Camelia Grove Hotel

On the corner of Henderson Road, Camelia Grove Hotel is a long-standing Alexandria pub with an Italian influence. The venue dates back more than 154 years, while its current offering brings together a trattoria, garden bar, sports bar and boutique accommodation under one roof. It suits a casual meal, after-work drinks, a game on the screens or a weekend stay in Sydney.

The trattoria focuses on handmade pasta, stone-baked pizza and polished versions of pub classics, with a menu described as fresh, seasonal and generous. Standouts include malfadine with slow-cooked wagyu shin ragu, pumpkin stuffed gnocchi with burnt butter and sage, and the wood-fired pizzas, which range from Margherita and Marinara to Diavola Inferno and Prosciutto. There are also familiar options such as chicken schnitzel, steak, burgers and grilled barramundi, along with desserts including Camelia tiramisu and Nutella pizza. The menu notes that it can cater to most dietary requirements and changes seasonally.

For drinks, Il Bar offers classic cocktails, local craft beer and an Italian-leaning wine list. The garden bar is designed for long lunches and afternoon drinks, with spritzes served by the carafe and wine by the glass. The sports bar takes a livelier approach, with live matches, screens throughout the room and a pool table. Friday evening live music, regular specials and weekend Ciao Bottomless Brunch add more reasons to return, though the atmosphere can shift depending on whether you choose the courtyard, dining room or bar.

Camelia Grove is set up for a broad mix of visits. Families are welcomed, and the venue runs children’s activities during the listed school-holiday programme. Groups can use the private dining room, garden areas or larger shared tables, with an events team available to help organise celebrations. Couples may prefer the courtyard or trattoria for a meal and drinks, while solo visitors can settle in at the bar for food, wine or live sport. Upstairs, three apartments — a studio and two three-bedroom stays — offer accommodation with the pub’s dining and drinking spaces just downstairs.