The Mercantile Hotel
25 George St
The Rocks, Sydney
The Mercantile Hotel proudly tells you that it's the oldest Irish pub in Sydney. It's location alone doesn't hurt - right on George St in the middle of The Rocks - but it's food also gets strong reviews too.
It's a sprawling place with several tiered levels and plenty of separate rooms. For us, the crowning glory was the long row of outside tables to soak up the sun, people watch, sip a brew and enjoy a meal. Outside tables on a sunny day would be hard to resist here.
As it was already beer-o'clock we obliged and ordered some chilled fluids. As it was an Irish pub, Mlady gladly had a Guinness. When "beering"she always opts for dark beer but there's no doubt Guinness is a favourite. Sir bucked the Irish influences and had a frosty Heineken. Cousin A, completing our group, had his obligatory coffee.
Thirsts starting to quench, we moved on to choosing lunch from the menu. You order inside here.
The Merc Burger sounded ideal - grilled meat patty, cheese, tomato, mixed leaves, onion jam and chipotle aioli - and was Mlady's choice. It was a hearty and came with a side of golden chips too.
Cousin A steered towards healthy and had the Mediterranean Chicken Salad - sundried tomatoes, olives, feta, toasted pine nuts, onion, carrot and cucumber with leaves and house dressing. There was plenty of tender chicken and he particularly liked the dressing.
Sirs love of pastry resulted in him having The Shamrock Pie - their signature steak and Guinness pie encased in light buttery pastry with mash and mushy peas. It was a huge meal - but he valiantly finished it all.
The lunch at The Mercantile Hotel was very tasty. Sitting out the front in the afternoon sunshine watching the world go by at The Rocks was even better!