If you’re researching the North Britain Hotel menu in Ballarat, you want current prices, reliable opening hours, and honest reviews—not guesswork. Drawing from the venue’s official social media, the 3AW Pub of the Week review, Australian Good Food Guide listing, and recent TripAdvisor reports, this article delivers a fact-checked view of what to expect at this heritage pub in Soldiers Hill. You’ll find specific main-course prices, a breakdown of signature dishes, and practical booking tips drawn from multiple independent sources.
Last checked: 2026-05-26
Location: Ballarat, Victoria, Australia · Cuisine: Bistro · Phone: 03 5331 1291 · Opening Hours: Mon-Wed from 4pm; Thu-Sun from 12pm (lunch hours vary)
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-05-26.
Sources reviewed: Official property social media (Facebook, Instagram), Australian Good Food Guide listing, 3AW Pub of the Week review, TripAdvisor reviews, Wheree.com directory, Wanderlog travel guide.
No on-site visit was conducted, no staff interviews were obtained, and no independent verification of menu PDF availability was performed.
North Britain Hotel at a Glance
- 502 Doveton Street North, Soldiers Hill, Ballarat VIC 3350 (AGFG)
- Bistro-style pub, “Best Known For” lambs fry & bacon and crumbed lamb cutlets (AGFG)
- 14/20 in 2017 Pub of the Week review (3AW)
- Visa, Mastercard, American Express, EFTPOS accepted (AGFG)
| Location | Ballarat, Victoria, Australia |
| Cuisine | Bistro |
| Phone | 03 5331 1291 |
| Opening Hours | Mon-Wed from 4pm; Thu-Sun from 12pm (lunch hours vary) |
| Seating Capacity | Approx. 110 seats |
| Payment Methods | Visa, Mastercard, American Express, EFTPOS |
| 3AW Review Score (2017) | 14/20 |
| Signature Dishes (AGFG) | Lambs fry & bacon; crumbed lamb cutlets |
North Britain Hotel Menu and Prices PDF
While no official PDF menu is publicly linked on the venue’s social media or directory pages, detailed pricing has been reported across multiple sources. A TripAdvisor reviewer listed specific mains: homemade pie at AU$33.90, rissoles at AU$26.90, eye fillet at AU$44.90 (plus AU$3.60 for sauce), and fish with chips and coleslaw at AU$27.90 (TripAdvisor). These figures align with the broader price range cited in the 3AW review from 2017, where mains ran from AU$18.90 to AU$44.
The pattern: Menu prices appear to have risen notably since 2017, when the average main was around AU$26. By the time of the TripAdvisor reviews—likely post-2018—the average of four reported mains sits at approximately AU$33.40. The eye fillet, at AU$44.90, is 38% more expensive than the fish dish at AU$27.90.
- Menu price range (AUD): AU$26.90 (rissoles) to AU$44.90 (eye fillet) for mains
- Weekend vs weekday opening time: Weekend lunch from 12pm; weekday dinner from 4pm
- Fish price compared to eye fillet: Fish (AU$27.90) is 38% cheaper than eye fillet (AU$44.90)
- Average main course price: Approximately AU$33.40 across four reported items
Menu highlights and price points
The 3AW review from May 2017 described a compact menu: about six entrees, roughly ten mains, and a small dessert selection (3AW). Standout dishes included lambs fry with bacon, onion, gravy and mash at around AU$24, a pumpkin and chickpea tagine with saffron rice and labne at about AU$25, and a chicken parma with the venue’s “secret parma sauce” at AU$26.90. The burger was described as a “taut, good-sized patty with neat toppings” at AU$18.90. Entrees and desserts were each around AU$14.
PDF menu availability
Related search terms suggest users are looking for a downloadable PDF of the North Britain Hotel menu. As of 2025, no direct PDF link appears on the venue’s official Facebook page, Instagram profile, or the AGFG listing. The 3AW review notes that the printed menu is presented in an old English calligraphy style, matching the heritage aesthetic. If a digital version exists, it is not publicly indexed.
North Britain Hotel Reviews
The most authoritative review comes from 3AW’s Pub of the Week segment, which awarded the venue 14/20 on 19 May 2017. The reviewer praised the “beautiful history rich” pub atmosphere and the well-executed bistro menu, particularly the chicken parma and lamb cutlets (3AW).
TripAdvisor review highlights
Multiple TripAdvisor reviewers rate the North Britain Hotel highly for food quality, with comments noting generous portion sizes and well-executed classic pub dishes. One reviewer highlighted seafood chowder, lamb pie, and chicken parma as “excellent” (TripAdvisor Ireland). Two reviewers described the venue’s atmosphere as a “traditional country or heritage pub,” popular with locals.
“The seafood chowder and lamb pie were excellent — generous portions and well-executed.”
— TripAdvisor reviewer, Ireland
However, several online reviewers comment that menu prices are somewhat higher than comparable local pubs, often justifying this by referring to quality ingredients and substantial portion sizes (Wheree.com). The implication is that you’re paying a premium for heritage atmosphere and larger servings.
3AW Pub of the Week review
Beyond the score, the 3AW piece provides the most detailed menu snapshot available. The reviewer noted the venue’s “dark wood interiors and heritage décor,” positioning it as deliberately old-fashioned compared with more modern Ballarat venues. The compact menu structure—six entrees, ten mains, a few desserts—was presented as a positive, suggesting focus over breadth.
North Britain Hotel Ballarat Opening Hours
Opening hours are reported inconsistently across sources, so we’ve prioritised the venue’s own social media accounts and the AGFG listing, which carries more weight than user-submitted directories.
Standard weekly hours
Instagram posts indicate the North Britain Hotel opens Monday to Wednesday from 4pm, and Thursday to Sunday from 12pm (Instagram). The AGFG listing confirms lunch and dinner service seven days a week, with “Late” trading on Friday and Saturday nights (AGFG).
Special lunch hours
Facebook posts specify lunch service Thursday to Saturday from 12pm to 2pm, and Sunday lunch from 12pm to 2pm with the main menu available. Wheree.com lists overnight ranges that appear to be data-entry errors and should not be relied upon (Wheree.com).
The bottom line: For dinner, aim for after 4pm any day. For lunch, Thursday through Sunday from 12pm. Call ahead to confirm, especially on public holidays.
Pricing Band Overview
Budget range (AU$18.90–AU$26.90): Burger (AU$18.90 in 2017), rissoles (AU$26.90), lambs fry (AU$24 in 2017).
Mid-range (AU$27.90–AU$33.90): Fish & chips (AU$27.90), homemade pie (AU$33.90), chicken parma (AU$26.90 in 2017).
Premium (AU$44.90+): Eye fillet (AU$44.90 plus AU$3.60 for sauce).
Location and Getting There
The North Britain Hotel is at 502 Doveton Street North, Soldiers Hill, Ballarat, approximately 1.5km north of the Ballarat train station (AGFG). Soldiers Hill is a historic residential suburb known for its Victorian-era cottages and tree-lined streets. On-street parking is generally available on Doveton Street and surrounding side streets.
Alternatives in Ballarat
For readers exploring other options, related searches include the Black Hill Hotel menu in Ballarat. The Black Hill Hotel, located on Humffray Street in the suburb of Black Hill, is another historic pub serving traditional Australian bistro fare. Unlike the North Britain Hotel, which operates from 4pm on weekdays, the Black Hill Hotel typically opens for lunch from 12pm seven days a week, making it a more convenient option for weekday lunches. Its menu tends toward classic pub fare—steaks, parmas, and burgers—at slightly lower price points, based on user reports.
North Britain Hotel: Pros & Cons
Pros
- Heritage atmosphere with dark wood interiors and old English calligraphy menu
- Compact, focused menu with traditional bistro dishes executed well
- Generous portion sizes reported by multiple TripAdvisor reviewers
- Signature chicken parma with “secret parma sauce” gets specific praise
Cons
- Menu prices higher than some comparable Ballarat pubs
- Weekday dinner service doesn’t start until 4pm
- No official PDF menu available online
- Compact menu means fewer options for large groups with varied tastes
Our Pick: Who Should Dine at North Britain Hotel
Based on the available data, the North Britain Hotel is best suited for:
- Local diners seeking pub food: If you value heritage atmosphere and consistently solid bistro classics like lambs fry, parma, and pie, this pub delivers.
- Visitors to Ballarat: The Soldiers Hill location offers a quieter, more historic setting than the main strip. Worth a detour for a meal with character.
- Budget-conscious adults: The mid-range mains (AU$27.90–AU$33.90) offer good value for the portion size, but the premium eye fillet at AU$44.90 may stretch a tight budget.
The catch: If you’re after a quick weekday lunch or a cheap meal, the 4pm opening time and higher price points may steer you toward alternatives like the Black Hill Hotel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the opening hours of North Britain Hotel?
Monday to Wednesday from 4pm; Thursday to Sunday from 12pm. Lunch service runs Thursday–Saturday 12–2pm and Sunday 12–2pm. Late trading on Friday and Saturday nights.
Does North Britain Hotel offer a lunch menu?
Yes. Lunch is served Thursday through Sunday from 12pm to 2pm, with the main menu available on Sundays according to Facebook posts.
What type of cuisine does North Britain Hotel serve?
Bistro-style pub food. Signature dishes include lambs fry and bacon, crumbed lamb cutlets, chicken parma with secret parma sauce, and homemade pie.
What is the phone number for North Britain Hotel?
03 5331 1291, as listed by the Australian Good Food Guide.
Are there any alternatives to North Britain Hotel in Ballarat?
The Black Hill Hotel on Humffray Street is a comparable historic pub with lunch service from 12pm daily, generally at slightly lower price points.
Where is North Britain Hotel located?
502 Doveton Street North, Soldiers Hill, Ballarat VIC 3350, Australia.
Sources Cited
- Australian Good Food Guide – North Britain Hotel listing
- 3AW – Pub of the Week: North Britain Hotel (19 May 2017)
- TripAdvisor (US) – North Britain Hotel Reviews
- TripAdvisor (Ireland) – North Britain Hotel Reviews
- Wheree.com – North Britain Hotel directory
- Wanderlog – North Britain Hotel guide
- Instagram – North Britain Hotel official