The 14 best cafés in Hobart

What is it? A quintessential Battery Point eatery that whips up soul-soothing plates and some of the best coffee in Hobart.

Why we love it: Light-filled and brimming with charm, Lēoht (pronounced lee-oht, meaning ‘light’ in Old English) in Battery Point is a breath of fresh air. Having thrown open their doors in 2024, they’ve transformed a drab space into a welcoming, pink-hued café that gives nostalgic European vibes, complete with fresh herbs growing in abundance. With Campos coffee and wholesome eats on the cards, it’d be a difficult task to leave Lēoht unsatisfied. Linger over a black sesame latte with honey on oat or perhaps a seasonal single origin and batch brew alike in their gorgeous courtyard. Similarly, the small but delicious menu has something for everyone to enjoy – we’re talkin’ jalapeno cornbread with a poached egg, along with buckwheat banana pancakes to boot.

Time Out tip: Sticking around Lēoht for your cuppa is indeed a pretty affair, but we can’t resist taking it away and strolling the quaint, historic streets of Battery Point. Smell the roses and your coffee beans all in one.

What is it? A highly aesthetic, neighbourhood hang-out with a Japanese flair.

Why we love it: You’ll be welcomed like a local at this cosy 40-seat corner café on the western fringe of Hobart CBD. Husband-and-wife team Min Ratthanakun and Mick Lairatana opened Erda (meaning ‘Earth’) in early 2024, with the intention of combining good vibes with great coffee and delicious food. The menu gives comforting classics an innovative twist, with a Japanese nod in dishes like omurice of beef demi-glaze and scrambled egg with tomato-fried rice, honey butter brioche toast featuring mascarpone, strawberry and fennel-almond crumbs, as well as chashu soba (braised pork belly with buckwheat soba and an oozy soft-boiled egg). Coffee comes courtesy of Reuben Hills and Shake, with house favourites including iced ceremonial matcha topped with sweet cream foam and the experimental Blue Sky of banana matcha, blue spirulina oat milk, coconut yoghurt and a fair bit of Leatherwood honey.

Time Out tip: Be warned, the Edra corner café is extremely cute and no detail goes unnoticed – from the sunlit table placements and subtle coffee machine to the unusually-cushioned booths and ceramicware. It's, dare we say, Instagrammable.

What is it? A social enterprise café that dishes out classics with a twist.

Why we love it: Nothing will warm your soul quite like a visit to Hobart’s most wholesome café, located just minutes from the city centre, right by the Hobart Rivulet track. Hamlet doesn't just dish up an ever-changing menu of brunch favourites – think pesto omelettes, spiced lamb flatbread and fried eggplant with green chilli yogurt – it has immaculate vibes too. The café doubles as a social enterprise hub dedicated to providing training and employment opportunities for those living with a disability. To date, they’ve worked with more than 750 participants, delivered almost 50,000 hours of training and supplied more than 45,000 warm meals to those sleeping rough. How’s that for heartwarming? Hamlet’s basque cheesecake with preserved cherries is just about as heartwarming too – pair it with an oat milk latte and you’ve got yourself a winning combo.

Time Out tip: Hamlet’s timber-forward café is cosy and spacious, making for an inviting nook for a catch-up or a solo endeavour. 

What is it? One of Hobart’s most Instagrammable cafés, serving up classic Aussie brunch fare from a refreshed waterfront spot in Salamanca.

Why we love it? You’ve heard the saying, “almost too pretty to eat”? At Farzi, that’s practically their tagline (emphasis on the almost, though). Sharing the same space as Ti Ama pizzeria (who take over at night), this brunch favourite has moved into a bigger waterfront space in lively Battery Point. Expect Aussie classics with clever South Asian and Middle Eastern twists, each dish plated so beautifully it deserves a spot on your IG grid. Sweet tooths will be satisfied with panna cotta granola and Farzi’s famous French toast, while the savoury inclined can fill up on corn and zucchini fritters, avo butter toast or a hearty coconut prawn curry. Coffee lovers are treated to Single O brews, while matcha fans can sip ceremonial grade matcha stirred with strawberry, mango, rose, coconut, lychee or peach.

Time Out tip: There’s a reason Farzi pours more than 5,000 Mimosas a year. Treat yourself to classic or raspberry Mimosas, Cherry Spritzes or Peach Bellinis during their weekend bottomless brunch.

What is it? A yesteryear bakery with more than just loaves of bread.

Why we love it: If you’re someone quite partial to a carb or 12, chances are you’ve already got a visit to Jackman and McRoss on your list. One of Hobart’s most famous bakeries, not only can you drop in to buy house-made Iced VoVos and Monte Carlos, croissants, scallop pies, fruit tarts and other elevated bakery staples – you can also sit down for breakfast or lunch at the bakery café. Locals will tell you that Jackman and McRoss coffee is as good as its perfectly flaky pastries. With two locations in historic Battery Point and the inner-north suburb of New Town, you can always try the other if you struggle to get a park at the first. We’re a sucker for the Battery Point locale though, it’s cute as a button with some serious olde world charm with its yesteryear kitchenware and fresh-baked loafs on display – the specials blackboard is never not a nice touch, too.

Time Out tip: If you can, nab a seat on the street for sublime cottagecore and kunanyi / Mt Wellington views.

What is it? An intimate deli that’ll whisk you off to 1940s New York.

Why we love it: Housed in an Art Deco building that was once – you guessed it – a laundromat, this schmick New York-style diner pays homage to its roots. The short and sweet menu offers a slice of the Big Apple in the heart of the Apple Isle, featuring a handful of brekkie bagels, stacked sandos and golden toasties, as well as fantastically crafted plates that are just as enticing to look at as they taste. Recent hot hits and specials upon Westside Laundry’s menu have included schmöked spätzle (German pasta) with smoked pastrami and cheese, semolina gnocchi Italiano highlighting roasted cauliflower, lemon-caper butter and fresh goat’s curd, along with a hefty sirloin beef French roll (which is jus-dipped, mind you) with house-made giardiniera (pickled veg relish) and a portion of potato chips for good measure. Everything is made fresh to order and best enjoyed with an old-school milkshake and the sweet treat of the day.

Time Out tip: In typical Australian deli style, seating is limited – so either wait your turn or order your eats to go and head to the nearby Hobart Linear Park for a feast among the foliage.

What is it? An off the beaten track nook in the middle of the city centre.

Why we love it: The definition of hidden gem, Dandy Lane is one of Hobart’s best cafés and best-kept secrets. You’ll find it down the end of a pedestrian laneway called Collins Court, serving all-day brunch with a fair side of Tassie friendliness from the staff. Treat yourself to one (or all) of the eatery’s crowd-favourites: the zucchini mint fritters with house-pickled cucumber and soft poached eggs that has been on the menu for three whole years; the mushroom feta arancini with verdant vegetables and heaps of parmesan; or the Pancake De Dandy complete with chocolate wafers, pink-hued fairyfloss and an upside down ice cream cone for a bit of height and crunch. All of it pairs perfectly with Dandy Lane’s excellent coffee and warm, welcoming atmosphere. It’s tough to brave the winter air after brunch at this place.

Time Out tip: Dandy Lane is secluded, if that’s your thing. The laneway locale means you can dine alfresco with the pleasant addition of no chaotic traffic sounds.

What is it? A charming spot on one of Hobart’s cutest CBD streets perfect for a morning pick-me-up or a leisurely afternoon brew. 

Why we love it: Tucked in a narrow one-way side street in Hobart’s CBD, this café is a favourite with locals, but a very badly kept secret given it’s always packed with diners spilling out onto the footpath seating. A bright pink La Marzocco machine takes pride in place at Criterion St Café, where coffee is an art form and the atmosphere is always buzzing. We challenge you to walk past on your way to the Elizabeth Street Mall shops without gazing longingly at someone’s stack of corn fritters heaped with avocado smash and popping in to try your luck at a free table. The super-friendly staff will always do their best to find you a spot, and trust us, the food makes any kind of wait worth it. 

Time Out tip: Shout-out to Criterion St Café’s latte art that’s worth admiring for at least a moment. Curvaceous swans and Vincent Van Gogh-like swirls decorate the caffeinated cups.

What is it? A neon-lit café-cross-coin laundry that’s retro by design.

Why we love it: A stalwart of Salamanca Square, this bright and welcoming spot has been serving the people of Hobart for decades. A must-visit for breakfast, Machine Laundry is especially pleasant to take refuge in this brightly-coloured, retro-tinged space when the Tassie weather is at its most bleak. If the decor isn’t soul-warming enough, the hearty breakfasts – like chunky sourdough heaped with avocado and perfectly squeaky halloumi, or the breakfast chicken cassoulet with a fried egg – certainly will. And yep, you can literally do a load of laundry here at the coin-operated machines – that’s basically breakfast and a show – plus it’s a fabulous avenue for meeting new folk out in the wild if you’re not so partial to the apps.

Time Out tip: Given Machine Laundry’s prime Salamanca Square locale, we’d recommend heading there on a Saturday for your morning fix and then moseying over to the Salamanca Markets to peruse the many, many wares from more than 300 stall holders.

What is it? A super cute Moonah haunt that’s big on the mid-century vibes and toasties.

Why we love it: As the sister café of previously mentioned, long-standing, inner-city staple Machine Laundry, Plain Jane has been bringing cheerful vintage goodness to the northern suburb of Moonah for a couple of years now. Locals flock here for the top-tier cups of joe, humongous toasties (like the leg ham, vintage cheddar and relish number) as well as brunch originals and some unexpected plates too. Nonna’s baked eggs are a menu staple with tomato-braised beans, taleggio cheese, salsa verde and garlic sourdough, while the Japanese okonomiyaki cabbage-bacon pancake is a welcome surprise. But truth be told, we can’t help but opt for The Big Cheese – a (big) slice of filo stuffed with spinach, silverbeet, feta, parmesan and ricotta. Holy moly, it’s a dairy dream. Plentiful indoor and outdoor seating saves the day for those dining in, plus the tunes are always good, and the vibrant retro decor is pure joy.

Time Out tip: It’d be rude not to grab a slice of Plain Jane’s cakes – they’re far from plain and a true delight to marvel at.

What is it? A city hotspot that takes pride in mighty good coffee and intriguing fare.

Why we love it: Pilgrim’s Will Priestley – the mastermind behind Queens Pastry and Circle of Life Doughnut Co – created Pilgrim as a shrine to exceptional coffee. With up to ten different beans on rotation at any one time, including offerings from St Ali, Reuben Hills, Proud Mary and Market Lane, there’s something for every palate. It’s also one of the best cafés in Hobart CBD for brunch, serving the kind of obscenely good food you’ll feel mildly guilty for indulging in (before your enjoyment takes over). Think house-made cocoa pops doused in hot chocolate milk topped with marshmallows and strawberries, along with Boston seafood chowder and a hunk of Irish soda bread, as well as a moreish Cuban sandwich filled with roast pork, leg ham, Swiss cheese, mustard and very necessary dill pickles. With the space’s exposed brick, exposed light bulbs and exposed floorboards, the upscale industrial feel teamed with the expert-level brunch menu will make you feel like you woke up in Brooklyn rather than Hobart.

Time Out tip: Make sure to check out Pilgrim Coffee’s new fandangled, sleek coffee dispensers – so shiny and cool you almost need sunglasses for a proper suss.

What is it? A café by day and wine bar by night, across the bridge.

Why we love it: On the other side of the Tasman Bridge is Bellerive’s Marla Singer, named for the character in Fight Club. But the name is where the similarities end, as this Eastern Shore eatery is as far from chaotic as you could get. Situated in a quiet waterfront suburb, this cool yet welcoming café serves up brunch treats like house-made crumpets with whipped vegemite butter and Bay of Fires cheddar, nduja baked beans, eggs florentine and the muffuletta – a New Orleans-style breakfast sandwich layered with meat, pickles and cheese. And the best part? Marla Singer opens its doors from the AM for all your specialty coffee needs through to the PM for all your wine desires, or vice versa – we’re not judging. By night, the vino bar’s menu constantly rotates with what’s good in the produce sector, but you can expect to tuck into plates like black garlic tagliatelle with globe artichoke or hasselback potato with oyster butter and cured egg yolk.

Time Out tip: Marla Singer’s ambience is exceptionally cute – down-to-earth but somewhat elevated. We’d recommend this spot for your next date night.

What is it? A rustic café with fresh-baked bread on display and local wines and preserves up for grabs.

Why we love it: Not to be confused with Pigeon Whole Bakers (a great place to grab a takeaway coffee and pastry, not so much an actual café), Pigeon Hole is a must-visit Hobart haunt, especially if you’re a paddock-to-plate foodie type. Everything at Pigeon Hole is locally sourced, right down to the chairs that diners sit on – made by a craftsman in the Derwent Valley. Food-wise, the owners of Pigeon Hole also own Weston Farm, which provides plenty of the menu’s fresh produce. Any dish with honey, apples, veggies, pickles and preserves is likely to be sourced from the farm, and anything the farm hasn’t provided comes from local producers. It’s a true Tassie brunch experience. You can expect to nibble on toasties, sandwiches, wraps and waffles with a few egg dishes for breakfast, of course. The toasted pulled-chicken sanga with cheese, roasted capsicum, seasonal greens and honey mustard is a Pigeon Hole staple, as the savoury waffle soldiers with scrambled eggs, cheese, bacon bits and padron hollandaise sauce.

Time Out tip: If you need something a little more out there than a cappuccino, keep an eye on Pigeon Hole’s drink specials – you might be lucky enough to sip on a pumpkin spice latte or a zingy Bloody Mary.

What is it? An age-old, no-frills Elizabeth Street Café.

Why we love it: Another local favourite café that gives itself away with a line of folks outside, Island Espresso clearly makes good coffee – given the fact that city workers brave the morning cold to wait for their pre-work takeaways outside. But if you pop in for a sit-down breakfast, you’ll find not only top-notch caffeine and a friendly family-run vibe, but also hash brown fries (with house-made tomato relish) on the menu. It’s a scientific fact that hash browns complement every breakfast dish and make your day infinitely better, so for that reason, Island Espresso will always hold a special, deep-fried place in our hearts. Weekly-rotating soups are a menu mainstay too, always vegetarian, always gluten-free and always offered with a chunky cheese toastie for dunking. 

Time Out tip: Island Espresso is conveniently located along the Elizabeth Street hive, meaning that you can start your day here with a coffee, mosey along the high street and discover niche stores, circle back for lunch, and end up at one of the best restaurants in Hobart (like neighbouring Sonny’s) for a well-rounded day on the town.