Monster Kitchen & Bar

Monster Kitchen & Bar reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. D

   Dishant

   Canberra3 reviews

   1.0

   Dined on 5 April 2025

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 4

   All these new changes to monster have been for the worst. I really don’t see myself coming back here and that’s quite a shame because monster was quite a unique restaurant and I will miss it.
   

   Monster Kitchen & BarResponded on 6 April 2025

   Dear Dishant, Thank-you for your feedback, we regret the changes didn't meet your expectations. The changes to Monster come about as changes to all Ovolo hotel food and beverage operations occur across all our Australian hotels. All our hotels are moving toward a more traditional all-day dining concept as we re-orient the hotel toward a more conference and events-based hotel and soon refresh our furniture and spaces. Whilst we are keeping some of the popular Monster dishes, we have moved away from the a la carte/set dining model. We value you appreciated the Monster of old, but in the current market we have had to evolve the model in order to continue to operate and meet the needs of our guests. We do thank-you for patronage irrespective. Kind regards Monster team
   

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2. R

   Roseline

   Canberra2 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on 29 March 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Very exceptional service. Most of the food was very nice. Ambience was to die for.
   

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3. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Washington DC3 reviews

   2.0

   Dined on 15 March 2025

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 3

   Overall a step down from before. Ok but no longer a go to dining experience. The new omnivore menu had tasty food but that’s where the praise stops. Service was lacklustre, like no offer for extra wine or desserts after our meal. About halfway through they changed to still water (from sparkling) just dumping the carafe on the table. Our side of chips came out at the start as if it was a bar menu snack and not a restaurant side.
   

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4. A

   Adrian

   Victoria1 review

   3.0

   Dined on 10 March 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 3

   I booked a table in the restaurant expecting an a la carte menu for my partner's birthday dinner, only to be told that the restaurant wasn't operating and we had to choose from a limited bar menu and sit in the bar area. Very disappointing. The food was reasonably good, although we weren't offered deserts or coffee. In addition, we were told that cocktails weren't available after 8.00pm. More like a modest country venue than dining in a five star hotel. We won't return.
   

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5. L

   Lasitha

   Canberra3 reviews

   4.0

   Dined on 24 February 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   Great Value. Big potions. Need a bit more work on matched wines.
   

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6. E

   ELLIE

   Canberra6 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on 21 February 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   This restaurant was great! The service was great from the moment we walked in. Drinks and meals arrived in a timely manner. We ordered the scallops (these were our favourite dish), tuna tartare, pork belly skewers (YUM), striploin, fries and cos lettuce salad (this was surprisingly reallyyyyyy good). Everything was great quality, and good flavours! We will definitely go back!
   

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7. T

   Tanya

   New South Wales3 reviews

   2.0

   Dined on 19 February 2025

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 2

   This was a disappointing dinner. It was to mark a milestone birthday (which we advised the restaurant of well in advance). The main restaurant was closed (without notification) and everyone was crammed into a small space off the lobby. No ambiance, poor service (it took forever to order) and the food was mediocre (except the corn ribs - they were great). A very stark experience to when we went last year. We wont be returning.
   

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8. P

   Paul

   Canberra3 reviews

   1.0

   Dined on 17 February 2025

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   Probably the worst dining experience of my life. I ordered a Caesar salad to be told there was no bacon, so this ruled out my second option the Monster burger with bacon!! The contents of the charcuterie board delivered was not what was described on the menu and as a result it was sent back to the kitchen. The entree oysters were totally overpowered by the salsa, the green leaf salad was simply cos lettuce leaves and overly dressed. Two of my 8 mussels were not open, the sauce was overly garlicky. The chef came out but remained mute and did not discuss our issues. I will never return.
   

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9. L

   Levi

   Canberra1 review

   4.0

   Dined on 15 February 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Lovely food, definitely a place for a special occasion as it’s a bit pricey but overall it was a beautiful experience. The pork belly, spatchcock and salad was delicious. Leave room for dessert too as the tiramisu and hazelnut cream/mouse thing was delicious!
   

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10. S

    Shaun

    Canberra1 review

    1.0

    Dined on 14 February 2025

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 3

    Booked here for a fixed menu dinner yet despite the hotel in which it is housed advertising it as "our in-house vegetarian restaurant" it wasn't and therefore had to go with what they gave me. Ordered champagne when sitting down which arrived at same time as cocktail which was pre-ordered approximately 45 minutes later. After 1 hour 15 mins second course arrived and was pretty ordinary. Dessert arrived 2hrs and 30 mins after arrival and they literally tried to serve it to another table who said 'too late, we are leaving' so they just dumped it over on mine. Paid almost $400 for this? Complained to the manager who just stood there staring at me. Never going back.
    

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