An old Aboriginal activist pub and now home to weekly trivia quizzes, The Builders Arms also has a charming courtyard with umbrellas, heaters, strings of lights and an outstanding menu. Enjoy dishes like this –
- Pickled sardine, horseradish on rye (pictured) $8.00
- Lettuce hearts, anchovy, Caesar dressing, guanciale $20.00
- Prawn omelette, aioli, smoked paprika $19.00
This is a fashionable neighbourhood; Prince Harry and Meghan visited another restaurant nearby on Gertrude Street – Charcoal Lane.
Gertrude Street is an expensive street of designer shopping and a short taxi-ride from the city. You could also walk it from Bourke Street Mall if you were feeling fit, or take a tram.
A long, long choice of wine by the glass makes The Builders Arms a good place to linger longer. They do half bottles, alcohol free beer and other unusual options for a Melbourne pub. Even a very, very good Melbourne pub like this one. They also have their own beer, Molly Rose.
Top-end champagne is $800 a bottle. Or – you can get away with lunch for $30.00.
Bring a jacket or coat in winter – you’ll be fine outside – and even on a busy lunchtime day like Friday, there was just one other table of people when we visited. Delicious and original food, plenty of space and a beautifully restored, historic pub. Recommended to all Goddesses.
