Portsea Hotel

We thoroughly enjoyed our recent visit to the Portsea Hotel. We had heard good things and we weren't disappointed. It was bustling as it was New Year's Day, but they weren't taking table bookings in Dec/Jan. We had no problems finding a nice table but if there hadn't been one available we wouldn't have had to wait too long to get one. Our party tried some of the vego pizzas, which everyone loved, particularly the bases. The vegan burger was yum with very good chips. The Burrata with peaches and chilli was a highlight and the wedge lettuce salad with the green goddess dressing was delish. Recommended visiting when you're in Portsea. ☆☆☆☆☆

The Portsea Hotel is an absolute must-visit! We had a fantastic experience, complete with an excellent classic pub dinner(the Fish & Chips, as pictured, were perfectly crisp and delicious). The highlight for us was the back dining area. It's an open-air garden with a lovely Mediterranean feel, and it offers beautiful views out to the water. It’s a stunning, relaxed spot, especially perfect for groups. The service was smooth, and we really appreciated the modern convenience of being able to pay quickly and easily via QR code right at the table. Highly recommended for great food, great views, and a great atmosphere!

As usual its a great location and drinks are fine. Ordered 3 medium cooked Scotch filets and all 3 tough as nails. The scotch was $64 for 300 grams . The eye fillet 200 grams @ $60 also tough as nails. A little disappointing. Order the Parma or Burger or Salmon they were good. Enjoy the view and drinks....the steak is less than average for the price point.

Very average meals. Fish is frozen fish & chicken parmi's appeared to be pre-cooked. Take note: the fish is frozen. WHY ? Why would you want frozen fish when your by the sea ? Absolutely no incentive to improve the quality of their meals as they are always busy & full on weekends. View is great & it's a beautiful old hotel but I would think there are better meals to be found elsewhere. Be prepared to be disappointed.

Location is amazing and the only reason I would consider going back. Drinks took so long to arrive to the table and it was no quicker to go to the bar. Food was ordinary and my wood fire bread was hardly cooked and raw on the inside. The only way to get a table for dinner is to arrive so early that it’s basically lunch time with lines going down the street by 6:30pm which is ridiculous for the local pub.

Weird situation. Today we arrived at the beer garden early about 3.30pm so we could get a table. We got a table that seated 6. There was 14 of us so we stood sit while having beers. You cannot book a table. It’s first in best dressed. About 4.30pm The 2 tables next to us left so we went to join one of tables up but the staff said no we cant do it as they had people queued up outside. They put 3 people on the table next to us then had a staff Member stand guard on the table 2 across so we couldn’t use it. We again Asked staff if we could join the table or at least use the table next to us and had a manager come over and tell us it wasn’t possible. Only moments earlier the tables were joined up by the group that left. We left 40 mins later as there wasn’t enough room for us to eat ( yep 14 meals missed .. we went to the Sorrento hotel instead and seen $900 on food there) and the staff member was still guarding the vacant table. As a result we had drinks but didn’t eat. You can’t book a table so this was a result weird situation. We just spent the cash at the Sorrento … we spent on drinks and food at Sorrento Hotel I estimate $2000. Just because we couldn’t use the first in best dressed policy. Lesson here is don’t go to Portsea pub if you have group of 6.

Views 10/10. Food 3/10. We came for a late lunch and were quite disappointed. The menu seems to have shrunk as well. The cheese burger for $27 was a flop. Super market type bun, flavourless cheese, heavy sauce. Meat patty looked dead. Not a touch of salad or greenery. The rustica pizza was light on toppings. We normally come up 4-5 times a year but will think twice

The Portsea Hotel offers some truly fantastic views and makes for a brilliant day trip if you’re staying in Melbourne. Although we didn’t stay at the hotel, so I can't comment on the rooms, we did have a lovely dining experience there. The setting is stunning, with views that really make the trip worthwhile. The atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming, perfect for a day out. We found the service to be quite attentive. Our waitress was particularly impressive, with a deep knowledge of the extensive wine menu. Her recommendations paired beautifully with our meals. We kicked things off with a shared pizza as a starter, which arrived promptly and tasted wonderful. I suspect the wood-fired ovens we spotted on the way in had a lot to do with that fantastic flavour. For the mains, I tried my first chicken Parma, an Australian classic, and it was fantastic. The Portsea did a great job, making my first encounter with this dish a memorable one. My wife opted for the barramundi with chickpeas and anchovies, which she enjoyed as well. However, there was a bit of a letdown for my sister in law when they ran out of their only vegetarian option, the mushroom pasta. It would be a good idea for the team to consider adding more vegetarian dishes to their menu to avoid such disappointments in the future. Overall, it was a good experience with delicious food and excellent wine suggestions, set against the backdrop of stunning views. If you’re looking for a day trip destination with great food, The Portsea is definitely worth a visit.

It doesn't seem like there is a way to review the part of the hotel just for eating. It feels unfair to be reviewing the hotel when I just came here for lunch. The location is great next to the water so I'm sure staying at this hotel would be great but there. So this review is only for the restaurant portion. As mentioned the location is great and it has plenty of seating outside that is also covered so you can be protected from the sun while also enjoying the outdoors. It also had live music playing although I felt bad for the person performing as people were too focused on their own discussion to even notice that someone was playing music. They also have lots of indoor seating and seating around their bars. Unfortunately the food wasn't as great. It was ok, but nothing memorable. I've seen reviews mentioning that it was the best calamari they have had and it makes me wonder where they go eat calamari, because it's not that it was bad.. it was at best ok.. some bits were a bit too chewy. I got the ricotta gnocchi with prosciutto which was a bit too salty which usually happens when the prosciutto is of lower quality. The people in my group worded the oysters, calamari and a plus with prosciutto. The oysters were just ok and the calamari... Well I spoke about that. I also am quite negative at any place that doesn't bring you water at the table first thing and you have to ask for it. I worked as a waiter for years so I tend to notice little things like that which bother me. I'd come back again to have a drink with friends (they really enjoyed their drinks..I only drink sodas so can't comment on them :p) but I won't say to anyone you have to come here and try any of the dishes. Get something if you are hungry but don't expect to be wowed.

Beautiful area to eat inside or outside! There's a great grassy area for kids or animals to play and you can watch boats sail and people playing in the water! You could come and just get drinks and enjoy the weather. We had pizza, fish and chips, and a Parma - Food was delicious with large portions! I'm visiting from the US, and would highly recommend!

Well, by the time you get to this pub you are pretty much getting to the end of the road. In fact it feels more like some old fashioned restaurant as opposed to a pub, and really does come across as if it could be a venue for a wedding. Mind you, it is a rather nice pub, and it does have a really nice beer garden, and some decent beers on tap as well. Actually, come to think of it, when I turned up here the front runners of a wedding reception were also here, so I guess it is.

Grabbed a late lunch of antipasto and various small dishes, for four adults. All were delicious BUT the steamed mussels, 11 in total, had 4 that had not opened. This might indicate that they were already dead on arrival in the kitchen. They should have been discarded by the cooks. We did not eat them of course but others might be less knowledgeable about food safety Sorry but only 3 stars for this reason.

Attended for a wedding, overall a great position overlooking the bay and pier. The rear garden an amazing backdrop for a wedding ceremony. However the white walkway sturdy plastic looked tacky for the bride and groom and their party to walk down the aisle over the grass and a tad dangerous. If going to host weddings they need a better solution. The back room overlooking the garden and bay was freezing with heaters only operating along side dining area that had no one in their. The function room was set up in an amazing fashion, entree was amazing I had the barramundi and the best I've ever had, the meat mains both chicken and porterhouse were dry but well presented. Service was OK throughout not stand out but adequate. I was amazed to see the bars in the pub close at 10pm and only the wedding rocking the Saturday night. The pub needs an overhaul decor wise.

We went I wedding here last Friday I was best man The wedding was fantastic as was the venue and all the people involved in the preparation and the running of the wedding from the hotel were very helpful I would suggest if you are looking for a venue for a wedding give it a look I know I will we all had a fantastic time And the. Bridal party were really looked after before during and after

The Portsea Hotel is an institution, a landmark faux tudor pub at the very end of the Mornington Peninsula located in what apparently is Australia's most expensive post code (and the city with the most tennis courts per capita anywhere....ah the useless trivia one learns on wikipedia). As for the Hotel itself...5 big stars for the views....stellar, unimpeded views of Port Phillip Bay from almost every table in the outdoor seating area. The food is expensive, but fairly decent (3 star decent). I had a pulled pork bun which was well north of $20, but actually rather tasty. There is no table service, you order at a counter pub style which was a bit odd for this type of establishment in this tony a location. Why the Portsea Hotel doesn't provide service to match the prices is beyond me. The interior of the hotel is where the true disappointment lies, it looks like the function room of an old age home. With a half-decent renovation, this spot could really be a 5 star establishment instead of a 3 star cafeteria. Still it's worth visiting to soak in those amazing views.

I'd never been to Portsea until.... well until the day we had lunch at the Portsea Hotel and I know now what I've been missing. It's a great spot, amazing and tell you what... On a beautiful warm sunny summer day, it's as good as it can get and well worth the 3 hour drive from Melbourne. We went on a Saturday for lunch. Lamaro's had temporarily relocated there and were offering the locals a taste of their wonderful hospitality and amazing cuisine during the month of Jan. My partner in crime (god bless her for inviting me) had scored 2 spots for lunch. It was a beautiful day and the Portsea Pollo was on so it was buzzing in that part of the world. The Hotel itself was packed to the rafters. We were seated in their dining room on the upper deck and our table overlooked the water and faced the pier. You ever experienced a moment so peaceful and beautiful that you wish you could just stay in it and never leave? I did, I think we both did... The stunning view was only a part of the whole experience, the food was amazing as well - kudos to the square to the guys at L'amaros. I loved every dish I had - from the truffled season venison carpaccio to the Snapper and the Peanut butter & Jelly Fried Ice Cream. The guys serving us were very nice as well and only contributed to the whole experience. I can't wait to return to Portsea and I know that that day and every part of it will live on forever in my mind......

This faux Tudor mega-pub overlooking Portsea beach is justifiably famous for its spectacular views. From the lawn or the upstairs function space, patrons can look across the sea to Queenscliff on the other side of Port Phillip Bay. While the setting is amazing, the pub itself really isn't anything special. They do all the standard pub meals, but with some extra-special seafood dishes including the mega Fisherman's Catch for 2 or more - I didn't order it, but I saw it on a table nearby and was blown away! It was an enormous pile of oysters, crab, prawns, bugs fish, scallops, calamari and chips. I had the Gourmet Beef Burger - props to the chutney, but the bun was a little stale. The Parma my dining partner had was better than average - thick, juicy and huge. The wine list was basic but good, with all drinks reasonably priced. We sat out under the umbrellas on the lawn, but you can also dine inside the bistro, or on the semi-enclosed balcony. The Portsea Hotel also has a café lounge, function spaces for both corporate events and weddings, accommodation and a sports bar.

Great service, good meal. My wife and I both had the Pulled Pork Hamburger, with chips and a red cabbage slaw in the bun. Really fresh and very juicy, nice and messy. Sat outside in the sun with fantastic view of the heads. The line up to order looked daunting, very long. The meals arrived very quickly after order and were delicious. $25 each.

A lovely pub and will be amazing in summer. I'm writing this purely on the food and what an underwhelming experience it was. I get the fact that kitchens are prepared and do have food ready in advance, but our 2 parmas arrived about 90 seconds after ordering, slapped on to a plate and looking incredibly underwhelming. Anyway, amazing service times aside, the food was ok, not really worth the high price ($28) placed on the parma. I'd try something else next time. Although I am looking forward to summer down there so I will be back.

Amazing views. Conveniently on the way back from a beautiful hiking area (gunners cottage and that area that used to be quarantine back in the 1850's). Yummy gnocci and pulled pork burger. Beautiful outdoor area for summer time! I will go back.

Beautiful view, and good service. Seating outdoors or indoors. Caters for all diners - groups, families with children and couples. Menu and food looked and sounded very appetising, however, was a bit disappointed compared to what was served - not really value for money, and fairly tasteless. Had the guiness wagyu pie - it was more like a bolognaise pie.

Strictly set menu if you have allergies you can't adjust anything. I wouldn't return. Over-priced. Go elsewhere and save yourself some money

The experience was pretty poor. It was a busy day and I understand that but the place has 3 POS to take food orders and only had 1 person manning, it was terrible. Waited 25 mins in a line to order food. For the price they're charging table service is in order. The uncooked entrees were great, oysters and the charcuterie board. The cooked food was very bad. No one had seasoned any of the 5 dishes properly. They were all overcooked. Linguini overdone, Atlantic salmon overdone and steak overdone. Didn't try the Parma but instead of crowding the plate with so many chips, they could give less and season them properly instead. $230 later for 5 mains and 2 entrees, shameful that this place is so busy. People reinforcing to the owners that what they do is good when it's plainly rubbish for the price point.

Cracking view, overpriced, poor food. Institution serving food fit for a correctional institution. Hard to tell you to give it a miss, just give the food a miss

I went there for lunch with my wife and son. We found our seats near other occupied tables and then waited to be served. After about 10 minutes of waiting, it looked like the supervisor was coming over to serve us, but instead he pushed past to look through a screen and then muttered something about other customers sitting in a closed section. I smiled, he did not :(. We waited another 10 minutes trying to catch one of the three waiters eyes without any luck. So we left and because all the waiters were disappearing for long periods of time, were not acknowledged on our way out. Instead we had fish and chips at the milk bar further down the road on the corner which was very nice and we had extra appreciation for the friendly and attentive service. The Portsea Hotel is really nothing more than a pub with a great view. Hence the staff who were at most bar men trying to be waiters. Three waiters for at most 8 tables with a maximum of 4 patrons on each is a walk in the park for one good waiter. These guys were lazy and complacent, and shouldn't work in hospitality.