The best Italian restaurants in Hobart

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

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 freshly-made pasta is worthy of your attention, 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

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. Six courses (four if you’re dining at lunch) featuring 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: Mid-range

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

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

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

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 by tucking into some arancini and polpette. For mains, cotoletta and veal scaloppine keep the vibe alive (along with another bottle of Italian prosecco or a strong espresso), and consider staying for aperitivo hour. 

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 at 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. Our eyes are on dessert, specifically the house-baked chocolate almond cheesecake – perfetto!

Address: 47 Salamanca Pl, Hobart 

Price: Mid-range

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 – and yes, they do takeaway. Kids (and kids at heart) also love the homemade gelato. 

Address: 47 Hampden Rd, Battery Point

Price: Mid-range