A Melbourne favourite has claimed the top honour at the inaugural Top 50 Gastropubs Awards, with Fitzroy’s The Builders Arms Hotel named Australia’s best food-led pub.
Announced at a ceremony during HospoNEXT in Sydney, the new awards celebrate pubs that combine high-quality dining with a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere. Winners were selected with input from a panel of 17 hospitality industry experts.
Originally established in 1853, The Builders Arms Hotel was recognised for its consistently strong food offering, from classic pub meals to refined bistro dining. The venue also took home the Best Atmosphere award, highlighting its reputation as a destination for everything from casual drinks to long lunches.
Judges praised the Fitzroy institution for its innovation within the traditional pub setting and its consistently high standards, with one describing it as Australia’s most consistent pub.
The Builders Arms Hotel has become one of Melbourne’s most enduring dining destinations, combining the character of a traditional neighbourhood pub with a food offering led by acclaimed chef Andrew McConnell and publican Anthony Hammond.
Located on Gertrude Street in Fitzroy, the historic venue includes a lively public bar, bistro, courtyard and private dining spaces, making it a popular choice for everything from casual catch-ups to special occasions.
Guests can enjoy the same à la carte menu throughout the venue, alongside a rotating selection of daily specials including Monday Steak Night, Tuesday’s Charcoal Chicken and the much-loved Sunday Roast. The public bar also features 12 rotating beers on tap, an extensive wine list and changing bar snacks, while monthly trivia nights hosted by 3RRR’s Cam Smith have become another popular drawcard for locals.
Other Melbourne pubs in the top 10 include The Lincoln in Carlton in fourth place, the Marquis of Lorne in sixth place and The Royal Mail Hotel at Dunkeld at tenth.
