Robin Hood Hotel

7.6 Recommended

Food  7      Drinks  7      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  9     

Been down here recently to watch the footy on a Friday night and enjoy a bit of pub food... and I'm impressed. Despite the reviews on here, the service is quick (albeit, they're not great at remembering variations to the set items), food is good quality pub food, and its original enough that you forget its pub food. Highlight is the burger for me, pasta dishes for the mrs.

On the bar side, recently had grolsch on tap, which was a treat, and the staff are helpful, energetic and most importantly, change the tv channel and volume to suit the crowd. A good local to visit at night, not big enough to be ruined by the masses.

Jul 12, 2011 

5 Average

Food  1      Drinks  7      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  4     

The Hood used to be a staple for drinks and meals but recent changes to the bistro (after the renovations) have been for the worse. The last straw was being served a stone-cold steak after a half-hour wait for dinner. The waitress taking orders was very apologetic but the kitchen hands were clearly annoyed that anyone would take something back. Sticking to the bar at this joint.

Apr 28, 2011 

1.8 Not Recommended

Food  5      Drinks  1      Ambience  1      Service  1      Value  1     

Terrible dining experience. Service was shocking.. Waited 45 minutes for food that was grossly overpriced only to return to service desk to see food hadn't even begun to be prepared! Asked for a refund and left.

Feb 07, 2011 

7.8 Recommended

Food  9      Drinks  9      Ambience  8      Service  5      Value  8     

The bistro is by far the stand out. Great specials board, great staples and a great hostess on the desk to guide our menu choices. Classic pub food that did not scrimp on taste or portion size, rare for both in the east. Shame we had to eat our delicious sirloins in the "smokers" room as the front bar seemed starved of seating.

Dining partner got shortchanged at the front bar and upon multiple occasions had to wait several minutes for drinks service as the bar staff were quite content to lean on the bar and watch the big screen. Won't go back for a drink but definitely will sneak back to the bistro somehow.

Jun 22, 2010 

5.6 Average

Food  7      Drinks  7      Ambience  5      Service  6      Value  3     

The Robinhood used to be an institution that catered for its locals with good, value for money food, service and a friendly local atmosphere. Since recent renovations prices keep increasing, sauce on schnitzel is no longer free and the amount keeps getting smaller. When we raised this with staff we were told they had to 'cut back' on sauce. If this is the new hood I will be finding a new local.

Apr 09, 2010 

7.2 Recommended

Food  7      Drinks  7      Ambience  7      Service  6      Value  9     

Staff seem to get a bad rap from the other comments, though I never have any reason to complain, and the staff turnover is high, so always someone new serving me, the $8.00 steaks are always a gamble, go for the chicken schnitzel.

The new back bar is disappointing, seeming to be nothing more than a "holding pen " for smokers, they certainly went with the keep it simple approach.

Mar 25, 2010 

6.4 Recommended

Food  5      Drinks  5      Ambience  6      Service  8      Value  8     

So the food's ordinary? Yep. But at $7 for a steak and chips, you can't go wrong when some local competitors charge $26 for the same thing. Atmosphere is classic 'local' and service is friendly befitting the small size and history of the pub. Great value. You can see why it's always crowded.

Jan 08, 2009 

4.8 Average

Food  6      Drinks  6      Ambience  4      Service  2      Value  6     

Have been living in the area about 3 years now so probably 100+ visits if that is worth anything.

The Good: Location is great, close to Bondi Junction, Bronte, but far enough away to attract by word of mouth rather than a random crowd. Size and layout of the place works well, usually room enough for everybody and every activity (eg. for pokie players even though I will never understand them, but each to their own!). Sporting events are generally well catered for ie. use of the big screen, different TVs should their be competing codes.

Steak is generally more hit than miss, even if $8 is getting a bit pricey for what you get (creeping up regularly - $5 a couple of years ago, without any improvement in product).

The Bad: Wine selection is ordinary and unchanging in selection, hard to understand when they have a massive bottle shop down on Carrington Road. Beer is better though don't know why they didn't keep Little Creatures. Can never seem to provide consistency in when they serve food, many times I have come in around 8.30-8.45 pm, with menus still around the place, but the staff tell me the kitchen closed and they can barely give a shrug as to an explanation ...

The Ugly: Service is the worst I have ever seen over a period of time. In particular the complete lack of recognition of any regulars (whereas their counterparts at the Bottleshop down the road have a fantastic memory for faces). The only reason not to give the lowest score is that the current manager (as at Dec 2008) sets an example for all his staff to follow. On past experience though, wouldn't be surprised to see him move to a better establishment as soon as he can!

Staff are often much more interested in themselves than their customers, one example a while ago was a game they invented amongst themselves to throw coins into a metal bucket from distance for an hour ... PING ... PING ... PING ...

Overall then, much to recommend the Robin Hood, just a shame the staff don't seem to take any pride whatsoever in what they are there to do, an attitude that I'm sure comes back to them from repeated visitors. A shame.

Dec 26, 2008 

2.4 Not Recommended

Food  3      Drinks  3      Ambience  2      Service  2      Value  2     

About 5 years ago his used to be one of the best pubs in the east with $5 steaks and $3.50 beers. The staff were really friendly and helpful. It was a local but a really friendly place. Now they have the most expensive beers of any non city pub I can think of, the food is expensive and the quality is bad and inconsistent. The staff have so much attitude you feel like you're putting them out by trying to order a drink and don't ask them to change the TV! For a pub meal go elsewhere and most of the nearby restaurants will deliver to you!

Dec 17, 2008 

7.6 Recommended

Food  8      Drinks  8      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  9     

Very hot sunday lunch time, quiet in the pub. Food was very good value, great piece of barramundi for $18 and the boys enjoyed the schnitzel special for $8 and gourmet sausages, $10. Would definitely go back.

Oct 23, 2008