the east coast is renowned for good food and even better wine! As most of our guests visit the entire coast, we have collated our local recommendations that we provide to friends + family visiting. We recommend booking ahead. 

ST HELENS / BINALONG BAY / BEAUMARIS / PRIORY RIDGE / PYENGANA 

  • the Wharf bar and kitchen: Stan and Issy manage this beautiful waterfront restaurant where you'll find seasonal local produce and plenty of seafood options. Open lunch + dinner. 
  • Parkside bar and kitchen: think up-market pub dinner this place is a staple of St Helens. Their house made pizzas are amazing. Take-away available. Open lunch + dinner
  • The SOCIAL tasmania: our mates provide the grooviest outdoor eatery on the east coast. Weekly food trucks + their iconic menu are a welcomed addition to St Helens. Open arvo drinks + dinner. Closed during winter.
  • East Coast Village Providore: the perfect spot to pick up dinner for night in or seated breakfast + lunch. Premium meat, local cheese + condiments for the best cheese platter, + veg and Tasmanian wines. Theresa is wonderful and only sources the best.
  • Lifebuoy Café: it's not a trip to St Helens without a visit to Lifebuoy for breakfast/lunch. It's a spot for everyone: locals, shackies and visitors. Book ahead is recommended. Open breakfast + lunch 
  • Saturday markets: fresh local produce can be found at the Saturday markets which is often held at the town hall on the main street. We often find some cool treasures there too!
  • Meresta Eatery: the best view on the east coast. Our family normally heads here every Sunday for brunch. Open lunch + dinner. Breakfast available during school holidays. Bookings recommended.
  • Surfside Beaumaris: the best burgers in Tassie with an awesome view of Beaumaris beach. They also source local beers, wines and produce. Open lunch + dinner. 
  • Skippers: the big blue boat at the St Helens Wharf offers the best takeaway seafood. Sourced by themselves too, it really is a ocean to plate experience. Open lunch + dinner. 
  • Priory Ridge Wines: Julie and David are icons in St Helens and their wines are pretty spectacular. Their cellar door was recently awarded the Best Small Cellar Door (Northern Tasmania) by Gourmet Traveller's Australia's Best Cellar Door Awards 2021. Visit their website for seasonal cellar door hours.
  • The Pub in the Paddock: The perfect day trip is to head up to Pyengana and visit our friends Jennifer and Walter who have recently purchased this pub and have some exciting expansion in the pipeline. Also referred to as the oldest Tasmania pub, this is a must. Open lunch + dinner. 
  • Pyengana Dairy + Café: Our mate Rich leases the Pyengana Dairy producing the creamiest milk in Tasmania. The farm has an automated dairy operation + beautiful café overlooking the lush pastures of Pyengana. Awesome ice cream too!

BICHENO / SWANSEA 

  • Little Bay Patisserie: This golden gem offers the best pastries this side of Hobart & Launceston. Perfect for a quick pit stop in Bicheno and not far for a stroll on the beach. 
  • The Lobster Shack: Sarah's focus on ocean to plate experience is shown in her developing the Lobster Shack which has some of the freshest fish around! Open lunch + dinner.
  • Waubs Harbour Whisky: Recently opened and already making a name for themselves, this distillery, in Bicheno, has the best view for whisky sipping. 
  • The Waterloo: Our favourite restaurant to visit along the coast. An unassuming building in Swansea with the best views + meals. Thanking our lucky stars for this gem! Open lunch + dinner. Booking essential. 
  • Piermont: A staple just south of Swansea. Remarkable buildings, views and food. Open lunch + dinner. Booking essential. 
  • Mayfield Estate: our lovely mates, Jo + Bruce, have built the beautiful cellar door just south of Swansea at Mayfield Estate. Like the view, their wines are second to none. Open lunch. Check on their socials for seasonal food offerings.
  • Craigie Knowe: we didn't know Tassie could produce deep red wine until we had Craigie Knowe's. A beautiful cellar door with wood-fired pizzas (seasonal). Best to check their socials. Open lunch. 

GENERAL SUPPLIES

We are very lucky to have some amazing local stores that source locally, providing you with the freshest and best quality food.

The East Coast Village Providore

Our dear friend Theresa sources Tasmanian produce providing local meats (including Cape Grim Beef), dry-aged beef, pasta, wines, veg and cheeses + condiments. This is our top recommendation if you want to dine in at the Stables yet still get that local experience.

The Tasmania Shop

Has a huge selection of Tasmanian wines, beers, cheeses and spirits. They also provide delicious Van Diemen's Land ice cream perfect for a hot (or cold) day.

Other stores available for produce:

  • The local IGAs in St Helens + St Marys
  • Bottle-O St Helens (family run)