The 20 Must-Try Restaurants in Hobart
Tasmania, the island-state located at the southern tip of Australia, is experiencing a renaissance. Known affectionately as “Tassie,” it has long been a haven for nature lovers with its dramatic mountains, stunning beaches, and diverse wildlife. The opening of the quirky Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) in 2011 created what’s known as the “MONA effect,” drawing attention and energy to Hobart's cultural scene. Now, alongside a vibrant art community, the restaurant scene is flourishing, with local chefs elevating their culinary craft and enticing chefs from the mainland to establish new ventures.
“We’re lucky to be close to so many fantastic farmers and fresh produce. That’s our foundation,” says Analiese Gregory, one of the chefs contributing to Hobart's culinary revival. The local cuisine showcases the flavors of Tasmania through ingredients like fresh oysters, wasabi, truffles, leatherwood honey, and apples. From traditional establishments like Jackman & McRoss and Tom McHugo’s to Italian specialist Templo, Cantonese favorite Me Wah, and the international sensation Masaaki’s Sushi (soon to reopen in Geeveston), chefs across the spectrum embrace the Tasmanian pantry. Additionally, pure water and a temperate climate create ideal conditions for top-notch distilleries, especially for whiskey and gin, along with exceptional wine, beer, and cider.
As the culinary landscape thrives, Hobart retains the allure of a quaint town, featuring pedestrian-friendly streets and welcoming service at every turn. This laid-back atmosphere offers an advantage over the hustle of Sydney and Melbourne. “Whenever I needed a break from the stress of Sydney, Hobart was my go-to for relaxation and rejuvenation,” Gregory shares.
Whether you're seeking a satisfying meal after a hike or a leisurely breakfast before heading to MONA, here are 20 essential dining spots in Hobart to enjoy.
Editor’s Note: Dinogo is currently not updating international maps due to disruptions in global travel caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pricing per person, not including alcohol:$ = Under 20 Australian dollars (Under $14 USD)$$ = 21 - 49 Australian dollars ($15 - $34 USD) = 50 - 75 Australian dollars ($35 - $52 USD)$$$$ = 76 Australian dollars ($52 USD and above)
Hailing from Montréal, Audrey Bourget is a food and travel journalist now based in Australia, contributing to both local and international publications.
The Agrarian Kitchen Dinogoy
While most of Hobart’s dining spots are within walking distance, a trip to the Agrarian Kitchen Dinogoy is a worthy 35-minute drive (or a 70-minute bus ride) to New Norfolk. Rodney Dunn and Séverine Demanet have beautifully converted the town’s former mental asylum into a delightful lunch venue that highlights produce from their own farm and the surrounding area. Nearly all items are crafted in-house, from bread and cheese to charcuterie (the chefs even utilize offcuts for their XO sauce). Don't miss the fried sourdough potato cakes and seasonal vegetable dishes. Additionally, Dunn offers cooking classes at the farm featuring guest instructors from the local community. [ - $$$$]
MONA
Established by the unconventional professional gambler David Walsh, MONA is an entertaining, thought-provoking, and down-to-earth museum that emphasizes its connection with culinary experiences. Within the premises, you’ll discover a winery, brewery, cafes, bars, and two restaurants, the Source and Faro. The latter offers stunning views of the Derwent River amid art installations. For a stylish arrival, hop aboard the MONA ferry, featuring a “posh pit” that serves drinks and canapés. Each June, during the museum’s Dark Mofo festival, MONA hosts a grand winter feast that unites chefs from across the country. [$ - $$$$]
Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania
While Hobart may not boast the same level of multiculturalism as Melbourne or Sydney, it has embraced grMytour diversity thanks to Australian government policies encouraging immigration. The Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania, a nonprofit dedicated to assisting migrants with employment and health services, invites the public each Friday for a lunch crafted by refugees from nations such as Eritrea, Syria, and Afghanistan. The menu varies weekly, featuring dishes like Ethiopian injera flatbread with goat curry or qatayef, a delightful Arabic dumpling filled with walnuts. [$]
Born in Brunswick
After leaving his hometown for Melbourne, Con Vailas returned a few years later to find Hobart much livelier than he remembered. He established Born in Brunswick, drawing inspiration from Melbourne’s café culture, in trendy North Hobart. With floor-to-ceiling windows and skylights flooding the space with light, the restaurant features plant-adorned walls. The menu offers Australian favorites like avocado toast, hotcakes, and potato hash, while chef Josh Retzer creatively incorporates native ingredients and foraged herbs. Be sure to try his weekend specials, such as cured wallaby on cheddar polenta or octopus okonomiyaki with saltbush, a native salty herb. [$ - $$]
Hill Street Grocer
If you want to stock up on local delicacies upon your arrival in Hobart, a stop at Hill Street Grocer is essential. This family-run gourmet market boasts three locations in town (and several more throughout the state). Visit the West Hobart branch to pick up treats from the cheese fridge, select artisanal bread from the town’s finest bakeries, and grab a few prepared salads from the deli. Then, head to St Davids Park for a delightful picnic lunch. [$ - $$]
Templo
You'll feel a sense of pride if you secure one of the 20 coveted seats at Templo, an Italian Mytoury located on one of Hobart's more tranquil streets. It’s even better if you're seated at the communal table, giving you a great view of chef Matt Breen and his team at work. The handmade pastas, like gnocchetti paired with tender slow-cooked lamb, are the main attraction. For 70 Australian dollars ($48), you can indulge in the chef's menu, which features a little bit of everything. Just a short walk away, the team has also launched Sonny, an outstanding wine bar with a concise menu (including pasta). Don't make a choice—visit both! [$$$]
Farm Gate Market
On Sunday mornings, the Farm Gate Market on Bathurst Street buzzes with chefs and food enthusiasts. Engage with farmers about their golden beetroots or white asparagus, and then enjoy a meal at one of the prepared food stalls. Standout offerings include brown rice congee with venison and fermented ingredients from Rough Rice, Pacha Mama Mexican’s wallaby burrito, Bruny Island oysters shucked fresh, and Lady Hester’s apple and elderflower sourdough donut. [$]
Franklin Bar & Restaurant
Franklin has significantly shaped Hobart’s culinary landscape, largely due to former chef Analiese Gregory, who passionately advanced the restaurant’s farm-to-table ethos. Featuring a sleek design of polished concrete and kangaroo hides, the Mytoury offers a frequently changing menu based on local ingredients such as sea urchin, native herbs, whole lamb, abalone, and seasonal vegetables, nearly all prepared over an open flame. While the menu shifts regularly, you can always expect to find their iconic King Edward potato galette, which is flawlessly soft inside and crisp on the outside thanks to their Scotch oven. [$$$ - $$$$]
Pigeon Whole Bakers
You’ll spot this bakery’s goods on the menus of numerous cafes and restaurants around town, which is always a promising sign, but nothing beats going directly to the source. Housed in the historic Mercury newspaper building, Pigeon Whole is cozy yet inviting. A variety of classic pastries and sandwiches are beautifully arranged on the counter, while sourdough loaves are stacked on wooden shelves nearby. Large windows behind the counter provide a glimpse of the dedicated bakers at work. Grab a coffee and a wild fennel palmier, settle into a corner, and enjoy watching the hustle and bustle on Argyle Street. [$]
Tom McHugo's
When you ask locals about their favorite spot in Hobart, Tom McHugo’s is likely to come up nine times out of ten. “It’s the heart of the community,” shares Adam James from Rough Rice, a fermented foods vendor. “On Mondays, you’ll find many in the hospitality industry taking their day off there.” Established in 1842, this venue resembles a classic Australian pub with its patterned carpets and rustic wooden bar. While Tom McHugo’s offers traditional pub staples like chicken parmigiana and steak with fries, the current team, led by Tom Westcott and Whitney Ball, has introduced more innovative dishes such as kohlrabi with kefir cream and braised blood sausage. The beer selection is entirely Tasmanian, and the wine list features a mix of local and international options. [$ - $$]
Flippers Cooked Seafood
While Hobart has seen a surge in upscale sit-down dining, classic takeaway fish and chips will always hold a special place in this waterfront city. Visit Constitution Dock, where a cluster of floating Dinogoies offers fresh and prepared seafood through convenient takeaway windows. The standout, Flippers, serves up local trevalla, flake, and grenadier, along with calamari and scallops, all deep-fried to perfection. For a true taste experience, try the generous fisherman’s basket. Add a squeeze of lemon and some tartar sauce, then enjoy your meal while watching boats sail by. If you'd rather avoid pesky seagulls, head to the family-friendly Fish Frenzy on Elizabeth Street Pier, where you can dine indoors. [$]
Lark Cellar Door & Whisky Bar
In the early 1800s, Tasmanian distilleries capitalized on the region's ideal barley-growing conditions, but a prohibition enacted by Gov. John Franklin in 1838 halted production for over 150 years. In 1992, Bill Lark played a key role in overturning this law and subsequently founded Lark Distillery, earning him the title 'the godfather of Australian whisky.' At the Cellar Door and Whisky Bar, you can sample Lark’s single malts alongside other local whiskies, including the award-winning Sullivans Cove. Relax on a leather couch in the dimly lit bar or enjoy the courtyard view of Constitution Dock while tasting a flight, sharing a cheeseboard, and indulging in a baguette from Pigeon Whole Bakers. [$ - $$]
Dier Makr
At Dier Makr, the blackboard menu exudes an air of intrigue; a listing like “pork, miso” leaves much to the imagination. However, once you savor the pork neck poached in yogurt, paired with charred sugarloaf cabbage and miso sauce, you'll trust owners Kobi Ruzicka and Sarah Fitzsimmons completely. This duo represents a recent influx of chefs and hospitality talent from the mainland. Dier Makr offers only a tasting menu, allowing guests to select their own wine from the walk-in cellar. If a full tasting menu feels daunting, you can also visit their wine bar, Lucinda, located in the same building, where a few dishes complement a selection of minimal-intervention wines. [$$$]
Fico
After a romance blossomed in Northern Italy, Naples native Federica Andrisani and Tasmanian Oskar Rossi searched for a perfect spot to settle down, ultimately opening Fico (Italian for fig) in the heart of Hobart. The chef duo showcases European and Italian influences with inventive dishes like lamb brain tortellini and rich Parmesan and onion panna cotta. They also delight patrons with crowd favorites, such as soy-cured kingfish bites accompanied by wasabi cream. On Sundays, they present a lunch tasting menu inspired by fresh ingredients from the Farm Gate Market. [$$$ - $$$$]
The Glass House Hobart
Positioned right on the waterfront, The Glass House offers a stunning 280-degree panorama of Sullivans Cove, making it an ideal spot for drinks and light bites. Treat yourself to a cocktail or a glass of Tasmanian sparkling wine, paired with oysters, scallop ceviche, or sea urchin sashimi complemented by local wasabi. This venue is perfect for a sunset drink, especially after a visit to MONA, as the ferry docks right by the restaurant. [$$ - $$$]
Pigeon Hole Cafe
This charming, family-run establishment at Weston Farm focuses on olive oil, fresh vegetables, and peonies. In 2013, the owners took over this cozy West Hobart café, previously operated by the Pigeon Whole Bakers team, to highlight their organic produce, crafting many menu items with farm-fresh ingredients. Indulge in inventive dishes like peony jelly with smoked paprika or duck eggs with fennel, or enjoy simpler fare such as a hearty mushroom toastie or a generous grazing platter. Find a cozy spot in the back, where the wall displays jars filled with pickling tomatoes, beans, and cucumbers. [$ - $$]
Salamanca Market
The bustling Salamanca Market takes place every Saturday amid the historic sandstone architecture of Salamanca Place, making it the state's top attraction. Established in 1972, it now boasts over 300 stalls offering fresh produce, handmade crafts, and delicious street food. While many flock to try the renowned curried scallop pie from Smith’s Speciality Pies, there's a treasure trove of delights to explore, including Indonesian beef rendang, cider from Simple Cider, and blackberry jam from Joanna’s Jams. [$]
Jackman & McRoss
Visit Jackman & McRoss for classic Australian baked goods, including hearty beef pies, duck sausage rolls, and delightful slices of lamington (sponge cake enrobed in chocolate and coconut). With three locations across Hobart, the original venue—established in 1998—resides in a charming red brick building amidst the picturesque cottages of Battery Point, the city’s oldest neighborhood. Experience the area’s rich history while dining in the airy café, featuring industrial accents, or relax outside under nostalgic signage. [$]
Me Wah Restaurant
Situated unexpectedly in a Sandy Bay shopping center, Me Wah is an elegant Cantonese restaurant marked by a pair of guardian lions. Established by the Tso family in Launceston in 1998, this culinary gem has become a beloved Tasmanian spot, with a second location in Hobart since 2007. Don't miss the fluffy Huon Valley mushroom dumplings, crispy roasted pork belly bites, or the fresh crayfish and abalone sourced locally. For a weekend treat, indulge in yum cha featuring trevalla dumplings and chicken feet. [$$$ - $$$$]
Cascade Brewery
Embark on a scenic 1.5-mile nature walk along the Cascade Track to reach the nation's oldest continuously operating brewery, which also ranks as the second-largest beer producer in Tasmania. Enjoy a guided tour of the stunning Gothic brewery or simply relax with a lager in the lush gardens surrounding the brewhouse. [−-−]
Evaluation :
5/5