Hobart is the capital of alfresco dining. Despite the colder winters, when the sun is shining in Hobart, everyone is buzzing around, nabbing outdoor tables lined on streets or flocking to the vineyard restaurants for a glass of sparkling and farm-to-table dishes.
Whether you’re tucking into a scallop pie by the waterfront or in a fancy restaurant, indulging in a world-class dining experience that puts Hobart on the map, there’s an alfresco restaurant for everyone.
With that said, here are our favourite open-air dining experiences in Hobart.
Frogmore Creek, Cambridge
Apart from the classic vineyard scenery, Frogmore Creek is known for its award-winning wines and culinary delights. The indoor restaurant spills outside when the weather is balmy. Tables with umbrellas and shady spots line the courtyard overlooking the vines. Diners can still savour the same dishes outside. One would argue alfresco dining at Frogmore Creek is a quintessential Hobart experience. If there’s one dish to order, make it the Queen Bee dessert, a Tasman honey parfait with crumbled honeycomb and a delicate pistachio tuile.
Osteria Vista at Stefano Lubiana Wines, Granton
Venture to the serene Derwent River for a glass of sparkling and a rustic degustation menu in the great outdoors. Stefano Lubiana Wines is a charming, Tuscan-inspired winery with an equally charming restaurant overlooking the valley below. Stop in for a long lunch on the terrace, pair it with a tasting, and enjoy the vistas. It’s a great little day trip to the outskirts of Hobart.
Peacock and Jones, CBD
Hidden in a former sandstone jam warehouse on Hobart’s waterfront, Peacock and Jones is an underrated culinary gem, showcasing the harmonious fusion of European techniques and Tasmanian ingredients. While technically, the dining room is undercover; it’s still exposed to the elements and a pleasant place to bunker down for a meal on a sunny day.
Peppina, CBD
You don’t have to be a guest of The Tasman to enjoy its signature restaurant Peppina. The restaurant honours the rich culinary heritage of Italy, showcasing an array of classic Italian dishes prepared with a contemporary twist, highlighting the simplicity and quality of the ingredients. While the dining room inside is jaw-droppingly beautiful, there are a few tables outside, under oversized Peppina-stamped umbrellas. There’s also dedicated seating on the brick wall. But be warned, these spots fill up fast in summer.
Old Wharf Restaurant, CBD
What’s better than a meal served with a side of waterfront views? The Old Wharf Restaurant. The menu is packed with local produce such as Tasmanian salmon brushed with a miso glaze, pasta alla vodka, and porterhouse steak. Think of it as an upscale Australian steakhouse. There are a few tables diners can grab on the wharf. It’s particularly popular at sunset.
In the Hanging Garden, CBD
This expansive cultural precinct in the heart of Hobart emerged during Dark Mofo in 2019; now, it’s an ever-evolving public space featuring bars, restaurants, a nightclub, and a tiered outdoor beer garden. At the time of writing, you can tuck into Mexican street food and Korean and Italian pizza. Think Bang Bang fries, Korean Philly cheesesteak, and vodka shrooms pizza. The atmosphere is lively and casual, and the place to be on a sunny weekend.
Related: 11 Best Restaurants in Hobart, Decided By Someone Who Flew There Solely For Food
Related: Hobart on Foot: 6 Leisurely Walks Around the City and Beyond
Read more stories from The Latch and subscribe to our email newsletter.