09 August 2024
8 mins Read
With its footings in the cool and enlivening waters of the Tasman and its back to Kunyanyi/Mount Wellington, Hobart/Nipaluna’s position on the Derwent River lends itself to a convergence of incredible produce and culinary talent. Radiating from the city to the fringe, you’ll find a proliferation and distillation of Tasmanian flavour within easy reach.
From exceedingly fresh seafood to meticulously compiled plates at fine dining establishments and artisanal treats, these are the best foodie experiences in Hobart right now.
For lovers of briny bivalves, take a 20-minute drive from town to Barilla Bay, where you can join a one-hour farm tour. You’ll get to slurp on six freshly shucked oysters as you learn about how these shelled delicacies go from spat to table, as well as try the local Gillespies Ginger Beer and see how abalone is dried.
Join a one-hour Barilla Bay Oyster Farm Tour. (Image: Tourism Tasmania & Nick Osborne)
If that little taster has only served to prime your palate for more saltwater creatures to savour, follow up the tour with a lunch and the restaurant that overlooks Pittwater and Kunyanyi/Mount Wellington.
Dine at the local restaurant afterwards for lunch. (Image: Tourism Tasmania & Bill Bachman)
Address: 1388 Tasman Highway, Cambridge
Hobartian weather is not permitted to dampen the spirits of this historic market, which runs stoically through rain, hail or shine every Saturday between 8.30am to 3pm. Anybody who is anybody with anything to sell can be found here at the award-winning market peddling their Tassies wares, many of them delicious.
Pop by the Salamanca Market every Saturday. (Image: Tourism Australia)
The 50-plus-year-old market unravels with around 300 stalls along the heritage Salamanca Place, funnelling some of the state’s most incredible eats into one area where you can buy and try.
Shop bundles of freshly harvested fruits and veggies at Salamanca Market. (Image: Tourism Australia)
From spirits to truffles and honey to baked goods, there’s plenty to snack on while you peruse the range of stalls. Once you’ve had your fill, scan Hobart’s hit list of markets for more edible finds to fill your itinerary.
Salamanca Market serves up some affordable eats and drinks. (Image: Tourism Australia)
Address: Salamanca Place, Salamanca, Hobart
Join foraging fanatic and chef Mic Giuliani on his Sirocco South tour to literally unearth some of Tassie’s deliciously edible treasures.
Go foraging with Sirocco South. (Image: Harrison Candlin – Vagary)
From wild asparagus to fungus, pluck and pick what’s good to eat guided safely by Mic’s enormous wealth of knowledge.
Feast on foraged finds. (Image: Harrison Candlin – Vagary)
The small group of six people will then enjoy a beautifully crafted six-course lunch finessed from their foraged finds and local ingredients and served with hand-selected wine while overlooking Frederick Henry Bay.
Unearth some of Tassie’s deliciously edible treasures. (Image: Harrison Candlin – Vagary)
The Museum of Old and New Art graces many a Hobart hit list, naturally for its namesake collection of said old and new art, but also as a foodie destination.
MONA occupies a prime waterfront spot best for admiring harbour views. (Image: Jesse Hunniford)
You can dovetail some cultural appreciation with a dining experience at the onsite fancy Faro Bar and Restaurant, The Source Restaurant, the fire-fuelled Heavy Metal Kitchen, the Moorilla Wine Bar and the cavernous Void Bar, or you can opt for the curated Wine + Art excursion that includes wandering the Moorilla vineyard and the museum, enjoying a tasting at the cellar door and then lunch with a glass of wine.
The Source Restaurant is a temple for seasonal Tasmanian dining. (Image: Mona and Rémi Chauvin)
It makes for a well-rounded day for appreciators of the visual and vine art forms.
Raise a glass at Void Bar. (Image: Mona and Jesse Hunniford)
Address: 655 Main Road, Berriedale
Let’s not skirt around the island here, let’s drive right onto it, because if you love food and you’re visiting Hobart, you’ll want to wash ashore on Bruny. It’s a short, 30-minute drive and ferry ride onto Bruny and once here, a car is a good idea so you can get about to all the producers and sample their delicious wares.
Enjoy a cold pint with a cheese platter at Bruny Island Cheese. (Image: Tourism Australia)
Not to be missed is legendary dairy sorcerer Nick Haddow and his Bruny Island Cheese, where you can enjoy a cheese platter and some local brews at the restaurant.
Savour shelled delicacies at Get Shucked Oysters. (Image: Tourism Tasmania & Rob Burnett)
Add to your roaming antipasto plate with a visit to Get Shucked Oysters and slip the plump, salty treats into your mouth followed by a swirl of sparkling.
Head to Bruny Island Chocolate for a taste of the sweet life. (Image: Julia Smith)
Follow on with a spoonful of sweetness at Bruny Island Honey and Bruny Island Chocolate, before swinging by the Bruny Baker for a loaf to go and finish with a tipple at Bruny Island House of Whisky and Bruny Island Premium Wines. This will require the entire day.
Swing by The Bruny Baker for a loaf to go. (Image: James Vodicka)
If you’d like to offset your gluttony with a moderate amount of exercise, book Premier Travel Tasmania’s half-day Taste of Hobart private walking tour. You’ll get your steps up roaming from Battery Point to the waterfront while sampling treats from local providores. Enjoy chocolate, oyster and whisky tastings plus morning tea on this four-hour guided experience through the city.
The Japanese concept of omotenashi means to wholeheartedly look after guests, and that is what the petite and highly awarded, two-hatted Omotenashi in Hobart does so well.
Omotenashi serves up intricately prepared Japanese cuisine. (Image: Sophie Pope)
The 10-seater housed in Hobart’s Lexus showroom is a must-reserve experience for those who love the intricacy of flavour and devotion to craft that is Japanese cuisine. You’ll be seated around the counter for a prompt 6.30pm start to embark upon a 15-or-so degustation course that includes tea and sake and concludes at 9.30pm in true Japanese-style punctuality.
Their ice plate with sashimi is a must-try. (Image: Sophie Pope)
Chefs Sophie Pope and Lachlan Colwill shape the menu around seasonal Tasmanian produce and will cook, serve and narrate your experience throughout for a truly memorable evening.
Meet Chefs Lachlan Colwill and Sophie Pope behind Omotenashi. (Image: Sophie Pope)
Address: 4/160 Elizabeth Street, Hobart
This incredible institute of culinary cleverness has been one of Australia’s premier food destinations since opening in 2008. Co-founders Rodney Dunn and Severine Demanet began The Agrarian Kitchen in an old school house in Lachlan, but in 2022 joined the restaurant and kiosk at the much larger former mental asylum, Willow Court.
Hone your cooking prowess in The Agrarian Kitchen. (Image: Tourism Australia)
Food lovers can come for cooking, gardening or lifestyle classes amid the sprawling grounds, partaking in lessons on everything from cheese to charcuterie and cooking with a range of ingredients.
Enjoy a paddock-to-plate lunch at The Agrarian Kitchen. (Image: Tourism Australia)
There’s also a rotating roster of tuition by Australia’s top chefs, from Peter Gilmore to Danielle Alvarez and Nadine Ingram, so it’s worth planning your trip around the class that whispers to your inner gourmand.
Swing by The Agrarian Kitchen for some s’mores. (Image: Ros Wharton)
Address: 11a The Avenue, New Norfolk
The refreshingly frigid waters of the Tasman teem with wild seafood waiting to be hoisted aboard on this seafaring seafood experience.
Cruise along the refreshingly frigid waters of the Tasman with Tasmanian Wild Seafood Adventures. (Image: Dearna Bond)
You’ll push the boat out on the half-day ‘deep-to-dish’ Tasmanian Wild Seafood Adventures sightseeing and culinary tour that reels in good times for ardent seafood lovers.
Witness lobsters being prepared aboard. (Image: Dearna Bond)
Watch as your diver harvests periwinkles and sea urchins to be prepared alongside abalone, rock lobster, oysters, mussels and Atlantic salmon all served onboard the luxury vessel. Along the way, you’ll spot towering sea cliffs and secluded coves, and be sure to keep an eye out for dolphins, whales and seals.
Feast on wild seafood. (Image: Dearna Bond)
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