The Republic

The Republic opened in September 2014 on Quang An, the strip of bars and cafés along the eastern edge of West Lake. It spreads over three levels: a ground-floor bar, a second-floor terrace with a retractable roof looking out over the water, and a third-floor private bar taken for parties of 10 to 50.

The menu is pub-led and served from breakfast onwards. English breakfast is on the menu, fish and chips is a regular recommendation in reviews, and Sunday brings roast dinners with Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes and gravy. Vegetarian options are available.

Sport is a big draw. Screens cover the Premier League, AFL, NRL, rugby union and NBA, and it is one of the Tay Ho venues Aussies use for AFL. Drinks are pricier than local bia hoi, but the lake views help. It opens at 10am on weekdays and 8am at weekends, closing at midnight.