From her plinth in Victoria Square, Good Queen Vic will be casting a hungry and thirsty eye to The Victoria Free House, which has turned on its beer taps and fired up its ovens.

Previously home to The Permit Room Indian restaurant, the busy street corner’s new  tenant specialises in ‘Craft Beer & British Fare’. The menu nods to tradition with smoked fish pie, also steak tartare and cured egg yolk served in a Yorkshire pudding. Tastes a bit more 21st century? Try fried cauliflower with curry mayo, leek yoghurt and pickled onion. To wet her whistle, Queen Victoria could choose from traditional ales, a select list of wines and a menu of classic cocktails.

thevictoriafreehouse.co.nz