The Dolphin Hotel

The Dolphin Hotel is a Surry Hills pub with an all-day dining format, three floors and several ways to settle in. Its layout includes a Dining Room, Public Bar and Lounge, Open-Air Terrace, Side Bar and outdoor seating, so it can work for a full meal, a drink or a casual visit where you choose your own pace. Walk-ins are welcome, while Dining Room bookings are available for groups of four to eight. Larger groups, events and set-menu enquiries can be arranged directly with the venue.

Food is the focus across the hotel, with the Dining Room’s à la carte menu served throughout the different areas from the bar. The cooking is described as modern Italo-Australian and provenance-driven, with a menu that moves from hand-stretched Southern Italian-inspired pizza to pasta, seafood, burgers, larger plates and vegetable sides. The pizza selection includes classics such as Margherita alongside options including Cacio e Pepe, Merguez Sausage and Gambero al Peperoncino. Other substantial choices include King Prawn Linguini & XO, Blue Eye Cod and Chicken Cotoletta, while the Delfino Cheeseburger and Crispy Portobello Burger give the menu a more relaxed pub direction.

The Dining Room has high exposed ceilings, an open kitchen and a wood-fired pizza oven designed by Sydney architect George Livissianis. Artwork by resident artist Beni Single and floral sculptures by Tracey Deep add character to the space without taking it away from the food and social atmosphere. The different rooms and outdoor areas make The Dolphin suitable for a range of visits, from a meal with friends or a larger gathering to a more informal drink and something to eat at the bar. The venue’s all-day approach also gives diners flexibility rather than limiting the experience to one particular type of occasion.

Drinks receive plenty of attention. The wine list features more than 100 local and international bottles, with a focus on natural and minimal-intervention wines, alongside sparkling, pet nat, Champagne, white, orange, rosé and red selections. The cocktail list is presented as lo-fi and suited to all-day drinking, with options such as the Delfino Espresso Martini, Negroni and Spicy Watermelon Margarita, as well as non-alcoholic drinks including Delfino Pink Lemonade and Passionfruit & Lemon Myrtle House Soda. In Surry Hills, The Dolphin offers a broad pub experience built around flexible spaces, substantial food and an extensive drinks list.