The Best Cafés in Hobart for Coffee, Brunch & Beyond

From original coffee haunts to the new kids on the block, Hobart's café scene is a delightful tapestry of flavours and experiences. Much to the delight of coffee lovers, brunch addicts and lovers of all things pastry, Hobart is spoilt for choice when it comes to cafés. Think good vibes, Instagrammable dishes and prime locations for grabbing a bite whilst exploring.

Innovative food meets local and seasonal produce, meets come-back-for-seconds coffee, these are our best picks for Hobart’s best cafés.

Pigeon Whole Bakers 

The bread that feeds Hobart — but it's not just bread alone. Pigeon Whole Bakers has plenty of goodies for all types of occasions: freshly baked bread, bagels, pretzels, pastries, biscuits, cakes, merch, giftware, gift vouchers, coffee, and more. Stop in for a baked treat to go or sit and enjoy the light-filled surroundings. A celebrated artisanal bakery and cafe, boasting an ever-evolving menu featuring locally sourced ingredients, it's a must-visit for those seeking the finest in baked goods and café culture.

32 Argyle Street, Hobart

Hamlet 

In a converted warehouse, covered in sunny murals on the outside, and warm textures inside, is Hamlet, a gem of a cafe that does things a little differently. Located at one end of the Hobart Rivulet Track (which we strongly recommend walking the easy scenic path — you might even spot the resident platypus), the tables outside are often packed with diners (and their dogs), while inside the reclaimed brick, particle boarding and woodfire provides a beautiful setting. The coffee is superb, as are the sweets, but it’s hard to go past the omelettes or seasonal and creative salads.  

Hamlet is also a hugely successful social enterprise, providing work experience and employment skills to the greater community. They don’t open weekends so make your plans for during the week. Any visit to Hamlet is a memorable one but take a bit home with you by purchasing from their own line of condiments. Great for your sandwich, great for the community!

40 Molle Street, Hobart

Bear With Me

Even without addiction-inducing halloumi fries (a must try!), Bear With Me would still be up there as one of the very best spots in the state for breakfast. The Asian-inspired fusion menu offers the more staple dishes - seasonal granola and impossibly fluffy omelettes, with equal parts surprising options including tofu and peanut butter bao.  

Their single origin coffee is on point, and their sweet treats are morish. Our favourite seat is the big table up the back with a corner window that offers views of the ever-changing kunanyi / Mt Wellington, although you’ll be happy with any seat in the house. 

Just a short walk from the Hobart Rivulet walk it’s totally worth booking a table here. Can’t nab a spot? Try their sister cafe, Vilicia in the CBD.    

399 Macquarie Street, South Hobart 

Pigeon Hole

Come in for a true paddock to plate experience at Pigeon Hole. Richard and Belinda Weston of Weston Farm Produce acquired Pigeon Hole to showcase their farms' fresh produce. The cafe's menu is an ever evolving thing, reliant on the chefs' knowledge of what the farm is producing through regular visits to source food, participation in general farming activities, and a real and direct connection with the land. Fully licensed, it's also serving up some of the best Tasmanian wine, beer and cider. 

93 Goulburn Street, West Hobart

Born In Brunswick

This leafy, light-filled, spacious cafe is a welcomed arrival to North Hobart’s exciting cafe scene. Con and his team deliver brilliant combinations across their all-day brunch menu. Born in Brunswick's octopus and nduja scrambled eggs are a textural and flavour-packed dish. Those with a sweet tooth will find it hard to look past vanilla hotcakes with lemon curd, blueberries, pistachio praline and kaffir and coconut ice cream (did anyone say ‘dessert for breakfast’?), and the hazelnut porridge with whipped coconut, strawberry compost, pears, chocolate and coconut crumb will make you question everything you know about porridge.  

Their drinks game is next level with exceptional coffee, an exciting smoothie list, breakfast mimosas and iced chocolate made with condensed coconut cream.  

Book a spot for brunch, stat! 

410 Elizabeth Street, Hobart 

Trophy Room 

One of the newest cafes to open in Hobart is already making waves, with in-house croissants, moreish pizzettas and homemade pastas. This isn’t the first venture for owners James and Rose, who have been selling their signature doughnuts at Farm Gate Market. Broadening their offerings, they launched into full cafe mode in winter 2023 with Trophy Room. 

Separate menus for breakfast and lunch provide great all-day options. James’ croissants are full of perfect, buttery layers, and the pumpkin and ricotta tortellini hits the spot for lunch. Trophy Room sources their coffee from local roasters Villino, with free refills of brew coffee. A sneaky garibaldi (Campari and orange juice) on the menu is unsurprisingly delightful as a daytime tipple. We’ll cheers to that.  

342 Argyle Street, North Hobart 

berta

A bright, fresh and local city cafe in the heart of Hobart, berta has a network of local and organic Tasmanian producers that helps shape their seasonal menu. Head to this bright, multi-roomed venue for tasty breakfast fare such as brown rice pudding with blueberries, rhubarb, maple and a gingerbread crunch, mixed local mushrooms and ricotta on toast, or a Mediterranean breakfast plate that includes shakshuka, falafel, olives, feta, pickles, tahini yoghurt, and a pomegranate salad. Breakfast is better at berta, but so is lunch, with plates serving up a hearty slice of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flair. 

119 Liverpool Street, Hobart 

Sunbear

This former teddy bear shop was received with open arms by Hobart locals and visitors alike when it opened in 2019. With cosy interiors and some of the nicest staff in the business, you'll be jostling for a seat at Sunbear, and for good reason.  

An ever-changing seasonal menu highlights excellent local producers. The beans and eggs are a standout brekky dish, while sandwiches (on famed Pigeon Whole sourdough) are inventive and packed full of the freshest produce.  

The house-made cakes are next level and highlight the best in-season goodies — think apricot frangipane tart or peach, polenta and lemon upside down cake. They also value add to Pigeon Whole croissants on the odd occasion — if you see a Tassie Walnut croissant on their menu, do not think twice. It is out of this world! 

145 Collins Street, Hobart 

Machine Laundry 

When Machine Laundry opened up in 1997, this innovative cafe-meets-laundrette was groundbreaking. Packed into the back corner of Salamanca Square next to the giant chess set, it’s never looked back and now, nearly 30 years later, it remains one of the cornerstones of Hobart’s cafe culture.  

Machine Laundry has created a solid menu around their staples of Pigeon Whole Sourdough and Villino Coffee. Their take on a breakfast burrito is exceptional and includes roti bread stuffed with scrambled eggs and served with chilli jam. Add bacon if you dare! 

The sweets are generous and spot-hitting. Lunch specials are always rotating, and halloumi features heavily (always a good thing!).  

In recent years, Machine has sprouted some sister cafes to spread the love - Madam Clarke’s in Kingston and Plain Jane in Moonah - are both very worthy of a visit.  

12 Salamanca Square, Battery Point 

Rosie In My Midnight Dreams 

Owner Laurel Benson dreamed up Rosie In My Midnight Dreams to fill a gap in that market - a spot for everyone (including, or maybe especially, the solo diner), to sit, have a coffee, wine or cocktail, and a tasty snack, all day long.  

Communal tables provide a convivial atmosphere while floor-to-ceiling windows and buzzing surroundings (the constant stream of Mona ferry guests) ensure there’s always something to capture your attention.  

A blackboard displays the food specials pumped out from the small but mighty kitchen. Open from 8am, coffee hits the spot, while cakes and sweets are hard to go past. Their three-cheese toastie with preserved chillies is becoming their cult dish, while their mezze plates pair perfectly with the low-fi wine list curated from near and far. Rosie’s is also strong supporter of the all-day margarita, which we are very much here for.

Brooke Street Pier, Hobart 

Sisterhood

Designed by Biasol Design, Sisterhood is Hobart's all-day eatery inspired by Tulum. The tropical prints, playful colours and rattan furniture make this an Insta-worthy brunch or dinner spot. With an extensive menu, there's something for everyone at this Sandy Bay café. We're particularly partial to their avocado toast, with a housemade avocado mousse, labneh, pickled shallots, pomegranate, smoked almonds, mint, seeds and pecorino. Join them for a good time, because everything’s just peachy at Sisterhood - and everyday from 9.00am offers bottomless mimosa sessions for you and your friends. 

4/48 King Street, Sandy Bay 

If you've loved taking a tasty tour of the best cafés in Hobart then why not add a side of culture with our guide to Hobart's best art galleries? Or, if you're still hungry for more check out Hobart's best restaurants for a fancy feed.