Dudley has to be one of Newcastle’s most beautiful suburbs, with its lush bushland, stunning homes, and pristine beach. Locals have known it for years, of course, but we like to metaphorically shout from the rooftops about this lovely coastal suburb when we get the chance.

In case you didn’t already have enough reasons to hang out in Dudley, there’s a venue that’s been drawing a crowd in this laid back locale since 1892 – the Royal Crown Hotel, or as everyone knows it, Dudley pub.

While we’re very fond of its chilled out feel and excellent beer garden, the pub’s menu alone is worth the drive to Dudley.

Brought to you by the guys from Coal and Cedar, the hotel has just dropped a new menu, and it has to be one of the most unique (and delicious) pub menus in town.

The pièce de résistance? The entire page of Japanese cuisine, ranging from small to large plates, and even including a raw bar.

During the pandemic, the pub trialled a number of different cuisines for its food offering and Japanese proved to be the most popular, so it made sense to bring it back as a permanent fixture on the menu.

Start off with a bite from the raw bar – the seafood on offer includes tuna, yellowtail, seared octopus, and horse mackerel, all served with yuzu ponzu sauce, wasabi, pickled ginger, and radish salad.

The selection of small plates boasts traditional Japanese ingredients fused with flavours from across the Asian continent. Think chicken karaage with Japanese mayo and lemon, steamed vegetable gyozas with yuzu ponzu and chilli oil, and pork belly bao buns with chilli caramel, cucumber kimchi, lettuce, and chipotle mayo.

Feeling really hungry? Make sure you order from the large plates, with dishes like okonomiyaki, nabeyaki udon, and miso beer-braised beef short rib all making an appearance. 

There’s spice and umami aplenty, and the menu offers so many ways to mix and match dishes depending on your cravings and your company.

Not in the mood for Japanese? You can still get your pub classics at the Dudley pub – think panko-crumbed schnitzels, British-style fish and chips, and Angus rump steak – plus a selection of burgers including a hot honey chicken burger and Mexican-style jackfruit burger for the vegetarians. 

With the cool weather firmly upon us, Sunday roasts are making a comeback into our dining rotation. When the cravings hit, head to the Royal Crown on a Sunday, where the team are slinging roasts until they sell out.

The guys have done an awesome job at bringing quality food and old school pub hospitality back to the Royal Crown Hotel, and whilst it may not be on your regular route, this watering hole should be your next stop when you want to expand your dining horizons.