Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
Exterior - The Empress Hotel, Fitzroy North, AU-VIC

The Empress Hotel

4.8 (184)
$40 and under
Australian
714 Nicholson St, Fitzroy North, AU-VIC 3068

Make a booking

A photo of The Empress Hotel restaurant

The Empress Hotel

4.8
$40 and under
Australian
Fitzroy North

Make a booking

2 people
7:30 pm

About this restaurant

  • Good for groups
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Great for craft beers
Established in 1873 as The Empress of India, The Empress retains its old world charm; it is brought into the here and now with a focus on craft beer, quality produce, and exceptional service.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $40 and under
  • Cuisines
    Australian
  • Hours of Operation
    Daily 12:00 pm–12:00 am
  • Phone number
    (03) 9486 5005
  • Website
    http://www.theempress.com.au/
  • Payment Options
    Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Private party facilities
    Looking to host an event or function in Melbourne’s inner-north? The Empress Hotel in Fitzroy North is one of Melbourne’s most iconic venues. Featuring a Dining Hall, Beer Garden, and Public Bar The Empress is suitable for all occasions. If you’re looking for a no fuss event for 20 – 100 people then get in touch and plan your next group booking with us.
  • Location
    714 Nicholson St, Fitzroy North, AU-VIC 3068
  • Area
    Fitzroy North
  • Parking Details
    Street Parking
  • Public transport
    Scotchmer Street Stop 21 - Route 96 Pigdon Street - Route 96
  • Additional
    Beer, Beer Garden, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Menu

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at The Empress Hotel.

4.8

4.8
(184)
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.8Value

Noise • Energetic

184 Reviews

  1. Richard

    Melbourne1 review

    3.0

    Dined on 7 August 2026

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    Dinner was pretty average, which was the consensus from the table. Really poor considering how good other pub’s in the area are. Won’t be eating there again in a hurry.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Emma

    Melbourne2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 24 March 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food is always great, great value, family and dog friendly. Service is great, good selection of beers.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Steven

    Melbourne1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 28 February 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Friendly helpful staff helped us with our booking for ten people.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Emma

    Melbourne2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 6 February 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Beautiful place to go and grab a good meal. My parents were visiting and eating out can be quite tricky with my Mum's needs but the place was wonderful. Super accessible, staff were super friendly. The whole vibe of the venue is beautiful and my Dad was stoked with his meal. Food was fab, we will be back.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Tom

    Melbourne1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 5 December 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great pub feel and service. I took my father to watch the Australian Open and have lunch. We were seated and made to feel welcome. Our lunch was tasty and the beer cold. You can’t ask for more.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Luana

    Melbourne12 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 28 November 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The Empress is our go-to local pub. Lovely, friendly and very kind staff, delicious food, great ambiance. The beer battered chips are to die for (my fave), as is the battered fish - sooooo crunchy! The hamburgers are also fabulous, true of their chicken parma too (with prosciutto, mind you), and also the eggplant parma, plus the specials are always YUM as well. My husband had the steak sanga special yesterday and was very happy indeed. Poochie friendly areas too. A big shout out to Guy and his sensational team at The Empress. If you are in the area, this relaxed, event and family friendly pub is a must!

    Is this helpful?

  7. Andrew

    Melbourne6 reviews

    2.0

    Dined on 13 September 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    It was an AFL finals evening so……..It was a very busy night, our food was fairly slow to be served and to be honest it wasn’t the best. The service was great and the pub has a fantastic old school pub vibe. It was a lot of fun watching the footy with a fanatical crowd.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Bernard

    Melbourne1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 30 August 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The staff are absolutely customer focused and deliver a great service

    Is this helpful?

  9. David

    Tropical North Queensland2 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on 23 July 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    This was steak night, $25. Generally OK, the steak represented the price! Quite tough, but flavourful, there is now a limited range of sauces, the red wine juz was very watery and lacked flavour. Worth trying. Staff were variable, one was exceptionally good and helpful, another was completely lost and confused.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Rosie

    Melbourne1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 17 May 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    I had the cosiest and perfect laid-back 21st birthday at the Empress. I was hoping for a relaxed but celebratory vibe and got just that on Saturday. As soon as we arrived, our table was waiting for us in the dining room and the great waiter at the bar offered to put the fire on. It was exactly what was needed for late arvo on a rainy Melb day! (Wish I knew his name to thank him - he provided great service all day!) It was super easy to set up the bar tab and there was a comfortable amount of space for 10 of us, with a few other tables in the dining room full and people scattered throughout the rest of the pub - still felt lively and not too quiet. EVERYONE was impressed by the parma and the food in general - which was lucky because I had talked up that eggplant parm so much. The empress provided exactly the day I was hoping for to celebrate my 21st with my family. Thank you team!

    Is this helpful?

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $40 and under
  • Cuisines
    Australian
  • Hours of Operation
    Daily 12:00 pm–12:00 am
  • Phone number
    (03) 9486 5005
  • Website
    http://www.theempress.com.au/
  • Payment Options
    Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Private party facilities
    Looking to host an event or function in Melbourne’s inner-north? The Empress Hotel in Fitzroy North is one of Melbourne’s most iconic venues. Featuring a Dining Hall, Beer Garden, and Public Bar The Empress is suitable for all occasions. If you’re looking for a no fuss event for 20 – 100 people then get in touch and plan your next group booking with us.
  • Location
    714 Nicholson St, Fitzroy North, AU-VIC 3068
  • Area
    Fitzroy North
  • Parking Details
    Street Parking
  • Public transport
    Scotchmer Street Stop 21 - Route 96 Pigdon Street - Route 96
  • Additional
    Beer, Beer Garden, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine

FAQs

Yes, The Empress has outdoor seating, including a beer garden and outdoor spots along the Scotchmer Street side that guests enjoy.

The Empress Hotel feels like a cosy, old‑school pub with warm, laid‑back charm and attentive service.

Yes, private parties are offered, and guests report easy group bookings, simple bar‑tab setup, and that booking the dining room for a 30‑guest baby shower allowed flowers and cake with no minimum spend.

Thursday is a standout for the wing special, Tuesday is prized for Parma night, and Sunday lunch is often used for booked gatherings.

Yes, The Empress Hotel welcomes private parties, and guests regularly book the dining room for private events.

For a lively night, visit The Empress on Friday or Saturday evenings or during big footy/tennis fixtures, guests describe those as busy and fun; weekday evenings tend to be quieter.

Yes, dogs are welcome in the outdoor areas: guests frequently mention puppies and pooch-friendly spots in the beer garden and outdoor seating.

Yes, The Empress Hotel offers family-friendly seating, including a large dining-room table perfect for families and space for larger family bookings.

How FAQ content is generated

  1. Home
  2. Australia
  3. Melbourne
  4. Inner City North
  5. Fitzroy North

Make a booking

A photo of The Empress Hotel restaurant

The Empress Hotel

4.8
$40 and under
Australian
Fitzroy North

Make a booking

2 people
7:30 pm
Discover
OpenTable
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Press
More
Our sites
Businesses
  • Restaurant Management Solutions
  • Restaurant Booking Software
  • Restaurant Marketing Software
  • Restaurant Event Software
  • OpenTable For Restaurants
  • OpenTable For Restaurant Groups
  • Restaurant Resources
  • OpenTable Pricing & Plans
Join us on
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2026 OpenTable Australia Level 22, 357 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo