Lively venue with a ground-floor cocktail bar & an upper floor British-inspired restaurant.
At a glance
#2 of 8 Bars in Surry Hills #3 of 10 Restaurants in Surry HillsLocalGuideWorld score: 4.59
Rating breakdown
-
5 ★74%
-
4 ★20%
-
3 ★3%
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2 ★1%
-
1 ★2%
Quick facts
- What is the rating of The Rover?
- The Rover is rated 4.6 out of 5 based on 1,056 reviews.
- How does The Rover rank in Surry Hills?
- The Rover is #2 of 8 Bars in Surry Hills by LocalGuideWorld score (rating weighted by number of reviews).
- Where is The Rover located?
- 75 Campbell St, Surry Hills NSW 2010, Australia — 0.6 km from the center of Surry Hills.
- How can I contact The Rover?
- Phone: +61 2 9000 7544 · Website: liquidandlarder.com.au
Chanced upon this bar during our holiday in Sydney, loved it so much we had to give them another visit before we left. Our favourite drink was the ‘All in the name’. The staff were really friendly and patient when we asked for recommendations as well, it made us feel really comfortable as foreigners.
Impeccable service. The bartenders here were so attentive and really lovely as well. Our drinks were never empty and they make a great selection of cocktails. Although a bar the food here is seriously good as well with a great selection of fresh oysters, scallops, as well as other dishes. The portions were decent and the food was super tasty. Loved the deep flavour of the artichoke and the lamb was just melt in your mouth. Scallops were full of flavour - plump and juicy. Very good atmosphere here and would definitely return
Love the vibes, great service and friendly staff. Very attentive. Absolutely loved the eel pate (from someone who doesn’t particularly like pate in general) and the burger; super juicy. Cashew cream that comes with the sourdough was so good, I would go back just for that. Oysters were fresh, will be back for happy hour. Cocktails were all so lovely too 🥰
The scallops though was actually the biggest joke. $9 per piece obviously expecting a full or AT LEAST half a scallop. Big nope, 3 tiny pieces smothered in cucumber. Tasted good but omg every time I think about it I get mad 😭.
The scallops though was actually the biggest joke. $9 per piece obviously expecting a full or AT LEAST half a scallop. Big nope, 3 tiny pieces smothered in cucumber. Tasted good but omg every time I think about it I get mad 😭.
Loooooooved The Rover. The service is amazing and the food is seriously unbelievable. And I don’t know how it isn’t charged at off tap prices - this is a wonderful place for dinner. Obviously get the burger. Dark horse surprise? The eel pate. My mind was blown. So delicious, eat everything.
During their happy hour, these delectable oysters are a steal at just AUD 2 each! Don’t let their small size fool you—the flavor explosion is immense. Besides oysters, the fish dishes are equally impressive, with fresh and expertly prepared fish.
The cozy ambiance sets the stage for a delightful evening, whether you’re catching up with friends. And let’s not forget the top-notch service, the staff go above and beyond to make your visit memorable.
The cozy ambiance sets the stage for a delightful evening, whether you’re catching up with friends. And let’s not forget the top-notch service, the staff go above and beyond to make your visit memorable.
Went for the happy hour and was impressed with the food selections instead 😂
Drinks were a bit limited for the happy hour but I got the gin and tonic, which wasn’t the strongest.
There were three of us, so when we ordered 5 oysters we got 6, and the sourdough dish, they charged extra slice as It usually just two. I’m not sure how to think of this whether they are nice to think for us, or if they should’ve asked us before charging for the extra things we didn’t order. (it was by no means a lot of money but it was just weird as we didn’t even finish the two slices as they were gigantic)
The cauliflower dish with almond cream actually blew me away! I don’t know whats in that almond cream but it tasted like some roasted pepper concoction. Idk but it was delicious!!!
I also appreciate the fact that it was quite vegan friendly. For instance, the sourdough came with dairy butter and also cashew butter.
The lady server was quite attentive, always checking in a filling our glasses 🩷
Drinks were a bit limited for the happy hour but I got the gin and tonic, which wasn’t the strongest.
There were three of us, so when we ordered 5 oysters we got 6, and the sourdough dish, they charged extra slice as It usually just two. I’m not sure how to think of this whether they are nice to think for us, or if they should’ve asked us before charging for the extra things we didn’t order. (it was by no means a lot of money but it was just weird as we didn’t even finish the two slices as they were gigantic)
The cauliflower dish with almond cream actually blew me away! I don’t know whats in that almond cream but it tasted like some roasted pepper concoction. Idk but it was delicious!!!
I also appreciate the fact that it was quite vegan friendly. For instance, the sourdough came with dairy butter and also cashew butter.
The lady server was quite attentive, always checking in a filling our glasses 🩷
The Rover does a two buck freshly-shucked oyster happy hour between 4pm and 6pm. The bivalves were from Wonboyn Lake on the pristine Sapphire Coast on the evening I visited. And—with a fully-packed front bar—they ran out before I could get in a second dozen: it pays to arrive early in these parts! Our disappointment was assuaged by the railway station signboard indicating deep-cup Batemans Bay pacific oysters ($7/each) and Sydney rocks from Tuross lake ($6/each) were both still available (though not at the bargain price). Each suited the delicate house-made Champagne mignonette, which is also a player in their estuary martini ($25), in an unholy union with Never Never oyster shell gin.
Sliding over to Chardonnay—Domaine Naturaliste’s cracking 2021 Artus ($135)—with a punctuating happy hour gin+tonic ($6) saw us smear smoky eel pâté ($16) and horseradish jelly onto glazed crumpets. Using dainty oyster forks, we speared slivers of raw scallop ($9/each) accentuated with horseradish, cucumber and dill. We made short work of sardines ($5/each) cured with tapenade on crisp croutons. From sister venue, The Gridley, their famous burger ($26) slowed us down, giving us time to appreciate the more genteel surrounds of the venue’s quieter upper bar. The burger is a double chuck and brisket patty affair oozing sauce and American cheese, presented with a knife to aid sharing.
This bar’s the whole package from booze to atmosphere to staff to food to cheese—a West Country farmhouse Cheddar ($15/40g) presented with all the trimmings. I even rate the bogs with their intriguing memorabilia and rusty buckets wash-up area. Yep, I think I’ve found my new Sydney watering hole…
Sliding over to Chardonnay—Domaine Naturaliste’s cracking 2021 Artus ($135)—with a punctuating happy hour gin+tonic ($6) saw us smear smoky eel pâté ($16) and horseradish jelly onto glazed crumpets. Using dainty oyster forks, we speared slivers of raw scallop ($9/each) accentuated with horseradish, cucumber and dill. We made short work of sardines ($5/each) cured with tapenade on crisp croutons. From sister venue, The Gridley, their famous burger ($26) slowed us down, giving us time to appreciate the more genteel surrounds of the venue’s quieter upper bar. The burger is a double chuck and brisket patty affair oozing sauce and American cheese, presented with a knife to aid sharing.
This bar’s the whole package from booze to atmosphere to staff to food to cheese—a West Country farmhouse Cheddar ($15/40g) presented with all the trimmings. I even rate the bogs with their intriguing memorabilia and rusty buckets wash-up area. Yep, I think I’ve found my new Sydney watering hole…
My experience at The Rover was nothing short of fantastic. The service was exceptionally awesome, and the food, cooked to perfection, left my taste buds delighted. As part of the Liquid & Larder family, with Bistecca being the epitome of steak excellence in Sydney, The Rover seems poised to claim its spot as the ultimate seafood destination. The cozy living room vibes from the decor added a wonderful touch to the overall experience.
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