Hibernian Bendigo

We waited an hour and a half for our order, and it still hasn’t arrived. The pub is empty, the chefs have left, and all the bartender can offer is a free hug and a VB, which nobody seems to be drinking.

They kindly prepared a vegan version of the vegetable risotto for us, which was delicious. The chef mentioned that in the future, it would be helpful to inform them in advance if we needed vegan options, which was a nice touch. The pumpkin salad was also good; although it was listed as vegetarian on the menu, it turned out to be vegan. However, I did have some concerns about the vegetable spring rolls and fries. They were fried in the same oil as meat and parmesan dishes, which made me uneasy about cross-contamination. While they were hot, the spring rolls weren’t very crispy, and the filling looked a bit pale and unappealing, which made me doubt their vegan status. I considered asking about the ingredients but ultimately decided against eating them. This review updates my previous comments from October 28, 2021.

Pubs have traditionally struggled to offer good vegan meals, so I was thrilled to find a place that includes vegan options! Their menu featured several items, ranging from healthy salads to roasted chips, which looked really appealing. I ordered a delicious vegan dish, and it was fantastic! I also sampled some of the chips, which were wonderfully crispy and had that classic style. When I inquired about the vegan options, the staff suggested a few more items that could be easily veganized from the menu. The waitress was incredibly helpful and went above and beyond to assist me. Her service was outstanding!

The meal was cooked to perfection and served promptly. The portion sizes are quite reasonable for the price. The staff appeared calm and professional, but perhaps a touch of humor before their shifts could lighten the atmosphere? Overall, it was a pleasant experience.