Eastern Shore cafe brews up good vibes

This Bellerive eatery offers good food, a great friendly atmosphere and dining here feels more like an experience than just a cup of coffee, writes TasWeekend’s Alix Davis.

ALIX DAVIS

2 min read

April 6, 2024 - 3:00PM

Abundance on the Quay's carrot cake and coffee. Picture Supplied

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Autumn is in the air – not fully here yet, but certainly making us all aware of its presence – and there’s a thin veil of cloud draped over the mountain as I cross the Tasman Bridge and circle around to Bellerive. It’s lovely to see the mountain from a different angle – to be looking across at it, rather than up at it as I usually do.

As I make my way to Abundance on the Quay, the village of Bellerive is in bustling good form despite the slight chill in the air. But the grey day is no match for the welcoming atmosphere of Abundance – a light and airy space full of pale timber furniture and tables of people enjoying good food and conversations.

A quick scan of the menu throws up a problem – I want to try everything! It ranges from simple brunch favourites like bacon and eggs – here with Cygnet bacon and free-range eggs, ($23.50) or toasted muesli with yoghurt ($19.50) to more elaborate offerings such as a savoury waffle with Cygnet bacon, banana and maple syrup ($26.50). I settle on corn and zucchini waffles ($26.50), while my lunch companion goes for house-baked beans ($23.50).

Abundance on the Quay’s tasty zucchini and corn waffle.

We chat in dappled sunlight and our meals arrive promptly. My waffles are crispy discs – fluffy inside and studded with fresh corn kernels. They’re bursting with summer flavour and come with a generous portion of vibrant smashed avo, a freshly dressed salad and crunch fried shallots. It’s bright and simple dish, perfect for brunch or lunch.

Not surprisingly, Hannah Lawson, who owns Abundance with her husband Adrian Collinson, says the waffles are one of their most popular items. The pair left the corporate world 10 years ago to open the cafe and haven’t looked back.

“We still walk in here every day and love it,” says Hannah. “We wanted it to feel and look like an extension of our kitchen table. We love hosting and entertaining.”

Abundance on the Quay's carrot cake and coffee. Picture: Supplied

There’s certainly a welcoming feel at Abundance, which comes in no small part from the staff – “who are really like a tight-knit family.”

And of course, the food. “Our focus is really on being genuine and honest with the food,” says Hannah. “We don’t overwork it. It’s simple food, done well and we source as much as we can locally.”

In addition to locally sourced ingredients, all their baked goods (except the bread) are made in house.

Abundance on the Quay's carrot cake. Picture Supplied

Originally, there were also homewares for sale, but Covid put a dampener on that. However, Hannah says that customers can look forward to homewares returning soon – “that was another thing that made it feel like an experience.”

Abundance on the Quay's banana bread. Picture: Supplied

My lunch companion’s baked beans are excellent – slightly firm rather than mushy and with a complexity of flavour that you just don’t get in tinned beans. Sitting atop a thick slice of sourdough and paired with half an avocado, this is a generous portion that makes a filling lunch. Especially if you add a side of baked chorizo ($5.50). A small dish of pickled chillies lets you add your own heat and, as someone who makes a lot of her own baked beans, my plus one is impressed.

Abundance on the Quay also caters and offers styling for special events and occasions both on and off-site. Picture: Supplied

We finish our meal with a single serve carrot cake ($9) – dense with spices and carrot and topped with smooth and tangy cream cheese icing. It’s a wonderfully homely end to a meal that, as Hannah and Adrian hope, feels more like an experience than just a cup of coffee.