Catch of the Day: The Best Seafood Restaurants in Hobart

Hobart is a dream destination for seafood lovers, offering some of the freshest and finest catches in the country. With a rich maritime history, this charming waterfront city has evolved from its days as a bustling whaling port to become the heart of Tasmania’s thriving seafood industry—the most valuable in Australia.

From succulent, freshly shucked oysters that foodies rave about to inventive dishes featuring the daily catch, the city’s seafood scene is second to none. Whether you’re after a casual feast or a fine-dining experience, the best seafood restaurants in Hobart promise unforgettable flavours—many with stunning waterfront views to complete the experience.

Restaurant Maria

Restaurant Maria, set in Hobart’s historic Salamanca precinct, offers an enchanting culinary experience that celebrates Tasmania’s finest produce, particularly its exceptional seafood. With an emphasis on sustainability and creative finesse, the restaurant delights guests with its carefully crafted Chef’s Menu, which offers an elegant journey through seasonal flavours.

Seafood lovers will relish bites like octopus paired with tirokafteri and nasturtium flowers, scallops enhanced with burnt lemon and mountain pepper, and oysters served with a wild fennel pollen mignonette. These dishes complement a selection of standout plates like lamb shoulder with tzatziki and nduja croquettes with jamon and manchego, creating a balanced, memorable feast.

Paired with stunning waterfront views and an expertly curated wine list, Restaurant Maria invites you to slow down, savour, and celebrate the beauty of Hobart dining.

Brooke Street Pier, Hobart 

Tasmanian Wild Seafood Adventures

This might just be Tasmania’s most unique dining experience—and it’s all about the freshest local seafood. Tasmanian Wild Seafood Adventures offers an extraordinary “deep-to-dish” experience. Onboard a luxury catamaran, guests journey through Southern Tasmania’s pristine waters, marvelling at rugged sea cliffs and serene beaches. The real magic lies in the freshly harvested seafood prepared right before you—think abalone, rock lobster, oysters, and sea urchins. With local wines and breathtaking views, this is an intimate, immersive way to savour Tasmania’s seafood bounty while connecting with its rich maritime heritage. 

Elizabeth Street Pier, Hobart

Old Wharf Restaurant

The Old Wharf Restaurant in Hobart, located on the waterfront at the MACq 01 Hotel, serves up some of the city’s best seafood dishes. Indulge in fresh Bruny Island oysters, offered with mignonette, BBQ sauce and bacon (Kilpatrick), or a vibrant Vietnamese-style dressing with finger lime. The BBQ octopus, charred and paired with nduja and lemon, is a standout, as are the smoked trout croquettes, served with wasabi aioli. For a hearty option, the seafood pot pie, filled with Tasmanian scallops, white fish, and mussels, is a must-try. Occasionally, you might even find lobster gracing the menu

MACq 01, 18 Hunter Street, Hobart

Aloft

Perched above Hobart’s majestic waterfront, Aloft offers a captivating dining experience with panoramic views of the River Derwent. This modern eatery focuses on seasonal Tasmanian produce, including wild-caught seafood, bringing the freshest local ingredients to the table. The menu showcases delights like Bruny Island oysters paired with house-made mignonette, delicate scallops with cucumber and shallot, and market fish complemented by the likes of goats curd and brassica. Each dish is carefully paired with exquisite local wines, creating a harmonious dining experience. 

Brooke Street Pier, Hobart

Dier Makr 

While not technically a seafood restaurant, Dier Makr’s seafood-focused dishes are exceptional. The seasonal menu evolves constantly, offering creations like albacore with eggplant escabeche, octopus with miso and leek, or poached Southern Rock lobster with Huon Valley apple emulsion.

Each dish showcases meticulous artistry, as seen in rainbow trout, sourced from Cradle Mountain, delicately hay-smoked and served with toasted walnut dressing, grilled broad bean leaves, and crispy skin for added texture.

Every visit to Dier Makr promises an unforgettable culinary experience—undoubtedly some of the finest seafood in Hobart.

123 Collins Street, Hobart 

Bar Wa Izakaya

Bar Wa Izakaya isn’t just one of Hobart’s best Japanese restaurants—it’s one of the city’s best overall. With a buzzing atmosphere and a menu blending Tasmanian produce with Japanese tradition, it’s naturally a must-visit for seafood lovers.

Highlights include Tasmanian bluefin sashimi, oysters with kimchi granita (half-price daily from 4–6pm), hibachi-grilled octopus with fermented chilli miso, and charcoal-grilled kingfish collar with teriyaki glaze. Don’t miss the famously good ramen at lunch, paired with a Japanese beer or whisky cocktail.

216-218 Elizabeth Street, Hobart

Omotenashi

Omotenashi is one of Hobart’s best seafood dining experiences. This intimate 12-seat restaurant, run by Sophie Pope and Lachlan Colwill, is tucked inside the Lexus of Tasmania showroom on Elizabeth Street.

Serving a 16-course set menu with matched beverages, Omotenashi showcases the finest seasonal produce, with seafood as the star. Highlights include duckbill boarfish, yellow-eye mullet sashimi, native cocky salmon Sabazushi, uni don, and wild Tasmanian Angasi oysters.

Hard to book but worth every effort, this is a must-visit for seafood lovers seeking an unforgettable dining experience.

Unit 4/160 Elizabeth Street, Hobart 

Mures 

With over 50 years of expertise, Mures offers an unmatched seafood dining experience in Hobart. Specialising in sustainably sourced Australian seafood, the family-run restaurant ensures every catch is fresh and expertly prepared, showcasing Tasmania’s finest produce. Complement your meal with a carefully curated wine list that features local Tasmanian varietals as well as selections from across Australia and beyond.

After a recent $3 million renovation, this Hobart dining icon looks better than ever, providing a stunning waterfront setting to enjoy both the views and exceptional dishes.

Sitchu Tip: Craving a more laid-back seafood experience? Head downstairs to the Lower Deck, where you’ll find a seafood haven serving up the ultimate fish and chips. How about sharing a Fisherman’s Basket for two? 

Victoria Dock, Davey Street, Hobart

Pearl + Co

Situated on Hobart’s bustling Victoria Dock, Pearl + Co invites diners to indulge in fresh, locally sourced seafood while enjoying panoramic marina views through its floor-to-ceiling windows. Feast on freshly shucked Tasmanian Pacific oysters, locally caught wild fish ceviche, and melt-in-your-mouth sashimi, or opt for their warming curried scallop pot pie or a bowl full of delicious mussels.

The restaurant’s menu celebrates the best local seafood, all served alongside expertly crafted cocktails. With its welcoming atmosphere and focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients, Pearl + Co is the perfect place to soak in the waterfront vibe while indulging in some of the best seafood Hobart has to offer.

Victoria Dock, Hobart

The Drunken Admiral

One of Hobart’s most iconic spots, The Drunken Admiral is a family-run restaurant that draws both locals and visitors with its vibrant maritime atmosphere. The décor evokes the spirit of an old sailing ship, setting the stage for some of the freshest Tasmanian seafood in the city. A must-try is the Fish Market Chowder, a beloved dish that has been on the menu since the restaurant opened in 1979, remaining unchanged ever since.

17-19 Hunter Street, Old Wharf, Hobart

Blue Eye Seafood Restaurant

Blue Eye Seafood Restaurant, located in Hobart’s historic Salamanca Place, offers a vibrant seafood experience. Specialising in oysters, grilled fish, and classic fish and chips, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy fresh Tasmanian seafood. Stop by for freshly shucked oysters, served with lemon or dressed with tomato-chili salsa or shallot vinaigrette. With dine-in or takeaway options, it’s a great choice for a waterfront stroll while enjoying the best of the local catch.

1 Castray Esplanade, Salamanca Place, Hobart

Fish Frenzy

Renowned for its fresh, flavourful seafood, Fish Frenzy boasts a stunning marina-side location surrounded by Antarctic vessels, tall ships, and Hobart’s fishing fleet. The menu features standout dishes like their celebrated seafood chowder and the indulgent Pier Platter, loaded with tiger prawns, oysters, grilled octopus, and more.

Elizabeth Street Pier, Sullivans Cove, Hobart

Try the quintessential scallop pie

Scallop pies are a quintessential Tasmanian treat, and there are a couple of top spots where you can indulge in this iconic dish. Daci & Daci Bakers is renowned for its mouth-watering take on this delicacy, offering a rich filling of succulent scallops in a golden, buttery crust. Another top spot is Jackman & McRoss, where their flaky scallop pies are paired with a delicious, creamy filling that reflects the best of local seafood. Don’t leave Tasmania without sampling this must-try dish!

Loving our guide to the best seafood restaurants in Hobart and keen to reel in more fun things to do around the city? Pair your seafood lunch or dinner with a pint at one of the best breweries in Hobart or satisfy your sweet tooth at one of the city’s best bakeries.