Is this the most expensive chicken schnitzel in Sydney?

• After seeing a $36 chicken schnitzel (without fries) on the menu at The Paddington, we decided to check out the state of schnitzel prices in Sydney.
• We collected data from 57 pubs and bars across Sydney and calculated an average chicken schnitzel price.
• We also found the best chicken schnitzel deals in Sydney, including where to get a $10 schnitty and chips.

A chicken schnitzel is a staple in any Aussie bar or bistro. This golden, crispy breaded chicken cutlet is typically served with a side of hot chips and maybe some veggies in the form of a salad or coleslaw. On the side, you might have gravy or just a dollop of ketchup or mayo. It’s simple and fuss-free, which is why I was surprised to see it going for $36 at one Merivale venue.

The Paddington is renowned for its succulent rotisserie chicken and refined take on classic pub classics. However, the $36 chicken schnitzel on their Winter menu is a bit of an eyesore. It’s an extra $15 for skin-on fries. So for fries and a schnitty, you’d be looking at $51.

A Merivale representative stated that the schnitzel is “made with the best quality ingredients, which really makes it stand out” and that the dish features “a 250g panko and herb-crumbed chicken breast, served with a brown butter sauce made with lemon, Colatura di Alici (Italian fish sauce) and chilli, alongside seasonal greens such as zucchini flowers and cimi di rapa.”

Granted, this schnitty is a step up from the usual chips-and-salad combo. But at the end of the day, a schnitty is still a schnitty. So does the $36 price tag reflect the going rate in Sydney? We investigated.

Sydney schnitzel prices

To get a better idea of chicken schnitzel prices across Sydney, we gathered data from 57 pubs and bars spanning the city. From Western Sydney to the Eastern suburbs, the Northern Beaches to the Shire, we scoured menus for the cheapest and priciest schnittys, and then also checked out the best weekly deals.

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The most expensive

The most expensive chicken schnitzel that I could find in Sydney was from The Paddington. At $36, it beats the second most expensive one that I could find by $5, which was The Newport’s at $31 (also a Merivale venue). Merivale venues collectively had more expensive schnitzels, with The Beresford’s costing $30, and Vic on the Park, the Angel Hotel, and The Dog all costing $29.

In their defence, not all Merivale venues surpass the average Sydney schnitty price. The Wynard Hotel (CBD) and Norton’s (Leichardt) both cost $21, with Queens Hotel in Enmore costing $22. These put them in the cheaper price range.

Schnitty prices were the most expensive in the Eastern suburbs and Inner-city suburbs, with Paddington, Watsons Bay, Coogee, Surry Hills and Bondi all featuring schnittys $28 and over.

The cheapest

The cheapest schnitty we found (no deals included) was at the Eveleigh Hotel, for just $19. Their classic schnitty comes with rosemary gravy, salad and chips, making it a seriously good deal.

Redfern came out on top for budget-friendly schnittys, with both Glengarry Castle Hotel and The Woolpack serving them up for just $21. The Strathfield Hotel, Wynard Hotel, and Norton’s in Leichardt also serve schnittys for $21. Following those with $22 schnittys are The Grand in Bondi Junction and Queens Hotel in Enmore.

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The average price

We calculated the average price of a chicken schnitzel across 57 venues all over Sydney. From all our schnitty stats, the resulting figure was $26.07.

Rising costs

The price of a schnitty continues to divide Sydneysiders. A couple of years ago, a Bowls Club in Five Dock caused outrage after it emerged that they charged $28 for a schnitty with a side of vegetables, and an extra $8.90 for chips.

It doesn’t help that prices have risen steeply over the past few years. Yahoo Lifestyle reporter Tahlia Pritchard reminisced about a time when a schnitty would cost only $7.50, back in 2010. With rising costs of produce, utilities and operating prices, patrons are hiking up prices on menus to keep up.

All is not lost, however. The best way to score a cheaper schnitty, besides steering clear of pricey Merivale venues, is to hit up pubs during special deal times.

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How you can score a $10 schnitzel

Luckily for Sydneysiders, a chicken schnitty night is a common occurrence in most pubs. Many venues offer discounted schnitzels on select days, making it the best time to grab one.

The best deal we found? Lord Dudley Hotel’s $10 schnitty and fries, available for both lunch and dinner every Monday. It’s an especially impressive offer given the pub’s location, just a 13-minute walk from The Paddington, but a full $26 cheaper. For a venue in one of Sydney’s most affluent suburbs, this deal seriously stands out.

Other great deals (all $18 and under) include:

• Sanctuary Hotel (CBD): $10 schnitty on Wednesdays from 6:30pm-9pm with a beverage purchase.
• Glengarry Castle Hotel (Redfern): $12 lunch special schnitty with chips, gravy and a small salad.
• Oxford Hotel (Darlinghurst): $15 on Wednesday from 5pm.
• The Balmain (Balmain): $15 on Wednesday, 12pm-9pm.
• Bankstown Hotel (Bankstown): $16 on Wednesday, 5pm-9pm.
• Clovelly Hotel (Clovelly): $17 on Thursday, 5pm-9pm.
• Lord Gladstone (Chippendale): $18 on Tuesday, 5pm-9pm.
• Rose and Crown (Parramatta): $18 with any drink purchase on Thursdays.
• Doncaster Hotel (Randwick): $18 on Wednesday, 5pm-9pm.
• Glebe Hotel (Glebe): $18 and free trivia on Wednesday, 5pm-9pm.

Cover Image Credits: Instagram @jas_delicacies