The Munster Arms Hotel

4.8 (35)

$40 and under

Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service

10 Victoria St, Ballarat Central, AU-VIC 3350

Make a booking

The Munster Arms Hotel

4.8

$40 and under

Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service

Ballarat

Make a booking

2 people

21 Sept 2026

19:00

Booked 1 time today

About this restaurant

Neighbourhood gem
Good for groups
Charming

The Munster Arms, one of Ballarat’s oldest pubs, opened in 1862, named after Ireland’s Munster province. Jeremiah Shelley, the first publican from County Clare, immigrated with his family to honor his homeland. Ireland has four provinces: Munster, Leinster, Connaught, and Ulster, with Munster in the south, including Clare, Cork, Galway, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, and Waterford.

Jeremiah married Johanna D'Arcy, also from Munster, and they opened the Munster Arms Hotel in Bakery Hill in 1862, a name familiar to Irish migrants in Ballarat.

Prior to the hotel, Jeremiah was a Stawell police officer. He died in 1876 at 44. Johanna managed the hotel until 1920, setting the record as Victoria's longest-serving licensee for 59 years. After her death, every hotel door from Ballarat East to the old cemetery closed in tribute.

We aim to recreate the Shelleys' warm hospitality and invite you to visit The Munster Arms Hotel for a meal and drink!

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$40 and under
Cuisines
Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service, Irish, Pub
Hours of Operation
Mon, Tue 17:00–20:30 Wed, Thu 12:00–21:00 Fri 12:00–23:30 Sat 16:00–23:30 Sun 12:00–20:30
Phone number
(03) 5340 0017
Website
https://www.munsterarms.com.au/
Payment Options
Mastercard, Visa
Dress Code
Casual Dress

Location
10 Victoria St, Ballarat Central, AU-VIC 3350
Area
Ballarat
Parking Details
Street Parking
Additional
Banquet, Beer, Cocktails, Dog Friendly, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at The Munster Arms Hotel.

4.8

(35)

4.8Food
4.6Service
4.5Ambience
4.5Value

Noise • Energetic

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

The Munster Arms Hotel delights with its "great service" and high-standard food. Guests rave about the "best chicken parma" in Ballarat, "amazing" meals, and "outstanding" hospitality. Experience this "lovely Irish pub" with traditional fare, open fire, and friendly atmosphere. It's perfect for a delightful meal in Ballarat.

35 Reviews

P
Paul
Victoria2 reviews
4.0
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Good pub meal did take awhile but good crowd there as well
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V
Vicki
Victoria1 review
5.0
Dined on 8 September 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Easy to book. Great service and food was of a high standard. We had a range of selections on our table and everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meal.
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C
Claire
Melbourne1 review
5.0
Dined on 6 September 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
The food was amazing, all 3 of us were very impressed what we had, Meat Lovers Pizza, Salt and Pepper Calamari, Chicken Parma and the dessert was to die for Chocolate and Guinness Mouse with Sponge base and Raspberry Coulis. The service was outstanding, very hospitable. We’ll definitely be back.
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L
Lee
Victoria2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 1 September 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Excellent experience. Friendly service and the meals were amazing and such great value for money! Best chicken Parma I have had in ballarat to date!
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D
Donna
Victoria5 reviews
5.0
Dined on 28 August 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food was very good and nicely presented. It was a bit disappointing that I tripped over the table leg and spilled the contents of my drink and was not offered a replacement.
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L
Lindsay
New York City3 reviews
4.0
Dined on 31 July 2026
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 4
We ordered a $40 bottle of Pinot Grigio with our lunch, what we ordered wasn’t available so the bar woman substituted it with a different bottle and said she would reduce the price. When we returned to our table we discovered it was Mitchibury- also known from uni days as 2-buck-chuck. I’ve worked in a liquor shop, I am aware it’s bottom shelf rubbish..$7 a bottle from Dan’s. And the lady forgot the Guinness until reminded. It seemed understaffed with one staff member doing everything at front of house. Food was great though.
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S
Shel
Victoria1 review
5.0
Dined on 25 July 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Once again the Munster Arms delivered a delicious dining experience. The food was excellent and both myself and my friend were highly satisfied with our meals. Ann runs a friendly establishment and both the bar and serving staff were pleasant and genuinely engaged with us. I am extremely happy to recommend the Munster Arms to anyone wanting a good meal in Ballarat.
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D
Daniel Gold
Melbourne2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 13 July 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Absolutely godsmacked by the quality of the food. Got the Stuffed chicken and it was just incredible, veg was cooked perfectly, while chicken was juicy and moist. Can’t recommend the place enough if you’re in Bakery Hill or visiting Ballarat
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T
Tina
Victoria4 reviews
5.0
Dined on 10 July 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Great food, just a good old pub with equally great pub grub
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c
colin
Melbourne1 review
4.0
Dined on 2 July 2026
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
Great Irish Pub with friendly staff and great food
Is this helpful?

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$40 and under
Cuisines
Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service, Irish, Pub
Hours of Operation
Mon, Tue 17:00–20:30 Wed, Thu 12:00–21:00 Fri 12:00–23:30 Sat 16:00–23:30 Sun 12:00–20:30
Phone number
(03) 5340 0017
Website
https://www.munsterarms.com.au/
Payment Options
Mastercard, Visa
Dress Code
Casual Dress

Location
10 Victoria St, Ballarat Central, AU-VIC 3350
Area
Ballarat
Parking Details
Street Parking
Additional
Banquet, Beer, Cocktails, Dog Friendly, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Make a booking

The Munster Arms Hotel

4.8

$40 and under

Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service

Ballarat

Make a booking

2 people

21 Sept 2026

19:00

Booked 1 time today