This is definitely one of the better South Melbourne pubs, though unfortunately it does tend to close down around the Christmas break, which is a bit of a shame, especially when I make the effort to travel out here. It isn't one of the easiest pubs to get to, namely because it happens to be located a bit out of the way of the major strip in South Melbourne, but it is still pretty cool. I has an awesome beer garden down the side, and some great craft beers on tap as well. Also, it doesn't seem to get anywhere near as packed as some pubs do. read more

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I'm so angry! Not so long ago I lived just three minutes walk from the Wayside. As soon as I moved away, they opened - almost as if they knew that my living nearby might pose a huge risk for their daily Oyster Happy Hour (3.30-5.30). $14 for half a dozen seasonal oysters and a glass of wine (or beer)? If I were still a local, you can guarantee that I would have been in there every second day. My first visit this week saw me absolutely fuming as I read through the menu - a daily rotisserie (venison with red fruits, or a half Glenloth chicken perhaps?); an entire section devoted to oysters and another to offal... not to mention the steaks (divided in to grain and grass fed). I could feel rage and disappointment inside that I'd moved away too soon. I was only there for a meeting over drinks (a couple of glasses from their great wine list, and a cheeky G&T because they use the West Winds Gin's Sabre - my favourite Aussie gin). After this and a dozen oysters later, I was scheming up a way to move back to the South side and make this my local. Hell hath no fury like a woman denied easy access to such great food. read more

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The Wayside Inn is a little gem! A happy place on City Road to enjoy a drink in the sunshine or some impressive restaurant food. The bar menu is good and the restaurant menu sounds fantastic AND they are happy to let us order off the restaurant menu in the bar - it's the small things that make this a great place. The staff are gorgeous, lovely and friendly and helpful, they make you want to come back very soon! AND the food..... soooo good! The Burgers are a little stack of wonder!... read more at my blog read more

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This gem of a pub is hidden in plain sight. Situated on City Road, it's so close to a lot of great eateries, but feels kind of stranded on it's own. I recommend walking the extra 50 metres to check this place out. The Wayside Inn offers counter meals and a bar menu, as well as fine dining in the restaurant. This isn't your standard parma and chips. It's more of a 'gastropub' menu. Yesterday I indulged in some beef and jalapeño croquets with Mountain Goat steam ale (on tap). It was so good that I came back today for lunch - tasty bbq cuttlefish with green papaya salad. See, definitely not the boring old pub fare. My dining counterpart had a burger that was rare, juicy and full of flavour. I think I found my new local. read more

When asked 'where's the best place you've had a burger in Melbourne?' my response would be 'Wayside Inn'. But what makes it a standout? The brioche bun and the beetroot relish. For $18 you get heaven on a plate with a side of fat chips or shoestring fries. If you don't fancy a burger there's plenty of other options on the bar menu for under $20 such as fish n chips, chicken salad, pasta, steak sanga etc. Restaurant dining is separate and offers a more upscale menu with steak, seafood and rotisserie from $40+, I strongly recommend ordering the wagyu croquettes as an appetiser. Having worked in South Melbourne for five years, I've covered most cafes, pubs, bars, restaurants, eateries around the landscape so in comparison with other venues on Clarendon St this place is in a league of its own. CLOSED ON MONDAYS. read more

Wayside Inn - Winner winner chicken dinner - Bars Near Me - South Melbourne, VIC

Who doesn't love a fancy pants gastropub? A place where you'll still find the casual, "where everybody knows your naay-a-ame" pub vibe, but with the added benefit of trading frozen mushy peas, crisps and unidentifiable pickled objects for pig terrine, full fledged rotisserie options and a seafood platter that would make Ariel reconsider her decision to ever leave. Well friends, welcome to the Wayside. On my two visits I was not only impressed by the quality of the food and the lovely fit out, but the fact that I could chase my locally sourced seasonal ingredients with a full, hoppy, Portland-brewed Bridgeport IPA - on tap, no less! (They also offered bottles of Brooklyn Lager for the other American craft brewery fans out there, but why would you go and do that with Bridgeport on tap?) It was spendy, but certainly a "get what you pay for" experience. Don't plan on standard pub food, but don't plan on standard pub prices either. read more

For some time now, 8 years or so in fact, I've gone past whatever has stood here, and thought, "Hmmmm, yeah, not really sure don't know." "it's kinda in the middle of nowhere" I've never really entered for lack of suspicion, but never really knowing what they did. But curiosity is a strange best, and it has manifested itself in eventually having to try the wayside inn. Albeit like many of my other reviews, months later than it should have been. It's more like an oasis these days. Well I'm finally here, and it's a great way to spend the afternoon/evening. Currently, there is a seven days seven roasts thing going on. Just the thing for winter! My foray into this was the Aylesbury duck; just sublime. Kipfler potatoes, with red cabbage and a sticky red wine sauce. I've eaten duck, but never like this before. Brilliant. Perfectly cooked duck; relying on its natural flavour,with awesome addictive sticky sauce. As Tresna previously pointed out, there's oysters happy hour. But you can choose your own throughout the day too. The underlying culture here is French; plenty of seafood, fish and oysters. "Plateau de la mer" a speciality showcasing moreton bay bug, mussels,scallops, crab, smoked salmon, prawns, oysters, etc. There's also an emphasis on steaks: 250gram to 500 gram cuts available. Two entree's were ordered and pretty much demolished upon arrival. A beef cappuccino style thing with celeriac chips. 2, a little mix bowl of chorizo, warm olives, and little green peppers! Amazing. The space is modern and clean. Despite the menu, the wayside inn never forgets that it's in Australia. Open, friendly service, that's welcoming, yet without being smothering. Some spectacular sharing beers are available; An Estrella from Spain, and the Quiet American from little creatures. This is a good tasting order. The duck was so good, I got caught up in it's delicious awesomeness and forgot to write about it. And now for the crazy part! Who the proverbial orders the "wayside Burger" for dessert after a whole roast duck? For desert? Lunacy! But I did. It was madness. I'm a bit odd and don't mind pulling apart dining convention. I really needed to see what this burger was about though. Oh and if youget past the beers, the wine list ain't half bad either. So, there's lot to come back for. read more

When I think of City Road, my first thoughts are getting the hell out of Southbank and down the road to South Melbourne or up to Richmond. I never have thought of it as an eating or drinking Mecca, but more of a means to an end riddled with places that will give my motorcar a tune up or replace the tyres on my motorbike, if I had one. So it was with great trepidation that I ventured down City Road on foot, past the golden arches on the corner of Clarendon Street and under the M1 into the more industrial area. Still, like an oasis in the outback, the Wayside Inn, stands resolute on the corner of Ferrars Street. Originally this place ended up higher on my "to visit list" after having a great experience at The Station Hotel in Footscray as the Wayside Inn is managed by the same group. When I started following them on Twitter, I frequently would be left salivating on Friday with their tweets about the suckling pig that is fresh off the roast every Friday so it is no surprise that is when I found myself grabbing a stool at the bar with one other, ordering a bottle of Bright Road Pilsner ($9) (from the equally good and relaxed Bright Road Brewery in Beechworth) and greedily ordering suckling pig ($38) before the first bottle of beer was vacated. There is a dining room, an area on the roof (which can be booked for functions) along with tables scattered around the perimeter of the bar area and outside so there is no shortage of seating despite it being lunch with the corporate types jostling for position. Service remained very attentive and cheeky, which reminded me of my old local in Sydney, the Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel. There is no obnoxious music playing, only the purr of pleasant conversation and on occasion the loud rumble of a motorbike that goes past. The slaughtered young pig arrived and just looking at it I knew that the kitchen got it right. The meat was not only tender but pale and the skin was crisp. Not crunchy crisp, and along with the great texture of the meat which was gelatinous, made for a wonderful match for the pilsner. Executive Chef Sean Donovan has put together an exciting menu that includes Sher Wagyu from Ballan, Victoria, and grass fed Black Angus from O'Connor, Gippsland Victoria. There is a different "Rotissoire du Jour" so you are not limited to just ordering sucking pig on Friday, where other options include rabbit, lamb, chicken, duck and sirloin. Besides the food and the impressive selection of craft beers, this pub is catering to locals and given I am one, just barely, I am going to start wandering down weekly just to take advantage of the free pot of beer provided you sign up for the footy tipping competition ($50) which is the bait to get you on site to place your tips. With all of the options for suitable hydration on offer, I doubt I will be limiting myself to the one pot and after nearly a year living in Melbourne, I think I finally found a pub to call my second home. read more

A good local pub with a nice space upstairs for functions. I've been here for work functions as well as dinner. The snacks at functions are OK but the food from the dining room as better. read more

Wayside Inn - A sunny afternoon on the deck up stairs... - Bars Near Me - South Melbourne, VIC

Food great - BUT waiting 1.5 hours for a medium rare steak is ridiculous. Going out as a family was ok initially but became painful in the end. Honestly - how much bread can be served and how much can one drink waiting for the meal. I have been a few times now but will need to give this place a miss for a while. It is not good enough. read more

I came here to have a pizza and for $8 it was pretty good, the underneath of the pizza was full with salt but you couldn't tell there was salt, service was great and for pizza I loved it. Well there's my review of the Wayside Inn, I hope this helps for people who wanna go there in the future! read more