Published:
July 19, 2024
About Baxter Tavern & Motel
Classic rooms in a down-to-earth motel featuring a bistro & a pub with regular live entertainment. On the outskirts of Baxter, this informal motel is a 6-minute walk from Baxter train station, 8 km from Frankston Arts Centre and 9 km from Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park. Pared-back rooms with traditional decor provide free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, as well as minifridges, and tea and coffeemaking facilities. Continental breakfast and parking are complimentary. There's a casual bistro with open fireplaces, in addition to a laid-back pub offering regular live entertainment and TAB betting.
Dine in
Delivery
Drive through
Service Options
Highlights
Bar games
Great cocktails
Live music
Live performances
Sports
Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Food
Food at bar
Happy hour drinks
Hard liquor
Wine
Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy
Planning
Accepts reservations
Parking
Free parking lot
Free street parking
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Dining_options
Seating
Crowd
Groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Transgender safespace
Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Map
Baxter Tavern & Motel Reviews
Went with friends for lunch. I ordered fish and chips, expecting that it cannot be difficult to do well
I was wrong: it was undercooked and oily. The salads offered from the fridge lacked variety and had to wait until staff had time to serve. The place looks friendly, but the shef needs to improve the quality of the preparation and presentation.
- Ariana Valencic
19 Fri 2024 at 02.10 pm
Went to the tavern for a family dinner; the ambiance and live music was lovely (shoutout to the gentleman on guitar- best part of the evening!) and the service was perfectly fine, wait time reasonable for a Friday evening- but I was so disappointed by the food.
$29 for a parma is already a little steep but hey, it's a pub parma. Probably worth it, right?
Now I've only been in Australia for two years so I was asking my Aussie family if chips were included, because chips and veg were listed as sides for the steaks, but not the parmas. And they thought I was quite silly, what a thing to worry about! But turns out this is the one place on god's green earth that doesn't do parma and chips if you order the veg. Chips are only included with parma and salad- but you have to go to the front counter to pick up the salad.
The parma and veg wasn't even yummy. And this isn't a case of not liking the sauce recipe or something- the food didn't taste bad, it just didn't taste like anything at all.
I was planning to buy dessert at the end but had to pass. I've never had a bad parma before and I just didn't have the emotional fortitude to deal with a bad $13 cheesecake if that turned out to be yuck too.
- Vicki Kenney
19 Fri 2024 at 02.10 pm
Went for lunch.
Husbamd has Calamari was lovely.
I had soup...hmmmm
REALLY salty and luke warm at best
.asked to be reheated-notmuxh better.
Apparently chef tastes ot and thought wasnt salty...sorry it was nearly inedible (would have left it if i wasnt hungry)
I sis not think you could muck up pumpkin soup
Everything else was good though.
- Tania Bean
19 Fri 2024 at 02.10 pm
Went for a spontaneous lunch with my partner and his support worker on Thursday 27/06/2024. Was a really nice place. Very nice country feel. Staff were very welcoming. Made room for my partner in his wheelchair, made sure we sat away from the draft from the door. Good was so so nice. Good variety on the menu and good specials. There is also a few nights a week that are a few nights a week that they have specials on, Parma night, Fish and Chips and Curry night. I got the Korean Rice Bowl, was a special on the day, I asked for extra chilli in it as I like it spicy, they added a nice amount. Disabled toilets are easy to access if your in a wheelchair.
The only downfall I could find there wasn't much disabled parking were I parked, not sure if there was some in a different area.
Will be going back again with a group of friends.
Thanks for a lovely afternoon Baxter Tavern
- Gary Sanderson
19 Fri 2024 at 02.10 pm
WARNING: Stay away from the seafood platter it was shockingly disgusting. You’re only as good as you seafood supplier Fresh food is everything when it comes to SEAFOOD. Take it off the menu, Chef. My experience wasn’t all bad. The beer was cold. Cozy atmosphere.
And others at the party look like their some of there meals ware really nice like the chicken Parma and the steaks look damn nice
- Mark L
19 Fri 2024 at 02.10 pm
This is a great venue for Xmas lunch. The staff are welcoming and attentive to your needs.
The all you can eat lunch has fresh seafood, cold meats roasted ated meat and veg, other veg dishes and salads and kid favourites. Add to this the mini Xmas puddings and a selection of deserts, including an ice cream bar. Coffee is included in the price.
The venue is comfortable and not noisy, considering the number of patrons.
We thoroughly enjoy Xmas Lunch here.
- Luke Provis
19 Fri 2024 at 02.10 pm
The hotel looks really old and tired. However, the menu was good as was the food and the service was excellent. If only it was better lit and the decor improved..... I'd then be improving the overall rating.
- Bernadette Jarvis
19 Fri 2024 at 02.10 pm
The atmosphere was lovely with live music. There was a good variety of food options and I managed to find something I could eat being gluten and lactose intolerant and vegetarian with a bit of wrangling. Highly recommend.
- Shelby Jacobs
19 Fri 2024 at 02.10 pm
Thank you so much Baxter Tavern !!
Our soccer team of 19 had an away game and decided last minute to head into the tavern with no booking at 5.30pm (our apologies again!!!) and the staff were absolutely lovely, super accommodating and the food was incredible!!
Pork sausages with mash and veggies was the comfort meal we needed
Thank you again for fitting all of us in 🙏
- Geoff Reeves
19 Fri 2024 at 02.10 pm
Ordered two roast pork today, would be worst meal we have experienced after being regular patrons for over 10 years. Meat was inedible and full of grisel. Very disappointing.
- Clint Tynan
19 Fri 2024 at 02.10 pm
My wife and I stayed at the the Baxter Tavern for three nights in October 2023 as we have good friends who live a short walk away.
The tavern itself is pleasant. The food was fine and the staff were friendly.
However, the rooms were disgustingly dirty. We had stayed there previously and ended up having to walk across the train tracks to Woollies for cleaning supplies. When my wife booked for our October stay she tried to explain how dirty the room was on our previous visit and asked if it could be cleaned properly before we arrived. The person who took the call didn't seem to be that interested.
We planned ahead and brought cleaning products with us, thankfully, and before we could relax we had to dust, clean toilets, shower and floors as well as the kitchenette area - including the kettle and utensils.
The dust was so thick on the pelmet and the lights above the bed, it looked like it hadn't been cleaned in years.
We only stayed there for convenience's sake but would not recommend unless they make serious changes to their cleaning protocol. The rooms are basic and inexpensive, but you should expect them to at least have been dusted, mopped and the surfaces wiped.
The best we can say is that the sheets were clean.
EDIT: I appreciate the response from the Baxter Tavern owners and I'd also like to make it clear that our issues were only related to the accommodation - as I said the tavern itself, its amenities and the service staff were all great - no complaints whatsoever and I'd absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for a nice place for a good meal and some cold drinks.
- Sue Stevens
19 Fri 2024 at 02.10 pm
My friend and myself went there last night, we both had a porterhouse steak, we were very surprised at the price of $46 for a porterhouse but thought it must be very good as $46 for a pub steak is expensive. Both ordered medium rare which it definitely wasn't, was overcooked plus very chewy, very disappointing. We could of taken it back but we didn't have the time to wait. It's a lot of money for a meal that wasn't very enjoyable.
- Chelsea Dawn
19 Fri 2024 at 02.10 pm
Many thanks to our server Margaret Rose for above and beyond customer service for my family's birthday outing. Outstanding experience and we'll definitely be coming back again!
- Sandy Varin
19 Fri 2024 at 02.10 pm
Loved it, had the vegetable pizza, pumpkin ravioli chicken parmigiana, garlic pizza and chocolate mousse. Service was great, food was great. Pretty busy and the staff all worked really well to please everyone. thank you all for your great work.
- Justin Brown
19 Fri 2024 at 02.10 pm
I would give it zero if it was possible. $30 for Parma with chips. Comes with no salad. It was the most processed over cooked schnitzel I've ever eaten. The cheese was just a.lightly melted oil slop. No flavour. A 12 year kid in home economics would cook a better microwaved Parma. And when we mentioned it to the staff. The response we got was "we serve 330 people". Who ever cooked it should maybe reconsider their career.
- scott simpson
19 Fri 2024 at 02.10 pm
I highly recommend the Baxter Tavern!!
The customer service is second to none, and staff go above and beyond with a friendly and professional manner.
The food is excellent and always cooked to perfection. You are offered a warm bread roll as well as access to their salad bar with a variety of salads to choose from.
Overall, it is always an incredible dining experience.
- Em Mc
19 Fri 2024 at 02.10 pm
I have been going to the Baxter Tavern for years & have pretty much had everything on the menu - my favs are the fish & chips & the parma with chips & salad. The Baxter is our go to for all our special occasions & the wonderful staff are always happy to accommodate all our requests!!! Cant wait to go back.
- Stephen Barker
19 Fri 2024 at 02.10 pm
I had a really nice meal here and the service and food were excellent add in the location and perfect weather and boom:)
- the_different_dad
19 Fri 2024 at 02.10 pm
I don't know how they get their batter on the fish so crispy and airy. But it is sensational. Had an African curry there a few weeks back as well. Both meals were great. We think it is a hidden gem
- Jo Jo w
19 Fri 2024 at 02.10 pm
Had not been to Baxter Tavern for a very long time. The decor is still the same and a bit dated but add to the homely atmosphere.
The food was amazing, a wide range to choose from, quite a few Vegetarian options too. Free salad and fruit salad with a main dish and yummy free bread rolls. They had a musician playing and he was really good and not to loud and overpowering easy listening music. Will definitely be back soon.
- Rod Howarth
19 Fri 2024 at 02.10 pm
Had dinner here twice on our recent trip to Melbourne. Food was great, as well as the staff. Would go back on our next visit.
- Richard Kubli
19 Fri 2024 at 02.10 pm
Had a seafood platter here absolutely delicious!! And fresh and great portions
- Kit Penfold
19 Fri 2024 at 02.10 pm
Good food and can get an additional plate of salad and bread roll.
- Yvonne Bell
19 Fri 2024 at 02.10 pm
Good car park.
Lovely big dining rooms, a bit disappointed that in the middle of winter, the open fire was not being used.
Service ok as it was a very busy lunchtime.
Roast Pork and vegetables good.
- V W
19 Fri 2024 at 02.10 pm
Food was nice and the service was fantastic. Prices were a little high but overly I enjoyed it and would come back again
- Karenne Sawley
19 Fri 2024 at 02.10 pm
Delicious menu and friendly service. Everyone enjoyed their meals, even the professional chef within our group!
- Georgia Pendlebury
19 Fri 2024 at 02.10 pm
Delicious meals, great prices and really lovely staff. The venue manager was particularly accommodating with our special seating requests, nothing was too much to ask. Thank you for making our family lunch a really special one. Highly recommend 👏🏻
- Gregory Bowman
19 Fri 2024 at 02.10 pm
A group of us had a very nice lunch.
Good food and service. Recommended
- Ilona Riener