Criterion Tavern - Brisbane

The Criterion used to be a go-to for many workers around Adelaide St and George St, however recently its been very quiet. Unfortunately the food has slipped below par, with heavily overcooked steak, long wait times and bland salad. This used to be humming with office staff, very dead now.

If you want good pub food at a good price and big portions - come here! The lamb salad is absolutely beautiful. Massive serving - definitely more than enough for 2 people. It can get really busy during the lunch time period so I would suggest allowing a little extra time if you do plan on going during your break. Staff are always friendly and I've never had a bad experience here. We had a big farewell here on Friday night and several platters were ordered. The amount of food on these platters was jaw dropping. So much food and so worth the money. Everything tasted amazing - I could not fault anything I ate off these platters. We had a new platter come out every half hour and considering almost everyone in our party was drinking, there was plenty of food to go around and still have so much leftover. Definitely mine and my friends/colleagues go-to pub when we want something that we know delivers on taste, price and service. Highly recommend!

I came here today for a friends farewell and get together. We had a few drinks from the bar and ordered some entrées which was a very nice experience. Comfortable atmosphere. This spot is also pretty cool, the location is so central to queen st mall I had no idea it existed until today. stretchandlearn.wordpress.com

After spending 4 days up here in Brisbane for State of Origin we had become a bit tired of the same old on Caxton street and after many days walking into the CBD whilst going past this somewhat underground bar we decided on our last afternoon in Brisbane to check it out.We were buggered and all we wanted to do was relax, have a beer and a bite to eat while watching the rugby, this place read our mind.This bar has an outdoor area, sportsbar, casual bistro style restaurant and the lounge with comfortable couches which we decided to plant ourselves for the remainder of the afternoon.We then received welcomed news that happy hour was due to start in a few minutes (4-6pm), we couldn't help it but enjoyed quite a few ales while relaxing on the couch watching the rugby. At around 6PM complimentary bar snacks were taken around, I was pleasantly surprised this is something that appears to be extinct in big cities but not here! It gave me that warm Aussie country hospitality feel.Also, in the background was a DJ who was playing catchy tunes right from the 70s to today's music, no head banging music just some great singalong tunes from all different eras which gave this venue the perfect atmosphere.We ordered off the menu and I decided to have the steak sandwich for $18, it was superb! I will let the pictures do the rest of the talking. Enough menu options to choose from. The Criterion Tavern is suitable for all different sized groups.A mighty fine venue with friendly staff right in the heart of where it all happens in Brisbane, the only negative things to say is they have Pokies machines and that I am most disappointed in ourselves for stumbling on this place on our last day and not earlier! However, we look forward to coming back next time. South Melbourne's #1 Reviewer

If you are looking for a jug of beer and some decent food on a budget then this is the placeYou worry a little on entry that this is the kind of rowdy bar you avoid but there was none of that The place is pretty good with cheap beer and good steak It's not fine dining however would I go back again absouloutely Really good value for money