The Cidery food review: the Bridgetown country charm favourite despite long wait times

When cider is your tipple of choice, The Cidery is not quite a hard sell.

Throw in a recommendation from a family friend who once lived in the area, and lunch plans practically make themselves. Local knowledge, after all, is often the best kind.

I’m in Bridgetown with my partner on a cosy cabin retreat, because what’s better than a weekend escape to WA’s picturesque South West? Not much.

There’s one small hitch I need to mention right away.

We attempted dinner here the night before, only to be told food was an hour away. With hunger levels that were approaching emergency status, we retreated to the Bridgetown Hotel instead and vowed to return.

So here we are now and first (well, second?) impressions are lovely.

A flourishing front facade with spring flowers and fragrant lavender provides the warmest of spring welcomes. The venue’s outdoor dining area is quaint, with tables sitting beneath a vine-covered porch and a grass patch for children to run wild. But the cosy interiors win our vote and we opt for a table inside.

Then comes the familiar warning: an hour’s wait for food. Perhaps this is simply how The Cidery operates. Fortunately, we aren’t ravenous and the drinks list offers a pleasant way to pass the time.

We both order six-cider tasting paddles ($22 each), a prospect made even more appealing by our favourite pastime: ranking things with entirely unnecessary seriousness. Pen and paper are at the ready.

We both choose honey, ginger, pear, Bitter Sweet and Fruit Punch. I add Blues; he opts for Spider.

The surprise stand-out is Bitter Sweet, described as aged scrumpy mellowed with sparkling sweet cider. It sounds slightly mysterious and tastes fantastic, claiming first place on my scorecard.

Angus crowns Fruit Punch, a sparkling Pink Lady cider with mango, orange and lime. The honey variety, made with a local producer, also earns praise. Ginger divides the table as I enjoy its kick but Angus says it clears his sinuses.

Isn’t that rather the point of anything ginger-related?

My only real miss is Blues, which mercifully isn’t actually blue, but named for Bridgetown’s annual blues festival.

Eventually, lunch arrives. My fish and chips ($30) is a mountain of food, complete with side salad, and the succulent battered snapper exceeds my admittedly modest expectations.

Angus’ brewers sirloin steak sandwich ($30) comes loaded with bacon, mesclun, tomato, beetroot, red onion jam and aioli, plus wedges. It earns his approval.

Our extra crispy wedges ($15) were ordered in hopes of an early hunger intervention, but they turn up alongside everything else. So much for that strategy.

The hearty pub fare hits the spot, and there’s something particularly nice about having the chefs themselves deliver our plates.

Committing to a longer-than-average wait time is a gamble, but The Cidery’s friendly service, welcoming atmosphere and genuinely enjoyable food made it pay off.

My advice would be to come thirsty, just not hangry. And if you’re the impatient type, perhaps pack a small emergency snack first.

Verdict: 16/20

Cosy charm, excellent cider and hearty pub grub make The Cidery worth a visit — provided you’re prepared to wait.

The Cidery

43 Gifford Rd, Bridgetown

OPEN Sat-Thurs, 11am-4pm, Friday 11am-8pm

BOOKINGS Yes

CONTACT 9761 2204