The Riverina Hotel, operating since 1851, is the oldest pub in Wagga Wagga and still draws locals with its bistro-style meals and cold beer. But Wagga’s pub food scene extends well beyond that historic bar — from craft breweries serving pizzas to heritage-listed hotels with menus touted as “one of the best”. This article compares the venues most frequently mentioned by locals and visitors, using publicly available ratings, editorial guides and official claims to help you decide where to eat dinner in Wagga Wagga. (Riverina Hotel official site)
Last checked: 2026-05-24
Riverina Hotel: Wagga’s oldest pub (since 1851), country hospitality, great food and cold beer · Romano’s Hotel: Menu considered one of the best in Wagga, good food is the centrepiece · Thirsty Crow Brewing Co: 4.1/5 on Tripadvisor, 206 reviews, craft brewery and pub · Union Club Bistro & Steak House: 3.9/5 on Tripadvisor, 93 reviews, known for steak
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-05-24.
Sources reviewed: official pub websites, TripAdvisor reviews, Australian Traveller editorial guide, Australian Good Food Guide (AGFG), Visit Wagga Wagga tourism site, Localsearch directory, and a local Facebook group.
No on-site visit, no staff interview, and no independent price verification were conducted. The publicly available data carries variable confidence; TripAdvisor scores, for instance, are user-generated and may shift over time. Ratings reflect publicly available data as of the last check date.
Key facts at a glance
- Wagga’s oldest operating pub, established 1851 (Riverina Hotel)
- States its menu “is one of the best you’ll find in Wagga” (Romano’s Hotel)
- Listed as a “Pub Food” venue by the Australian Good Food Guide (AGFG Wagga Wagga)
- Categorised as “Pub Food” in the same AGFG regional directory (AGFG Wagga Wagga)
What is the oldest pub in Wagga?
The Riverina Hotel – known locally as “The Riv” – has been serving patrons since 1851, making it the oldest continuously operating pub in Wagga Wagga. Its website emphasises “traditional country hospitality, great food and cold beer”, and it remains a popular choice for both meals and a cold drink. (Riverina Hotel)
The Australian Traveller’s guide to Wagga pubs also includes The Riv as one of seven recommended venues, noting its bistro-style menu as part of the draw. (Australian Traveller)
The bottom line: For history and simple country hospitality, the Riverina Hotel is Wagga’s definitive choice. No other pub comes close in age.
Where to eat dinner in Wagga?
For visitors looking for a sit-down dinner in a pub atmosphere, three venues consistently appear in both editorial reviews and diner ratings. Thirsty Crow Brewing Co. shows a 4.1‑star rating on TripAdvisor based on 206 reviews as of October 2023, making it the highest-rated pub-style venue on that platform according to publicly available data. (TripAdvisor Wagga Wagga restaurants) The Union Club Bistro & Steak House follows with 3.9 stars across 93 reviews, and is noted by the Australian Good Food Guide as a pub-food destination. (AGFG Wagga Wagga)
Romano’s Hotel, meanwhile, pitches itself as having “one of the best” menus in Wagga, and its heritage-listed CBD location is mentioned in several editorial round-ups. (Romano’s Hotel; Australian Traveller) A single TripAdvisor review from July 2021 specifically praised the chicken parmigiana at Palm & Pawn Hotel in North Wagga, though that venue has fewer cumulative reviews. (TripAdvisor Palm & Pawn review)
“A grade Parmy … well worth the trip over the river.”
– TripAdvisor review of Palm & Pawn, July 2021
Because Wagga’s top-rated restaurants overall include non-pub venues like Magpies Nest and Thaigga, a dedicated pub comparison is necessary: the table below shows only pub-style venues. (AGFG Wagga Wagga)
The pattern: Thirsty Crow leads in aggregate online approval, but Union Club and Romano’s both have food-focused reputations. Your choice may depend on what kind of experience you prefer: craft beer (Thirsty Crow), steak (Union Club), or a heritage dining room (Romano’s).
What are the best pubs in Wagga?
A broader look at pub recommendations reveals a mix of established favourites. A local Facebook group – the Australian Pubs community – has highlighted Sportsmans and Turvey Park as top venues, though these were not part of the online rating comparisons used for this article. (Localsearch Wagga pubs directory) Among the more reviewed pubs, Thirsty Crow, Union Club, and Romano’s dominate editorial guides. The Australian Traveller’s list of seven Wagga pubs includes all three, plus The Victoria Hotel on Baylis Street and the Riverina Hotel. (Australian Traveller)
The same guide describes Romano’s as “heritage-listed” and a “key stop” for any pub crawl, while Thirsty Crow is noted for its craft beer and casual food. (Australian Traveller)
What this means: “Best” depends on what you prioritise – historical depth, food quality, or a lively brewpub atmosphere. For a balanced overview, the comparison table below summarises the four most frequently named venues.
Comparison of top Wagga pubs for food
| Pub Name | Average Rating (TripAdvisor) | Number of Reviews | Notable Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverina Hotel | N/A – no recent TripAdvisor rating available | N/A | Oldest pub in Wagga (since 1851) |
| Romano’s Hotel | N/A – no recent TripAdvisor rating available | N/A | Claims “one of the best” menus in Wagga |
| Thirsty Crow Brewing Co. | 4.1 stars | 206 | Craft brewery and pizza/burger menu |
| Union Club Bistro & Steak House | 3.9 stars | 93 | Known for steak; AGFG “pub food” listing |
Rating data for Thirsty Crow and Union Club sourced from TripAdvisor as of October 2023.
Where to find the best food in Wagga?
When the question narrows to food quality alone, the evidence points in two directions. Romano’s Hotel makes the strongest self-claim: its website states that “good food is the centrepiece of any pub, and our menu is one of the best you’ll find in Wagga”. (Romano’s Hotel) While this is a promotional statement, it signals a deliberate investment in the kitchen.
Thirsty Crow, on the other hand, earns a 4.1‑star rating from 206 diner reviews on TripAdvisor, many of which highlight the food as well as the beer. (TripAdvisor) The Union Club is noted for steak, and its AGFG listing under “Pub Food” reinforces that its bistro menu is a credible option. (AGFG)
Review language across platforms suggests that diners at Wagga pubs value portion size, value and “country hospitality” over fine-dining elements. (TripAdvisor) This means the “best” pub food in Wagga is likely to be a hearty, well-prepared classic – steak, schnitzel, parma or burger – rather than avant-garde cuisine.
The trade-off: Romano’s promises a top-tier menu but lacks verified third-party ratings; Thirsty Crow carries a trail of user reviews but leans casual. If you want a venue with a strong base of online feedback, Thirsty Crow appears to be the more documented option.
Our pick: Best pub food in Wagga Wagga
Based on the combination of consistent diner ratings, editorial recognition and food-focused identity, Thirsty Crow Brewing Co. is the top recommendation for visitors seeking the best pub food in Wagga. Its 4.1‑star rating and 206 reviews give it the strongest user‑submitted score among comparable venues, and its craft brewery identity adds a modern twist. For those who prefer a heritage setting with a steak‑centric menu, the Union Club Bistro is a solid alternative. Romano’s Hotel is worth a stop for its central location and food-first marketing, but without third‑party ratings it is harder to benchmark independently. Local residents may also enjoy the Sportsmans or Turvey Park pubs, as noted in Facebook group discussions.
tripadvisor.com
Frequently asked questions
Which Wagga pub has the highest rating on TripAdvisor?
Thirsty Crow Brewing Co. has the highest average rating among Wagga pubs on TripAdvisor, at 4.1 stars from 206 reviews as of October 2023.
Which Wagga pub is known for its steak?
The Union Club Bistro & Steak House is specifically recognised for steak, with a 3.9‑star rating on TripAdvisor and a “Pub Food” listing in the Australian Good Food Guide.
What is the most recommended pub in Wagga on Facebook groups?
Local Facebook groups, such as the Australian Pubs community, have highlighted Sportsmans and Turvey Park as top venues, though these pubs have fewer online ratings than the ones in this comparison.
How many reviews does Thirsty Crow Brewing Co. have on TripAdvisor?
Thirsty Crow has 206 reviews on TripAdvisor as of October 2023.
Is there a brewpub in Wagga?
Yes – Thirsty Crow Brewing Co. is a craft brewery that also serves food, including pizza and burgers, and is listed as a “Pub Food” venue by the Australian Good Food Guide.