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Food - Cross Keys, Essendon, AU-VIC

Cross Keys

4.5 (330)
$40 and under
Australian
350 Pascoe Vale Rd, Essendon, AU-VIC 3040

Make a reservation

A photo of Cross Keys restaurant

Cross Keys

4.5
$40 and under
Australian
Essendon

Make a reservation

2 people
9:00 PM
Booked 3 times today

About this restaurant

  • Neighborhood gem
  • Good for groups
  • Good for special occasions
A local favourite for over 150 years, The Cross Keys Hotel is the perfect spot to bring the family. The Cross Keys boasts an impressive bistro serving up tasty meals Monday through Sunday, a fun kids room, a lively sports bar showing all the must see games on the big screens, a modern TAB facility and two spacious event rooms. With weekly specials and all your favourite pub classics, what isn't too love? See you at The Keys !


Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $40 and under
  • Cuisines
    Australian, Pub
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Daily 11:30 am–2:30 pm Dinner Daily 5:30 pm–8:30 pm
  • Phone number
    (03) 9379 7477
  • Website
    http://www.crosskeyshotel.com.au/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Chef Matthew Lawdorn
  • Catering
    Call (03) 9379 7477 to book a tour or email functions@crosskeyshotel.com.au
  • Private party facilities
    With two spacious and modern function rooms available for hire, The Cross Keys take the hassle out of party planning. Whatever the event, we are here to help ! Call (03) 9379 7477 to book a tour or email functions@crosskeyshotel.com.au
  • Location
    350 Pascoe Vale Rd, Essendon, AU-VIC 3040
  • Neighborhood
    Essendon
  • Cross street
    Situated on Pascoe Vale Road.
  • Parking details
    Hotel Parking
  • Public transit
    Conveniently located directly across the road from Strathmore Train Station.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Beer Garden, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Entertainment, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Outdoor Smoking Area, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Concierge
AI Beta

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

Menu

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Cross Keys.

4.5

4.5
(330)
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.4Ambience
  • 4.5Value

Noise • Energetic

Loved For

  • Inner City North

    Gluten-free-friendly

  • Inner City North

    Good for groups

  • Inner City North

    Neighborhood gem

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Cross Keys offers a welcoming atmosphere with "exceptional value" and "accommodating staff." Diners enjoy generous portions and a variety of menu options, including Coeliac-friendly dishes. While some find room for improvement in food temperature, the venue consistently delights with "predictable quality" and a "lovely ambiance," making it an excellent choice for gatherings.
330 Reviews

  1. OpenTable Diner

    Melbourne1 review

    5.0

    Dined on September 20, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Went in on a Sunday for a work lunch. The food was great and came out really quick, staff were friendly and we weren’t rushed out when the bistro closed, we got plenty of time to catch up.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Julianne

    Melbourne1 review

    4.0

    Dined on August 29, 2026

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We all enjoyed our food but the Coke was very watery.

    Is this helpful?

  3. James Gold

    Melbourne3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on August 24, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Very friendly staff nice friendly peoplees good food

    Is this helpful?

  4. Sam

    Melbourne2 reviews

    2.0

    Dined on August 21, 2026

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    Chicken Parma was not hot enough & a bit too dry, presume it's prepped early and not cooked to order just warmed up

    Is this helpful?

  5. Denise

    Melbourne6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on August 21, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Staff were extremely helpful and friendly Menu selections were many Food portions were very generous and very tasty My companions chose the senior menu- exceptional value Accomodating with a lovely ambiance - wait staff even put on the gas log heater for us!

    Is this helpful?

  6. Alan Gold

    Melbourne11 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on August 18, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always excellent ! As a Coeliac it it a pleasure to attend a venue that caters for people who have such a disease!

    Is this helpful?

  7. Maureen

    Melbourne6 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on August 8, 2026

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    I don’t want to write a message as message. My answers is enough. And if I did it would be private. Can’t get out of here without doing one so,there it is

    Is this helpful?

  8. Geoff

    Victoria2 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on July 31, 2026

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Enjoy meeting here regularly, always predictable quality, service & attention. Very accomodating with our focal dietary requirements seating preferences.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Gail

    Melbourne2 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on July 18, 2026

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    Avoid Saturday nights, veggies with roast were not cooked well, meat was cold. Schnitzel was overcooked and dry. Had to wait ages to be served at the bar, while the staff had to deal with serving ice cream to kids, clearing tables and running back to the bar.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Alan Gold

    Melbourne11 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on July 9, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It is always a pleasure to attend CrossKeys Hotel! From making a reservation, to receiving the table of choice, together with the menu! Ordering , receiving our meal, having our plates taken by staff who know what they are doing! We have nothing but praise for this venue!😊👍👍👍👍

    Is this helpful?

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $40 and under
  • Cuisines
    Australian, Pub
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Daily 11:30 am–2:30 pm Dinner Daily 5:30 pm–8:30 pm
  • Phone number
    (03) 9379 7477
  • Website
    http://www.crosskeyshotel.com.au/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Chef Matthew Lawdorn
  • Catering
    Call (03) 9379 7477 to book a tour or email functions@crosskeyshotel.com.au
  • Private party facilities
    With two spacious and modern function rooms available for hire, The Cross Keys take the hassle out of party planning. Whatever the event, we are here to help ! Call (03) 9379 7477 to book a tour or email functions@crosskeyshotel.com.au
  • Location
    350 Pascoe Vale Rd, Essendon, AU-VIC 3040
  • Neighborhood
    Essendon
  • Cross street
    Situated on Pascoe Vale Road.
  • Parking details
    Hotel Parking
  • Public transit
    Conveniently located directly across the road from Strathmore Train Station.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Beer Garden, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Entertainment, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Outdoor Smoking Area, Wheelchair Access, Wine

FAQs

For a calmer visit, aim for the start of dinner service, around 5:30–6:00 pm, as dinner begins at 5:30 and a guest noted their 6pm booking "wasn't too noisy then" before the night got busier.

Yes, Cross Keys is very family-friendly, describing itself as "the perfect spot to bring the family, " with a fun kids room, valued kids meals, and regular children's entertainment such as "Pirate Captain Adam."

Cross Keys offers a bistro dining area, a lively sports bar, a dedicated kids/games room, and two spacious event rooms.

Cross Keys mixes a family-friendly bistro and a lively sports bar, you'll find a kids' room/games area and big screens for matches, with an overall relaxed, welcoming pub feel.

Portions at Cross Keys are generous, guests regularly describe large, hearty serves and great value, with several noting the servings surprised them for their size.

Casual dress, comfortable, everyday clothing is entirely appropriate at Cross Keys.

How FAQ content is generated

  1. Home
  2. Australia
  3. Melbourne
  4. Inner City North
  5. Essendon

Make a reservation

A photo of Cross Keys restaurant

Cross Keys

4.5
$40 and under
Australian
Essendon

Make a reservation

2 people
9:00 PM
Booked 3 times today
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