We came to the Sandy Hotel for an early dinner on a Sunday evening around 5 pm. I ordered a chicken Parmagiana and a Gimlet. Parma was pretty good! It was quite large (which you'd really hope for considering you are paying $28.00 for it) and really quite tasty. The Gimlet never arrived. I ordered from the QR code mounted on the table. Paid my $44.67 total for the two items and waited. And waited.. and waited.. Eventually, I asked a waitress about my drink. She went back to tell the bar. Another 10 mins had passed, and still no Gimlet. This time, a different waitress spoke with me and mentioned that she would also go and speak with the bar staff only to return a few minutes later saying that it must be a new drink and asking me what was in it as the bar tender had never heard of the drink before nor had they seen it on the menu. I brought up the menu for the waitress, and she took a photo of my phone screen with the 3 ingredients. (Bombay sapphire gin, lime juice, and sugar) The waitress retreated back to the bar. 20 minutes pass. I've finished my meal, my drink still hasn't arrived. I ask for a refund of the cost of the Gimlet, which the staff happily give me and apologise for. I think this could have been handled slightly better given that a photo was taken of the menu item and that management should let staff know about changes to menu items.
Rooms: 3
Service: 1
Location: 4

Attention Area Managers!!!! More staff, More staff, More staff.....! The Sandy Pub Front Sports Bar is our beloved local pub and it is a truly a delightful experience each week, week in week out. The atmosphere, the overall local vibe of the place is top-notch, making it a favourite spot for the local community to gather and enjoy some quality time. First and foremost, I must commend Mick and his Front Bar team (Pia, Max, Oscar, Lewis ets) for always creating such a warm and inviting environment. The Front Bar exudes a sense of camaraderie, respect and unity, which is exactly what you want from your local pub. However, as much as I adore my pub, there's one aspect that could use some improvement. On busy days, it's clearly evident that Mick and the team are working tirelessly to ensure everyone is taken care of. While they do their best, it's clear that they could use some extra hands during peak hours to maintain the great level of service we've come to expect at our local. Time for the Area Manager to step up and fix. In conclusion, The Sandy Front Sports Bar is an outstanding place that has won the hearts of the community. While it's truly a gem in our community, a bit more support and additional staff on busy days would ensure a better experience for staff and patrons alike. Thanks.
Service: 3

There seems to be ample parking beneath the venue. Order at the bar and they'll bring out the food to your table. They were very busy on a Thursday evening but the food came out pretty quickly after ordering at the till. The best share plate we had was the sweet potato fries, crunchy with the perfect dip. We wanted seconds for the fries but already had so much food! We also enjoyed the calamari, which was seasoned well, soft all throughout. The Korean fried chicken was too salty for my taste however and I wouldn't have it again. For mains, we had the bbq pork ribs, served with a large baked potato, coleslaw and grilled corn. Pork fell easily off the bone and the dish was delicious and filling overall. The seafood paella was surprisingly good, the rice was soft and full of flavour. We also had lobster and steak. The lobster was cooked well but it had a strange, old taste as though frozen for a long time. The steak tasted much better, quite tender at medium rare and bare except for salad and chips. In all, the Sandy served up good food with impersonal but effective service, in a large and airy space, which was fit for a casual evening with friends. We certainly enjoyed the food, had very little interaction with staff, and had a spacious corner to ourselves for a long catch up.

ALH… Sandy is our local. We love the venue, the other locals, the atmosphere and most of all the brilliant staff. Last weekend was not OK and there have been other days prior. The staff that work their butts off are over worked and understaffed. Caulfield Guineas Day and I couldn’t get a drink because there was not enough staff and both the bistro and sports bar had hard working staff trying to facilitate a four person deep bar. We love our local but to see the AMAZING staff that make it home not be able to facilitate their locals and have the locals have to lend a hand to them is not OK. Look after your staff, they are a part of what makes the Sandy. To see them works so hard and see them depleted from working so hard is not Ok. You may have your locals return but You won’t Get new locals and the locals may find somewhere else. It’s all of those staff that keep us coming back. Fix it for us and fix it for them. They deserve the hospitality and respect they give every patron.
Service: 5

Service was awful, food was okay. Admittedly we went at 7.30 on a Friday night, so it was super busy. Even so, it seemed understaffed. We were told (when finally greeted at the door) to find a table that wasn’t reserved. We found one, but it hadn’t been cleared. Then we tried to order via the QR code but it wouldn’t allow us to. Ordered at the bar. When the food came out we realised we didn’t have any cutlery on the table and asked for some, but had to hunt some down for ourselves (after waiting and our food was getting cold). I wouldn’t go back.

Read the reviews and thought I'd give it a go for a dinner with family. Disappointing on every level. Understaffed, overpriced, mediocre food. You pay good money and then you look at your plate, half the plate is chips, salad leaves with no dressing just thrown on there, an overcooked $50 steak that you could cook better yourself. The ribs came with a coleslaw that was so soaked in dressing with mustard seeds that my son couldn't eat it. We ate because we were starving, given the 40 min wait for dinner. Never going back.
Service: 1

Pre-COVID this place was a bit of a dump but they’ve improved the decor and the (basic) food we had there was also pretty decent. It’s not too noisy, and during the day the view of the bay is obviously a winner. Service was good and the meals also came it pretty quickly. Not much to complain about, TBH.
Travel group
Friends
Rooms: 3
Service: 4
Location: 4
Walkability
It’s close to the railway station.
Hotel highlights
Great view, Kid-friendly

Came here for a Parma Meal with my husband and it didn't disappoint. Food was great and the service was excellent. We got served by Catherine and she was a delight, we got served really quickly and overall the service was great. The chicken crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside and the chips were nice and crispy and not too salty. Will definitely be coming back for date night.
Travel group
Family
Service: 5
Location: 5
Hotel highlights
Great value

The staff were polite and friendly and the venue itself has a spectacular view, however, they have a very limited number of vegetarian options and the only one I found appealing they had run out of. When I asked for a bowl of chips, they said they couldn’t sell me a bowl of chips and if I wanted chips I would need to order a kids meal (which is $4 more and would have to come with some form of meat). I understand there are shortages but the solution was quite illogical.

very disappointed about the service from the bar tenders today. my daughter went up to the bar to order her drink with her friends and the female bar tender said they needed to show id and they explained they were just getting soft drinks she then made them go get me as they needed a parent. she would only let me order for my daughter which is extremely unreasonable as i was taking my daughter and her friends out for dinner and she had an extremely rude attitude.

Nice staff here who efficient. Food was ok - schnitzel a highlight, however the steak was tough and over cooked. Ambience was similar to most suburban pubs - music that didn’t have any real curation and stark bright lights that lead to the gaming room A nice enough spot for a meal with a big group but there are definitely better options in the area. Kids space with iPads is a great touch
Travel group
Family
Service: 5
Location: 4

This place used to be great, but it has literally nose dived. Out meals arrived an hour after ordering. Our drinks arrived 20 min after ordering. Literally 2 staff working the floor. Appalling.we spent $200 on 3 adults and 2 children. Only 2 of us ordered one alcoholic drink each. For that money, we can think of numerous restaurants that would be 10 times better and actually a little cheaper. The food is average at best. Do better.

The rooms to stay in are above the hotel, so very very noisy at night. The outdoor area for smokers was right under our room so a fri night is very loud.
Travel group
Family
Rooms: 2
Service: 4
Location: 3
Rooms
The rooms were clean but the beds need up dating very spongy.
Food & drinks
The restaurant attached to the hotel had great food
Hotel highlights
Great value

Had Mothers Day lunch with my family yesterday and first time at the venue. Excellent service with manager on hand to help, helped with multiple birthday cakes, allowed us to relax and stay and food was excellent. You have new customers. Thankyou for also singing happy birthday! Thankyou
Travel group
Family
Service: 5
Location: 5
Hotel highlights
Great view, Kid-friendly, Great value

This place exceeded my expectations. My Daughter and I ordered the Feasting Board to share. We were expecting to order more food after. By the time we had cleared the Board we were full. All food presented was very tasteful. Great value for money. The menu varied and atmosphere was as you would expect from a large pub.
Service: 4
Location: 4
Hotel highlights
Great view, Kid-friendly

Had a wonderful lunch at the Sandy Hotel yesterday - friendly staff and great food. However was very disappointed that the outside tables for 4 people had been removed which didn't enable my wife and I to enjoy outside dinning, which we have done constantly for many Sundays and the reason which specifically make us visit the Sandy (all the way from Templestowe).
Service: 5
Location: 4

One of the best pub meals I've had in a while! Hubby and I walked in randomly for dinner on Easter Friday after a beach walk and were not disappointed! Absolutely demolished our plates of chicken parma and fish and chips. Excellently cooked fish, crispy chips, and super fast service using the online ordering system. We'll be back!
Travel group
Couple
Service: 5
Location: 5

We stayed Sunday night, arrived at 2.0 pm, room very clean, very comfy bed, discount voucher on food and free drinks, complimentary mini bar, , very friendly staff. Excellent meals, free off street parking , I reckon it is the best value we have seen for years. We travel a lot and felt we had to write this . We will definitely stay again.
Rooms: 5
Service: 5
Location: 5

Friendly staff, great atmosphere, great food and unpasteurized beer on tap... All you need now is a bunch of friends to share it with! Food service was quick even for large groups. Not sure what to eat, try the grazing platter, you won't be disappointed with the options here.
Travel group
Friends
Rooms: 5
Service: 5
Location: 5
Hotel highlights
Great value

Ordered from table looking forward to the lobster but unavailable so ordered the chicken ceased worst I've had in my life egg wasn't even cooked properly no option to remove anchovies. Daughter had the pork ribs which she said were very fatty...won't be back.
Trip type
Vacation
Travel group
Family
Service: 2
Location: 5
Food & drinks
As above

Welk service couldn't be included as you order by qr code. The food was really good. It is an ideal place for children however if you are looking for a quiet place to dine without kids running around, it's not for you.
Trip type
Vacation
Travel group
Solo
Location: 5
Food & drinks
Good menu for kids and adults.
Hotel highlights
Kid-friendly

For the rooms, they are small with no space for putting your clothes if staying for a few days. The area is ok interms of restaurant or food shopping. The hotel is closed to a train station. The beds were too soft for my liking.
Trip type
Business
Travel group
Solo
Rooms: 3
Service: 5
Location: 3
Hotel highlights
Great value

Came here for Sunday afternoon drinks. $24 for a jug of Stone & Wood Pacific Ale, a very reasonable price in my opinion. Staff are friendly and chatty. Plenty of chairs and tables both inside and outside, though I think outside is better with a very nice and relaxing views. Also has a really nice local vibe. Will add this to my rotational weekend pubs.

Dining experience and customer service was good, but the steaks were a little overpriced. Probably a sign of the times with inflation… However, I was a bit disappointed when my requested well done porterhouse steak was served a little red on the inside and was quite chewy. Otherwise, it was great!
Service: 4
Location: 5

Yummy food with wonderful views over the bay. It's so busy today but most of the staff are nice regardless of this
Trip type
Vacation
Travel group
Family
Service: 5
Location: 5
Noteworthy details
Stunning location with balcony overlooking the beach
Hotel highlights
Great view, Kid-friendly

Great service, excellent menu to choose from and food great for a pub! Eell worth a visit for a countery!
Travel group
Family
Service: 5
Location: 5
Food & drinks
Decent selection of beers on tap but a couple were not available!
Hotel highlights
Great view, Kid-friendly, Great value

Visited this place for lunch on our way to half moon bay. Nice vibe, ample seating and clean area. The staff is friendly. They have a sufficient range of food options in the menu. Had a mushroom burger with added grilled chicken. Loved it. Generous portions for the price. The chicken bao buns were tasty too.

Didn’t stay at the hotel. Enjoyed a great pub meal with the family today. Ribs were perfect. Not over sauced and fell off the bone. Caesar calamari salad was tasty. Good wine selection with options at reasonable prices. Overall good experience and recommend.
Service: 5
Location: 5

The food was lovely but they were clearly understaffed. We waited longer for our meals than anyone on the table despite ordering first. We asked 3 times for side plates and spoons for a cake before the poor girl could get around to bringing them out. Such a large venue should do better.

Had dinner with a group of friends. Food was great. Quality of bar service was poor. Mixed up the orders with lemonade rather than soda etc. Bar staff struggled to get the orders right.
Travel group
Friends
Service: 3
Location: 5
Hotel highlights
Great view

Have come to the bistro here before, and every time it has been excellent. Although it was very busy this Easter break, the team were super friendly and the food was of exceptional quality. The eating area's ambience is also modern and pleasant. Highly recommend!!

Fantastic place to eat, we come here regularly, food is always top quality, book booth table 30, best in the house, make sure you book a couple of days before, beach views from the balcony, great spot to go for a walk after dinner, fully recommend.

Won't be back again to the restaurant. I've told the staff why. I'm the lady with the pink walking cane. Forgetful and rude service apart from one of the staff who was lovely. Expensive food underwhelming and missing ingredients.

We had a family lunch here & we all enjoyed our meals. The pumpkin salad was very tasty.
Trip type
Vacation
Travel group
Family
Service: 5
Location: 5
Hotel highlights
Great view, Kid-friendly

Myself, husband and two friends had lunch here today. Service was excellent, we all had eye fillet steak, cooked to our liking, and did not disappoint! Thank you Sandringham Hotel.
Service: 5
Location: 5

The food and wine list is on point. Staff were all awesome people.
Trip type
Business
Rooms: 4
Service: 5
Location: 5
Hotel highlights
Quiet

Bouncer was a total idiot. There to play pokies and he had control issues letting us in. Barman was just as bad, wouldn’t recommend this place at all.
Service: 1

Very good service excellent food not too expensive great location so close to the beach
Rooms: 5
Service: 5
Location: 5

Great staff, so helpful. Comfy room. Clean facilities. Great price too..
Rooms: 5
Service: 5
Location: 5

Good food, great spot! There was a decent wait for food, so definitely recommend ordering early.