Isabel Cant

Hobart may be tucked all the way down the bottom of Australia, but it’s a destination not to be slept on. Tasmania’s capital city is blessed with natural beauty, featuring the glittering waters of the River Derwent on one side and the rugged peak of kunanyi/Mount Wellington on the other – and there’s plenty to do both outside and inside. Whether you’re headed to this waterfront town for a quick weekend getaway or you’ve got time on your side, our expert writers have rounded up the best things to do in Hobart. From mountain walks and self-guided history tours to top-tier restaurants and the incomparable MONA, everyone will find something to do on this list. Our Travel & News Editor Melissa Woodley's perfect Hobart day starts with pastries from Pigeon Whole Bakers, a sauna boat experience and a trip to the underrated Farm Gate Market. Happy exploring! Editors' favourite things to do in Hobart: 🖼️ Best for culture: MONA 🧺 Best for food: Farm Gate Market 💦 Best for something different: Kuuma Sauna 🍽️ The best restaurants in Hobart🖼️ The best museums and galleries in Hobart🚗 The best day trips from Hobart

All rise! Hobart’s best bakeries cook up some of the most buttery and flaky pastries our nation has ever seen. You’ll experience love at first bite with perfectly golden croissants, pies, quiches, scrolls and danishes, plus bread in all shapes and sizes. Many of Hobart’s greatest bakeries have been filling the hearts of carb lovers for more than a decade, collecting a loyal following along the way. Take local favourite, Pigeon Whole Bakers, which has been slinging sourdough since 2011, or Jackman and McRoss, a beloved Battery Point bakery and café that's been up and running since 1998. Whether you’re a long-time fan or just popping into town, here are the best bakeries in Hobart. ☕️ Hobart's best cafés🌳 The best things to do in Hobart🍽 Hobart's greatest restaurants

Australia takes its baked goods very seriously. Between our sourdough-centred meals, we all need a little sweet treat (trust us, you deserve one). Luckily, Australia's best bakeries are giving Parisian pâtissiers a run for their money, creating their own takes on classic baked goods that taste as good as they look. You’ve undoubtedly heard of the big players (hello Lune Croissanterie), but there are plenty of neighbourhood gems to spend your hard-earned dough. While we wish we could shower love on every flaky croissant, pie and sausage roll, our expert food writers, including big bakery fan Melissa Woodley, have narrowed it down to a handful of the best bakeries in Australia right now. NB: There are so many incredible bakeries scattered across the country, but this list focuses on highly-rated spots in Australia's major cities. We'll leave the hidden gems and regional favourites for you to discover for yourself. Want more? Here are the best bakeries in: Adelaide | Brisbane | Canberra | Darwin | Hobart | Melbourne | Sydney | Perth

Beyond its beautiful beaches, the Gold Coast is home to some of Queensland's best cafés – but where should you start? From breezy waterside gems and lush garden eateries to trendy bakeries and boozy brunch spots, the city has a café to suit every taste – all of them, thankfully, have seriously good coffee. Our Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, has combined her personal favourites with insider picks from locals to create this ultimate guide to the best cafés on the Gold Coast. Whether you want to watch the crashing waves at Mermaid Beach with an almond croissant or dive into an Asian-inspired avo toast with a Vietnamese iced coffee, these are the best places for brunch, coffee and all-day bites on the Gold Coast. Editor's favourite cafés on the Gold Coast: 🥑 Best brunch: Elk Espresso 🥐 Best bakery: Tarte Bakery and Café 🌮 Best bottomless brunch: The Winey Cow 🌮 The best restaurants on the Gold Coast🏄🏻‍♀️ The best things to do on the Gold Coast

Not to toot our own horn, but Australia’s coffee culture is world-class. In 2025, an Aussie café was named the best coffee shop on Earth, and this year, six more exceptional coffee spots joined it on the highly anticipated list.  To help you find the best coffee in Australia, we've tapped into the wisdom of our most devoted coffee drinkers and writers around the country. From sourcing and roasting the finest beans to crafting flawless espresso and filter brews, these roasters and cafés are masters of the craft. Now, go grab yourself a hot coffee and start reading through the list of the best coffee in Australia. For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🥐 The best croissants in Australia🍹 The best bars in Australia

Adelaide’s restaurant scene offers the best of both city and regional charm, pairing seriously stylish design with abundant fresh produce from South Australia's world-famous wine regions. The city's forward-thinking mod-Oz cuisine draws on global influences, with everything from Afghan comfort food and Parisian classics to what might be Australia’s first pizza restaurant. Adelaide's wine lists are just as impressive, featuring powerful Barossa reds, spritzy natural wines and boutique SA labels. The best part? Even extended degustation menus sit at a price point that will pleasantly surprise East Coast diners. Time Out’s Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, has joined forces with 11-year Adelaide local and passionate food writer, Dale Anninos-Carter, to bring you the ultimate guide to the best restaurants in Adelaide. Whatever you’re craving, you’ll find it here! Editors' favourite restaurants in Adelaide: 😱 Best new venue: Omada Bar & Grill 🫶🏾 Best affordable eat: Parwana Afghan Kitchen ✨ Best fine dining: Magill Estate Restaurant 💛 Best for groups: Golden Boy ❤️ Best for dates: Osteria Oggi For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🍷 The best bars in Adelaide☕️ The best cafés in Adelaide

Australians have a long-standing love affair with Italian food and honestly, it’s no mystery why. Thanks to the huge influx of Italian immigrants who arrived on our shores after World War II, Australia's food scene was changed forever, bringing with it a deep appreciation for pasta, pizza, parmesan and all things la dolce vita. Whether you’re craving fresh antipasti straight from The Boot, hand-rolled pappardelle with rich ragu, wood-fired sourdough pizza or boozy tiramisu made just like nonna, we’ve scoured out the best Italian restaurants in Australia for every occasion. Our team of Aussie food writers has independently chosen these standout spots for their authentic flavours, prime locations, buzzing ambience and signature Italian hospitality. Categorised by cities, here's our pick of the best Italian restaurants in Australia. JUMP TO:  Sydney | Melbourne | Brisbane | Adelaide | Perth | Canberra | Hobart | Darwin 🍕 The best pizza in Australia🍔 The best burgers in Australia

Don’t come to Adelaide if you don’t love birds. A zillion adorable alarm clocks will have you up at dawn in search of outstanding coffee, smashed avo and berry-studded pancakes in cafés tucked along tree-lined streets and parklands. Sure, any decent café worth its black lava salt can nail a perfect poached egg over sourdough with house-cured bacon – but where else can you sip an açai smoothie while a magpie serenades you or enjoy breakfast with native wildlife nearby? And if you’re outdoors, you’ll still get to enjoy the endeavours of chefs and cooks who celebrate exquisite, sustainably grown local produce. From chilli-spiced eggs in Highgate to breakfast pho in Woodville, here's a local's pick of the best breakfasts in Adelaide right now. 🥑 The best cafés in Adelaide☕️ The best coffee in Adelaide

With its golden sands and laid-back holiday vibe, the Gold Coast has always been a favourite destination for those seeking a relaxed seaside escape. However, this famous Queensland holiday spot offers more than just a day at the beach.  With its rich Indigenous heritage, vibrant markets, adrenaline-pumping theme parks and thriving live music scene, there's plenty to keep you entertained along the coastal strip. Our Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, particularly loves the food and drink scene here, and reckons a day trip to the naturally beautiful Gold Coast hinterland offers a welcome chance of pace. Bring your swimsuit and your sense of adventure. Here are the best things to do on the Gold Coast. 🌮 The Gold Coast’s best restaurants🌊 The best hotels on the Gold Coast☕️ The top cafés on the Gold Coast

When it comes to good coffee, Brisbanites don't have to look far. We’ve got it all: cool inner-city haunts, highly awarded local roasters, chic espresso bars, coffee-tasting experiences, plus enough espresso and cold brew to power the city. From a converted bomb shelter called Bunker to the 24/7 Death Before Decaf and the age-old Industry Beans, these are without a doubt among the best coffee shops in Brisbane right now. Time Out contributing writer and Brisbane local, Brooke Maddison, knows a thing or two about what’s good in the River City and has given these haunts the stamp of approval for the best Brisbane coffee. Go on, check out the jitter juice for yourself. For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🥐 Brisbane's best bakeries☕️ Brisbane's best cafés🍕 Brisbane's best pizza joints

Calling all sweet tooths and savoury fans alike. Brisbane is bursting with innovative, tastebud-popping pastry sensations to make your heart go boom. From the sea breezy streets of Cleveland to the buzzy charm of New Farm, the zeitgeist of Zillmere to the greenery of Ashgrove, the pulsing Brisbane City to the sunbeams of Sunnybank, you are absolutely covered. All across this beating city are artisan bakers, pastry chefs and traditional treat makers ready to serve up fresh flavours that will leave you wanting more. Moreish is the word to describe what’s on offer in our metropolis, and you, my friend, have been warned – you won’t be able to stop at just one serving. Here are the best bakeries in Brisbane. ☕️ Brisbane's best coffee shops🍽 The best cafés in Brisbane🥐 Australia's best bakeries

Is there anything better than getting together with your mates over some glasses of Australia’s finest drops and most creative cocktails? We say the only thing that beats it is doing it with an incredible view overlooking the city.  We’ve compiled a list of Canberra’s rooftop bars doing a top job when it comes to sippable drinks, smashable food and ripper scenes. Whether you’re looking to throw a party or pop in for a cheeky after-work bevvie, here are the bars in Canberra that soar above the rest. 🍺 More of Canberra's best bars and breweries🍽️ The best restaurants in Canberra right now🍔 Canberra's best burgers for a late-night feed

What is it? Part Italian restaurant, part inventive wine bar with a few modern twists up its sleeve. Why go? Traditional Italian dishes mingle with other cuisines at Anchovy Bandit to create playful, inventive dishes. Bucatini is tossed through Goolwa pippies, yuzu kosho and chives, and pineapple on a pizza gets a revamp with prosciutto, pineapple, kimchi and spring onion joining forces on their puffy dough. Anchovy Bandit's pizza crusts are so thick and round, you could roll your hair with them. Except don’t; it’s put to much better use paired with one of the house-made “crust dips”. Choose from garlic butter, taramasalata or XO sauce mayo. Wine is taken very seriously here too, with a great range of South Australian and Italian varieties to try.

What is it? A family-run Adelaide institution operating since 1985.  Why Go? Siblings Jessica Favaro-Richards and Nicholas Favaro have taken the baton from their parents to balance tradition and modernity with grace on their seasonal menu. Start with addictive rabbit croquettes, crunchy and soft in all the right places, and served with dragoncello sauce (tarragon salsa) and pickled carrots. Meaty centrepiece dishes are chargrilled over sangiovese vines, like juicy half-chicken with Jerusalem artichoke and porcini. Explore it all through the five-course menu – excellent value at $95 per person.

What is it? A woodfired pizza staple with outdoor seating in the heart of town on Lonsdale Street.  Why go? Past the happy revellers parading down Lonsdale Street with takeaway boxes and through the restored stained-glass windows, lies some of Canberra’s finest pizza. For over a decade, Pizza Gusto’s oven has been cranking out pizzas and calzones cooked at a sizzling 400 degrees. Toppings range from classic Margheritas and capricciosas to less traditional (but packed with flavour) butter chicken and other specials, like beef brisket and jalapeño.

What is it? A longstanding family-run restaurant with hand-rolled pasta and an excellent wine list in Narrabundah. Why go? Walking through the brick arches at La Cantina feels like you’ve descended into a secret Italian wine cellar and not a leafy corner of Narrabundah. However, you would be right in some aspects, with stacks of Australian and Italian drops available from their impressive wine collection. Let their warm and savvy waiters steer you towards a drop to go with their traditional Italian menu. Their house-made pasta dough is a highlight here, with dishes like their umami-laden duck agnolotti being a favourite since opening in 2009.

What is it? A handsome seasonally-focused restaurant in a famous Canberra setting since 1996. Why go? Behind the grand arched windows of the landmark Melbourne Building sits one of Canberra’s best and longest-running Italian restaurants. Between their fresh bread and pasta, and the peppering of woodfired dishes throughout their menu, the food at Mezzalira is truly special. Changing with the seasons, you may find pappardelle with smoked duck breast, casarecce with suckling lamb, and the mainstay wood-baked focaccia with whipped ricotta and chestnut honey.

What is it? A relaxed eatery slinging woodfired pizzas and mozzarella plates.  Why go? As the name suggests, come to this laidback restaurant for some of the best wood-fired pizza in this city. And don’t forget about their mozzarella plates! Their fresh buffalo mozzarella with beef carpaccio and pickled green tomato reminds us that simplicity really is bliss. Follow it up with a pizza, fresh out of their two hand-built woodfired ovens, roaring at 400 degrees. Our favourite is the calabrese, sticking to its roots with the addictive Calabrian nduja spread, hot salami and chilli. Learn the secret to their perfect dough at their monthly pizza-making classes.

What is it? Traditional handmade pasta dishes in the heart of the city.  Why go? The first thing you’ll notice when entering Borsa are the strands upon strands of fresh pasta hanging over their counter. They’ve been in the business of serving the perfect pasta for over a decade, and they have perfected the craft. A long-time favourite of city workers for a lunch or dinner treat, the menu at Borsa doesn’t stray far from tradition. Fresh veal tortellini in brodo (in broth) is the ultimate comfort dish packed with umami. End on a fun note with a trio of tiramisu-inspired profiteroles.

What is it? Simple, unpretentious Italian fare tucked away in Kingston Foreshore. Why go? Nab a table outside at this lakeside joint for straightforward, comforting Italian dishes by the lake. House-baked focaccia is warm and fluffy – perfect to dip in olive oil, but even better with their antipasto plate. Their secondi will have you feeling like you’ve just been fed by Nonna. Generous portions of rich veal saltimbocca and a pollo parmigiana are finessed but comforting.

What is it? A part cool and casual wine bar, part luxurious takeaway on Lonsdale Street. Why go? Chez Frederic was born on Perth’s Cottesloe Beach in 2002, but has found a home in Braddon. Here, friends can share a cheeky bowl of gnocchi and a glass of vino, or opt for takeaway, where boxes of pasta fly out the door on any given night. The menu is Italian with some playful modern twists here and there. Crisp spring roll wrappers hide Italian flavours inside with garlic prawns and mozzarella, and cheeseburger gnocchi is the devilish dish that will revive you on a cold winter night. 

What is it? Canberra’s only Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana-certified pizza restaurant, located in Griffith.  Why go? Sometimes, no number of toppings will outdo a simple marinara pizza, where the sweetness of San Marzano tomatoes shines against the blistered bubbles of wood-fired dough. That’s exactly what earned this Griffith pizzeria, restaurant and bar certification from the strict Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana. Quick lunches here are also some of Canberra’s best, with their charred bread becoming the vessel for moreish Neapolitan sandwiches.

What is it? An Italian stalwart with more than 20 years under its belt.  Why go? This Italian institution has been serving this city since 1988. Since then, their two venues in Woden and Manuka have become Canberra’s go-to restaurants when it comes to classic Italian food. The Manuka location’s sleek black marble pass sees fluffy house-baked ciabatta with unfiltered olive oil, and crisp zucchini flours stuffed with four cheeses and honey vinaigrette. Both locations offer tried and true pizza and pasta, but the magic happens in their hefty secondi offering, featuring spatchcock with perfectly caramelised skin or hearty slow-cooked lamb shank that falls apart.

What is it? A swish lakeside restaurant inspired by the Italian coast run by a celebrated Canberra chef.  Why go? Are we on the shores of Lake Como or Lake Burley Griffin? Carlo Tosolini’s expansive restaurant will transport you straight to the heart of Italy, with its comforting carbs and deli fridge, stocked to the brim with local and specially imported DOP cheeses and meats. Pair buffalo mozzarella and gnocco fritto with an Aperol Spritz on one of their outdoor tables and you could call it a splendid day, but you’ll want to order a dish from their woodfire oven. Butterflied king prawns in garlic and chilli oil, or one of their pizzas with a bubbly charred crust.