Where to Eat & Drink

Tin Dragon Cottages owners, Christine and Graham, are delighted to share their recommendations for where to eat the best meals, food, brews and wine in their region.

Pub meals on black plates and a glass of beer as an example of where to eat near Tin Dragon Cottages. — Excellent local pub meals

Where to Eat in Branxholm

In Branxholm the Imperial Hotel, 5 minutes from Tin Dragon Cottages, provides hearty pub meals. Check out their specials: “Palmy Thursday”. Check dining opening hours-Phone: (03) 6354 6121

The Tuscan Fox BYO serves good value wood-fired home-style pizzas, pasta and salads at night. Closed during the cooler months. Check for opening hour: Mob: 0435 334 851

Tin Timbers Cafe serves up breakfast most mornings from 8:30. Opening hours are variable – you need to phone for details. Mob: 0437 755 483

Seasons Pantry in Branxholm is a short walk from Tin Dragon Cottages. Abbey and Richard sell all Tasmanian produce. Jams, pickles, fresh eggs, bread, chocolates, meats, cheese, wine, beer, coffee, spirits, meals, flour, sea salt, local fresh vegetables and herbs, dried native herbs, tea and juice.

You can also purchase groceries from the IGA supermarket in Branxholm – a short walk from Tin Dragon Cottages. The IGA is open from 7:00 to 18:00 daily.

Two-story Imperial Hotel in Branxholm — Imperial Hotel in Branxholm

What Food is Included in the Accommodation?

Your hosts provide the basics for a brew of tea or coffee, including both leaf tea and ground coffee with stove-top espresso and coffee pod machines (in studio spa cottages)

Th dining table is set for two. There is a casserole meal with vegetables on each plate, a loaf of bread, a bottle of red wine and two wine glasses filled, and a candle. — Eating in house!

Hot pot cooking

For a simple low-fuss meal, why not get the slow cook pot going before you head off for the day? Then, at the end of the day pour a glass of your favourite beverage and enjoy a hot casserole! Each cottage has a slow-cooker along with a simple recipe idea. All ingredients can be purchased from the Branxholm IGA–just 5 minutes away.

Bar-be-Que

There are two wood-fired outdoor bar-be-ques available for all guests– one between the cottages and one down by the river. One wood-fired bar-be-que is available for The Settlers Hut guests, only. There is also a fire pot available near each of these outdoor bar-be-ques.

Gas bar-be-que

For a small fee, a gas-fired bar-be-que is available to each cottage, except the Settlers Hut. Please purchase this option when your book and pay for your reservation.

Where to Eat in Derby

Just 10 minutes down the road in Derby you can enjoy breakfast (from 8:00) and lunch (till 15:00) at Two Doors Down cafe (phone: 0488 463 333). For evening meals you can choose from The Hub-pizza and beer (open Wednesday to Sunday 12:00 to 21:00–all through winter this year!, phone: 0434 445 809, 03 6779 1585) or the Dorset Hotel (open weekdays from 14:00 and weekends from 11:30). LOT 40 Cafe and bar open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and are home to Blue Trail Gin and Tin Valley Brewery (phone: 0490 396 492)

Each of these businesses can be found in the main street.

Three men sitting at an hotel bar being served by a woman — Dorset Hotel

Bay of Fires

Taking a drive to the fabulous Bay of Fires you can stop for a cool cider at the historic Welborough Hotel, then taste award-winning old-style cheddar at the Pyengana Dairy Farmgate cafe.

In St Helens we recommend the East Coast Village Providore (phone: (03) 6376 8922). They sell the fabulous locally grown Pyengana Premium Meats – but you can buy these quality products at the Branxholm IGA! …and if you prefer free-range ethically-raised chicken, then you might also like to try Tasmanian Nichols chicken. Also available at the Branxholm IGA.

Three different bottles of craft brew and a full glass of cold cider — Micro-brew experience

Where to Eat in Scottsdale

In Scottsdale we recommend you stock up with award-winning bread and pastries at The Cottage Bakery (phone: (03) 6352 2273) and have a fabulous fresh coffee at The House Paddock. Why not try out North East Tasmania’s newest brew at Little Rivers Brewing Co (open Wednesday to Sunday mostly from mid-day) opposite the Bakery. You can also purchase from a good selection of local Tasmanian wines and brews at the Scottsdale Liquor Market (phone: (03) 6352 2411) in King St.

Graham pouring sparkling wine into two glasses, with the river in the background — Graham serving up bubbles to Tin Dragon guests

Lebrina Vineyards

Then of course there’s all those remarkable cold-climate Tassie wines. The closest vineyards are near Lebrina and Pipers Brook. Our favourite boutique cool climate wines are at Clover Hill and Brook Eden Vineyard at Lebrina.

Tamar River Vineyards

Download a copy of the Tasmanian wine-tour guide for more information about Tassie wine trails.

Our all-time favourite vineyard is the Swinging Gate Vineyard on the Tamar river. Doug Cox says:

Our old vines are an expression of the delicate landscape and climatic conditions of the premium end of the Tamar Valley. Through minimal intervention and a lot of hard work, we create wines from these grapes that exude the honesty, passion, care, imagination and science that we put into every drop. We hope that you enjoy drinking our creative and delicious wines as much as we’ve enjoyed making them.

Cellar door to the Swinging Gate Vineyard in Northern Tasmania — Cellar door, Swinging Gate Vineyard

Vineyards and history combine

Our recommendation for a terrific road trip is to combine a visit to the Platypus House and Seahorse World at Beauty Point with a visit to the mine museum and lunch in Beaconsfield followed up by a wine tasting at the Swinging Gate Vineyard on your way home.

Our final recommendation for where to eat is in Beaconsfield. Here we highly recommend the Moon Lily Kitchen and Cakes, 110 Weld St, Beaconsfield , (03) 6383 1120! You’ll be pleasantly surprised by their lunch menu. They are open from early (~7:00) to mid-afternoon each day.

Then take a leisurely drive back to Tin Dragon Cottages by crossing driving over the Batman bridge and drive via Bridport (Bridport Road).

Great Foodies Day Out on the Tamar

So, you have booked into Tin Dragon Cottages on a Saturday afternoon and you are travelling from Launceston? Here’s our suggeston for a great day out.

Start at the Harvest Market in Launceston to stock up on some fresh local produce for your stay with us. Then head for the West Tamar Highway (A7). But once out of Launceston deviate off the highway to enjoy views of the Tamar River. For example, Rosevears Drive (C733), C728 (C729), and drive through Deviot. Cross over the Batman Bridge.

Now, if you enjoy maritime history, then here is another great tip. Drive to The Low Head Pilot Station (411-437 Low Head Rd, LOW HEAD 7253). Then, after visiting the museum and noting that one of Graham’s aunts (Kathleen Cashion) is featured, treat yourself to coffee and cake at the Low Head Cafe. You will be very pleased that you did!

You can now head back to Bridport (B82). There are some very tempting vineyards to visit, such as Delamere Vineyard, Sinapius, and Jansz plus many more! So, what time, did you want to arrive?