Posted by Still small and friendly enough to preserve its big country town feeling, Hobart has in the past decade blossomed into a vibrant but modest city that is alive with one of the best cultural, food and wine scenes in Australia.
A dynamic hospitality industry has been born with skilled chefs, baristas and winemakers flocking to Tasmania for a better lifestyle (or talented Tasmanians returning home to start their own ventures). This community has resulted in an ample choice of intimate wine bars, fabulous restaurants, inventive cafes and artisan bakeries dotted around the city, whilst the wineries and restaurants of the Coal River Valley are a short drive from the centre of town.
Meanwhile, the establishment of MONA (often described in the tourism industry as ‘the MONA effect’) has drawn visitors from all over the world flocking to experience a prodigious modern gallery in the most unlikely of destinations. Artisan shopping, cute markets and a picturesque working waterfront (with some delish seafood served straight from a flotilla of vendors) only add to the allure.
Hobart is an ideal destination for a long, languid weekend, but add a few more days to your visit and use the city as a base to explore some of the Tasmanian gems that are easily accessible from here, including Port Arthur, Peppermint Bay and Bruny Island.
Just Coffee…
Yellow Bernard | 1/109 Collins St, Hobart
A small, hipster run espresso bar located in the centre of the central business district, they keep things simple here, with eager city workers drawn to single-origin espresso and a few pastries and cookies. Inside it’s standing room only, but the outdoor pavement has some table seating. Only open Monday to Friday. Yellow Bernard
Pilgrim Coffee | 54 Liverpool St, Hobart
Pilgrim Coffee blends cosy charm with serious caffeine credentials. Think exposed brick, concrete floors, old church pew seating and single origin espresso for the purists. Quick bites like pork and fennel sausage rolls, focaccia, and cinnamon buns hit the spot too. Ideal for a grab-and-go or casual pit stop, with a full dining room tucked just around the corner. Pilgrim Coffee
Wide Awake Speciality Coffee | 271 Elizabeth St, North Hobart
Tucked just off Elizabeth St, Wide Awake serves strong Padre Colombian brews from a slick hole-in-the-wall. Locals queue daily for their caffeine fix. Upbeat tunes, tempting pastries and a hidden rear sitting room add charm to this pocket-sized café. Wide Awake Speciality Coffee
Zimmah Coffee | 219b Murray St, Hobart
A somewhat hidden gem in a semi-industrial complex, behind an unremarkable door you’ll find a rustic café with chesterfield couches and recycled timber furniture, plus windows looking into the onsite coffee roastery. Coffee is the star here, but the rather simple snack menu featuring decadent toasties will also please you. Zimmah Coffee
Hobart Coffee Roasters | 1/1 Franklin Wharf, Hobart
Hobart Coffee Roasters at Franklin Wharf serves better-than-average coffee in a relaxed, welcoming spot. With a broad all-day breakfast menu and zero hipster pretension, it’s perfect for a quick caffeine fix before heading to MONA or on a boat trip. Convenient, unpretentious, solid coffee. Hobart Coffee Roasters
Pigeon Whole Bakers | 32 Argyle St, Hobart
Pigeon Whole Bakers nails it with coffee and flaky pastries, knockout tarts, and breaky rolls that hit the spot. The big glass frontage invites you into a space buzzing with energy and chirpy service. Their bread is top-tier, the foundation of it all. The display case? Pure art. A refined, flavourful experience that easily earns its spot as the pinnacle of Hobart bakeries. Pigeon Whole Bakers
Breakfast & Brunch…
Berta | 119 Liverpool St, Hobart
Berta is a cool inner-city spot with a relaxed, retro vibe. The narrow space flows from a front espresso bar to a calm rear dining room with communal tables. Background music hums quietly, letting the global breakfast menu shine – think Thai congee, Turkish eggs, a Texas chilli beef bowl, or a classic English muffin with a twist. It’s understated, interesting, and quietly confident. A great choice for a low-key, flavour-packed start to the day. Berta
Sunbear Coffee | 145 Collins St, Hobart
Sunbear is a charming little city café with a cosy, 1970s-inspired vibe with retro crockery, warm tones, and guests reading actual books. The atmosphere is ultra relaxed, with no rush and simple fare done right. Think cheesy English beans and sunny-side-up eggs, all served with a laid-back touch. Tucked in a central Hobart spot, it’s the kind of place that feels like a slow, nostalgic hug. Just don’t come on a Sunday as it’s closed. Sunbear Coffee
Leoht | 46a Hampden Rd, Battery Point
In a quiet Battery Point street, Leoht serves modern, beautifully presented breakfast and lunch dishes all day. Highlights like buckwheat pancakes with halva caramel showcase bold, thoughtful flavours. The setting – a refurbished heritage cottage with Scandi style, warm light, and a sunny courtyard, feels both cozy and contemporary. It’s a tucked-away gem that turns simple ingredients like pasture-raised eggs into standout plates. Leoht
Born in Brunswick | 410 Elizabeth St, North Hobart
Born in Brunswick brings Melbourne’s northside café culture to Hobart with a thoroughly modern breakfast menu, including gems like ricotta gnocchi or octopus scrambled eggs. The setting is bright and airy, with concrete floors, blonde timbers, and lush indoor greenery. An open kitchen and upbeat 60s, 70s and 80s soundtrack add warmth to the slick, welcoming vibe. Portions are just right, beautifully plated, with loads of sides for customising your brunch exactly how you like it. Born in Brunswick
Room For A Pony | 338 Elizabeth St, North Hobart
A 1950’s service station transformed into very cool café and bar, there are a couple of spacious rooms inside plus a large garden for alfresco dining when the weather allows. Breakfast is a smash of hits from around the world, it’s busy but the service is brisk and on-the-ball. Good coffee rounds out the appeal. Room For A Pony
Pigeon Hole Café | 93 Goulburn St, West Hobart
On a residential street a little outside the city centre is this charming café. Inside is pokey and cosy with vintage furniture and fittings, whilst there’s some pavement seating for those prepared to brave the weather. The short breakfast menu features a mix of creative sweet and savoury dishes using organic produce, mostly sourced from Weston Farm Produce. Pigeon Hole Café
Dining…
Ogee | 374 Murray St, North Hobart
Ogee is quite possibly Hobart’s hottest dining ticket; a snug, 28-seat Euro wine bar in a former corner shop. The compact menu blends French and Italian flair with a seafood focus, best experienced via the $100 “Feed You” option. Wines lean Tasmanian and European, with orange drops given their own section. Sit shoulder-to-shoulder at the bar or tuck into a tiny table. Cosy, stylish, and full of character, with impeccable detail and chefs cooking in the open kitchen just metres from your glass. Ogee
Bar Wa Izakaya | 216-218 Elizabeth St, Hobart
Bar Wa nails the authentic Japanese izakaya vibe with a warm, rustic interior and a lively energy that builds as you move from the cosy front room to the buzzy back. The $60 chef’s menu is superb value—unfussy, expertly executed Japanese classics. Drinks are a major draw, with sake flowing and shelves stacked. Decor is colourful and eclectic, oyster shells and sake bottles dangle from the ceiling. Great for groups, and open late. Bar Wa Izakaya
The Source | MONA, 655 Main Rd, Berriedale
The Source restaurant offers a refined yet welcoming lunch experience, well worth a visit even if you skip MONA. The elegant space, with a stunning John Olsen artwork above the entry stairs, sets the tone. Seasonal menus hero top-tier local produce, with beautifully plated dishes that remain approachable. Knowledgeable staff guide you through Moorilla and Domaine A wine flights. Whether one course or many, dessert is a must. An ideal spot to take a lunch break whilst exploring all MONA has to offer. The Source
Shoal at Shipwrights Arms | 29 Trumpeter St, Battery Point
Shoal blends upscale pub dining with fresh, abundant seafood and a strong grill lineup. Classic pub fare is elevated through daily specials and refined execution. The striking pavilion-style dining room—glass-walled, high-ceilinged, and lush with greenery—contrasts beautifully with the pub’s traditional frontage. Nautical touches in the decor nod to its bayside roots. Expect generous portions, a thoughtful wine list, and a setting that’s both relaxed and impressively stylish. Stop in at the old school front bar for a beverage after your meal. Shoal
The Whaler | 39 Salamanca Place, Battery Point
The Whaler is a character-filled historic pub in the heart of Salamanca, housed in a charming sandstone building. Out front, sunny seats overlook the buzz; inside, it’s dark, cosy, and compact. The menu goes beyond standard pub fare—think juicy burgers, standout lobster rolls, and fresh salads. The wine list leans local and strong, with whispers of secret Tassie drops available if you know to ask. A true local gem. The Whaler
Me Wah Restaurant | 16 Magnet Court, Sandy Bay
Me Wah delivers refined traditional Chinese cuisine in an elegant, white-tablecloth setting. The concise menu impresses with standout dishes like Duck Two Ways—Peking and San Choi Bow. Service is polished, and the wine list is unmatched for a Chinese restaurant—expansive, curated, and best-in-class. Book ahead; this Sandy Bay gem is eternally popular, operated by two generations of the Tso family, locals light up when you mention you’re planning a meal at Me Wah. Me Wah Restaurant
Frogmore Creek Cellar Door & Restaurant | 699 Richmond Rd, Cambridge
Just twenty minutes from town, Frogmore Creek is the ideal lunch escape. Set in a big barn-like space with a sunny patio and vineyard views, it’s a feast for the senses. The menu’s tight, but every dish lands—gorgeous to look at, even better to eat. Share plates are the way to go, so take friends, and pair lunch with Frogmore’s own wines. It gets busy on weekends, but the food makes it worth some delays with the service. Frogmore Creek Cellar Door & Restaurant
Aloft | Bourke Street Pier, Hobart
Aloft’s dining room is relatively compact and understated, with the Scandinavian style décor allowing the stunning views over Sullivans Cove to take centre stage. The kitchen is completely open, so sitting at the bar watching the supremely calm chefs work their magic only adds to the experience. The share plates menu is inventive and delicious, using mostly local ingredients, with the menu changing with the seasons. Vegetarians and vegans are well catered for here. Aloft
Dier Makr | 123 Collins St, Hobart
A rather understated room at the rear of a heritage building with a simple open kitchen space, they really leave the food to be the star here. A $180 tasting menu features a series of small, inventive dishes using the freshest Tasmanian produce. The kitchen craftmanship is impressive, in both the flavour and appearance of each dish, though this is not the place for simple or fussy eaters. Small and popular, they offer two strict sitting times per night and they do not cater to vegans or many dietary requirements. Dier Makr
Frank Restaurant & Bar | 1 Franklin Wharf, Hobart
On the waterfront, this sizable venue changes mood considerably between day and night. Evening seems to suit the décor best, when the colourful and over-sized furniture pieces are muted by dim, moody lighting. The food is Argentinean inspired, using local Tassie produce. It’s best to snack on lots of small share plates as every dish comes packed with surprising flavours, whilst the more substantial meat dishes are cooked on the charcoal grill. Frank Restaurant & Bar
Drinking…
Sonny | 120a Elizabeth St, Hobart
Sonny feels like a secret club with its curtained windows, narrow room, low lighting and vinyl spinning retro tunes including some funky Donna Summer songs. It’s intimate, buzzing, and often packed, so arrive early (lines form pretty soon after opening hour). The wine list constantly evolves; one bottle runs out, another gem appears. A few perfect cocktails, incredible snacks, even the cheese plate stuns. Sit at the bar, shoulder to shoulder, and soak up the energy. It’s a vibe—warm, loud, alive—even on a cold winter afternoon. Sonny
The Still | 30 Argyle St, Hobart
The Still is a sleek, expansive bar owned by Lark Distillery, showcasing Tasmania’s world-class whisky. A whole book of options awaits to choose from, or try a guided flight with detailed tasting notes. The setting blends cosy horseshoe booths with a lively rear lounge and a central bar made for lingering. A tight Tassie-only wine list and smart snack menu round it out. Come early for a mellow vibe; it builds buzz as the night unfolds. The Still
Tolpuddle Vineyard | 37 Back Tea Tree Rd, Richmond
Just twenty-five minutes from Hobart, Tolpuddle Vineyard in the Coal River Valley offers a premium wine experience rooted in top-tier viticulture, delivering exceptional pinot and chardonnay. The founders of Shaw + Smith were so impressed with the quality of grapes from this plot, they bought the vineyard and created the Tolpuddle brand. The new glass-walled, modern tasting room is surrounded by vines—180km worth. For their $55 tasting, expect personalised service, deep storytelling, and sensational snacks (at an extra cost). A refined, memorable stop for serious wine lovers. Tolpuddle Vineyard
Institut Polaire | 1/7 Murray St, Hobart
Institut Polaire is a sleek, alpine-inspired wine bar founded by a winemaker and a wine expert, celebrating cold-climate wines and their own gin and whisky. The all-white, marble and leather fit-out is chic yet welcoming. Expect pickled, cured and smoked delights alongside seafood and handmade pasta. Whether grazing over snacks or settling in for dinner, the menu and wine list both impress. Institut Polaire
In The Hanging Garden | 112 Murray St, Hobart
A surprising lush urban oasis in the heart of Hobart, brimming with greenery and buzzing with energy. Hanging planters, open fireplaces, and a decked courtyard set the scene for casual eats and drinks from multiple vendors. The glass-roofed lower-level doubles as a concert venue, while upstairs hides a moody speakeasy style lounge. With live music and a diverse crowd, it’s a vibrant cultural precinct with something for everyone. In The Hanging Garden
The Rooftop at Telegraph Hotel | 19 Morrison St, Hobart
Perched three stories up, Telegraph Hotel’s rooftop is a rather stylish haven opposite the wharves (so it’s perfect for post-MONA drinks). It has a terrace vibe, with high tables, cosy nooks, and a fireplace. Sip classic cocktails or dive into the retro shots menu with gems like B52s and QFs, or sip a vino from the solid Australian wine list. A sharp, social rooftop with serious charm. Telegraph Hotel
Rude Boy | 130 Elizabeth St, Hobart
Rude Boy blends cocktails, rum, and fried chicken—and somehow this combination works. The space pops with fluro signs, a bold mural, and an orange pressed metal ceiling. Classic and seasonal cocktails shine, backed by a deep rum list. Fried chicken is crispy, saucy, and satisfying, with burgers and snacks as well. Cosy back rooms and booths make it a top spot for late-night drinking with friends. Rude Boy
Preachers | 5 Knopwood St, Battery Point
Hobart’s hot hipster bar – a heritage cottage with a funky courtyard, including an old bus parked in the courtyard, which you can park yourself in for a drink or three. Serving craft beers, cocktails and burgers, this is one for the young and young at heart. Preachers
Must Do…
Museum of Old & New Art (MONA) | 655 Main Rd, Berriedale
MONA is unlike any museum you’ve visited. Bold, provocative and ever-evolving, it’s been at the heart of Tasmania’s cultural renaissance. Arrive in style via the Mona Roma ferry – upgrade to the fancy Posh Pit for drinks and canapés – and dive into a labyrinth of shocking, playful, and deeply creative exhibitions. There are no white-walled galleries here; instead, expect anti-gallery architecture and immersive experiences. Recharge with a Moorilla wine tasting or dine at one of the five on-site eateries. Always changing, always surprising, MONA is the reason many still flock to Hobart fifteen years on from it’s opening. MONA
Salamanca Market | Salamanca Place, Battery Point
Every Saturday, nearly 300 traders take over Salamanca Place, hawking all the things that are good about Tasmania, from woolen products, artisan foods, to locally distilled Gin and Whisky. There’s usually an assortment of street performers to distract you from shopping and plenty of options for dainty snacking too. Yes it’s touristy, but in a wonderfully placid way that only Hobart can do. Salamanca Market
Farmgate Market | Bathurst St, Between Elizabeth & Murray St’s, Hobart
Every Sunday morning, Hobart’s Farmgate Market transforms Bathurst Street into a bustling community hub. With a laid-back Tassie vibe, it’s a compact but vibrant showcase of local growers, artisan bakers, wineries, and distilleries. Brunch lovers can feast on Asian street food or buttery pastries while browsing organic vegetables, exotic mushrooms, and heirloom apples. Live music and friendly banter complete the scene – this small market punches well above its weight. Farmgate Market
Bruny Island
An essential day trip for foodies or nature lovers, Bruny Island is a 35 minute drive south of Hobart to Kettering, then a 25 minute ferry hop over to the island. Heading south from the ferry drop off, the foodie trail includes stops at the Get Shucked Oyster Farm, Bruny Island Cheese Company, The Honey Pot, Bruny Island Chocolate Co., Bruny Island Premium Wines and Bruny Island House of Whisky. If that’s not enough to fill up your day, there are endless picture-perfect spots to stop, with the Bruny Island Lighthouse at the very Southern end of the Island being the ultimate destination. Guided tours are available, but with a rental car and a map it’s more than accessible to do it at your own pace. There are also accommodation options on the island if a day trip is not enough to satisfy you. Bruny Island
Dark Mofo | Various Locations
Held in June each year, this entirely unique winter festival created by the MONA team features the weird, the wonderful and everything in between. Various locations around Hobart host events including music concerts, art exhibitions, light installations and the superb Winter Feast – a nightly celebration of food and frivolity at Princes Wharf. A highlight event, though not for everyone, is the Nude Solstice Swim. If you enjoy quirky festivals, Dark Mofo is one of the best. Dark Mofo
Where to Stay…
Hobart is not overly spread out, so wherever you choose to stay you should only be a short walk or a quick Uber trip away from all the things you will want to see and do. The city has benefited from a swath of new hotels swinging open their doors in recent years, so there’s a pretty much a hotel for all tastes and budgets now.
MACq 01 Hotel | 18 Hunter St, Hobart
Hobart’s most stylish hotel, MACq 01 has an absolute waterfront position and contemporary decor with just the right amount of quirkiness. Offering 114 luxurious rooms & suites with floor-to-ceiling glass, opt for a waterfront room to truly make the most of the location. The stories of Tasmania’s history and unique characters are infused throughout the hotel and their food & beverage outlets are also highly recommended. MACq 01
Vibe Hotel Hobart | 36 Argyle St, Hobart
Vibe offers a stylish city-centre stay, perfectly placed between the Elizabeth St Mall and waterfront. Contemporary decor and clean lines define the spacious rooms, some with harbour views, and thoughtfully designed bathrooms. The excellent gym and cosy lobby bar with a fireplace round out the offering. It’s modern, comfortable and cleverly executed, ideal for both business and leisure travellers. Vibe Hotel Hobart
ibis Styles Hobart | 173 Macquarie St, Hobart
With an elevated position within a ten-minutes walk of the city centre and waterfront, this modern value hotel offers bright, very comfortable rooms with pleasant views. The room rates are very reasonable for a relatively new hotel in such a central location. ibis Styles Hobart
Islington Hotel | 321 Davey St, South Hobart
The Islington Hotel is a little out of the way in South Hobart, but for something different to the mainstream city hotels, you’ll luxuriate in the 19th-century Regency architecture blended with contemporary design. Featuring just eleven individually styled suites, adorned with curated art and antique furnishings, house guests enjoy tranquil gardens, a glass conservatory, and a fine dining restaurant that emphasizes locally sourced Tasmanian produce. Islington Hotel
Featured Photo: ‘By The Fire Light’ – Winter Feast, Dark Mofo
Travis. 