Welcome to Robert Burns Hotel

Old-Melbourne charm meets present-day chic in the sumptuous gastropub eats at the Robert Burns Hotel. Located at the Alexandra Parade end of Smith Street, Robert Burns has undergone a major refurbishment, and boy does it look great! Milk Bar caught up with new owner and proud publican, Gerry Nass.

‘We are pretty set in making the Robert Burns Hotel the best pub in Collingwood. We want it to be a place where everyone feels at home to enjoy good food and good times with friends and family,’ says Nass.

Over a couple of pints of Stone & Wood by the large open fire, it’s clear to see that Gerry has a clear vision for Robert Burns and what the venue will – in the near future – offer its local patrons of Collingwood/Fitzroy/Carlton and beyond. 

Originally opening its doors to larrikins and workers alike nearly 150 years ago, the building that stands at 376 Smith Street still retains some of the original architectural features that have literally stood the test of time, surviving through countless restaurant iterations. One such feature is the six o’clock swill bar. Back in 1861, the sleek bar was used by punters who purchased multiple beers before the 6pm shutoff. 

Now to the food: think modern bistro dining meets Nonna’s kitchen. To start, we ordered the polenta chips served with smoked tomato relish; the burrata served with pickled persimmon and prosciutto; and the charred octopus doused with squid ink dressing and fennel. The combination of the burrata and prosciutto was simply mouth-watering. 

For my main, and despite initially opting for something else, I chose Bobby’s chicken parma: golden-brown crumbed chicken breast buried beneath tomato sauce, prosciutto and buffalo mozzarella. It did not disappoint. My friend ordered the linguini, served with prawns, octopus, calamari, garlic, chilli, white wine, parsley and grated bottarga. It might sound a little glib to point out, but all the dishes were incredibly fresh. The chicken was tender, the sauce, just like home, and the cheese was fragrant. 

Onto the booze (and thankfully Dry July is over). The wine list is stellar – the Labrune et fils Undivided Pinot Noir is exceptional – and you can expect to see all your favourite beer varieties on tap or in tinnies. Feel free to order and sit near the fire, in the beer garden, or close to the local DJs, who spin their tracks every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. 

Perfect for a cosy date night, solid sessions with mates over the weekend or for a quick pick-me-up beer, Robert Burns is the place to be. I would definitely recommend this pub to your friends. 

Robert Burns Hotel
Open 7 days, Monday to Saturday, 12pm to 12am, Sunday, 12pm to 11pm
376 Smith Street, Collingwood, 3066
robertburnshotel.com.au