Edinburgh Castle Hotel

This is actually a pretty cool pub. I’ve been here a few times and everytime I’ve quite liked the place. It hasn’t been hugely packed, and has a really nice atmosphere about it, including some really nice staff. There are some decent beers on tap, which is also pretty cool, as well as a restaurant and what could be considered a rooftop deck though in reality it is just a smokers cage, so I wouldn’t come out here for the outdoor, rooftop experience, especially since you don’t get to see all that much. They even have some karaōke thrown in for good measure, though I’ve never actually had any desire to join in.

Lunch how the Aussies do!
This is my favourite salad in the city! Asparagus, dukka egg, dill, sauce and pumpkin. It all works so perfectly together.
«The Eddy» which we call it will always have a full house for lunch and boasts a pretty popular happy hour — especially for those who smoke as it has a covered area on the second floor.
Favourites of my colleagues include the Chicken Schnitz and the pasta, but they’ve got specials running everyday like chicken tacos or Lamb salad.
Price is decent

This is neither a castle nor a hotel, of course.
We probably wouldn’t have gone out of our way to go here, but this was right next to our hotel, so we went here twice. Tried the steak and schnitzel here, both tasty, large portioned and a great value, especially compared to the prices everywhere else in the CBD. The bartender was really nice, from Washington state haha. So you order at the bar, but cannot sit there — the food is brought to your table. Lots of TVs with sporting events on and a small horse betting area. A comfortable place, probably not somewhere for a big night out but we were very happy it was there.

Good for drinks after work (way back in the day) and not too bad on a day when you’re running to and fro.

For quality pub meals, head upstairs to their bistro area and you will not be disappointed. Their steak sandwiches are just spectacular. None of this stuffy pub kind of atmosphere. I know this sounds boring, and can sound like a cracked record sometimes; you will receive delicious quality pub meals at great prices with excellent customer service to boot. Great to hang out with a group of people, and have organised a couple of farewell lunches here while I was working and living in Sydney.
Any of their steak sandwiches with something as simple as a lemon, lime and bitters is just truly divine. A fairly good environment with quality décor. Not much background music; otherwise I think it is the kind of establishment that attracts quality conversations that the music doesn’t matter too much anyway. Definitely an above average pub lunch. The food comes out hot and well presented with a generous plate of food; I mean who want’s dinner after having a sensational lunch here. Especially say on a Thursday or a Friday for instance; might be a good idea to leave your lunch at home for a change and have a quality meal to reward yourself for all of your hard work to date.

I’m good with direction, but this pub is a little bit of a labyrinth. I feel like I’m in an MC Escher drawing when in here: there are stairs to and fro, a couple of bars, apparently a beer garden (who knew), and a doorway that leads to Narnia. OK, maybe the last one isn’t in here. I can’t say for sure.
The building is phenomenal and has prime location, just across from Pitt St Mickey D’s and up the road from Town Hall. The bar itself is a tiny bit lacklustre, but it doesn’t fail as a meeting place to launch your night from. If you get here after 12/​1am, the pub will be just full enough to not be crowded but force you to drink in the little TAB section. Not the most fun in the world, so get in early, have a couple, and move on.

Ladies night is Tuesday night and all. Takes you back a bit doesn’t it. Frock up ladies you are all invited to this venue, situated right in the heart of the CBD close to Museum station it is a big traditional pub. The menu in the bistro is worth a second look at as you will find food to only tantalize your taste buds. There are 2 levels and the main level is for drinking there are limited seats outside and it kind of feels like you are sitting on a very busy city street, not sure how adaptable this is to peak hour and lunch hour. But all in all you can definitely rely on the Edinburgh Castle hotel for a nice schooner or wine to down with your lunch or a couple of drinks over larks with your mates.

I’ve used the Edinburgh Castle Hotel on Pitt Street a few times as a starting and meeting point as it’s close to everyone (Town Hall is seconds away) and it can be a bit quieter than other pubs. Tonight though is busy and I’m late so I text my friend who I can’t find. They tell me they’re already here. I do a lap of the bar and can’t find anyone. I do another lap but this time the reverse way. No luck and I’m sure they’re watching me.
I call thinking I’m the centre of some ‘prank’ when they tell me they’re upstairs. Upstairs? This place has an upstairs! I find a set or stairs and what do you know, this place does have an upstairs. It’s even got a beer garden which is where they all are.
It’s quite nice upstairs and the addition of the beer garden means that tonight instead of being a starting point it’s our destination. And a pretty good one at that.