The Best Pubs in Hobart for Good Food & Good Vibes

Hobart’s pubs are alive with stories, flavour, and a warmth that lingers long after the last sip. Step into centuries-old taverns where timbered walls and open fires carry echoes of the past, or into contemporary gastropubs where Tasmania’s finest produce is elevated with flair. Sunlit beer gardens, buzzing terraces, and cosy nooks host craft beers, world-famous lobster rolls, award-winning burgers, and perfectly cooked steaks — each bite a comfort, and a celebration.

Live music hums through the air, laughter spills from tables, and every corner invites lingering. From the quirk of a well-loved bar to the care in every dish and drink, Hobart’s pubs are more than stops; they are experiences, stitched with history, hospitality, and pure delight.

Jack Greene Bar

Jack Greene Bar is Hobart’s craft beer playground, pouring local and international taps with precision and passion. Burgers steal the show — from the award-winning beef and bacon to share plates like soy-glazed roast duckling and Tasmanian smoked salmon sliders. Upstairs, curl up by the open fireplace in the lounge, or soak up sunny terrace vibes outside. Happy hour runs from 5 to 7 pm, followed by live music on Fridays, keeping the energy buzzing. Late-night hours make it a go-to for a pint, a bite, or a proper Hobart night out.

49 Salamanca Place, Battery Point

Devil’s Brewery at The Duke

Step inside Devil’s Brewery at The Duke and you’re instantly in a Hobart stalwart with a twist. Housed in the historic 1846 Duke of Wellington, the pub now pulses with craft beer energy — Devil’s Brewery takes centre stage with rotating taps, from the smoky depth of the ‘Smokey Moll’ Smoked Porter to the crisp bite of the ‘Kiss Me Hardy’ UK IPA, all crafted with local Tasmanian ingredients. Hearty pub classics — lamb shoulder, steak with garlic prawns, and fresh local produce — fuel the feast, while live music Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday nights and quiz night Wednesdays keep the good times rolling. Fire-side seats, terrace vibes, and a buzzing taproom make every visit a full-bodied Hobart moment.

192 Macquarie Street, Hobart

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 an hour from Hobart, blending heritage charm with relaxed, contemporary vibes. The bar, restaurant, and cosy cafe highlight Tasmanian produce with hearty pub meals, light bites, and expertly brewed coffee. Pull up a chair by the fire, linger in the beer garden, or challenge mates to a game of pool while enjoying a selection of local beers and wines.

Live music and community events bring the space alive, making The Kentish a hub of history, flavour, and welcoming atmosphere in Tasmania’s Midlands.

60 High Street, Oatlands 

Customs House Hotel

Sitting proudly on Hobart’s historic waterfront, the Customs House Hotel blends colonial elegance with relaxed, contemporary charm. The airy dining room and cosy corners invite a slower pace, while the menu highlights fresh, local produce — Tasmanian scallops, caught-that-morning salmon, and hearty pub classics with a modern twist. Sip a Tasmanian wine, watch the harbour come alive through old-fashioned windows, and savour the welcoming atmosphere during a leisurely lunch or evening drinks. One of Hobart’s finest waterfront pubs, where history, flavour, and laid-back sophistication meet effortlessly.

1 Murray Street, Hobart

Queens Head Hotel

North Hobart’s Queens Head Hotel has reopened, blending over 170 years of history with a fresh, lively vibe. The interior has been lovingly refreshed, live music has returned, and a rooftop and sun-drenched terrace invite locals and families to linger. Classic pub fare, great seafood plates, local beers, and hearty hospitality sit at the heart of the pub, while sports fans can catch the JackJumpers in a dedicated viewing space. With cosy corners, a buzzing bar, and a welcoming atmosphere, the Queens Head remains a North Hobart institution brimming with charm.

400 Elizabeth Street, North Hobart

The Waggon

Freshly revamped, The Waggon is Hobart’s latest gastropub, turning local produce into plates worth lingering over. This isn’t just paddock to plate — it’s comfort with a kick, where classic pub fare meets sharp, modern twists. Seasoned chefs nail everything from a perfectly cooked steak to punchy, unexpected dishes. The wine list champions bold local drops, while the space welcomes you like an old friend. Post-work drinks, a long family dinner, or a weekend catch-up — the Waggon serves excellent food and drink in a setting as sharp as it tastes.

327 Argyle Street, North Hobart 

Moonah Hotel & Cellars 

The Moonah Hotel & Cellars is back, and it’s making waves in Hobart’s dining and drinking scene. This revamped local haunt delivers everything you want in a pub — a buzzing public bar, a stylish dining room, a laid-back beer garden, and a top-tier bottle shop. Expect proper pub feeds (Wednesday parmis are a must), good vibes, and a drinks list that seriously delivers.

Fridays are extra special, with The Tasting Table offering free pours of standout local and international drops from 4pm to 7pm, guided by passionate producers and expert staff.

99 Main Road, Moonah 

Overland Brewery & Distillery

Located in North Hobart, Overland Brewery & Distillery is where craft beer and whisky collide beautifully. The Boilermaker Bar is dog-friendly and alive with the buzz of a lively taproom serving Overland beers, whiskies, and more. Grab a burger from the on-site food truck (the double cheeseburger is a must!) or a BBQ pulled jackfruit for a plant-based twist. With a beer garden, cornhole, Saturday-only soft pretzels, and whisky and beer flights, it’s a North Hobart treasure made for eating, drinking, and unwinding.

284 Argyle Street, North Hobart 

The Telegraph Hotel

In the heart of Hobart, The Telegraph Hotel is a classic, no-fuss pub with a recently added rooftop for post-work drinks or weekend catch-ups with a view. Cosy indoors? Absolutely. The menu celebrates Tasmanian produce with oysters, bay mussels, Tassie salmon pizza, juicy burgers, and hearty steak sandwiches. Sitchu Tip: Sundays are for roast, Mondays are for a 250g Cape Grim Porterhouse with frites and your choice of gravy, mushroom, pepper, or garlic butter. Local flavours, relaxed vibes, and good times guaranteed.

19 Morrison Street, Hobart

Crescent Hotel

An icon of North Hobart, the historic Crescent Hotel has triumphantly reopened, blending heritage charm with a refreshed, stylish space and undeniably comforting pub food. Settle in at the sleek bar, private dining room, sunlit roof terrace, or leafy beer garden, and soak up the cosy, welcoming atmosphere. The menu pairs hearty classics with adventurous twists — think juicy steaks, rolled porchetta with cider jus, braised lamb shoulder, or sumac-dusted squid — all crafted from locally sourced ingredients. With warmth in every corner and flavour on every plate, the Crescent Hotel is a Hobart institution where good food, great drinks, and relaxed vibes come together beautifully.

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 

Shipwrights Arms 

A true Hobart institution, Shipwrights Arms has been pouring pints and spinning stories in Battery Point for 177 years — and it only gets better with age. Fresh from a stunning renovation, “Shippies” blends old-world charm with modern polish, from a glass-walled pavilion to a snug, firelit retreat. The small bar hums with intimacy, while the original bar stays faithful to its roots. Seafood takes centre stage, paired with top-tier Tassie wines and crisp local brews, making every bite and sip something to savour.

29 Trumpeter Street, Battery Point 

Boodle Beasley

Boodle Beasley is a Hobart pub you wander into for one drink and find yourself lingering for hours. The menu dances between classic and creative—crispy spring rolls, fluffy bao, and zingy salads alongside juicy, no-nonsense burgers. Cocktails tempt just as much as the pints, for when you’re in the mood to sip something a little different. Laid-back, full of flavour, and effortlessly cool, it’s the ultimate spot to unwind over good food and even better company.

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 

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 

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, no leaning on its 1807 credentials — just hearty pub fare, a stellar selection of local and international beers, and the kind of warmth only open fires and well-worn bar stools can offer. Add a pool table, a sunlit beer garden, and you’ve got a classic that still knows how to put on a show.

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.

Writer

Kelsey Harrington

14 August 2025

Kelsey Harrington is a Melbourne-based writer with a sharp eye for the city's ever-evolving food, wine, arts, and culture scene. Her journey into the creative industry took the scenic route—what started as a passion for capturing Melbourne’s energy through a camera lens led her to Sitchu, where she worked her way up to Melbourne Editor. With over four years in the industry, she’s all about uncovering the best places to eat, drink, and explore. Off the clock? You’ll find her diving into a platter of fresh oysters and crudo, gallery-hopping, or sipping an extra dirty martini while plotting her next adventure.