Josie Rozenberg-Clarke

Hobart’s best hotels make the most of everything that makes Tasmania's capital so special – from the glittering Derwent River to the imposing majesty of kunanyi/Mount Wellington and the fascinating convict history. Add world-class food, a thriving arts scene and easy access to nature, and it’s no surprise Hobart has become one of Australia’s most exciting destinations for a weekend escape or longer stay. To help you find the perfect base, Time Out Australia's Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, has teamed up with local expert writer, Josie Rozenberg-Clarke, who knows the city's nooks and crannies inside and out. Together, they've rounded up the very best hotels in Hobart – from boutique stays in the historic waterfront to luxe retreats with harbour views – making it a little easier to choose where to stay. Fair warning though: it's still going to be a tough pick. Editors' favourite hotels in Hobart: ⭐️ Best luxury hotel: The Tasman 📍 Best for central location: Moss Hotel 😍 Best value for money: DoubleTree by Hilton Hobart ☀️ The best things to do in Hobart🍽️ The best restaurants in Hobart🖼️ The best museums and galleries in Hobart Time Out makes a small commission from the affiliate links included in this article. These links have no influence on our editorial content, but they do help us to bring you more recommendations every week. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is a thing of beauty that needs to be seen in person to be believed. Sure, you might have seen all the landmarks – Dove Lake, the imposing mountain itself, pristine Lake St Clair, flowering fagus in autumn, adorable snow-dusted snuffling wombats – on Instagram, but nothing compares to breathing in the pure alpine air and seeing this glorious place with your own eyes. While you can definitely tick off some Cradle Mountain experiences in a day, we highly recommend extending your stay because there’s simply so much to do. With heaps of hikes (ranging from easy strolls to challenging summit treks), outdoor activities, animal spotting and luxe spas to visit, your days will be suitably and satisfyingly packed. Beautiful in every season, Cradle Mountain is probably at its most spectacular in autumn, when the fagus trees start to turn and everything is bathed in fiery orange. But no matter what time of year you visit, you’ll find plenty of things to do in Cradle Mountain. 🚗 The best day trips from Hobart🏞️ Australia's best national parks🥾 The best hikes in Hobart

Tasmania is arguably Australia's most underrated destination when it comes to adventure. The small southernmost state's rugged landscapes, crystal-clear seas, fresh farm produce and cool-climate wine regions make it a must-visit for nature lovers, thrill-seekers and foodies alike. Beyond extraordinary dining experiences and the world-famous Museum of Old and New Art, 40 per cent of Tasmania's land is reserved as national parks and World Heritage wilderness. A zippy 20-minute drive from any of the state’s major cities, Hobart and Launceston, will see you walking in the bush, biking down a spectacular mountain trail or lounging on a secluded beach. Here's our pick of the best things to do on your next trip to Tasmania. 🚗 The best day trips from Hobart🏔️ Everything to tick off in Cradle Mountain🏝️ What to do on Bruny Island 

Hobart has enjoyed a long love affair with pubs. In 1803, it boasted 50 of them… that’s one pub for every 200 residents. Fast forward 200-odd years, and the city's pub scene is bursting with charm, craft drinks and great food.  Our local writers devised this list of Hobart's best pubs, including places where you’ll not only find perfect pints, but golden schnitties, cosy fireplaces and live tunes, too. From old-school legends like the Shipwrights Arms and the Hope and Anchor to newer favourites like the revamped Moonah Hotel and Preachers’ beloved beer garden, these are the best pubs in Hobart for good times and laidback vibes. For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🍷 Hobart's best bars🍽️ The best restaurants in Hobart🍔 Hobart's best burgers

Tasmania’s capital city isn’t exactly heaving with activity after dark like its bustling mainland counterparts. But if you know where to look, Hobart’s bar scene is lively, with plenty of drinking holes for the curious and thirsty. From luxury dive bars like Manky Sally's and underground cocktail joints, namely Society Salamanca, to the age-old Cascade Brewery Bar among the greenery, no matter what kind of establishment you’re looking to pull up a stool at, you’ll find it in Hobart. It helps that the local booze, like the food, is world-renowned – the beer, the wine, the whisky, the gin. Whatever your poison, it all adds up to a good time. So whether you're a Dirty Martini person or partial to a tinnie (or three), our expert writers, including Hobart local, Josie Rozenberg-Clarke, and Time Out Australia’s Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, can both attest to these 16 best bars in Hobart. Bottoms up! For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🍽 The best restaurants in Hobart🍕 Hobart's best pizzas🍣 Where to go for Japanese in Hobart

When the moon hits your eye, it’s time to find the best purveyors of pizza in town. There’s nothing quite like that doughy goodness topped with tangy tomato and lashings of cheese and toppings, and the great news is that this delicacy reaches way beyond Italy – all the way down to Hobart, in fact. Yes, like literally every other cuisine out there, Hobart does pizza extremely well. From takeaway joints loved by locals to dine-in options with immaculate pizza and Spritz, you’ll find the perfect slice to satisfy. Our local pizza lover, Josie Rozenberg-Clarke, has eaten her way across the city to bring you this ultimate guide on the best pizzas in Hobart right now. 🥐 Hobart's best bakeries🍷 The best bars in Hobart🍽 The best restaurants in Hobart

For decades, Aussies in Hobart have flocked to local takeaway shops and yum cha joints seeking "a succulent Chinese meal". Nothing comes close to the communal experience of sharing bowls (or plastic takeaway boxes) among family and friends. At Hobart’s many Chinese restaurants, chefs make the most of Tasmania’s abundant produce, using locally sourced chicken, pork, beef, seafood and just-harvested vegetables to delicious effect.  Our local food writer Josie Rozenberg-Clarke has done all the hard (but oh-so-tasty) work for you, scoping out the best Chinese restaurants in Hobart so you know where to go. There are upscale eateries like Kwan Ho, late-night vegan-friendly spots like Jungle Restaurant, local faves like Szechuan Kitchen in Sandy Bay, and Peking Restaurant, a much-loved suburban spot that looks like something from the 1980s. No matter what mood you’re in, you’re sure to find a Chinese meal that hits the spot. Here are the best Chinese restaurants in Hobart. For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🥘 The best Indian restaurants in Hobart🍣 The best Japanese food in Hobart🍕 Hobart's best pizzas

Craving a taste of la dolce vita in Hobart? You’re in luck. Hobart’s Italian dining scene serves up a delicious blend of traditional and contemporary dishes, celebrating not just pasta and pizza, but hearty mains and delish desserts. Local chefs hero the freshest Tassie produce while putting that inimitable Italian spin on each dish, of course.   Our local foodie and Tassie writer Madeleine Gasparinatos has curated a list of must-try spots for the best pizza, pasta and Spritz. At Peppina, it’s all about having a feast; think generous portions, a sun-lit interior and a wine list that makes you want to linger all evening. Then there’s Don Camillo, one of the oldest restaurants in town, still serving soulful Italian fare. And don’t miss Sonny, the intimate Italian wine bar in the CBD where communal dining and buzzing good vibes go together. From classic pizzerias to fine dining, here's our list of the best Italian restaurants in Hobart. Buon appetito! For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines.  🍽 The best restaurants in Hobart🍕 Hobart’s best pizzerias🍣 The best Japanese in Hobart

Hobart’s food scene is undoubtedly one of the best in Australia, and the locals will happily back that up. As will Time Out Australia’s Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, who after dining across every state and territory, can confidently vouch for it.  Tasmania’s food scene is spectacular for a number of reasons. In recent years, a wave of talented chefs has traded the high‑pressure kitchens of the mainland for Hobart’s relaxed, slow‑food lifestyle. This influx of talent, combined with Tasmania’s naturally bountiful fresh produce, has turned Hobart into quite the destination for food lovers. You'll find everything from intimate ten-seater bars and waterside fine diners to showstopping museum restaurants and everything in between. Here’s our list of the best restaurants in Hobart to score a reservation (or a walk-in table) at. Editors' favourite restaurants in Hobart: 😍 Best for views: Faro Bar and Restaurant 🌱 Best for special occasions: The Agrarian Kitchen 🍹 Best for snacks and spritzes: Restaurant Maria For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🍷 The best bars in Hobart☕️ The best cafés in Hobart🌳 The best things to do in Hobart

Hobart’s got a rep for having one of the best food scenes in Australia, and it’s not limited to fine dining and wine bars. When you’re up and at ‘em early, ready for a day of exploring Tassie’s capital and surrounds, you’ll find plenty of cafés serving great coffee alongside breakfast menus ripe with local produce. There are well-known staples and places hidden at the end of laneways behind secondhand bookshops, namely Dandy Lane Café, as well as newcomers like Lēoht and Erda, bringing a breath of fresh air to the city. Luckily, you have our local writer, Josie Rozenberg-Clarke, and Time Out Australia’s Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, to round up the best cafés in Hobart right now. All you have to decide is: which one to hit first.  For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🍝 The best restaurants in Hobart🥐 The best bakeries in Hobart🍕 The best pizza in Hobart

Hobart really is the perfect place for a holiday, given the fact that it manages to combine glorious vistas with a top-tier foodie scene. The perfect day in Tasmania’s capital combines outdoorsy exertion before toasting your adventures with a local beer, wine, gin or whisky, and treating yourself to dinner at one of Hobart’s best restaurants. And just how exerting is totally up to you – Hobart itself has hikes that range from easy to challenging, or venture further afield for a day trip to Bruny Island, Mount Field National Park or Hartz Mountains National Park. This place is quite literally your oyster, if seafood’s your thing. So pack your puffer jacket, pull on those trainers and tackle one of Hobart’s best hikes. 🌳 The best hikes in Australia🌊 The best beaches in Tasmania🥐 The best cafés in Hobart

From big hitters (*coughs* MONA) to tiny independent spaces, Hobart is full of incredible museums and galleries. Tasmania’s capital is a city rich in history and culture, and both have plenty of representation here.  If you’re in the mood for learning, head to one of the many museums dedicated to preserving Tassie’s past. If you’re an art connoisseur, there are large and small galleries filled to the brim with the work of established and emerging local talent. With almost too many to choose from, we’ve narrowed down the best museums and galleries in Hobart for your next history or culture hit. 🎨 More of the best galleries in Australia🔍 The top museums in Australia🌳 All of the best things to do in Hobart

Sonny is 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 mates. Whet your appetite with fare that sounds a little like asparagus fusilli, prosciutto toast, and kingfish crudo. The rustic plates and simple, yet effective and are certifiably jam-packed with garden-fresh flavours. Following that, trust the process with a mystery wine chosen by Sonny’s clued-up bartenders – you’re in good hands here. With tunes spinning all evening on the record player, you might even feel the urge to share your dance moves, too. Time Out tip: Sonny’s only accepts walk-ins, so we suggest getting there early, heck, even before the doors open if you’re feeling particularly peckish. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Hobart

You’re in the Apple Isle, so why not visit an apple museum? There are several in Tassie, but here’s a local’s tip: the best stop is Willie Smith’s Apple Shed, which just so happens to be a top-tier cidery and restaurant as well. You can stroll through the small but enlightening museum display detailing the long history of apple farming in the lush Huon Valley – from the first settlers planting orchards to the modern-day cider revolution. Once you’ve soaked up some apple history, head to the bar to taste the literal fruits of this labour in the form of a crisp, ice-cold cider (or a cheeky flight if you’re feeling fancy). Pair it with a warm, flaky slice of apple pie and you’ll really be supporting the local apple industry. The restaurant also serves up hearty seasonal fare, from fresh seafood and farm-to-table salads to share plates and rustic mains. There's regular live music too, helping you soak in the stunning orchard views. If you go on a Saturday, you can swing by the local artisan market held on Willie Smith’s grounds. Running from 10am to 2pm, the market is packed with handmade goodies, fresh produce and enough charm to make you want to move here tomorrow. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Tasmania

A strictly over-18s property, the Islington is a boutique luxury hotel built in 1847 in a Regency style, located at the foothills of kunanyi / Mount Wellington in South Hobart. Since it’s a little further out of the CBD (but only a five-minute drive away) and only has 11 rooms, the Islington feels like a peaceful oasis – the hotel’s sprawling heritage gardens also help with a 100-year-old willow tree aiding the tranquillity. The five-star accommodation brings an old-world charm while incorporating cream of the crop luxe, with features like heated-floor marble bathrooms and some rooms opening out onto the gardens. Cosy fireplaces invite you to get comfy and admire the eclectic art that lines the hotel’s walls, including an original Matisse, too. The food at the Islington Kitchen is top-tier, made using the best Tassie produce with a focus on foraging. Plus, eating with an unobstructed view of the mountain is a pretty unforgettable Hobart experience.  Time Out tip: Make sure you request a cheese board on arrival – stacked with local cheese and accompaniments, it’s the ultimate indulgence to kick off your stay. Address: 321 Davey Street, South Hobart Price: From $309 per night Closest transport: Bus stop 9 Davey Street RECOMMENDED: The best hotels in Hobart

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 housemade 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.

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 café, 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.

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. 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.

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 housemade crumpets with whipped ricotta and preserved fruit, pecorino omelette, nduja baked beans, and the muffuletta – a New Orleans-style breakfast sandwich layered with meat, pickles and cheese.

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 hefty side of Tassie friendliness from the staff. Treat yourself to French toast, fried chicken benny or the baby Dutch pancake served in its own little cast iron pan. 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.

A stalwart of Salamanca Square, this bright and welcoming spot has been serving the people of Hobart for decades. A must-visit for breakfast, it’s 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.

A sister café of 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 coffee, huge takeaway three-cheese toasties, and plentiful indoor and outdoor seating for those dining in. The tunes are always good, the decor is pure joy and so are Nonna’s baked eggs on the menu. Bellissimo.

Pilgrim is one of the best cafés in Hobart CBD for brunch, with a commitment to pouring the best coffee in the city, as well as serving the kind of obscenely good food you’ll feel mildly guilty for indulging in (before your enjoyment takes over). Think four types of toasties stuffed full of goodness, sloppy joes, crispy potatoes, a quesadilla stack and more. 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.

Not to be overlooked, the southeast of the state offers up some beaut beaches to visit, too. There’s a bunch of lovely little spots dotted around the Tasman Peninsula – Pirates Bay Beach and Lagoon Beach are highlights – but if you’re an outdoorsy type, add Fortescue Bay to your list. Tucked within Tasman National Park, this remote spot is bordered by towering forests but is worth the hike – or drive – to get there. You can camp nearby, or simply stop off for a dip as you navigate the popular Three Capes Walk. Good for: Adventuring, kayaking, camping, walking.