My Ultimate Hobart Guide AND Byron Beauty Little Black Book...shhh
Here I share where to Eat and Stay in one of Australia's food capitals AND my Byron beauty secrets... some amazing female founded businesses for self care :)
Hello everyone!
Today’s SEASON newsletter is all about where to eat and stay in glorious in Hobart AND my secret Byron Bay beauty and wellness little black book (some of which you may not have heard of)!
So first…Tassie.
As many of you will already know, Tasmania is a food lover’s dream, thanks to exceptional, world class produce AND world class chefs and cooks. We’ve had some of our most memorable food and travel experiences in the world there, so much so that we keep toying with the idea of moving south! The berries (and many, many varieties), exquisitely pungent truffles and luscious dairy…! We’ve been lucky enough to visit a few times in the last couple of years for food related work commitments and, like all my trips, I’ve spent many months researching where to eat and stay (and consulted local chefs in the know like Luke Burgess, Analiese Gregory and Rodney Dunn for their local expert input).
Below I’ve listed my INSIDER picks on eats and stays- enjoy!
The SEASON Ultimate Food Guide to Hobart:
HOBART:
Pigeon Hole Bakers: This is an iconic Hobart bakery and for good reason. It’s located in the heart of the city and is very busy with locals lining up for the city’s best pastries, sandwiches and coffee. The croissants are benchmark.
Sonny Wine Bar: This tiny, hole in the wall, bar is an absolute MUST. The ever-changing seasonal menu is pint-sized too and perfectly so, as there’s basically no decision making. At Sonny, you can just enjoy the starter of the day (something like a jamon on toast), couple of mains (usually a delicious pasta) and dessert at the bar while the natural wines and champagne flow to the sound of Bowie on the record player. One of my favourite moments was when at the end of our meal, the owner pulled out a beautiful timber box with hand made chocolate wrapped in gold foil, inviting us to have one. Delightful.
Hot tip: Arrive early as it’s walk-in only and gets packed.
Lucinda: This is another one of my favourite wine bars by local hospo legend Kobi Ruzicka, whose natural wine knowledge and list is off the charts. At Lucinda, there are so many rarely seen and great drops, and he’ll make sure that you’re drinking something natural and delicious. He also owns fine diner “Dier Makr” just behind it (which I also recommend for a special meal). Lucinda has a Euro bistro feel, and it’s fun and effortless. The food is delicious too for aperitivo, dinner and date night.
Ogee: This is the charming and intimate 28 seat corner wine bar that we all wish was in our neighbourhood. Ogee’s chic interior is centred around a large wooden island where you can enjoy thoughtfully curated Tasmanian, Australian and European bevvies. Chef Matt Breen’s menu changes regularly to reflect the seasonal produce. A must.
Trophy Room: If I had to pick somewhere cool but laid-back for lunch, this would be it. Tucked away in North Hobart, this casual bistro with an open kitchen offers a glimpse into the meticulous preparation of each dish, including the stand out mortadella cruller - a pastry filled with cheese and pepper, served with freshly sliced mortadella. The menu changes daily.
Ranita Ramen: This place JUST opened and they had me at 9 seats and homemade noodles! Sadly, I haven’t been here myself, but if local chefs Analiese Gregory and Rodney Dunn say it’s good, then IT MUST BE! Lucky you, if you get to go!
Fico: This restaurant is chic and elegant with an Italian inspired cuisine that uses the best of Tassie produce. Think house-made pastas and delicate seafood in a menu that changes weekly, the perfect spot for date night. We took our kids but I think it’s better suited to an adults only night out.
Pitzi: This is a little pasta bar, from the Fico crew. It opened the day after we left so we never got to go, but considering the pedigree of the restauranteurs, I would definitely be coming here for quality, casual Italian in the city!
Me Wah: Unfortunately, I haven’t dined at this iconic Chinese restaurant myself, but enough locals in the know have recommended it for me to confidently pass on the tip.
Peppina: This is the in-house restaurant at the historic (and beautiful) Tasman Hotel just off Salamanca. Chef Massimo Miele has created a truly delicious, Italian inspired menu using top notch Tasmanian produce. I had some of my favourite oysters and pinot noir wine in Tassie here, which is a big call I know. The dining room is large and spacious with high ceilings and exposed bricks, but it feels intimate. I recommend one of the banquette tables.
Sunbear: This is cute and casual cafe is a perfect spot for breakfast and lunch. From pickles and chai, to pastry and sauces, many of the delicious ingredients are made in-house. Think sandwiches, salads and scones. It’s simple, honest and delicious.
Salamanca Markets: A wander through this famous market is a must. There are 300 stalls every Saturday filled with local crafts and delicious produce.
NEW NORFOLK:
Agrarian Kitchen: An hour’s drive from Hobart, this is absolutely worth the travel for one of the most exceptional food experiences in the whole country. Yes, not just Tasmania but Australia. Around 15 years ago, food writer, cook and photographer Rodney Dunn and his wife Severine started a cooking school in their home, a stunningly renovated schoolhouse in the small town of Lachlan, set amongst the most lush and abundant gardens packed with produce. They have since expanded to include a restaurant and kiosk, and moved the premises to another historic building nearby, New Norfolk’s former mental aslyum. Here you’ll now find the excellent cooking school (I’ve done the classes twice!), market gardens, a trailblazing composting system and exceptional restaurant -where over 90% of the produce is sourced onsite. I recommend it all! The Agrarian Kitchen is as legit as garden to table and circular dining gets. It’s a benchmark experience.
Stefano Lubiana Wines: If travelling from Hobart to the Agrarian Kitchen, Tassie’s first certified biodynamic vineyard and winery is one the way and worth a stop at the cellar door for wines that are very much an expression of the place.
HUON VALLEY:
This beautiful region, about an hour to the south and west of Hobart is rich with produce and home to some of the country’s finest chefs - so this alone says a lot. Here are the places I recommend stopping by to eat…and a secret scoop of what’s to come!
Summer Kitchen Bakery: This organic, wood-fired bakery is a MUST. There are lines out the door and that’s because the bread and pastries are exceptional.
The Green Cherry Shed: This little roadside fruit stall was such a wonderful surprise- and well worth a stop! It had some of the best tasting cherries and raspberries I’ve ever tried.
Fat Pig Farm: Renowned chef and food writer Matthew Evans and wife Sadie have a property in Huon where they raise Wessex saddleback pigs and milk a full cream Jersey cow. They regularly host pop-up events on the property so do check the website! I missed out on my last visit but it’s definitely on my list.
Willie Smith’s Apple Shed: This rustic and charming farm gate celebrates Tassie’s apple growing heritage and sells award-winning ciders crafted from locally grown organic apples.
THE SCOOP…
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to SEASON to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.