If you’re heading to town for a visit or going to the iconic Tamworth Country Music Festival, don’t forget to check out some of these pubs to judge which one deserves the crown for the best pub meal in Tamworth.

The Tudor Hotel

In the heart of the Tamworth CBD is the Tudor Hotel. Located along Peel Street, the hotel was established in 1835 but has seen a few major updates over the years. Currently, it boasts a bustling bistro, 12 pub-style hotel rooms and the only rooftop bar in Tamworth. The menu has a delicious spread of meals including the crispy skinned pork belly, braised lamb shoulder, grilled barramundi and signature Tudor Thai Salad. There’s homemade chicken schnitzels and crumbed beef rump which you can add three different toppings to, including the classic Parmi mix of tomato sugo and mozzarella. If you love a good steak try one from Jack’s Creek, an award-winning local producer of premium beef. The 400-day grain fed Wagyu rump sounds particularly enticing! Each week there’s something on at the Tudor Hotel, including Happy Hour, food specials, karaoke on Thursdays and live music on Friday and Saturdays. They also run special events like their annual Hats off to Country Music Festival celebrations.

327 Peel Street | Tamworth NSW 2340 | (02) 6766 2930 | Website | Facebook | Instagram | Monday to Tuesday 9.00am–11.00pm | Wednesday to Thursday 9.00am–12.00am | Friday to Saturday 9.00am–2.00am | Sunday 9.00am–11.00pm

Calala Inn

Found just outside the southern end of Tamworth, the Calala Inn is a family-friendly pub that offers good food with a welcoming atmosphere. The service is great and portions are big so you’ll be leaving full and happy. Taking a look at what there is to eat, you’ve got a great selection of pub classics to choose from. There’s sticky pork ribs, a local Black Angus T-bone steak and crumbed lamb cutlets, all coming with your choice of sides. If you like seafood there’s creamy garlic prawns, beer battered flathead, and barramundi fillet. Chicken Parmi connoisseurs also have options, with a choice between the classic napoli sauce with cheese, or the Islander special which adds grilled pineapple and bacon to the mix. Something extra you get from Calala Inn is a sense of community. They support organisations like the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and Friends of Nioka, sponsor the local touch football team and have a Fishing and Social Club that’s very active in the local community.

53 Calala Lane | Tamworth NSW 2340 | (02) 6762 2711 | Facebook | Instagram | Monday to Tuesday 10.00am–10.00pm | Wednesday to Thursday 10.00am–11.00pm | Friday to Saturday 10.00am–12.00pm | Sunday 10.00am–8.00pm

The Tamworth Hotel

Opposite the Tamworth railway station is the local institution, The Tamworth. Built in 1936, the Art Deco style hotel has a modern Australian menu with a mixture of classic and signature dishes created using seasonal produce. Some of the menu highlights are the king prawn pasta, slow cooked lamb shank and three types of tacos, including a vegetarian option. If you want a good steak you’ve got a choice between the 250g Jack’s Creek Rump Steak or 300g Jack’s Creek Scotch Fillet. Alternatively you could give the Jack’s Creek Cheeseburger a try. On the drinks front there are 14 taps with a mixture of staple and guest craft beers. There’s a comprehensive list of vintage and rare wines available, as well as many of the classic cocktails you know and love. Tuesday is Trivia Night while Friday is a big one with Happy Hour, Snack Hour, a local badge draw and meat raffles. Aside from the weekly events there’s also annual and one-off events, including touring band performances and St Patrick’s day celebrations.

147 Marius Street | Tamworth NSW 2340 | (02) 6766 2923 | Website | Instagram | Monday to Wednesday 11.00am–12.00pm | Thursday to Saturday 11.00am–2.00am | Sunday 11.00am–10.00pm

The Longyard Hotel

Popular with locals and visitors alike, the Longyard Hotel is known for its good food, friendly staff and great vibe. As well as the bar and bistro, the hotel has a great kids’ playground. Start off with something to share, such as the Punter’s Plate or Longyard Grazing Board. For mains there’s definitely something for everyone, with a choice of salads, pub favourites, burgers, pastas, grilled meals and pizzas. Some of the standouts are the Signature Pork Knuckle, Smash Burger with house made patty and 650g rib eye on the bone – it’s made with 100-day grain fed beef from the premium range of NSW beef supplier, Riverine. On Thursdays and Fridays there’s meat raffles to support local sporting groups and live music sets every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Sunday in particular is big with the SunDayz On the Deck event. It has drink specials for you to enjoy while listening to the bands play.

10-12 Ringers Road | Tamworth NSW 2340 | (02) 6765 3411 | Website | Facebook | Instagram | Monday to Saturday 10.00am–12.00am | Sunday 10.00am–10.00pm

The Family Hotel

Like the name suggests, the Family Hotel is a great place for families to have a night out together. It has more of an old school Aussie pub vibe and offers good food at great prices. As a bonus, there’s $16 Family Fixture meals deals every night of the week. Try out the Ribs & Chips on Wednesday or pop in on a Sunday for the classic Roast & Vege.Taking a look at the rest of the menu there’s all the pub staples you know and love, including lamb shanks, a mixed grill and Caesar salad. It’s clear there’s a Parmi lover somewhere in the kitchen because there are four types of loaded schnitzel! Go with the more traditional The Family Classic, or branch out and order the Mexican, Carbonara or Pacifica. On Thursdays and Fridays there are raffles that support local clubs while Saturday night goes all out with a pool competition, raffles and the chance to spin and win. Most weekends there are also live music events at the adjacent Moonshiners Honky Tonk Bar, including nationally touring bands and tribute acts.

Corner of Bridge and Belmore Streets | Tamworth NSW 2340 | (02) 6765 7722 | Website | Facebook | Instagram | Monday to Saturday 10.00am–2.00am | Sunday 10.00am–10.00pm

Southgate Inn

Over near Scully Park you’ll find the Southgate Inn, another family-friendly pub that serves up giant pub meals that won’t break the bank. There are daily meal specials for under $20, such as the Thursday Schnitty or Saturday Burgers. On Sunday there’s also an additional family special that includes two mains, two kids’ meals and two kids’ ice creams (they can use the sugar up on the Inn’s playground!). Now to the menu; to be honest you’re spoilt for choice with pizzas, pastas, burgers, schnitzels, salads, pub favourites and beef or pork from the grill. There are Riverine premium steaks available which can be paired with a range of sauces and sides, as well as a glass of Australian wine or pint of craft beer. On Tuesdays and Thursdays there are standing poker games and on Fridays the Southgate Inn facilitates a meat raffle to support local sports clubs. Super Saturday can be a big one with Summer Race Days, Squizzy’s Punt and another round of raffles.

16a Kent Street | Tamworth NSW 2340 | (02) 6765 7999 | Website | Facebook | Instagram | Monday to Saturday 10.00am–2.00am | Sunday 10.00am–12.00am

Joe Maguires Pub

After taking a stroll down Peel Street and through Viaduct Park, why not head to Joe Maguires for a cold pint and hearty meal? Little ones can enjoy the kids’ play area while the adults sit back and relax with the help of their cheerful staff. The menu is a mixture of classic pub meals, signature creations and seasonal dishes. You could try Joe’s Burger, order the Pie of the Day or tuck into a schnitzel accompanied by one of four toppers; The Parmi, Prawn Topper, The Club House or The Aussie. There’s also a special kids’ menu and on Monday nights they can eat for free! At Joe’s their Happy Hour is Monday to Friday from 4pm to 6pm, with specials on tap beers, house wines and house spirits. On Friday nights there are also meat trays and schooners being raffled off by the Tamworth Truck Driver’s Club, while Saturday evening and Sunday arvo are all about the live music.

148 Peel Street | Tamworth NSW 2340 | (02) 6766 2114 | Website | Facebook | Instagram | Monday to Saturday 10.00am–12.00am | Sunday 10.00am–10.00pm 

The Courthouse Hotel

Founded in 1876, The Courthouse Hotel is one of the oldest pubs in Tamworth. This local institution tries to source as many ingredients from local producers as they can and their beef comes from premium Australian providers, including Jack’s Creek. Open for lunch and dinner, you can select from a full meal or light bar fare. On the bar fare menu there’s a gourmet honey baked brie, crispy pork belly bites and arancini that you’ll need to check the specials board to find out more. For something bigger, why not give the American cheeseburger, confit duck pizza or housemade bourbon BBQ ribs a try. There are Golden Hour specials twice a day from Monday to Friday and Golden Cocktail deals on Friday and Saturday, ending shortly before the live music starts. Tuesday is Trivia Night, Sunday boasts a spit roast and twice a week kids eat half price. With so much going on you might have to visit The Courthouse Hotel more than once!

240 Peel Street | Tamworth NSW 2340 | (02) 6766 1517 | Website | Facebook | Instagram | Monday to Thursday 10.00am–12.00pm | Friday to Saturday 10.00am–2.00am | Sunday 11.00am–10.00pm

The Post Office Hotel

Around the corner from Tamworth’s main street is the Post Office Hotel. It’s not the biggest pub in town but the helpful staff, great tasting food and welcoming atmosphere keep people coming back. The menu keeps things simple with a choice of small dishes, salads, burgers and pub classics. Tuck into a Kimberly beef steak, chicken Parmy, chickpea burger or some grilled fish, and if you want the pub are happy to add bacon, onion rings, lamb cutlet or extra schnitzel to your meal. There’s a weekday Happy Hour from 4.30pm to 6pm to enjoy with specials on house wines and schooners. Trivia Night is Wednesday, raffles happen on Friday and there’s a pool competition on Saturday. The Post Office Hotel also runs special events like their Retro Party, Night Club Party and Hats Off to Country Festival songwriter showcase.

8 Fitzroy Street | Tamworth NSW 2340 | (02) 6761 3322 | Facebook | Instagram | Monday to Friday 10.00am–10.00pm | Saturday 11.00am–12.00am

The Pub

With its name alone, The Pub is pretty clear with what it’s all about. It’s somewhere you can reliably head to for a cold beer and decent feed, with a menu that has something for everyone. Alongside the pub classics, you’ll find a few dishes The Pub has made its own. To start, there’s The Pub Platter which is a compilation of many of the warm dishes they serve for entree including prawn cutlets and chicken kiev balls. For mains there’s a Pot Pie of the Day made with the Chef’s own filling, housemade chicken schnitzel and the Big Bill Burger featuring Hells Bells Sauce. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays just before lunch you can join in on Bingo, while their meat raffle takes place on Friday. Sunday is all about fish and chips with deals on barramundi, snapper, flathead and hoki. The Pub also runs special events like their Woodchop Competition and Christmas in July set menu.

99 Gunnedah Road | Tamworth NSW 2340 | (02) 6765 5655 | Website | Facebook | Instagram | Monday to Sunday 10.00am–12.00am