Despite being the butt of many jokes, the one thing we can all agree on about Tasmania is that it does dish up some fantastic cuisine.
Thanks to the outstanding quality of its local produce, as well as an omnipresent commitment to plate up good food, the Apple Isle boasts some truly outstanding places to eat.
Whether you are after the perfect breakfast to set you up for the day. Or a hearty brunch or lunch that you can ‘wow’ friends on Instagram with. There are plenty of exceptional places you can choose from to eat at.
So, if you ever find yourself in Tassie’s capital with hunger cravings, here are 17 of the best cafes in Hobart for breakfast, brunch and lunch to go to.
Whisk & Co
Located in Lenah Valley, Whisk & Co is a ‘must visit’ cafe which serves up some of the best coffee on the island.
Made by highly skilled baristas, their outstanding roasts are made from exceptional beans supplied by Zimmah Coffee. While their fixed food menu of modern Australian cuisine features bread made by the experts at Manna Bakehouse and seafood and meat that is locally sourced.
You’ll find all the classics on the menu here like eggs benny, avo smash, Dutch corn fritters and fish and chips. All of which are perfectly cooked and beautifully plated.
Address: 102 Augusta Road, Lenah Valley, TAS 7008
Hours: Monday – Friday 7 am – 3 pm, Saturday & Sunday 8 am – 3 pm
Phone: (03) 6278 7724
Dandy Lane Food & Specialty Coffee
Nestled in a quiet courtyard, right in the heart of the CBD, Dandy Lane Food & Specialty Coffee might be a little difficult to find. However, it is worth making the effort to track it down as they serve expertly crafted food and exceptional coffee.
One of two outlets in Hobart, the other being in Moonah, they pride themselves on catering to all palettes and dietary requirements.
Using only the freshest produce they can source, their fully trained chefs and highly skilled baristas have many years of experience behind them.
The result is a food menu that includes the most delightful breakfast pancake, as well as burgers that are to die for.
Address: 10/138 Collins Street, Hobart CBD, TAS 7000
Hours: Monday – Friday 7 am – 3 pm, Saturday & Sunday 9 am – 2 pm
Phone: 0498 061 067
Villino Coffee
The title of ‘best coffee in Hobart’ is one that is keenly sought after. However, it is hard to look past Villino Coffee.
Situated right in the centre of Hobart’s CBD, Villino is one of the longest-running and most well-established coffee wholesalers and roasters in the whole of Tasmania.
As well to their delicious espressos, they also offer a range of exotic signature blends which include the likes of Rwanda Kirorero Buhoro and Mexico Finca Kassandra. You’ll be feeling like a hipster in no time!
Complimenting its coffee is an excellent food menu that includes lots of delightful pastries. Which you can enjoy either indoors or within their al fresco seating area.
Address: 30 Criterion Street, Hobart, TAS 7000
Hours: Monday – Friday 8 am – 4.30 pm, Saturday – 9 am – 3 pm
Phone: (03) 6231 0890
The Lansdowne Cafe
The Lansdowne Crescent Cafe is an institution in West Hobart.
Known for its outstanding customer service, terrific locally roasted coffee and wonderful food options, this small family-run business has a real feel-good factor about it.
Set within a warm, inviting and pet-friendly space that has movie posters on the wall, some of their most popular dishes include kimchi fried eggs, chai spiced porridge that comes with roasted pears and an artisan avo smash that is utterly sensational.
Periodically, they also present a fantastic range of specials which in the past have included Cambodian Style Chicken Curry and Cape Grim short rib.
If you like good food, you will love this place.
Address: 68 Lansdowne Crescent, West Hobart TAS 7000
Hours: Monday – Friday 7.30 am – 3 pm, Saturday 8 am – 3 pm
Phone: (03) 6234 6386
Room For A Pony
Located in North Hobart, on the site of a former petrol station, Room For A Pony is a popular destination for Tassie foodies.
Renowned for being an excellent place to catch up with friends and enjoy the sun, this delightful cafe and bar serve up delicious food, terrific coffee and a good selection of brews.
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, they serve up an impressive all-day menu, as well as gourmet wood-fired pizzas.
Although always busy in the morning, the cafe’s close proximity to the arthouse State Cinema ensures it gets plenty of visitors at night. Many of whom are attracted to their inventive range of cocktails.
Address: 338 Elizabeth Street, North Hobart TAS 7000
Hours: Monday – Thursday 7 am – 9 pm, Friday 7 am – 12 am, Saturday 8 am – 12 am, Sunday 8 am – 9 pm
Phone: (03) 6231 0508
Criterion St Cafe
Quietly tucked away in a side street within the Hobart CBD, Criterion Street Cafe is a lovely spot to go for those who like a genteel start to the day.
Somewhat isolated, this creative cafe provides a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of the downtown area. This is just as well, as you will want to take the time to enjoy their delicious meals and divine espresso.
Set within an attractive space that is glass fronted and features street-side tables, one of their signature eats includes a delicious three-cheese french toast which comes with pancetta, rocket and tomato.
They also do amazing waffles that come with caramelised banana, bacon, caramel sauce and cream, which makes for the perfect indulgence.
Address: 10 Criterion Street, Hobart, TAS 7000
Hours: Monday – Sunday 7 am – 3 pm
Phone: (03) 6234 5858
Pigeon Hole
Set within the sleepy streets of West Hobart, Pigeon Hole is a terrific venue for those who want an authentic paddock-to-plate dining experience.
Offering a food menu which uses produce completely supplied by its own farm – Western Farm – the food here is fresh, healthy and sustainable.
Presenting a space with wooden tables and a seasonal, blackboard, all-day menu, the food options here include plenty of vegan options. They even offer local beers, wines and ciders to enjoy them with too.
If you like what you have eaten, you can even shop after your meal from the award-winning Western Farm produce counter. Where you will be able to pick up the likes of olive oil, honey, rosehip syrup and Farmer Dick’s Smokin’ Hot Sauce.
Address: 93 Goulburn Street, West Hobart, TAS 7000
Hours: Monday – Friday 7.30 am – 3 pm, Saturday & Sunday 8 am – 3 pm
Phone: (03) 6236 9306
Jackman & McRoss
If you are in the mood for some baked goods, then head on over to Jackman & McRoss.
Perched on top of Battery Point, this fabulous bakery offers an excellent range of home-style pies, including a delicious curried scallop pie, which you’ll absolutely love.
They also make gorgeous baked sourdough, as well as delightful and seasonal, fruit danishes. All of which you can eat whilst taking in the sensational views the cafe offers.
When it comes to coffee, don’t be fooled by its bakery status, Jackman & McRoss also serves up some delicious java too.
Address: 57 Hampden Road, Battery Point, TAS 7004
Hours: Monday – Sunday 7 am – 4 pm
Phone: (03) 6223 3186
Born In Brunswick
As you might have gathered from its name, Born in Brunswick has brought Melbourne’s unique coffee culture right to the vibrant centre of North Hobart.
Managed by Con Villas, who you might recognise as a former contestant on MasterChef, along with his enduring buddy Ben Korkmaz, they offer top-notch coffee which is roasted by Industry Beans.
In addition, they also present a mouthwatering all-day food menu that is Asian-inspired in part. Which features dishes like Tasmanian octopus scrambled eggs, five-spiced pork belly and buffalo fried chicken burger.
Set within a lovely bright and congenial table that features communal tables, this place is very hipster. But definitely worth a visit.
Address: 410 Elizabeth Street, North Hobart, TAS 7000
Hours: Monday – Sunday 7 am – 2 pm
Phone: 0438 250 515
Straight Up Coffee and Food
If you are into clean living and healthy eating then Straight Up Coffee and Food is the place for you.
Offering a menu that is entirely gluten-free, as well as vegetarian, they pride themselves on presenting culinary delights that everyone can enjoy.
Championing a root-to-tip philosophy when it comes to their cooking, as well as an admirable commitment to sustainability, this impressive venue on Liverpool Street is surprisingly unpretentious.
With freshly baked bread, low sugar desserts and on-site roasted coffee which they regularly rotate, this is a place you will want to come back to regularly.
Address: 202 Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS 7000
Hours: Monday – Friday 7 am – 3 pm, Saturday & Sunday 8 am – 3 pm
Phone: 0432 482 764
Ginger Brown
One of the most popular cafes in the whole of Hobart has to be Ginger Brown.
Whether you come for breakfast, brunch or lunch, the venue is always busy with hungry locals enjoying classic staples from their all-day brunch menu.
Whether you are after a pulled pork jaffle, Rueben benedict with poached eggs or crispy panko crumbed halloumi salad, there is something here to satisfy every food craving.
Served within a warm and inviting space, the meals are so beautifully plated, that you will want to take plenty of snaps of them for your Insta feed.
Address: 464 Macquarie Street, South Hobart, TAS 7004
Hours: Monday – Friday 7.30 am – 3 pm, Saturday & Sunday 8.30 am – 3 pm
Phone: (03) 6223 3531
Berta
Although a relatively new addition to the Hobart cafe scene, Berta has quickly forged a reputation for being a place all foodies have to go to.
With its seasonal menu of gourmet meals that showcase the best of organic and local produce, these guys offer a European-style dining experience in a fresh and bright space.
It serves Veneziano coffee as its house blend and presents everything from English muffins, and both Turkish and Mediterranean breakfasts, to Soba noodle bowls, and grilled Littlewood farm lamb rolls.
Comprising wooden floors and exposed light bulbs, this multi-room cafe has a great ambience, and the food is always quickly served.
Address: 119 Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS 7000
Hours: Monday – Sunday 8 am – 3 pm
Phone: (03) 6234 4844
Machine Laundry Cafe
Situated right in the heart of Salamanca Square, Machine Laundry Cafe is a quaint and retro cafe that plates up delicious fresh food and funky fresh clothes.
While this might sound like an odd combination, the venue has been in operation since 1997, providing a cracking food menu that locals love.
Served in hearty portions, in a space that boasts a kitsch interior, this quirky cafe enables you to eat and do your washing at the same time!
It is also a terrific place to visit on your way to the Salamanca Saturday markets.
Address: 12 Salamanca Square, Battery Point, TAS 7004
Hours: Monday – Sunday 7 am – 3 pm
Phone: (03) 6224 9922
Yellow Bernard
Situated on Collins Street, within Hobart’s CBD, Yellow Bernard is a tiny specialty cafe which is well known for serving some of the best coffee in town.
Sourcing them from around the world, and roasted in Melbourne, if you love coffee, then this is a place you simply have to visit, as you will be spoilt for choice.
To compliment your caffeine fix you can indulge in one of their exquisite pastries, which you can eat whilst sitting on a stool along the window bench and watching the world go by.
A cafe with a social conscience, they regularly donate profits from each coffee they sell to charity. So you can enjoy your morning brew safe in the knowledge that others will be benefiting from your experience too.
Address: 1/109 Collins Street, Hobart, TAS 7000
Hours: Monday – Friday 7 am – 2 pm
Phone: (03) 6231 5207