Food · Hobart · Australia
What to eat in Hobart
The dishes, drinks and food experiences that define Hobart, and where locals actually eat them.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: File:Franklin Wharf 2015.jpg : Michael fromholtz derivative work: Georgfotoart, CC BY-SA 4.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Quick answer
Start with Tasmanian oysters, Scallop pie and Fish and chips. Bathurst Street's growers' market is the place to taste Tasmanian produce in one go: sourdough, berries, cheese, cured meats and small-batch spirits, with coffee carts and breakfast stalls. Hobart restaurants fill up on Friday and Saturday nights and during Dark Mofo and summer festivals, so book ahead.
Key facts
- Signature dish
- Tasmanian oysters
- Vegetarian-friendly picks
- 5
- Tipping
- Tipping is not expected in Australia because wages are higher.
- Food experiences
- 4
10 foods to try
Dish
1.Tasmanian oysters
Pacific oysters farmed in the cold, clean waters of Pitt Water, Little Swanport and Bruny Island are briny and plump, served natural with lemon or lightly dressed.
Where: Fish punts at Constitution Dock, waterfront restaurants and farm-gate shops on Bruny Island and near the airport at Barilla Bay.
Snack
2.Scallop pie
A Tasmanian bakery speciality: whole scallops in a creamy, often curried, sauce inside a pie crust.
Where: Bakeries across Hobart and Battery Point, and roadside bakeries on the way to Richmond and Port Arthur.
Street food
3.Fish and chips
Flathead, blue-eye trevalla and other local fish fried to order and eaten by the water; scallops and calamari are common add-ons.
Where: The floating fish punts at Constitution and Victoria Docks.
Dish
4.Tasmanian salmon
Atlantic salmon farmed in Tasmanian waters appears on most menus smoked, cured or pan-roasted.
Where: Waterfront and Salamanca restaurants, and smoked salmon at Salamanca and Farm Gate markets.
Dish
5.Southern rock lobster (Crayfish)
Tasmanians call rock lobster 'crayfish'; it is a celebration dish, simply grilled or served cold with mayonnaise.
Where: Seafood restaurants around the docks, usually at market price.
Snack · Vegetarian
6.Leatherwood honey
A strongly floral honey made from the flowers of leatherwood trees that grow in Tasmania's western rainforests.
Where: Salamanca Market and Farm Gate Market stalls, and providores around the city.
Drink · Vegetarian
7.Tasmanian whisky
Tasmania's single-malt revival began in Hobart in the 1990s, and local distilleries now produce award-winning whiskies, as well as gins using native pepperberry.
Where: Distillery cellar doors and whisky bars on the waterfront and in Salamanca.
Drink · Vegetarian
8.Cool-climate wine
The Coal River Valley near Richmond and the Derwent and Huon valleys produce pinot noir, chardonnay, riesling and sparkling wine.
Where: Wine bars in Salamanca and North Hobart, and cellar doors a 20–30 minute drive from the city.
Drink · Vegetarian
9.Apples and cider
Tasmania's 'Apple Isle' nickname comes from the Huon Valley orchards, which now supply a crop of craft ciders alongside fresh fruit.
Where: Market stalls, bottle shops and cider houses in the Huon Valley, about 40 minutes south.
Dish · Vegetarian
10.Tasmanian cheese
Small producers make washed-rind, cloth-bound and soft cheeses from local milk; Bruny Island Cheese Co. is the best-known.
Where: Cheese shops and providores in the city, the Sunday Farm Gate Market and producers on Bruny Island.
Food experiences
Sunday at Farm Gate Market
Bathurst Street's growers' market is the place to taste Tasmanian produce in one go: sourdough, berries, cheese, cured meats and small-batch spirits, with coffee carts and breakfast stalls.
Dockside seafood
Order fish and chips or a dozen oysters from a floating punt at Constitution Dock and eat looking at the fishing boats.
Cellar doors of the Coal River Valley
Wineries around Richmond, about 25 minutes from the city, pour cool-climate pinot noir and sparkling wine, and several serve long lunches.
Whisky tasting
Tasting rooms on the waterfront and at distilleries a short drive from the city run flights of Tasmanian single malts, a good rainy-evening plan.
Quick bites and street food
- Scallop pie — Bakeries across Hobart and Battery Point, and roadside bakeries on the way to Richmond and Port Arthur.
- Fish and chips — The floating fish punts at Constitution and Victoria Docks.
- Leatherwood honey — Salamanca Market and Farm Gate Market stalls, and providores around the city.
Vegetarian options
Of the 10 foods in this guide, 5 are usually vegetarian: Leatherwood honey, Tasmanian whisky, Cool-climate wine, Apples and cider and Tasmanian cheese. Check preparation with staff, as stocks and fats vary.
Eating out: tips and etiquette
- Hobart restaurants fill up on Friday and Saturday nights and during Dark Mofo and summer festivals, so book ahead.
- Kitchens often stop taking orders around 8:30–9pm, earlier than in mainland capitals.
- Tap water is free and good; ask for a jug.
- Many cafés close by mid-afternoon, so plan lunch accordingly.
- Prices on menus include GST, and there is no expectation of a service charge.
Tipping
Tipping is not expected in Australia because wages are higher. Rounding up or leaving about 10% for very good table service is appreciated but optional.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Tassie | Tasmania |
| Crayfish | Southern rock lobster |
| Arvo | Afternoon |
| Bottle-o | Liquor shop |
Questions travellers ask
+What food is Hobart famous for?
Tasmanian oysters, Scallop pie, Fish and chips and Tasmanian salmon. Pacific oysters farmed in the cold, clean waters of Pitt Water, Little Swanport and Bruny Island are briny and plump, served natural with lemon or lightly dressed.
+Is Hobart good for vegetarians?
Several local staples are meat-free, including Leatherwood honey, Tasmanian whisky and Cool-climate wine.
+Do you tip in restaurants in Hobart?
Tipping is not expected in Australia because wages are higher. Rounding up or leaving about 10% for very good table service is appreciated but optional.