The 11 best Italian restaurants in Hobart

When Fico’s Federica Andrisani and Oskar Rossi (ex-Vue De Monde) opened Pitzi, meaning 'little one', it was ostensibly an opportunity for the pair to be more experimental in a casual setting. The intimate spot is both communal (try and nab a spot at the big table) and also a great option for a romantic date. They start slinging pasta, Spritzes and slabs of focaccia from 4pm, with an ever-evolving and well-curated menu. Traditional is fused with contemporary, and a focus on Tasmania’s fresh, local ingredients is paramount to Pitzi’s ethos. The pasta is deliciously al dente with generous portions and rich, slow-braised flavours. Extend your evening by opting for the ice cream sandwich – an elevated reimagining of a childhood fave. 

Address: 4 Victoria St, Hobart 

Price: Mid-range to high-end

Good vibes. Good grub. Good vino. That's what you get at Sonny, a tiny Italian wine bar in the CBD. It's like heading to a friend’s house for dinner, albeit a mate with serious chops in the kitchen. There are just 20 seats for walk-ins along the centre table, with diners on one side and chatty staff pouring wine and handing out food from the other. The theme here is "communal", from the layout of the venue to the plates of pasta you can share with your friends (you could also feast on tapas, oysters and tostadas, depending on what's scribbled on the blackboard). With tunes spinning all evening on the record player, you might feel the urge to share your dance moves, too!

Address: 120a Elizabeth St, Hobart

Price: Mid-range

When Don Camillo opened 60 years ago, it was one of only three restaurants in Hobart, and lines of patrons would snake around the corner. It’s the only OG still standing, but Don Camillo hasn’t rested on its laurels. The evolution of this institution led us to the 250-gram grass-fed Cape Grim beef eye fillet. Wrapped in prosciutto and served with leek, carrot and potato mash, it’s what nights out are made for. The red and white tablecloths are charming and practical, hiding all sins of fettuccine alla puttanesca and glasses of red vino being heartily enjoyed. All we can say is, we hope to be dining here for another 60 years.

Address: 5 Magnet Crt, Sandy Bay 

Price: Mid-range

Translating to “treasure” in Italian, Tesoro is quite literally a hidden treasure in the heart of Hobart. While it sits in the lobby of the stylish Mövenpick Hotel, it’s far from your typical, uninspired hotel restaurant. The kitchen pairs rustic Italian techniques with premium Tasmanian produce, serving up house-made pastas, flame-grilled seafood, dry-aged Tasmanian meats and excellent woodfired pizzas. The hero of the menu is Tesoro’s theatrical cheese-wheel experience, where a chef whips up a creamy cacio e pepe tableside in a 25-kilogram wheel of pecorino. It’s an absolute chef’s kiss! Post-carb coma, you can slide over to the bar for a crisp local pinot noir or a cheeky Spritz. The house tiramisu is also a delicious finale!

Address: Mövenpick Hotel Hobart, 28 Elizabeth St, Hobart 

Price: Mid-range to high-end

Chef and restaurateur Matt Breen is the master of small, intimate Hobart venues (ex-Templo and Sonny) and Ogee is his latest venture. A corner space in popular North Hobart, it's all about great food, great wine, and sharing it with great company. You’ll hear the signature sound of records spinning and wine glasses clinking as you approach. The à la carte menu changes daily, and the dishes are meant to be shared – this is a staple of any Breen offering. So, come here for flavourful Italian-inspired dishes created with local produce, a hefty wine list, welcoming staff and relaxed, friendly vibes. Hey, if it ain’t broke…

Address: 374 Murray St, North Hobart

Price: Mid-range

Named after his nonna, dining at Massimo Mele’s Peppina could feel like dinner at your Italian grandmother’s house – if your nonna were a celebrated chef who lived in a light-filled atrium complete with mature olive trees. The name of the game here is 'feast', so more is more is a solid ethos when ordering. Located within the luxury hotel The Tasman, and despite seating 190 people, Peppina manages to feel intimate and always buzzy. Your sommelier will guide you through the encyclopedic wine list as you contemplate some antipasti from the seasonal menu. All the fresh pasta is worthy of your attention and changes regularly with what's in season, but we love the ricotta cavatelli with mushrooms, celeriac broth and crunchy pangratatto. There's also house-made gnocchi, succulent braised meats, a selection of just-caught seafood and desserts to savour.

Address: 2B Salamanca Pl, Hobart 

Price: High-end 

When Angelo swung open the doors of his eponymous Da Angelo Ristorante over 30 years ago, he couldn’t have known that this unassuming place would become one of the most beloved restaurants on the Hobart dining scene. Much of the interiors and the menu have remained the same, but that’s all part of the charm – as is Angelo’s signature ear-to-ear grin. The photo wall is a nostalgic look at some famous faces that have eaten here over the decades – politicians, footy players and actors alike have all descended upon this spot for generous portions of spaghetti bolognese or vino e crema veal scaloppini. While the list of pastas is endless, the pizzas have a dizzying array of toppings (the garlic prawn is a crowd favourite) and are available in three sizes – small, medium and large. And, yes, they do takeaway. Kids (and kids at heart) also love the homemade gelato. 

Address: 47 Hampden Rd, Battery Point

Price: Affordable

The premise of Templo is clever, really: seat 25 people and serve them all the exact same thing. You get what you’re given at Templo, but luckily what you’re given is incredible. The set menu features handmade pasta bursting with flavour, like sweet corn agnolotti or dory and potato cappellacci, as well as vegetable-based dishes using produce from local growers. There’s an extensive wine list scribbled on the chalkboard, and the staff are happy to help match your choice with the night’s menu. Dessert is the perfect finale, whether it's a lemon semifreddo or custard tart with gingerbread ice cream. Walk-ins welcome, but bookings are recommended. Psst! Bookings open 30 days in advance.

Address: 98 Patrick St, Hobart

Price: Blowout

Come enjoy a slice of Italy at this bright pink pizzeria by the same team behind Local Pizza. All pies at Ti Ama are cooked in a disco-ball oven, which makes sense considering that there are disco balls of all shapes and sizes dotted around the dining room. The pizza menu is as playful as the decor, with names like Bubby G, BBQ Bird, Wild Child and Spuf Lyf. However, the King Kofta is the most popular, with a capsicum base, lamb kofta, mozzarella, roast capsicum, herb yogurt, red onion, za’atar and chopped herbs. Not in the mood for pizza? Try their antipasti and fresh pasta. 

Address: 13 Castray Esp, Battery Point 

Price: Mid-range

In the heart of Hobart, Cultura is a great spot for a late-morning espresso or an early-evening feast, replenishing all those calories burned while traversing the city’s main shopping strip. Grab a seat at the bar for a quick drink with friends –a negroni or a Tassie pinot gris, perhaps? Or be escorted to the dining room for the full experience. Begin with a warm slab of focaccia and arancini before moving on to pizza and pasta. For mains, the veal scaloppine keeps the vibe alive –along with another bottle of Italian prosecco or a strong espresso. 

Address: 123 Liverpool St, Hobart

Price: Mid-range 

Founded by the Di Tommaso family, who migrated to Tasmania from the Adriatic coast, food and wine are the heart of Maldini. Tucked in an 1830s Georgian sandstone warehouse with outdoor seating spilling onto Salamanca Place, it’s one of the go-to spots to pull up a chair and do some people-watching with a hearty side of Italian fare. The menu is packed with classics.  Bruschetta and calamari fritti are always a good way to start the meal, while the frutti di mare makes for a memorable main that showcases some of Tassie’s best seafood, including Spring Bay mussels, prawns, market fish and calamari on a bed of orzo and saffron tomato broth. If you’re looking for an easy option, go for the two- or three-course set menu – perfetto!

Address: 47 Salamanca Pl, Hobart 

Price: Mid-range