Stanley Bridge Tavern

Stanley Bridge Tavern Est 1853, is your refurbished older style historic hotel, situated in the picturesque Adelaide Hills, via the Onkaparinga scenic Valley road.
An open fireplace in the olde-​worlde bar area enhances the cozy ambience, and a complete absence of poker machines make this gastro-​pub a great place to unwind with a quality meal, glass of fine wine, or Stanley Gourmet Platter. Candlelight adds to the intimacy and overall coziness of the restaurant dining area. The menu includes cheese and regional food platters, as well as other substantial modern Australian dishes. We treated our taste buds to the Cajun Pecker; Char-​Grilled Cajun Spiced Chicken Breast, with Sour Cream, Tomato Salsa, Jalapeños and the Stanley’s famous Slaw & Chunky fries. A Big Angus; 300g Grain-​Fed Angus Ribeye on the bone, Mushroom sauce, served with the Stanley’s Slaw & Chunky Fries. Both dinners were very well presented and nourishing on a cold evening, as we enjoyed a table beside the crackling open fire, with a glass of red, very relaxing. Our choices for dessert were, a Pear, Walnut & Fig Crumble, and a classic Sticky Date Pudding. Both desserts were generous and pleasing, completing our very pleasant evening. Friendly staff with good service.

Ribs… Ribs ribs… Ribs ribs ribs…
Ok. Now I’ve got that out of my system… The Stanley Bridge hotel is a picturesque classic Adelaide Hills pub with the best pork ribs you may have ever eaten. Named after the local barfly pooch — Benny the Jack Russell; «Benny’s Ribs» as they are called come in meaty quantities of 6, 9 or 12 and are wonderfully grilled with a splashing of hoy sin sauce.
You can have the ribs alone if you’re on the Atkin’s diet or endulge as I do and get the interestingly delectable coleslaw with chunks of apple and big sultanas, and don’t forget the potato wedges to soak up the extra hoy sin sauce. Nom nom nom.
Look, there are other items on the menu, some of which are great and some which don’t hit the spot for me; avoid the pie and chili con carne unless you’re a gambler as they can both be hit and miss.
My stoic recommendation though, is that if you’re a meat eater, try the damn ribs on your first visit. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed. I have done 9 on one visit, but had to be removed with a crane. I now stick with the 6 rib serve (I’m trying to watch my weight) and go half coke, half diet coke (for my figure).
The beers on tap include a few locals. Last time we were there, bierhaus and vale ale were sitting next to puke inducing west end draught and something else that shouldn’t be consumed unless you’re down to your last $ 5. Wine list is great, as is the serenity. They’ve got buckets of it.
To top it off, there’s Benny. What a champ. Read Anita D’s review to get the whole story.

If you are after a generous sized and well cooked pub meal in the Adelaide Hills, the Stanley Bridge Tavern is the place to go. This pub is typical of the Adelaide Hills, offering a nice sized dining area and cozy fireplace near the front bar for the winter. There is something homely about the pub and its staff.
I do recommend their speciality «Benny’s Ribs» which are sweet with Hoisin sauce and well spiced. This meal comes in different sizes, 3 ribs, 6 ribs or 12 ribs in entrée and main size served with crunchy wedges and fancy slaw. These ribs are worth getting messy for!
Meals priced $ 13 — $ 35, so there is something to suit all budgets.
One little surprise at this fine establishment is Benny. While eating my ribs I noticed a little dog walk through the dining area. I absolutely love dogs, and enquiried about him. Especially after seeing him featured on the menu. I was told by the staff that was Benny and is not actually owned by the pub. He is a neighbours dog. Apparently Benny makes his way from the neighbours house around lunch time every day and hangs out at the pub until his owner meets him for a knock off drink and returns home. How cute! This pub is definitely family friendly!

Delicious food with a really nice atmosphere. Portions were generous and it was a cut above normal pub grub. And also, no pokies! Big plus for me.

Worst meal ever. Browning cabbage in a day old coleslaw. Stuffed mushrooms was merely grilled mushrooms with cheese in top. Nice venue and friendly dog but food was a massive let down.

Went here with my bf on the spur of the moment last Saturday night.
We didn’t even know it was there but went searching on here for something close to home & it sounded good.
As soon as you walk in it is friendly & inviting. There’s a small front bar & a few seats & a beautiful roaring fire in the fire place.
We were shown to our table in the cosy, yet spacious dining room, by a friendly waitress to peruse the menu. The waitress informed us, in great detail, of the daily specials & left us to our decision making. Which was hard! Everything on the menu sounded amazing, & everything we saw come out of the kitchen looked amazing!
We were both incredibly happy & satisfied with our meals & cannot wait to go back & make our way through the menu :)

The owner/​bartender could not be any more rude.

The Stanley Bridge is a quaint regional pub turned Gastro-​venue which is really hitting its stride!
What a fantastic find… tucked away in Verdun, it’s the perfect venue for a lazy sunday lunch (miles ahead of the other hotels in the area and in some cases, much better value).
Functions are a thing they seem to be winning a lot of recently and who wouldn’t want to hold their celebration there? In winter the fires are blazing and in summer the bi-​fold doors that supply the view of the terrace and beyond are opened up to create a fantastic indoor /​outdoor space. The food is local, of an impeccable quality and plentiful with all mains coming in between $ 20 and $ 30.
Good place just to grab a cheese plate too and enjoy some local wines or brews.