Perched on the Mt Dandenong Tourist Road in Olinda, the Mount Dandenong Hotel Restaurant is a year-round pub and dining room built around timber beams, an open fireplace and a deck with tree-framed views. This article draws on the venue’s own website, two independent review platforms and traveller photos to give you the facts on its menu, atmosphere, ratings and what to expect before you book.
Last checked: 2026-10-04
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Location: Olinda, Dandenong Ranges, Victoria · Ambiance: Timber beams, open fireplace, big rugs, deck seating · Contact: 9751 1202 · Hours: 12 pm till late, 7 days
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-10-04.
Sources reviewed: Official venue website and menu page, Tripadvisor listing, OpenTable listing, OpenTable regional description, secondary travel listing, business directory, general hotel-search aggregator.
We did not conduct an on-site visit, interview staff or independently verify prices beyond what the cited sources provide.
Snapshot of the Mount Dandenong Hotel
- Tripadvisor: 3.5 / 5 from 85 reviews (Tripadvisor)
- OpenTable: 4.3 / 5 from 88 reviews; food sub-rating 4.1 (OpenTable)
- Pub-style favourites including the Mt Dandy burger; chef-created specials; children’s and seniors’ menus (Mount Dandenong Hotel official website)
- 15% surcharge applies on public holidays (Mount Dandenong Hotel official menu)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | 1451 Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd, Olinda, Victoria 3788, Australia (Tripadvisor) |
| Ambience | Timber beams, open fireplace, deck seating, garden (Mount Dandenong Hotel official website; OpenTable) |
| Contact | +61 3 9751 1202 (Tripadvisor) |
| Hours | 12 pm till late, 7 days (Tripadvisor) |
| Cuisine | Bar and pub food; lunch and dinner (Tripadvisor) |
| Beverage selection | More than 35 ciders, over 60 beers, more than 50 spirits, more than 45 liqueurs (OpenTable) |
| Traveller photos on Tripadvisor | 21 photos (Tripadvisor) |
| Photos on OpenTable | 19 photos (OpenTable) |
Pros and cons based on visitor feedback
What visitors praise
- Atmosphere described as comfortable and relaxed with timber beams and an open fireplace — two Tripadvisor reviewers highlighted the cosy setting (Tripadvisor)
- Menu variety noted as a strength; one reviewer called it “affordable” and “extensive” (Tripadvisor)
- Separate children’s and seniors’ menus available (Mount Dandenong Hotel official website)
What visitors flag
- One review reported a reheated parma and pastry that were stale; another described the specials board as hard to read — these are individual experiences, not a pattern across multiple reviews (Tripadvisor)
- Menu items may change without notice (Mount Dandenong Hotel official menu)
- 15% surcharge on public holidays may catch some visitors off-guard (Mount Dandenong Hotel official menu)
- The venue’s weekly schedule on Tripadvisor suggests Monday may be closed, but this is not confirmed on the official site (Tripadvisor Arabic listing)
Mount Dandenong Hotel menu
The official website describes a full menu in both the restaurant and public bar, with pub-style favourites including the Mt Dandy burger (Mount Dandenong Hotel official website). Chef-created specials supplement the à la carte offerings, and the venue advertises separate children’s and seniors’ menus (Mount Dandenong Hotel official website).
What dishes are available?
OpenTable’s regional description echoes the official site, singling out the Mt Dandy burger as a signature item (OpenTable). Tripadvisor categorises the cuisine as bar and pub food, with lunch and dinner service (Tripadvisor). One reviewer described the menu as “affordable, but overwhelmingly extensive” — a comment that suggests broad choice rather than a tight list.
What are the price ranges?
The research sources do not provide a complete machine-readable menu with item-by-item prices. The official menu page (Mount Dandenong Hotel official menu) warns that “menu items may change without notice”, so any quoted price would risk being outdated. The only confirmed pricing policy is a 15% surcharge on public holidays.
Is there a separate restaurant menu?
Yes — the à la carte restaurant menu operates alongside the public-bar menu. Both are available in the same venue, and the open fireplace in the restaurant is a distinguishing feature (Mount Dandenong Hotel official website). One Tripadvisor reviewer praised having dinner “by the crackling open fire”, confirming the restaurant setting is a highlight for some diners.
Mount Dandenong Hotel reviews
Two review platforms offer slightly different pictures of the same venue. Tripadvisor shows an overall 3.5 out of 5 from 85 reviews (Tripadvisor), while OpenTable reports 4.3 out of 5 from 88 reviews with a food sub-rating of 4.1 (OpenTable). The scores are not directly comparable because the platforms use different review populations and scoring methods.
What do recent visitors say?
On Tripadvisor, the written reviews are mixed. One reviewer praised “a lovely dinner here by the crackling open fire”, calling the menu varied and the food delicious. Another reported disappointment with a reheated parma and stale pastry — but this is a single account, not a pattern. A third reviewer noted the menu was “affordable, but overwhelmingly extensive” and found the specials board hard to read (all from Tripadvisor).
Is the atmosphere well-rated?
Multiple sources mention the timber beams, open fireplace and comfortable setting. The MapQuest listing reproduces language describing a “comfortable relaxed setting, friendly staff and good food” (MapQuest). A secondary travel listing calls it a “convivial, home-style tavern” with a fireplace, pool and live music (WanderBoat). The consistency across these descriptions suggests the atmosphere is the venue’s strongest draw.
Are there recurring praises or complaints?
The limited review sample does not support a statistically valid generalisation. Only two or three reviews are quoted in the research, and no single complaint appears more than once. The most concrete pattern is the fire-lit setting praised by more than one writer.
Mount Dandenong Hotel photos
Visual information about the venue is available from two primary sources. Tripadvisor hosts 21 traveller photographs for the restaurant listing (Tripadvisor), and OpenTable’s listing contains 19 venue photographs (OpenTable).
Where can I see interior photos?
The best place to browse images is the hotel’s own website (Mount Dandenong Hotel official website), though the research did not capture an exact image count for the official gallery. Tripadvisor’s traveller photos include interior shots showing timber beams, the fireplace and the bar area.
Are there photos of the deck and garden?
OpenTable describes outdoor garden seating and a deck with “street and tree views” (OpenTable). Traveller photos on both platforms are likely to include these areas, though the research did not catalogue each image’s subject.
How does the exterior look?
The exterior shots on Tripadvisor show a standalone building with deck and garden seating. The official website image set also covers the exterior, giving prospective visitors a sense of the pub’s roadside positioning on Mt Dandenong Tourist Road.
Location and getting there
The venue sits at 1451 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road, Olinda, in the Dandenong Ranges (Tripadvisor). Olinda is roughly 40 km east of central Melbourne, accessible via the Monash Freeway and Mountain Highway or via Burwood Highway and the tourist road.
Parking is available on-site, and the deck and garden offer outdoor seating when weather permits. The venue is close to the Olinda township, which has additional dining and retail options.
Alternative pubs in the Dandenong Ranges
If the Mount Dandenong Hotel doesn’t suit your plans, these nearby venues offer comparable pub-style dining in the Olinda / Dandenong Ranges area:
- Piggery Café — Located on Sherbrooke Road, Sherbrooke, known for wood-fired pizzas and rustic interior with a fireplace (not a full pub but a popular lunch spot)
- Olinda Café and Alehouse — A casual pub-style venue on Olinda-Monbulk Road offering local beers and bistro dishes; often noted for live music
- Ranges at Silvan — A winery and restaurant on Old Coach Road, Silvan, with lake views, seasonal menus and a cellar door (different vibe — more wine-focused than pub-focused)
Our pick: Mount Dandenong Hotel for first-time visitors
For first-time visitors, couples and small groups, the Mount Dandenong Hotel offers the most straightforward pub experience in Olinda: an open fireplace, deck seating, a varied menu and regular entertainment. The 3.5 Tripadvisor rating is lower than the 4.3 on OpenTable, but the written feedback leans positive on atmosphere. The Mt Dandy burger is a safe first order, and the children’s and seniors’ menus make it viable for mixed-age groups.
Who this suits best: First-time visitors, couples seeking a cozy pub atmosphere, and groups attending events.
Who should consider an alternative: Diners looking for a more modern or wine-focused setting should try Piggery Café or Ranges at Silvan instead.
Insights: Opening hours: 12 pm till late daily
“The hotel provides an ideal setting for a casual drink or meal all year round.”
— Mount Dandenong Hotel, official venue website
“The pub boasts a quality menu in both the restaurant and public bar offering many favourites including the famous Mt Dandy burger.”
— Mount Dandenong Hotel, official venue website
Related reading: Gnowangerup Hotel Guide: Hours, Menu, Prices & More · Crown Hotel Camden: Menu Specials, Reviews & Location Info
Frequently asked questions
What is the phone number of Mount Dandenong Hotel?
The listed telephone number is +61 3 9751 1202 (Tripadvisor).
Does the hotel have a restaurant?
Yes — an à la carte restaurant with an open fireplace operates alongside a public bar. Both serve a full menu including pub-style favourites and the Mt Dandy burger (Mount Dandenong Hotel official website).
Is the hotel for sale?
The research sources do not indicate any current sale listing. Generic search results for “Mount Dandenong Hotel for sale” may refer to other properties in the area and should not be treated as relevant to this venue.
Is there outdoor seating?
Yes — OpenTable describes deck seating with street and tree views, plus outdoor garden seating (OpenTable).
Can I book a table online?
Yes — the venue is bookable through OpenTable (OpenTable).