The Grand National Hotel

I can't say that I thought all that much of this place. Okay, this is the second time I've visited it and both times it hasn't really impressed me all that much. Okay, it is hidden away on the back streets, but for some reason that doesn't seem to make this place all that much more appealing to me. It is a bit flashy, especially the restaurant out the back, and the front bar is nice, but nothing all that much out of the ordinary. I did find that the bartender was also a little standoffish, which sort of puts me off a place as well. It probably isn't a place that I would go out of my way to visit again, especially since there are quite a few pubs scattered around Paddington that seem to be a lot better (though I am pressed a bit to try and think of some).

I would like to start with, the grand national is a really great venue. The food and customer service is pretty much impeccable.

But here is the problem, Last night, Saturday the 24/11/12 at about 730-8PM. This will be long but please read ...read more

The Grand Nash is a great pub! The food is delicious & won't cost you too much for a quality meal. There is a large area out the back near the kitchen with a bar for casual dining. There is also the front pub but it can be trickier to get a table in there. Only bad point is if you are with a larger group and the meals come out at different times because you order separately at the bar.

Pub grub perfection. Simple yet effective. This cosy pub in the back-streets of Paddington has a blackboard menu that is constantly changing. Meals are well-priced and there is an option to suit most pub-goers. They do a brilliant steak with chips and salad or mash and veg all cooked to perfection. My personal preference is a rare eye fillet and they get it just right. Other dishes I have enjoyed here include ocean trout with a tomato and capers salsa, served on a bed of green beans or a delicious gourmet chicken burger of sour dough bread with chips. The bar area is buzzing with Paddington locals meeting mates for dinner or eating a meal at the bar & watching Rugby on the big screen. The staff and friendly and the service is efficient. A great place to meet & eat.

Crawling with young professionals every week night is the Grand National Hotel. A short step off the main strip of Oxford Street you will find this iconic pub nestled on a corner amongst terraced housing. Once inside, wooden tables line small separate eating areas, or you can try out the back for a bit more space. It is quite hard to get a table, so I recommend ordering and then letting bar staff know when you find one. I eat here approximately once a week and have the T-Bone Steak with Mash and Bernaise Sauce which is to die for. For other options, there is a huge lamb curry or a smaller fish option if youre not too hungry. Being a pub, it is obviously quite loud and in the front bar you will be sitting quite close to the next table, so probably not appropriate for an intimate get together. Standard pricing is around $20 for the mains, beers are reasonable and the good times are free.