‘5000 bookings’: Review of new $35m pub overwhelmed with reservations

With more than 5000 bookings taken before it even opened, this South East Queensland hotel is already a major drawcard. But does it live up to the hype?

The main dining room at the Dakabin Hotel in Dakabin.

Before it even opened its doors last month, the new Dakabin Hotel, north of Brisbane, had recorded more than a whopping 5000 bookings.

For owners the Comiskey Group, behind other hugely popular hospitality venues including Eatons Hill Hotel, Sandstone Point Hotel and The Doonan, it was no doubt sheer relief, with the family-run operation having shelled out $35m on the venture.

The Dakabin Hotel in Dakabin.

So what does a pub worth that kind of cash actually include? There’s the exceedingly well-equipped sports bar boasting a large LED screen at one end, plus a wraparound screen playing the best of Fox Sports above the central bar, which is loaded with beer taps pouring craft and mainstream pints.

There are also pool tables, electronic darts, shuttle board (all at additional cost), booth and bar seating inside and out, and a stage for live music.

There’s a gaming room, too, while next door you’ll find a gift shop, mini ice creamery, and Mediterranean-looking restaurant with its own bar, two kitchens and indoor and outdoor dining. In music to parents’ ears, hidden from sight is a kids’ arcade (games are about $3 each) and a half basketball court.

The sports bar with pool tables at the Dakabin Hotel in Dakabin.

But I’m here for the restaurant. We’re taken to our terrace table overlooking a busy, slightly noisy main road by one of the many young staff members, with enthusiasm levels that wane from eager to indifferent. We’re told we can order using the QR code on our table, or up by the kitchen for food and at the bar for drinks.

The sports bar with booth seating and a wraparound TV at the Dakabin Hotel.

The QR code is probably the easiest option as you just order once, and while there is a small fee involved for using your phone, the restaurant also charges a 0.8 per cent fee for using Eftpos or credit card.

The other note when ordering is that the menu is the work of two kitchens: East and West, which means the food is delivered when it’s ready, not all at once. East boasts a fusion from Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Korea and China and comes with its own hibachi grill; while West blends dishes from the Americas, Great Britain and Europe. This translates to burgers, salads, pastas, pizzas and spring rolls, dumplings, curries and sashimi.

Crispy fried chicken bao buns at the Dakabin Hotel in Dakabin.

We cross continents, starting with the crispy fried chicken bao buns ($18) from the East and the garlic and fermented chilli butter prawns ($24) from the West. The latter are precisely grilled with the butter sauce richer than Gina Rinehart; while the former feature juicy morsels of flour-dredged fried chicken balanced by pickles and coriander. Although the dough for the baos could have possibly done with a slightly longer proof to render it truly fluffy, the buns are still tasty little bites.

Garlic and fermented chilli butter prawns at the Dakabin Hotel in Dakabin.

Also out of the East kitchen is the beef pad see ew ($32), which is much sweeter than most traditional Thai versions, though satisfying in its own way; and the katsu curry fries ($18), which are possibly inspired by a long-popular version at Mooloolaba favourite Rice Boi and, arguably, just as good.

From the West kitchen comes one of four steaks, which are served with chips, salad and a sauce, or an upgrade to wagyu fat-roasted potatoes and broccolini for $5. We select the upgrade with the Queensland 120-day grain-fed 300g rib fillet ($49).

Although it arrives more medium than the medium-rare we requested, the extra time on the grill just helps to caramelise the rib’s characteristic pockets of fat. As for those roast potatoes, there are enough to feed two with a golden, just-crisp exterior.

There is an onslaught of popular Aussie reds to wash it down with from the stock-standard, pub-style wine list; or those after a cocktail will feel like they’re stepping back into the ’90s with classics like the fruit tingle and cosmo.

The Dakabin Hotel is a great local pub, just don’t expect it to be cheap. But if you’re prepared to pay for quality that’s a step above, it’s easy to see why more than 5000 folk locked in their reservations early.

Dakabin Hotel

289 Old Gympie Rd, Dakabin

dakabinhotel.com.au

Open

10am-2am daily

Must try

Beef pad see ew

Verdict

Food 3.5

Service 3.5

Ambience 4

Value 3.5

Overall 3.5