Uralla’s Top Pub, named both for its hilltop location in the main street and its reputation for quality service, is an institution of the Uralla community. Their reputation for consistently high-quality meals and customer service has spread throughout the New England and beyond simply by word of mouth.
Despite the popularity the Top Pub enjoys, owners the Campbell family remain remarkably humble and understated in their approach. The Top Pub are a family in every sense of the word – they are a close-knit unit who enjoy working together to provide a great experience for their patrons.
It was an absolute privilege to be invited to have a quiet chat with owner Leigh Campbell and Manager Charlie Ruttanachote about their philosophy behind the ever-increasing popularity of the Top Pub.
What do you love about running the Top Pub in Uralla?
“For over 30 years, my beautiful late husband and I have always felt very privileged to be a part of the Uralla Community,” said Ms Campbell.
“We can only thank our beautiful staff, past and present, who have made the Top Pub family, the locals, and the patrons that come from near and far. These amazing people are what makes us love what we do.”
“It is so lovely to work alongside my son Jack and my daughter Ruby, who is now licensee, as well as Charlie who works alongside us as manager. We feel very grateful for everything and everyone.”
Why do you believe the Top Pub has such a great reputation across the whole of the New England?
“We have always had the mantra “Top Pub Everybody’s Pub” and that has truly been our belief,” Ms Campbell said.
“To create an atmosphere where everyone is welcome to come, enjoy and make themselves at home. To have a menu that would please people with fresh ingredients and no short cuts.”
“All our sauces are made to order from scratch for each meal, our desserts are all made in the Top Pub kitchen. We keep the same menu but can also have up to 4 specials each day as well.”
“The food is made with love, that is the special ingredient.”
What is your secret to running a consistently high-performing establishment?
“There is no ‘secret’, but surrounding ourselves with the amazing people that each have an integral personal touch in what they do in the pub is so important – from the cleaning, cooking, serving, the office, the beautiful patrons, as well as the amazing local businesses that supply and support the Top Pub,” said Ms Campbell
“This is the reason why we see the Top Pub as Everybody’s Pub”
The Top Pub Family (L-R): Emily, Leigh, Jack, Ruby, Barb, Chrissy, Hayley, Charlie, Tom, Dan, Jane, Art, Ying, Bee, Kath, Noochie, Yuth, Manee, Paak, and Katie
The Top Pub is located at 23 Bridge St Uralla, open 7-days a week for lunch and dinner.
Uralla’s Top Pub was voted by New England Times readers as the Best Pub in the New England 2024.
See the other winners and more details about this promotion.