Bridgetown Pottery-Restaurant — Restaurant in Bridgetown

I’m a solo traveller, from not too far away in this case (Perth) and relatively young in the face. But never in my lone travels, from New York to Hanoi to London to Edinburgh to Kuala Lumpur or even Margaret River have I had as welcoming an experience as that which I had at Bridgetown Pottery-Restaurant.

The fact that this restaurant exists, and delivers what is honest and surprisingly wonderful food, is only in part testament to the area in which it sits. The Blackwood Valley region is known historically for its artisanship - Bridgetown Pottery-Restaurant is in some ways an exemplification of that (an oral history to come, this is not necessarily to be taken as fact, but my understanding based on conversation). This is a 35-year plus institution, and for many years it was a venue in which the pottery of co-owner Bevan was the focus - food was once a side business, serving amazing scones and tea (both remain) along with the venue's flagship pottery. The giving-out of kilns, a changed appetite for locally-made pottery and an evident flair for fantastic flavour combinations by Bevan’s partner-in-crime Pip would come to transform this venue. This is a restaurant now. A damn fine one.

The uniqueness and beauty in what this now-restaurant has become has nothing to do with Bridgetown or a river or a region broadly and everything to do with the owners. Having popped in and booked earlier in the day, I arrived alone on the night of my meal and was immediately greeted by my own name, with a seat by the window in an eclectic, homely and friendly setting. I was welcomed, as were big groups and couples and all between. Everything I know about this venue aside from that observed has been gleaned from conversation with Bevan himself, not read on walls or menus or shoved in my face - I could just have easily and comfortably sat in silence and eaten. I have before, but straight up didn’t want to here. Travelling solo. It was particularly homely. I’ve walked away wanting to write a review - I don’t do that often.

The food, in all likelihood why you're reading, was phenomenal. The menu was share plates on the night I ate, and each was straight-up perfect. Pip is an artisan in her own right, and I’m told the menu regularly changes to meet the needs of artist and consumer. I recommend the hush puppies (not shoes) - so light for a dish with dense potential - and the beef carpaccio I ate was among the best I’ve ever had. I’m no cow and I only have one stomach, regrettably, but all food looked wonderful - I can’t recommend this place enough. For anyone chasing an interesting, well thought out and expertly executed meal in Bridgetown, this is the spot.

Honestly. It put the previous night’s pub meal to shame.

Some tips: Book a table - Art, be it produced in a kiln or kitchen, cannot be forced. If you can, give the team a heads up so they can serve you as best as they can and pay attention to open hours.

BYO - yeah. I know. How good.

Respect the surrounds - Travel folk, it’s not Nobu or Rockpool or that first restaurant from the movie Ratatouille where the rat makes the food in secret, and it doesn’t want to be. That’s a big part of the beauty of it.

Verdict: more than a meal, to be honest. I’d drive three hours for the experience again. If I can find one, next time I’ll...

We've visited this restaurant for many years and we adore it.

The owners Pip and Bevan are lovely, welcoming, down to earth people and if you want to know more about Bridgetown they are the people to talk to. The service is brilliant.

Where to start about the food? It's absolutely glorious.

The homemade sausage rolls, mock chicken sandwiches and scones are my go to foods and are so delicious. This is the place to eat and the best food I've eaten. The variety of dishes is excellent.

Pip catered my wedding and even now ten years after people still mention the amazing food especially the potato salad!

My family also recently held Mum's beautiful memorial party on the grounds catered by Pip and Bevan. It was the first place my Dad thought of.

The atmosphere here is so relaxed and welcoming to everyone and the grounds are one of my favourite places to be. You can feel that the whole business and grounds has grown over time with love, care and joy.

If you need a place to have a party, wedding or even a wake/memorial this is the place.

There is a shaded area down by the creek surrounded by large trees ànd a huge willow tree as a feature and chairs can be set up in the shade. It can fit a huge number of people comfortably and there is so much seating available.

Pip and Bevan organised serving and bar staff for us and they were so professional!

The venue is BYO so we could bring the cartons of soft drink, water, ice and alcohol which makes any event more affordable.

The tables (complete with white tableclothes), napkins, hot water urn, chairs, eskies, ice buckets, speakers, food and so much more was all set up for us when we arrived which was a lovely surprise.

The prices both in the restaurant and for catering are very affordable too.

I cannot say enough about how much I love this place or recommend it enough.

Thank you Pip and Bevan for all you did for our family, we are...

We were really privileged to have dinner at the Pottery Restaurant last week. Firstly because, to use a much-abused word - but correctly - it is a unique place. One of the oldest buildings in Bridgetown, accommodating a business owned by Pip and Bevan for 38 years who still live on-site, that has transitioned from pottery to art gallery and tearooms to highly rated restaurant. The 12-course “feed me” dinner last Friday was superb; a sort of country style degustation but without that any of the pretention or the high price that comes with city degustations. Indeed, we are still incredulous at the price – just $45 a head for thoughtfully chosen, beautifully cooked and presented food. Courses ranged from home baked bread with dukkha to grilled prawns, from lamb cutlets to cabbage rolls, capped off with a plate of mixed desserts. Surrounded by old photos and historic bric-a-brac, with a full house of mainly locals all enjoying the same courses at the same time, it was a really special,...