Hursey Seafood at Stanley wins top gong at national awards

A family-run restaurant at Stanley famed for its fresh crayfish can now boast the title of being the best seafood restaurant in the country, winning the title at the national National Seafood Industry Council Awards.

Hursey Seafoods at Stanley. Picture: Ness Vanderburgh

A local institution famed for its fresh crayfish can now boast the title of being the best seafood restaurant in the country after winning the title at the National Seafood Industry Council Awards on Thursday.

Hursey Seafoods, owned and operated by the Hursey family, who have fished the waters of Tasmania’s North-West, West, and South for three generations, won the national award for their sustainably sourced, high-quality seafood and unparalleled dining experience.

One of the platters at Hursey Seafoods restaurant at Stanley. Picture: Supplied

Hursey Seafoods owner Mark Hursey said he and the Hursey Seafoods team were thrilled to receive the award.

“It was very emotional and moving to be recognised in this way,” Mr Hursey said.

“Before we won, I said to our team that ‘it doesn’t matter if we win because, to me, we’ve already won’.

“I’m just so proud of all the hard work they put in every single day.”

Mr Hursey said the restaurant leverages the freshness of its seafood — sourced directly from its own fleet of iconic red fishing vessels — to create an unforgettable dining experience.

“We don’t keep nothing on our boats more than three days, except for our live crayfish, which we keep in tanks below so they’re live,” he said.

“And it’s that freshness, the beautiful, the pristine water off Stanley – that’s what makes it so good.

“When we split our scallops, they’re still flapping; they’re that fresh. I think we are very blessed in Australia to get the seafood that we do, it makes our job easy.”

Hursey Seafoods, Stanley, Tasmania. Mark Hursey pictured with some Tasmanian rock lobster. Photos: Steven Hursey/Supplied

Mr Hursey said in addition to fresh, sustainably sourced seafood and their talented chef, the team places an immense importance on customer service.

“Everyone says they have the best staff, but we really do,” Mr Hursey said.

“They are so dedicated to the work. They’re like our family.

“Our staff makes everyone so warm and welcome at the restaurant; it makes coming to work a blessing. We couldn’t have done any of this without their help.”

The restaurant is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner and is situated at 2 Alexander Terrace, Stanley.

Originally published as Hursey Seafood at Stanley wins top gong at national awards