's the perfect place to come post-diet to spoil yourself. There are also a number of daily specials to choose from so you don't get bored of the menu. The 500g steak and the Kangaroo peppered fillets are awesome. Whatever night of the week you go, the Napier is often packed and you'll sometimes have to wait to get a table. There is a small beer garden to the side and some seating in front so it is also a good spot in the summer.

Best kangaroo steak ever (or "peppered roo fillets with béarnaise", if you want to go by the menu). I really don't know about anything else, since every time I go here I get the kangaroo steak. Seriously, this is the among the best meat I have ever eaten in a restaurant. EVER. Also love the feel of this place and staff are friendly. Just a heads up that it can really fill up in the evenings, but if you can't get a table right away it's definitely worth the wait.

As the weather gets colder now is the time for comfort food and warming beers and you won't find a more cozy pub than The Napier Hotel. With two fire places, this place is so warm and inviting you won't want to leave. If you have any friends from out of town you need to take them to The Napes to try the roo. The béarnaise sauce oozes over the sides of the three perfectly cooked roo fillets for the shoe string fries to soak up. If I order anything else I usually get food envy so I haven't tried as many dishes as I should. The few specials I have ordered have been excellent but I always go back to the roo. If you are super hungry get a Bogan Burger. It is the most ridiculously huge burger ever created consisting of a schnitzel, steak, hash brown, bacon, egg, beetroot, cheese, lettuce and tomato. You'll love it but it will destroy you! There is a good selection of beers on tap which change regularly. They usually have Hargreaves Hill ESB which is a favourite of mine and they have a Guinness tap. Mmmmmm Guinness. If you were a fan of the old Fitzroy Football Club you'll be able to see a great collection of memorabilia along with some other interesting decor. You can admire it as you sit at the bar, nice and cozy and enjoy a delicious beverage and a roo while chatting to the friendly bar staff.

"Deep In Our Hearts We All Barrack For Fitzroy", sung the Coodabeen Champions. While they were referring to the long departed/merged football club, it could have easily been about the Napier Hotel. (Which, coincidentally, plays host to an extensive collection of that team's memorabilia.) Without doubt, Chateau Napier is one of Melbourne's best food pubs. Favourites on the tweaked (but mostly unchanged through time) menu range from the Bogan Burger (don't ask) to the Parmas (choice of ham or roo fillet on top) - all are done spectacularly well. Well worth the effort it is to crane your neck upwards in the main dining room or the front bar and peruse the specials board - these are updated roughly once a fortnight and take advantage of some seasonal produce, but still provide the generous quality for which the Napier is famous. For a while there, the parmas were coming out with a slightly smaller schnitzel, a changed salad, and crinkle-cut fries - anecdotal evidence suggests this caused much wailing and gnashing of teeth in Fitzroy, both due to the texture and punter preference for the shoestring. However, a recent return to the larger schnitzel, original salad/mustard vinaigrette combo, and the original fries has restored balance in our universe. In short - you haven't lived until you've eaten here.

This used to be my favourite pub to eat in; good beer and great food. We went there pretty much once at week (at least) for years. Every time we went there we'd compliment the chef to the staffs delight. Then the quality of the food started to be a bit hit and miss. We didn't say anything but we didn't compliment it either like we used to do. Then the food got worse, the beef especially and this time we did complain to the waitress and we got BARRED by the dark haired waitress boyfriend (the manager). We we so shocked we actually went back to clear the air but no, we are barred. Having read reviews on TripAdvisor people have been barred for complaint about the food both before and after it happens to us. What a shockingly appalling way to run the business. We haven't been back since and won't be unless there's a change in management. Now we go to The Rainbow Hotel instead.

This iconic Fitzroy pub is a real gem. Located right in the heart of one of Melbourne's oldest suburbs, The Napier Hotel prides itself on being the people's pub and it is clearly a favourite with locals and visitors alike. I wasn't sure what to expected when a friend and I went for dinner last Friday. It seemed as though everyone had the same idea as we did on this particular evening. We were greeted with a crowded , but still inviting, atmosphere. With no table reservation we grabbed a drink and after 10mins managed to snare some seats by the open fire. The menu was littered with pub favourites such as roast of the day and the steak sandwich as well as few interesting dishes such the Kangaroo Parma (my choice next visit!) and the Bogan Burger which I wasn't game to try but was popular with curious patrons. I settled on the lambs shanks with greens. Waited about half an hour for food which was good considering the demand. A small heads up; the serving sizes here are huge!! Our meals were delicious but we struggled to finish. In short, if you are after a great pub meal, friendly service and can get there a little early (bookings for large groups essential on weekends) The Napier Hotel is well recommended. - MasAmorPorFavor

Yet another cool corner hotel turned pub! The Napier has a great little patio though, and a nice art gallery upstairs. A bit of everything, I tell ya! They swear they're not JUST about the burgers...but who are we kidding, they kick burger but at the Napier! Veggie, Chicken, Steak and Beef. And the beef one? WOAH. Make a list of anything you've ever seen on any burger anywhere, and put them ALL on this one: tomato, lettuce, cheese. Of course, but also bacon, caramelized onions, beetroot, egg, pineapple, and chicken schnitzel too! But this is where I can totally back them on having more than 'just' burgers...they make the BEST kangaroo I've ever eaten! You get three good sized fillets, peppered and marinated before being grilled to the perfect temp. Roo is tough to get right; cook it too long, it's SO tough, but too short and its SO gamey. They have perfected it, no joke. And you get a delicious béarnaise for dipping (or for the chips...I always ask for extra!). Branch out, get off Smith and Gertrude and find this hidden little gem!

Dependable as a old friend. In terms of gastropubs the Napier is consistent for great food, large portions sizes and a great beer selection.

I may be the only reviewer here who not only takes the bogan burger seriously, I love it. It's enough food for two normal hungry people to split, but it is seriously delicious if you are into crazy food creations like I am. The bogan burger is hands-down the best sandwich I've had in town. I hesitate to categorize it as a burger - it doesn't have a patty and it's more like frankenburger's monster, or something you'd get if you put all the contents of a roadhouse bain marie between two buns - but it is awesome fried goodness. If you love steak, bacon, fried chicken, fried eggs, fried potato, fried pineapple, and cheese (as I do - and who doesn't? other than the vegans), but have never combined them all in one meal, you have to get a bogan burger. Outside of the bogan burger, I like this place. Very similar vibe to some close-by places like The Rose, The Rainbow, or The Standard - if you like those places you'll like this one. But get the bogan burger.

Opened in 1866, this old brick staple has become a drinking and eating hole for many a local hipster. With its patriotic Fitzroy Football Club memorabilia hanging on the walls, and its rugged charm worn proudly on it's sleeve, The Napier is also home to a Melbourne institution in over-indulgence..."The Bogan-Burger". Check the below review for the ingredients...Gold. As if this isn't enough, this monster comes served with chips as think as house bricks and needless to say, a heckling fest from your mates if you don't finish it. A few years back some changes were made to the menu, 'snazzing it up' a bit, however the Bogan Burger has remained a staple. The staff are indifferent to say the least, not really fussed if you choose to come here or not, and this can be downright rude, however if you're keen on checking The Napier out you're best bet is to grab a beer and a bite then move on. We stopped in one fine arvo with a group of 10 of us and were told very abruptly to move on as fast as we could. After trying to order another round a friend had his jug poured down the sink in an act of defiance from the bar keep. When we asked what we were doing wrong, we were told that we were "Just sitting around." Sorry mate, wasn't aware you weren't allowed to "Sit around" in a beer garden on a nice day. My bad...

Set on Napier street in close proximity to the Town Hall, the Napier Hotel is a typical and classic Fitzroy pub. It's got a good selection of beer & ciders, and also offers cheap (but nonetheless tasty) pub grub as well. The massively generous bogan burger is one that I'd like to try someday. With seating inside and outside in the garden, the Napier Hotel is a cool spot to hang out and chill on a beautiful sunny arvo over a few drinks. There are also TVs as well so I reckon this place would be packed to the Rafters on a Friday night with the footy on and there would be a great vibe as well.

Made famous by their Bogan Burger (it's a sight to behold), the Nape's was one of the first pubs in the area to step up their food service from dried up chicken schnitzels and gristle filled sausages to enormous stacks of fine pub food. The trouble here is that now the place is a known foodie pub, the regular crowd who just want a drink (it's a watering hole after all) are sort of pushed aside a little and the clientele is a little toffee in the nose region. They have a great little outside area here and a large lounge bar for drinkers, but the dining room takes up too much space and the front bar seems to be for the regulars and is always packed. What you end up with is kind of a disjointed vibe and it's not all that welcoming as an outsider. That said, the food is bloody good and not too badly priced, they pour a decent beer and while the staff won't go out of their way to help you, they are pretty friendly types.

I love almost everything about the Napier, but the thing I don't like is something that constantly irks me. The Napier is right in Fitzroy and has a really cool look. It's yet to be gentrified in terms of its aesthetics, it's all pretty grimy and classic. The front looks out onto the old Fitzroy Town Hall - where, in the late 90s, the Fitzroy Lions were holding one of their BnFs... when the winner was announced, he wasn't anywhere to be seen... he was in the Napier! On that note, most footy fans will get a serious kick out of the interior. It's packed, like a museum, with Fitzroy Football Club regalia. The jumpers, the team photos, the colours are all a really cool sight, but unfortunately a depressing realisation that this was a real club, no less valid than any other, now stolen forever by short-sighted, ulterior motived AFL bigwigs... Alas... The food itself is classic counter meal stuff. From what I've seen, everything off the menu comes well portioned and the taste is always great. I usually go for the chicken and roo parma - it's huge, a nice take on a vintage pub staple, and I don't think anyone's had it and been disappointed or hungry afterwards. The salads change a bit, as does the chips. There's fries and a pretty staple drier garden salad at the moment. I kind of wish they'd bring back their old salad and the thicker, nicer, less microwave-vibey fries... regardless, it's probably the best parma in Melbs and for $25 and it's not bad value. The beers here are pretty good, there's about six taps and you're looking at pretty regular prices: $10 for a pint of pale, $11 for some hoppy shit or something from some brewery you've never heard of. The negatives... the staff are all extremely weird. They're not rude, but they do seem really aloof. I've never seen one smile, I've never had a "cheers mate," and any banter between publican and pub-goer seems down to nepotistic mateyness rather than genuine warmness, humour, and personality. You feel like you're intruding on their business when you're forking over $35 for your dinner, and you feel a bit galled when they show no interaction with the staff. This isn't due to them being overworked or being treated poorly, I just don't feel any charisma, interest, personality, or care and respect from them. The only thing you'll hear from them is "where are you sitting? What's your name? That's $60 thanks." Disappointing. Take someone to the Napier and you and they won't be disappointed - no matter what you order, it'll be a great advertisement to a pub that's a bit of an ornament to the non-Smith/Gertrude/Brunswick streets part of the Roy. However, you might want to warn your family or friends about not feeling any warmth from whoever's pouring your beer.

For my birthday in Melbourne I wanted to have kangaroo. I had it once as a steak but not crazy about it because I do not like medium rare meat. At Napier Hotel they had smoked kangaroo salad on the menu. Delicious flavor, served with spinach and feta cheese and a sprinkle of nuts. Wonderful. Happy birthday to me! The only bad thing was that I was so full we did not order desert. The beers on tap are the best too.

Tucked away in a back street in Fitzroy is this old pub with a modern, classy twist. Napier serve a delicious selection of craft and boutique beers, but let's talk about the food. My friend ordered an enormous chicken parmigiana that was almost the size of the plate, blanketing a bed of hot chips. I ordered a kangaroo salad - a tasty blend of rocket, cheesy dip, beetroot and macadamias perfectly balanced with salty marinated kangaroo strips. I will be back!

If you want a mean, well priced, filling, delicious parma with a salad thats not an afterthought. Look. No. Further.

Enjoyed this great Hotel with a group of nine people. We had the Chicken wings for a start, and everybody enjoyed those. For main meals, I had the salad with smoked Kangaroo, others in my party had the fish and chips, chicken Parmesan with smoked kangaroo, burgers, steak sandwiches, Goat curry, chickpea stew with naan, chicken pot pot, Kangaroo filets. All varied and everyone raved about their meals. We were able to roam freely/ Move seats frequently and nobody was bothered by this. Nine out of nine loved (ages 19-84) said that they loved it and would go back. The staff were welcoming and efficient and made it a great night all around.

The Napier has fast become one of our more regular haunts in the area, and for good reason. It's got plenty of space if you're out with a group, so no worries about finding a table, and it's got a toasty fire, making it perfect for the cooler nights in Melbourne. There's a good selection of beers on tap, including Guinness, which is nice to see. What you want to come here for though is the food. They have such a good bar menu and the portion sizes are huge! The Parma is the stand out dish for us-especially the one with smoked kangaroo...and everything is really tasty and well cooked. This place has a real local pub feel to it, something that you don't often get, so it's a bit of a gem...but do be aware it gets rammed on Friday and Saturday nights and it can get a bit blokey so be prepared to push through the crowd!

the Japanese loved the kangaroo steak! as a vegetarian I looked on forlornly, but thoroughly enjoyed my gnocchi.