We came to the bar last night for dinner. Having asked a bartender what tables were available, we sat down - and nothing happened. The staff were actively ignoring us. They were serving the regulars, but after having waited for 30 minutes and having caught 'the looks' from the two waitresses and the above-mentioned bartender we didn't really feel like waiting any longer to be at least acknowledged. Our decision to come there was based on the Google reviews score, and I feel I need to warn tourists these reviews have turned out absolutely untrue for us. It might be a hangout for locals, but tourists should definitely look for Australian hospitality somewhere else.

Just love this place. It's on our 'must visit' list whenever we go to Sydney, hubbies favourite pub! We were there early evening on a Friday and it was busy with a mixed crowd of work colleagues catching up for a drink after work or friends starting a night out. I opted for the porter which was delicious. The beers my drinking companions had were also very good.

My family of 3 really enjoyed our dinner here. The food came out fast and the beer was very good. We visited on a Friday night at 7 and had a great time. You have to go up and order yourself at the bar each time you want something but this was only a small inconvenience. Would go back for the beer for sure. The bartenders and servers were very friendly and fast.

This pub is fantastic. Nestled in the heart of the Rocks is this perfect brewery. The beers are some of the nicest beers I've tried at a brewery and the nods to all of Lord Nelson's life as the names of the beers is great. Personally haven't tried the food but always looked delicious. Will be trying it on my next stop in. One if the few places I always try to go to when in Sydney. Do yourself a favour and go!

Great beer! so great we tracked down the brewery and went by to have some more! Grab a paddle and pick 4 of the beers that stick out to you! Can't go wrong with the 3 sheets or Nelson's blood. Great environment for a sit down, with few pints and food.

First visit in years and good to see the beers as reliable as ever. Perhaps a bit of staff training wouldn't go amiss - I was amused rather than annoyed when ordering a couple of pints of Three Sheets from the young barmaid on Friday night that she left the beers where she poured them, meaning I had to go and pick them up a couple of metres further up the bar. Hardly a biggie, but another example of how Australian service is really pretty pants. Oh well.🤔😉🥂

Group of 6 and we all had different dishes- we all found the food below average at best - just not great quality and flavour for the price as well. Maybe similar to being on a ship in Nelson’s fleet, so that’s points for authenticity i suppose. Good spot for a drink though when the suns out, service can be slow and not particularly friendly. I’d rate this 6.3 Lord Nelson’s overall, out of a possible armada of enemy Napoleonic era French ships on the horizon.

Ive been drinking at the Lord Nelson for 40 years. They brew a quality product that never disappoints. It has a great atmosphere, good service with authentic ales

I went to the place on one of the Vivid night and was pleased to get a spot to eat. Nice food, we have to wait for food for approx 30 min which was fast, food was also reasonably priced and well done. Beer was great as well.

I had the fish special - it was lovely. Really friendly (if too busy) staff. Decent pub food and tasty beer but could have more staff to make the service a bit more efficient.

It’s perfectly magnetic…we couldn’t stay away. We have committed our lives to knowing pubs, and this one is legit - from beer, to food, to atmosphere, to service. Everything was amazing, so much so we couldn’t stay away and we ate more meals here than we would like to admit during our recent time in Sydney. If you want to act like a local, reserve a table, we didn’t but we somehow always found a spot (as is what happens in pubs). I love this pub and would be here all the time if I lived in Sydney.

Great pub with an electric atmosphere. Tap beers have a good selection, good for all taste profiles. Service is quick and friendly and the food is delicious and well-priced. Good location at the Rocks too. Would highly recommend for people who enjoy a pub or two or likes good beers.

I have only been to the brewery and their beers are simply amazing ! You can’t go wrong with any of their beers ! It’s a pretty relaxed atmosphere and their outdoor seating during summers will be my preference ! The food is simple pub food, I loved their chicken wings.

Incredibly crispy and fresh fish and chips. I love that they gave both tomato and tartare sauce. Lovely staff and good vibes. Will definitely come again if I'm in the area for a pub feed

Spent a chill couple of hours here. Their brewed on site ales are top quality. Food was delicious, ambience and staff 100%

This is hands down one of the best pubs in Sydney, the staff are amazing the food is better than most other pubs in Sydney. The fact that this is a brewery makes their beer just a masterpiece compared to most of the swill served at other venues. But the thing that knocks this one out of the park is you can actually have a conversation in this venue without it being drowned out by other patrons or music that had been cranked to 11. In closing walk don't run to this lovely pub. Grab a pint and a plowmans and enjoy . Edit, please feel free to share the review on your socials you're an amazing Pub.

Great place for dinner and drinks. We went back a couple of times during our visit to Sydney. Great location, fun atmosphere, and delicious food. We recommend the vegan curry.

Probably the greatest pub in Sydney! I’m reserving the final star (5 stars!) for when you make the pub dog friendly! Start with quiet days or nights, we will come more often!

A Charming Pub with Historical Significance I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Lord Nelson Pub in Sydney, and I must say it was a delightful experience. This pub holds a special place in the city's history, with its original fireplace and stunning sandstone architecture that exude a sense of grandeur and nostalgia. The moment I stepped inside, I was transported to a bygone era, immersing myself in the rich heritage of Sydney. The ambiance of the Lord Nelson Pub is truly enchanting. Whether it's a warm summer evening or a cozy winter night, the pub offers a lively and inviting atmosphere that makes you feel right at home. I particularly enjoyed the crackling fireplace during the winter months, creating a perfect backdrop for intimate conversations and shared laughter among friends. One of the highlights of my visit was the delightful cuisine the Lord Nelson Pub offers. The menu boasts a wide array of options that cater to different tastes. From traditional pub classics to innovative and mouthwatering dishes, the food here is a true delight. Every bite was a burst of flavors and textures, leaving me craving for more. It's evident that the pub takes great pride in delivering delicious and satisfying meals to its patrons. Of course, no visit to the Lord Nelson Pub would be complete without savoring their Guinness. The pub's dedication to quality is evident in every perfectly poured pint of this iconic Irish stout. The rich flavor and velvety smoothness of the Guinness enhanced my overall experience, elevating it to new heights. The Lord Nelson Pub is a gem that captures the essence of Sydney's history and offers an enchanting atmosphere that draws you in. With its remarkable architecture, inviting ambiance, and mouthwatering cuisine, it truly stands out as a must-visit destination. Whether you're looking for a place to relax with friends or immerse yourself in Sydney's past, the Lord Nelson Pub will undoubtedly leave you with cherished memories.

What a great atmosphere! The oldest pub in Sydney stands out as one with history and character. The food was excellent, my family especially loved the pizza. The beer and drinks were also delicious, the pale ale was everyone’s favourite. The only thing is that it is a bit of a walk from circular quay station, so expect to walk a bit.

Upstairs restaurant: Excellent! Last minute, were happy to fit us in for pre-theatre dinner. Very friendly and helpful service, including excellent wine recommendations. Rack of lamb was superb. Lovely ambience.

I had drinks and a pie in the bar of this hotel. Beer was locally brewed. It was very good. The menu was average. Great location. It is a very old hotel and can feel the atmosphere. I recommend visiting this bar. It is a nice place to catch up with family or friends.

I didn't stay there. This is for the pub only. Great place to meet up with friends or have a casual lunch. Spacious tables. Good variety of food with generous servings for some of the dishes. The door is left often so you get a nice breeze. It's not too noisy so you can actually hear your companions. There's parking right outside.

Love this brewery, high on the rocks. I stayed there pre plague but no rooms available on my last trip. Well maintained, good beer brewed a few meters from the taps, interesting specials (tinned fish). A real gem.

We didn't eat or stay, but very much enjoyed drinking here. Lovely atmosphere, good beer (that's the best ale I've tasted since being in Aus) and very friendly / helpful staff. It was a friday evening so got busy with people leaving the office, but I am looking forward to doing again.

Great pub. We met a group for drinks + dinner. Plenty of beers on tap, plus wines and spirits. For food - they offer pizzas (great for sharing), pastas, and pub classics like fish & chips. Indoor seating and outdoor in good weather.

What a great place for an overnight stay in the city, so friendly on check in and the room was so clean and comfortable. Went to a function that was held in the brewery downstairs and the food was fantastic and their beers are great. Will definitely make this my place to stay for future visits to the city 👍 thanks guys .

Plan accordingly when you head to Lord Nelson's. You might be there longer than expected. They have the best beer selection in Sydney. I've tried multiple locations and it's always the best. The meat pie is a must and if you are lucky, grab a seat outside and watch the day and people go by. Time it just right and head up to the observatory and watch the sunset. It's such a great location and food and drink to match.

Please Lord Nelson stop doing table bookings for ground floor bar. 2 of us Went there on weekend and enjoying ourselves. Great food and drinks. Then got approached by staff to move because 2 people had a booking on the 4 person table that we were sitting at. Was made to feel like we had done something wrong, Even though we hadn’t done anything wrong. Had already spent quite a bit of money at the hotel on food. The 2 people could of sat next to us, like many other smaller hotels in the city. Not a nice way to a end what was a nice afternoon out. Please stop the silly booking table on the ground floor as it’s adversely affecting people who are already there who are enjoying the experience of your hotel.

We didn't stay at the hotel -- just ate and drank beer here. Excellent beers and the pizza we had was one of the best I've tasted. All natural ingredients in the beer and the pizza crust was homemade. Staff were very friendly and attentive. I would definitely recommend giving this place a try!

Constructed in 1830’s, it is the oldest working hotel in Sydney. The beautiful sandstones speaks volume about the Old Colonial Regency style architectural history. The food is amazing. Lamb racks, Tiger prawns, Spaghetti and fries are amazing & the taste is hard to beat. Lord Nelson three sheets beer on tap was refreshing with citrus and floral notes. The staff was very helpful and attentive. Must go for everyone.

This is a must place to visit in Sydney. Always busy... always busy! The atmosphere (loud) and outstanding food is the primary reason for the visit. Avoid the rookie mistake by getting the menu at the cash register and placing the order there. The meat pie is outstanding! I also like the fish and chips. If you like beer well then you have to visit.

I loved this place. Historic building with exceptional staff. Very friendly. Vera, who cleans the pub was so nice. She let me walk with her when she got off shift and showed me some things like where the market is. Very charming old feel. I would definitely stay again. Just a note..if you have trouble walking stairs this is not the place for you..no elevator/lift. I don't drink alcohol but saw many locals in the pub and they said it was very good. The young man that cleaned my room was kind and helpful. The receptionist and owner were friendly also.

In a good way - come for the drinks, stay for the drinks. This bar has outstanding beer. The redditors said get 3 Sheets. I say try everytjing! Great ambience too to cap a good work week. 4 stars only because the food options could have been better especially for the price. But definitely go if you want a good drink with company.

I had my bfs birthday in the bar area on the weekend. And I feel like they all deserve a mental for how well the handled some over excited drunk men. Thanks again!! Food was great and of course the beer was too.

This is an excellent pub with great beer and a cozy, lively atmosphere. It definitely has the vibe of a more local pub, a place for the neighborhood regulars rather than a tourist spot. I enjoyed the three sheets beer, it was definitely poured by an excellent bartender.

Pretty darn good. Downstairs pub grub, upstairs finer fair. Flexibility upstairs to do both. Upstairs very good wine list indeed and the food is excellent, porterhouse delivered as did the chocolate mouse, as judged by the supreme sugar judges (kids). Would definitely return.

Old pub (some claim the oldest in Australia) with cold beer, pub grub and a good vibe. Good place for Friday afternoon drinks.

Amazing staff, top selection of their own brews and well executed food to go with it. The fish and chips were outstanding, the pie perhaps could have been a bit crisper on the outside, but the flavour made up for it.

Very chill pub, decent beer selection, great wedges.

I'd recommend tasting the beers first. Some are great but others are pretty ordinary. The food we had was very nice indeed, but the staff were either overworked and knackered at the end of the day or just demotivated.

Our local, a lovely traditional pub. They brew a few good ones too, my favorite the bitter. We had a great meal, a good portion of steak and the red wines are well priced with a useful selection.

Beers are okay. I ordered garlic bread and steak. The garlic bread came out cold. The steak was well done and I asked for medium rare. Food also took forever. Not impressed at all.

Awesome! Staff polite and attentive, reasonably priced drinks and food was great! Great choice of beers to suit all taste buds

We really like the restaurant at the Lord Nelson and go there every time we visit Sydney. Unfortunately our visit and meal was ruined on the night of 7 July 202 by a table of 6 loud drunken bums who had taken up residence in the restaurant from lunchtime. We arrived for our booked time of 6.00 pm to find this table of 6 obnoxious foul mouthed men sitting in the main dining area since lunch (restaurant is meant to be closed from 3-6). There were no other diners for the time we were there. We quickly finished our meals and left to find the waiter opening yet another bottle of red wine for them when they had already had way too much. They had no food delivered while we were there. That is ok in a public bar but not for what I thought was a fine dining restaurant. The restaurant should not allow people like this to take up residence for a whole afternoon and evening when restaurant patrons are looking for an evening meal. We should have left before ordering but made the mistake of thinking they might settle down which they didn’t. Overall a very disappointing visit to a restaurant we really like.

Such an iconic venue deserves much better staff. Went for a meal and they served my guests mains when I was still finishing my starter. The bar staff seemed to be too wrapped up in their obnoxious aloofness to be polite or observant of who should be next to serve - spoilt it as it used to be great - just go to the hero of Waterloo, nicer people.

Such an amazing venue and such amazing people. We recently had our wedding reception there and the staff, especially Sonia were great, both on the day and leading up to it. The service was efficient and the food was excellent...and all reasonably priced. Would certainly recommend.

Some reviews say the current staff are not friendly but having come here for years the staff did look more under pressure probably due to having to work long hours to cover staff shortages that are everywhere atm but the bar food was good as usual and excellent selection of beverages at reasonable prices for a tourist venue. At their best the fish n chips here are to die for great (the fish in particular) and it's history is felt as genuine rather than a refurb. Its also a great location.

Nice vibe inside. Felt and looked rather like an old English pub. Their own brew, summer pale was great. Although probably best not to sit near the brewery room as the smell was stronger there we were not able to change table but eventually went outside.