Binalong is a small town on the Burley Griffin Way, about 30 minutes from Yass and a short detour off the Hume Highway. Weekend lunch here is a proper sit-down meal, and at Motel Royal Tara we open the dining room on Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 3pm. The one thing to know before you set out is that this service runs by booking only. A quick phone call or WhatsApp message ahead of time is what puts a table aside for you.
That single detail shapes how the afternoon goes. Instead of arriving and hoping, you pick a time, we hold a table, and the kitchen knows what it is cooking for. It works for locals planning a relaxed family lunch and for travellers who want a guaranteed stop on a long drive.
Why Weekend Lunch Is Booking Only
A country dining room with a small team runs best when the numbers are known. Bookings let us set the room, time the service and look after each table properly rather than stretching across a rush. The room is fully air-conditioned and seats up to 50, so there is genuine space between tables, and larger groups can be seated together when you tell us in advance.
It also means dietary needs are easier to handle. If someone in your group eats gluten free, mention it when you book and we can point you in the right direction on the menu before you arrive. No prices are listed here, and the simplest way to plan is to call and talk it through.
How to Book Your Table
Booking takes a minute. Call us on 02 6227 4310, or send a WhatsApp message to 0426 428 501 if that is easier from your phone. We are at 27 Stephens Street, Binalong NSW 2584.
When you get in touch, have these details ready:
- The day, either Saturday or Sunday
- A time between 11am and 3pm
- How many people are in your group
- Any dietary requirements, including gluten free
- A contact number in case anything changes
Weekend lunch is a daytime service, so if you are after an evening meal, our dinner trade runs every day except Wednesday. If you would like to see the full menu before deciding, have a look at our dining page.
What You Can Order for Lunch
Lunch comes off our à la carte menu, which means you order exactly what you feel like rather than working around a set lineup. The range runs from classic pub style plates to Indian dishes cooked with care, and there is enough variety that a table of four with different tastes will all find something.
Burgers, Pizza and Fish and Chips
These are the straightforward, crowd-pleasing options. Burgers come with chips, so nobody at the table is left ordering sides separately. Pizzas suit a shared approach when a group wants to graze rather than commit to one plate each. Fish and chips is the kind of lunch that works just as well after a morning in the car as it does on a lazy Sunday at home.
Schnitzel, Parmigiana and Signature Steaks
Chicken schnitzel and parmigiana sit alongside our signature steaks as the heartier end of the menu. These suit a proper sit-down lunch rather than a quick stop. Steaks are a long-standing part of what we do, and they fit neatly with the licensed side of the restaurant if you would like a drink with your meal.
Curries and Hyderabadi Dum Biryanis
Indian curries and Hyderabadi dum biryanis give the lunch menu a depth you would not necessarily expect from a country motel dining room. The biryanis are layered and slow cooked in the traditional dum style, which makes them a satisfying choice for a weekend lunch that carries you through to dinner. They also travel well as a shared dish if your table likes to swap tastes.
Breakfast-Style Dishes at Lunchtime
Not everyone wants a heavy midday meal, and weekend lunch is the ideal time to eat breakfast food. Eggs on toast, Eggs Benedict and a BLT are all available, which is handy for late risers, for children, and for anyone who simply prefers lighter food in the middle of the day.
Desserts
Dessert is kept simple and inclusive. Gluten-free cakes mean diners who usually skip the sweet course can order something, and gulab jamun adds an Indian finish for anyone who wants to round off a curry or biryani properly.
Licensed and BYO
We are both licensed and BYO, which gives you a choice rather than a rule. You can order from us, or bring your own bottle to have with lunch. For groups, this flexibility tends to make planning easier, particularly when everyone has a different preference. If you are unsure how it works for your booking, ask when you call and we will explain before you arrive.
Easy to Reach from Yass, Harden, Boorowa and Galong
Binalong sits within comfortable reach of several nearby towns, and plenty of our weekend lunch guests drive in from around the district. Yass is about 30 minutes away, and Harden, Boorowa and Galong are all close enough for a weekend run. The drive itself is part of the appeal, particularly in a good season when the countryside is worth looking at.
For anyone who would rather not drive home afterwards, we have 20 rooms on site. All are ground floor, non-smoking and come with a private parking space at the door, with room for trailers, utes and work vehicles. Each room has an ensuite, reverse-cycle air conditioning, an electric blanket, WiFi, a TV, a kitchenette, tea and coffee facilities, an iron and daily housekeeping. Room types include Family, which sleeps four with a queen and two singles, plus Triple, Queen and Twin. Check-in is from 1pm and check-out is 10am.
A Convenient Stop for Travellers
Binalong is a short detour off the Hume Highway, which makes it a practical lunch stop for anyone driving between Sydney, Canberra and the Riverina. Instead of pulling into a busy roadhouse, you can turn off, park easily and sit down to a proper meal in a quiet town. Booking ahead matters here, because turning up without one on a Saturday or Sunday means we may not be able to seat you.
Travellers working in the region also use us midweek, and you can read more about that on our corporate stays page. If you are planning a longer stay, our Binalong accommodation page covers the rooms in more detail, and things to do has ideas for filling the rest of your weekend.
Making a Weekend of It
The best version of a Binalong weekend is unhurried. Arrive on Saturday morning, check in from 1pm if you are staying, and book lunch for a time that suits your travel. Sunday follows the same pattern, with lunch available from 11am to 3pm. A buffet breakfast is also available from 7:30am to 9:30am by booking, so guests can start the day properly before heading out. Whether you are local or just passing through, booking lunch in advance is the one step that makes the rest of the day simple.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to book for weekend lunch in Binalong?
Yes. Weekend lunch at Motel Royal Tara is by booking only, so we cannot seat walk-in guests on Saturday or Sunday. Call 02 6227 4310 or send a WhatsApp message to 0426 428 501 with your preferred time, group size and any dietary requirements, and we will confirm your table before you travel.
What time is weekend lunch served?
Lunch runs from 11am to 3pm on both Saturday and Sunday. These are the only days we serve lunch, so if you are in town during the week, plan around dinner instead, which we serve every day except Wednesday. Booking a time inside that window is essential.
Is the restaurant licensed or can we bring our own drinks?
It is both. Our restaurant is licensed and BYO, so you can order drinks from us or bring your own bottle to enjoy with your meal. If you are unsure what suits your booking, ask when you call and we will walk you through it before the day.
Are there gluten-free options for lunch?
Yes. We keep gluten-free cakes available for dessert, and it is worth telling us about any dietary requirements when you book so we can guide you through the menu ahead of time. Mention it for the whole group if several people are affected, and we will make sure the kitchen knows.
Where exactly is Motel Royal Tara?
We are at 27 Stephens Street, Binalong NSW 2584, about 30 minutes from Yass on the Burley Griffin Way and a short detour off the Hume Highway. Parking is straightforward, with a private space at the door of every ground floor room for guests staying overnight.
For best rates call or book us online from our website.
