Food, drink & whisky
Hobart eats and drinks brilliantly. A cool climate and clean waters give it superb seafood, elegant pinot and sparkling wine, world-beating single-malt whisky, craft gin, cider and beer, and a restaurant scene far bigger than the city's size suggests. From fish off the punts to cellar doors 25 minutes away, here's how to taste the best of it.
From the punts to the plate
Start on the waterfront: fresh fish and chips from the floating punts at Constitution Dock, Bruny Island oysters, rock lobster and local abalone. Beyond that, Hobart hides a string of acclaimed restaurants and wine bars, the Saturday Salamanca Market for grazing, and dining out on the MONA estate. Book the well-known kitchens ahead. See our things to do.
A cool-climate drinks capital
Hobart sits at the centre of Tasmania's drinks boom. The Coal River Valley, 25 minutes out by Richmond, pours outstanding pinot noir and sparkling; in town and nearby, whisky distillers — Sullivans Cove was crowned World's Best Single Malt in 2014, and Lark helped launch the movement — sit alongside gin makers and craft brewers. Cascade, Australia's oldest brewery, is in South Hobart. Explore it all in the wider Tasmania food, wine & whisky guide.
How to taste the best of it
For wine and whisky, a guided tour means everyone gets to taste — no nominated driver needed. Options run from Coal River Valley wine tours to whisky-and-gin trails and Bruny Island food safaris. In the city, keep a Saturday morning for Salamanca Market and book dinner ahead. Tell us your tastes and we'll build the day around them. See our Hobart tours.
Hobart food, drink & whisky: your questions
Hobart punches well above its size. It's famous for seafood — fresh fish off the punts, Bruny Island oysters, rock lobster and abalone — plus superb cool-climate wine (pinot noir and sparkling), a booming single-malt whisky scene, craft gin and beer, and a clutch of nationally celebrated restaurants. The Saturday Salamanca Market is a delicious grazing ground. See the wider Tasmania food, wine & whisky guide.
Hobart is the heart of Australia's whisky renaissance. Cellar doors and bars in and around the city pour multi-award-winning single malts — Sullivans Cove famously took World's Best Single Malt in 2014, and distillers such as Lark helped start the whole movement. You can taste your way around whisky bars in town or visit distilleries on a tour, often alongside gin and craft beer. See our Hobart tours.
The Coal River Valley — around historic Richmond, about 25 minutes from the city — is the closest and best known, producing outstanding pinot noir, sparkling and riesling. The Derwent Valley and the Huon Valley (also known for cider and cool-climate produce) are within easy reach too. Cellar doors are relaxed and welcoming. A guided wine tour lets everyone taste without worrying about driving.
You're spoilt: from Salamanca and waterfront seafood to acclaimed small restaurants and wine bars across the city, plus the MONA estate's dining. Grab fish and chips off the punts at Constitution Dock, graze the Saturday Salamanca Market, and book ahead for the city's well-known kitchens. Cascade — Australia's oldest brewery — sits in South Hobart. See our things to do.
Yes — and it's a great way to enjoy Tasmania's produce without driving between cellar doors. Options range from Coal River Valley wine tours and whisky and gin trails to Bruny Island food safaris (oysters, cheese, honey). We can build a tailored day around your tastes and handle the logistics. See our wine tours and the Tasmania food & wine guide.