Who are we?
Van Bone becomes Bair Bones…
Formerly known as the husband and wife duo behind Van Bone restaurant in Tasmania which closed in 2024.
We love all forms of hospitality and connecting with the surrounding people who make up a true community behind the scene. We are very serious about sustainable cooking, keeping our inspiration for our memorable dining experiences hyper local with green thumbs, we grow and forage while making deep connections with the immediate area to ensure we support local farmers, artisans and producers.
We are known for creating a personal, humble yet fine dining experience and look forward to get you up to speed with what we are planning for 2026 as Bair Bones.
When a designer meets a chef!
Laura Hardy
Gardener, Designer & Pourer of wine!
With over a decade of Interior Design experience, Laura went from creating memorable fit outs, retreats and homes to designing her greatest vision with husband Tim Hardy, Van Bone. A true destination intimate restaurant with an on site garden. Together they built up this experience, Laura bringing her warm presence on the floor, growing the garden on the side, sharing her passion of the produce and beverages on the floor.
Still connected to design yet applying this creativity through horticulture, Laura has started up a large market style vegetable garden at MR. Barval Fine Wines in Margaret River and looks forward to seeing what Tim will do with produce in the up and coming dinner series!
Tim Hardy
Chef, surfer, passionate for wine!
A true chef, Tim has been heads down cooking his heart out for Australia’s leading chefs that have a focus on sustainable and meaningful meals. With a love for the outdoors, Tim Hardy is known for foraging high and low, chasing waves and mountains to clear his mind. He enjoys the hard yards in all passions in his life, sourcing his produce so thoughtfully, preserving and pivoting with the seasons.
Tim’s food is bold yet considered, every snack, bread course, small plate to sweeter dishes are reserved, well executed and a privilege to experience. Working closely with wife Laura Hardy, they build seasonal food at its best.
More about Van Bone
- FEBRUARY/2021: Van Bone opens
- OCTOBER/2021: Best New Restaurant 2022 Finalist, Gourmet Traveller
- OCTOBER/2021: Top 80 Restaurants in Australia for 2022, Gourmet Traveller
- OCTOBER/2021: Top 5 restaurants in Tasmania, Gourmet Traveller
- NOVEMBER/2021: 21 Restaurants, Cafes & Bars Australian chefs love, Qantas
- APRIL/2022: Deep in the Weeds podcast, Episode 436 with Anthony Huckstep
- JULY/2022: Turning quiet country towns into foodie destinations, Landline
- AUGUST/2022: Best Destination Dining 2023 Finalist, Gourmet Traveller
- AUGUST/2022: Restaurant Personality of the year 2023 Finalist, Gourmet Traveller
- AUGUST/2022: Best Restaurant Design Award finalist, Eat Drink Design
- SEPTEMBER/2022: WINNER: Best Destination Dining 2023, Gourmet Traveller
- APRIL/2022: Tasting Australia – Smoked Dinner event in Adelaide, Tasting Australia
- MAY/2022: Tasting Australia – Express lunch event in Adelaide, Tasting Australia
- MAY/2022: Tasting Australia – Collaboration lunch event at The Summertown Agrostologist
- JANUARY/2023: Top rated restaurant in Tasmania: 17 Hats, Age Good Food Guide
- AUGUST/2023: Top 95 Restaurants in AUS & Top 5 Restaurants in TAS, Gourmet Traveller
- JANUARY/2024: 9 Rural restaurants worth hitting the road for in 2024, GQ Australia
- JANUARY/2024: Top rated restaurant in Tasmania: 17 Hats, Age Good Food Guide
- JANUARY/2024: Exploring Australia’s frontier: Meet the (5) chefs shaping the nation’s dining scene, Age Good Food Guide