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The Best Pubs in Hobart for Good Food & Good Vibes
Next time you’re in town and after a great pint, let this guide to the best pubs in Hobart lead you straight to a good time.
Hobart’s pubs are rich with character, flavour and the sort of charm that stays with you long after the final sip. Slip into centuries-old taverns where timber, firelight and low-lit corners speak to the city’s past, or settle into contemporary gastropubs where Tasmania’s best produce is handled with real style. Sun-drenched courtyards, lively terraces and intimate dining rooms set the scene for craft beers, famous lobster rolls, award-winning burgers and beautifully cooked steaks.
There’s a generosity to Hobart’s pub scene that feels instantly appealing. Some venues lean old-world and storied, others feel fresher and more design-led, but all share that easy mix of hospitality, substance and pleasure that makes a great pub worth returning to.
Shipwrights Arms
A true Hobart institution, Shipwrights Arms has been pouring pints in Battery Point since 1846. Fresh from a thoughtful renovation, Shippies balances heritage charm with a brighter new chapter, from the glass-lined pavilion to the snug, firelit corners that regulars return for. The original bar still holds its character, while the kitchen gives Tasmanian seafood the spotlight, backed by crisp local brews and an excellent wine list.
29 Trumpeter Street, Battery Point
New Sydney Hotel
Quaint, cosy, and unpretentious, the New Sydney Hotel welcomes you with its open log fire, timber and brick walls adorned with quirky memorabilia — and not a TV or pokie in sight. It’s the perfect CBD spot to sink into a comfortable chair with one of 18 beers on tap, a dozen wines by the glass, or over 200 whiskies. With an Irish soul, the menu delivers classic Aussie and Irish pub fare, from lamb shanks to spice bags, burgers to hearty curries, catering to various dietary needs. Live music on weekends rounds out the convivial experience.
87 Bathurst Street, Hobart
Hobart Town Hotel
Breathing fresh energy into one of the city’s oldest addresses, Hobart Town Hotel has reclaimed Macquarie Street inside a beautifully restored 1814 building. Pressed metal ceilings, timber floors and the original fireplace façade keep the heritage intact, while the menu stays firmly in pub-pleasure territory with Scotch eggs, Cape Grim steaks and a proper Sunday roast with Yorkshire puddings. Add a strong local drinks list and a calendar filling with trivia, raffles and live music, and it feels every bit the classic city pub with its charm fully intact.
87 Macquarie Street, Hobart
Jack Greene Bar
Jack Greene is one of Hobart’s go-to craft beer bars, pouring rotating taps and keeping the burger game strong. Award-winning beef burgers sit alongside mini burgers, bar snacks and cocktails, while the upstairs space adds another reason to settle in. Friday happy hour rolls from 5pm to 7pm, with live music keeping the energy up, and late trading makes it an easy pick for a pint, a bite or a proper Salamanca night out.
49 Salamanca Place, Battery Point
The Whaler
Located in the heart of Salamanca since a ripe ol’ 1829, The Whaler serves up a timeless pub experience with a modern twist. The menu celebrates hearty classics — their famously decadent lobster roll with cheesy fries is pure magic, while fried chicken and a rotating lineup of burgers never fail to satisfy. Wash it down with local craft beers, Tasmanian wines, or a perfectly balanced cocktail. No matter the season, whether curled up by the fire or soaking up the terrace vibes, The Whaler is a whale of a good time.
Salamanca Place, Battery Point
The Kentish
Steeped in history since 1832, The Kentish Hotel sits at the heart of Oatlands, just over an hour from Hobart, pairing heritage character with an easy, contemporary feel. The bar, restaurant and cafe champion Tasmanian produce through hearty pub meals, lighter bites and a strong local drinks list. Pull up a chair by the fire, settle into the beer garden, or challenge friends to a game of pool. Live music and weekly events keep this Midlands favourite feeling wonderfully alive.
60 High Street, Oatlands
Customs House Hotel
Set right on Hobart’s historic waterfront, Customs House Hotel pairs heritage character with an easy, contemporary feel. The restaurant and Derwent Bar make it a strong pick for a long lunch or evening drink, with Tasmanian produce, pub classics and local wines all part of the draw. Harbour views and a lively maritime setting seal the mood, making this one of the city’s most reliable spots for a waterside meal or glass of something good.
1 Murray Street, Hobart
Queens Head Hotel
North Hobart’s Queens Head Hotel has reopened with a fresh new look, balancing more than 170 years of history with a livelier new chapter. The interior has been refreshed, live music is back, and the rooftop adds another drawcard for after-work drinks and weekend catch-ups. Classic pub fare, local beers and a welcoming bar atmosphere sit at the heart of it, while sports fans have reason to keep it on their radar, too.
400 Elizabeth Street, North Hobart
The Waggon
The Waggon brings a more elevated edge to North Hobart’s pub scene, turning top-tier Tasmanian produce into dishes with plenty of personality. Here, classic pub fare comes with a more considered hand, from beautifully cooked steaks to plates that push beyond the expected. The wine list gives local makers plenty of space, while the room strikes that sweet spot between relaxed and refined. It is a strong pick for post-work drinks, dinner with family, or a long weekend catch-up done right.
327 Argyle Street, North Hobart
Moonah Hotel & Cellars
The Moonah Hotel & Cellars is back, bringing fresh energy to Hobart’s pub scene with a public bar, dining room, laid-back beer garden and handy bottle shop all under one roof. Expect classic pub fare, a strong tap lineup and a drinks list with real range. Keep an eye on Fridays, too, when the venue often leans into tasting-style events and easy end-of-week energy.
99 Main Road, Moonah
The Telegraph Hotel
In the heart of Hobart, The Telegraph Hotel is a classic, no-fuss pub with a rooftop terrace made for post-work drinks or weekend catch-ups with a view. Inside, it is cosy and crowd-pleasing, while the menu leans into Tasmanian produce and pub classics with a local touch.
Sitchu Tip: Sundays are for roast, while Mondays mean steak and frites with your choice of sauce.
19 Morrison Street, Hobart
Crescent Hotel
An icon of North Hobart, the historic Crescent Hotel balances heritage character with a refreshed, stylish setting and deeply comforting pub food. Settle in at the bar, private dining room, sunlit terrace, or leafy beer garden, then order from a menu that ranges from juicy steaks to rolled porchetta with cider jus, braised lamb shoulder, and sumac-dusted squid, all made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
100 Burnett Street, North Hobart
The Winston
Another North Hobart gem, The Winston nails exactly what a great Hobart pub should be: dirty burgers, good brews, and a cool, laid-back vibe. From hearty tacos and crave-worthy burgers to a top-notch selection of American and Australian beers (plus solid vegan options), there’s something for everyone. Live music adds extra buzz on the weekends, making it the perfect spot to linger over a drink or dive into a feast.
381 Elizabeth Street, North Hobart
Preachers
Beer gardens, burgers, and beers — Preachers nails the holy trinity of a great pub. Just outside the city on the edge of Battery Point, this laid-back local exudes effortless cool, with a sprawling, string-lit beer garden that welcomes both kids and pups. Inside, old-school pub charm meets a quirky twist: a converted vintage bus doubles as one of the best seats in the house. The menu is a burger lover’s dream, with standout vegan options and crave-worthy sides like tempura broccoli and loaded wing baskets.
5 Knopwood Street, Hobart
Boodle Beasley
Boodle Beasley is one of North Hobart’s go-to spots for burgers, bao and a round that turns into dinner. The menu moves from crispy spring rolls and zingy salads to juicy, no-fuss burgers, while cocktails sit happily alongside the pints. With its beer garden, easy energy and broad crowd appeal, it’s a strong pick for a casual catch-up that can stretch well into the evening.
315 Elizabeth Street, North Hobart
In The Hanging Garden
In The Hanging Garden, a pub becomes an urban oasis. Sprawling across almost an entire block in the heart of Hobart yet hidden from the street, this multi-space precinct is one of the city’s finest spots for a drink and a bite. Tacos and a local brew in The Cathedral, sunlight streaming through the high glass roof, keep things airy yet warm. Add live music, cultural events, and vintage markets, and you’ve got a place that’s pure vibe.
112 Murray Street, Hobart
Hope + Anchor Hotel
Step inside Australia’s oldest pub and let the history wrap around you like a well-loved blanket. The walls have soaked up more than two centuries of laughter, storytelling, and hard-earned pints, yet the Hope & Anchor feels alive, not dusty. No gimmicks and no coasting on its 1807 credentials, just hearty pub fare, a stellar mix of local and international beers, and the easy appeal of open fires and well-worn bar stools. Add a pool table and a sunlit beer garden, and you have a classic that still pulls a crowd.
65 Macquarie Street, Hobart
Looking for a few more spots to try for a bevvie after journeying around some of these fine Hobart pubs? Venture further afield to scope out the best wineries in Tasmania or why not head north to Launceston to check out its best restaurants.
