Hobart’s best places to eat

Mona’s tasty neighbour
When you’re done marvelling at Mona, stay local by eating at Local, the nearby suburban pizzeria that many Hobartians swear makes the city’s finest pizza. Run by Isabella Edwards, daughter of famed Hobart winemaker Stefano Lubiana, Local’s thin-crust, hand-stretched dough, slow fermented for 72 hours, is key to the quality of the pizzas, which are as creative as their names – Notorious P.I.G, Bubby G, Wild Child – and best devoured on the long communal tables out front.
52 Maroni Rd, Berriedale. Phone (03) 6249 3573. localpizzatas.com.au

Telegraph Hotel

The sky’s the limit
Hobart’s climate has never really inspired rooftop bars and restaurants, so it was a brave new wining and dining world when the revamped, 165-year-old ‘Tele’ opened its rooftop terrace in late 2022 (joining Aura as the city’s only rooftop perches). Overlooking Sullivan’s Cove, the walk-in-only terrace bar delivers pub classics from Tassie produce – Nicholls chicken parmis, wallaby skewers, Cape Grim rump. And yes, this is Hobart – the terrace has heating and retractable roof covering.
19 Morrison St, Hobart. Phone (03) 6292 5039
telegraphhotelhobart.com.au

Ogee

European-style bistro

North Hobart – NoHo – has all but seized the mantle as Hobart’s best eating strip, with options ranging from Pancho Villa’s fine Mexican, to cafe winner Born in Brunswick to pub favourite The Winston, all joined now by newcomer Ogee. The 28-seat, Mediterranean-style bistro from chef Matt Breen, founder of Templo and perennially popular Sonny, is intimate, warm and walk-in only, with a weekly changing menu that might feature the likes of sauteed gnocchi or white asparagus with mussel velouté.
374 Murray St, North Hobart. ogeehobart.com.au

Tom McHugo’s Hobart Hotel

Pub with panache
Remember the days when pub vegetables came cubed, out of frozen bags? Corner hotel Tom McHugo’s is everything that wasn’t, championing local produce in one of Australia’s most interesting pub menus. With produce from local growers such as Fat Carrot Farm, Provenance Growers and Littlewood Lamb hitting even the plates in the front bar, and craft beer pouring from hand pumps, it’s a pub feed but not as you know it.
87 Macquarie St, Hobart. Phone (03) 6231 4916

Institut Polaire

Cool by nature
It makes sense that you can almost see the icebreaker Antarctic ships from Institut Polaire’s near-waterfront tables. Hobart’s ties to Antarctica are celebrated in the cold tones of this intimate inner-city wine bar, which delivers a seasonal set menu alongside small-plate offerings. The stars of the show are just as likely to be in glasses, be it the bar’s own Süd Polaire Antarctic dry gin, or something from the wine list that was named the best in Australia in 2022.
1/7 Murray Street, Hobart. Phone 0432 925 895. institutpolaire.com.au

Dier Makr

Enter past Dier Makr’s sister wine bar, Lucinda, to discover one of Hobart’s finest eating experiences. Simple ingredients are turned into stunning flavours from the barebones kitchen – think a couple of hot plates and a hibachi – fuelling a tasting menu with well-considered wine (or non-alcoholic) pairings. It’s a journey as interesting as it is tasty, from duckbilled boarfish with cauliflower shavings to apple and parsley sorbet. When you’re done, round the evening out back in Lucinda.
123 Collins St, Hobart. Phone (03) 6288 8910. diermakr.com

In the Hanging Garden

Hidden within the city’s folds, and yet filling an entire block, this kid-friendly, dog-friendly green space puzzles together a trio of eateries – pan-Asian Oryza, the cantina-like Mother Mexico and the crispy crusts of Pizza Pizza – with a garden bar. The tiered design includes the sunny, sunken 18-metre-high glass Cathedral dining space, and a literal hanging garden on the deck above. DJs get spinning on Friday and Saturday nights.
112 Murray St, Hobart. inthehanginggarden.com.au

Peppina

What’s old is new
Steered by stalwart Hobart chef Massimo Mele, the five-star Tasman’s sophisticated flagship restaurant brings old-world Italian traditions (the restaurant is named after Mele’s nonna, Giuseppina) to a colonial-age former hospital now encompassed by a new hotel. Unsurprisingly then, Peppina is a blend of Mele’s Neapolitan traditions and the freshest things from Tasmania’s earth and ocean, with a menu ranging from the classic Neapolitan street snack of pizza fritta to hand-made gnocchi and market fish.
2B Salamanca Place, Hobart. Phone (03) 6240 6000. peppinarestaurant.com

The Agrarian Kitchen

School turned master
Skip the instruction and head straight to the eating at this tasty offspring of the famed Agrarian Kitchen Cooking School. Set inside a former ward at Tasmania’s first mental asylum in New Norfolk – check out the original pressed metal ceilings – the celebrated restaurant delivers a set menu from the adjoining one-acre kitchen garden and its whole-animal butchery. Book a garden tour to precede your feed or, if you’re in a rush, there’s always the kiosk and picnic tables on the lawn.
11A The Avenue, New Norfolk. Phone (03) 6262 0011. theagrariankitchen.com