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What’s New in Hobart & Tasmania: Food, Culture & New Openings in 2025
Hobart and Tasmania’s 2025 food and culture scene promises unforgettable experiences ahead.
2025 is shaping up to be an unforgettable year for Hobart’s food and culture scene, where innovation effortlessly meets tradition in the most captivating ways. From bold new eateries pushing the boundaries of local flavours to immersive experiences pulsing with the island’s creative heartbeat, a flurry of exciting openings is set to energise every corner of the city. With a calendar brimming with unexpected delights, locals and visitors alike will find themselves constantly on the move, uncovering fresh discoveries at every turn.
Whether chasing the next big dining trend or eager to dive into Tasmania’s vibrant arts scene, Hobart in 2025 promises a sensory journey you simply can’t miss.
Party in the Paddock Secures Its Future with $1.5M Lifeline
Party in the Paddock — Tasmania’s cult-favourite summer festival — is officially here to stay, with the state government pledging $1.5 million over three years to fund crucial upgrades (think fire systems and infrastructure). The boost ensures the boutique fest can keep slinging big vibes, top-tier acts, and community magic through 2027 and beyond. It’s a massive win for Tassie’s music scene and punters alike — time to start planning your next glitter-soaked paddock escape.
Tasmanian Whisky Week
Tasmanian Whisky Week 2025 arrives August 4th to 10th, transforming the island into a haven for lovers of the golden spirit. Over 40 distilleries open their doors across 20+ events, building to the spectacular Tasmanian Spirit Showcase at Hobart’s Princes Wharf. Expect intimate “Meet the Maker” sessions where craft meets character, epic distillery tours revealing secrets in every drop, and a cheeky “Tas vs Scotland” tasting duel that challenges tradition. It’s a week steeped in heritage, heart, and the kind of luxe conviviality only Tassie can deliver. Sip slow, savour deep.
August 4th to 10th
Multiple experiences across the state
Callington Mill Distillery Opens in MACq01
Callington Mill Distillery has officially landed in Hobart, bringing its award-winning Oatlands charm to the waterfront MACq01 building. Open daily for lunch, dinner, and late-night drinks, the luxe new venue delivers precision across whisky, wine, and food, all served in plush interiors and a sun-soaked harbour deck.
Whisky lovers can dive into the exclusive Serendipity Experience, a guided tasting and blending session that ends with your very own signature bottle. Hobart’s sipping scene just got seriously elevated.
18 Hunter Street, Hobart
MONA Launches In the end, the beginning by Arcangelo Sassolino
Industrial materials meet elemental force in this jaw-dropping MONA exhibition from Italian sculptor Arcangelo Sassolino. Think: steel melting mid-air, glass straining under rock, and tyres squeezed to breaking point. Using heat, gravity and immense pressure, Sassolino explores change as a moment of truth — a flash of destruction, renewal and transformation. It’s physical. It’s philosophical. It’s like nothing you’ve seen before.
Curated by Sarah Wallace, Jarrod Rawlins and Olivier Varenne.
Until April 6th, 2026
MONA, Hobart
Unlock the Keys to New Experiences at The Tasman
The Tasman, one of Tasmania’s newest and most coveted hotels, is just steps from Hobart’s vibrant waterfront and beautifully celebrates the city’s history.
Recently recognised as one of the World’s Top 50 Hotels by a global panel of more than 600 experts, guests are invited to elevate their stay with a signature Tasman experience; the Keys. Curated by the concierge team and crafted with trusted local operators, each experience is either entirely exclusive to guests or thoughtfully elevated for luxury travellers. From mountain biking through vineyards and plunging into icy waters to harvesting oysters straight from the sea, every experience invites deeper connection, discovery, and perspective.
Book your stay with The Tasman
Book your stay with Booking.com
Book your stay with Luxury Escapes
12 Murray Street, Hobart
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Get Your Hands on Happy Larry’s Limited Meatball Sangas
Happy Larry Deli, Hobart’s cult-favourite sandwich sanctuary, is turning one—and they’re celebrating every month with a birthday bash that’s pure deli magic. This July, the team are slinging an out-of-this-world meatball sangas, complete with homemade beef and herb meatballs, Napoli sauce, salsa verde and parmesan in a crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside French baguette. There are only limited serves, so get in quick!
With over 8,000 sangas and 5,000 strawberry matchas served in just 12 months, this sweet spot has become a go-to for locals, students, and first responders alike. Expect bold, flavour-packed sandwiches, inventive croissants, and a whole lot of love.
Available in July
59-63 Liverpool Street, Hobart
WunderBar is a New Bar to Know
WunderBar is the sultry new showstopper on Hobart’s dining scene, where moody brasserie vibes meet next-level French-Tasmanian fare. Set inside a beautifully restored 1830s inn, it’s all about buttery vol-au-vents, luscious profiteroles and wine that dances on the palate. Chef Julian Volkmer (ex-MONA, Peacock and Jones) is behind the magic, and trust us, you’ll want a front row seat.
Come for the daytime pastries, egg soldiers with bacon jam, and pitch-perfect coffee; stay for the Friday night candlelight, local white fish rillettes with buttery brioche, and boeuf bourguignon. Dishes like the pumpkin gnocchi Parisienne shine day or night — and the chocolate mousse? Non-negotiable.
45 Goulburn Street, Hobart
Lost in Asia: The New Southeast Asian Gem from the Team Behind Beloved Bar Wa Izakaya
From the local legends behind Hobart’s cult-favourite Bar Wa Izakaya comes a new sensory whirlwind: Lost in Asia. This neon-slick, plant-filled late-night haunt pays homage to the streets and night markets of Southeast Asia, reimagined with fire and flair. One night, it’s char kway teow shimmering with wok hei; the next, a sambal-kissed beef tartare, a Cape Grim beef short rib braised until it falls off the bone in a house-made massaman sauce, or a mushroom larb that knocks you sideways. Add in a crate of cold Asian beers, a playlist pulsing with energy, and the same playful irreverence that made Bar Wa a mainstay — and you’ve got a flavour-charged fever dream you won’t want to wake up from.
131-133 Murray Street, Hobart
Six Russell
Sandy Bay’s Six Russell isn’t just another bakery—it’s a slow-fermented, fine-dining-fuelled revelation. A collaboration between the Tso family (Me Wah) and Kobi Ruzicka (Dier Makr, Lucinda), this Hobart bakery bistro churns out 36-hour sourdough loaves, golden croissants, and a McMuffin-levelled-up with fennel-spiked sausage, silky egg, and dill-caper sauce.
Next door, you’ll find a 40-seat bistro, slinging natural wines, mod-Oz plates, and three kinds of Martinis. With a full potato section (because, Tasmania), vol-au-vents, and abalone Rockefeller, Six Russell is rewriting the bakery-to-bistro playbook—one perfectly laminated pastry at a time.
6 Russell Crescent, Sandy Bay
Novellino
Found in a charming 1839 heritage building on Barrack Street, Novellino is Hobart’s fresh new Italian cafe and eatery serving up a Sicilian feast like no other. Expect handmade pasta drenched in slow-cooked tomato sauce, creamy four-cheese gnocchi, crispy spuntini like arancini and frittata, prosciutto-packed focaccia, alongside Italian pastries, tiramisu, and expertly pulled espresso. Timber floors, a cosy fireplace, and art deco lighting set the mood, while local art adds character. It’s old-world charm meeting bold flavours — elegant yet unpretentious, a true taste of Tasmania with an Italian soul.
12 Barrack Street, Hobart
Scholé: A New Wine Bar Has Landed on Liverpool Street
Behind the door of a transformed confectionery shop on Hobart’s Liverpool Street lies Scholé, the latest venture from culinary legend Luke Burgess. With experience at Noma — yes, Noma — and Tetsuya’s in Sydney, Burgess brings world-class flair to this intimate wine bar and restaurant. Offering room for just ten guests, Scholé serves a guest-driven menu that celebrates local growers and fishermen. On Tuesdays, the space transforms into a lively Tachinomi-style standing bar, with no reservations and a focus on casual snacks and drinks. Scholé is more than dining — it’s a masterclass in hospitality, connection, and community.
227 Liverpool Street, Hobart
Say Hello to Abercrombie Coffee: North Hobart’s Newest Specialty Coffee Gem
Abercrombie Coffee, a fresh addition to North Hobart’s vibrant cafe scene, is fast becoming the go-to spot for exceptional brews, light bites, and community spirit. With 30+ years of experience, owners Duncan Allen and Peter Ladyman bring their passion for quality coffee and inclusive spaces to life in a warm, welcoming venue. Proudly queer-friendly and wheelchair-accessible, the cafe also offers a “pup cup” for furry friends.
In addition to collaborations with local favourites like Tom McHugo’s, Abercrombie is a proud supporter of Guide Dogs Tasmania. Committed to sustainability, the cafe serves responsibly sourced coffee from Villino Coffee, alongside a menu that celebrates Tasmania’s finest ingredients. A true community hub.
431 Elizabeth Street, North Hobart
Kittawa Lodge Unveils New Two-Bedroom Retreat and All-Star Guest Chef Series
Tasmania’s remote luxury jewel, Kittawa Lodge, has unveiled its most exclusive stay yet — the new two-bedroom Kittawa Retreat on King Island. Designed for shared escapes without compromising privacy, the off-grid sanctuary features a secluded hot tub, sweeping ocean views, a private wine cellar, and Kittawa’s signature blend of wilderness and refinement.
This winter, the experience gets even more elevated with the return of the Guest Chef Series. Melbourne culinary stars Rosheen Kaul (formerly Etta) and Stephen Nairn (Omnia) will host two exclusive three-night packages, offering intimate, all-inclusive dining for up to eight guests. Ideal for one group, a family, or separate parties across the retreat’s three accommodations, the experience includes a menu that celebrates King Island’s exceptional local produce, with daily breakfasts, gourmet picnics, and private lodge dinners — all expertly paired with premium Tasmanian wines. Remote just got irresistible!
Kittawa Lodge Guest Chef Series with Rosheen Kaul Package One: Wednesday, July 30th to Saturday, August 2nd Package Two: Saturday, August 2nd to Tuesday, August 5th
Book your experience here
Visit Bicheno – A Coastal Dreamland with a Wild Side – and One of Booking.com’s Friendliest Towns in Australia in 2025
Based on more than 360 million verified customer reviews worldwide, Booking.com recently named Bicheno one of the most welcoming towns in Australia—and if you’ve ever been, you’ll know exactly why. This sun-soaked, salt-kissed seaside town on Tasmania’s East Coast offers the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. By day, dive into the crystal-clear waters of Governor Island Marine Reserve, where vibrant fish and swaying kelp forests make for unforgettable underwater exploration.
As dusk falls, join the fairy penguins on their charming march home beneath a pastel sky. Then, feast on freshly shucked oysters and just-caught lobster at one of the town’s no-fuss, flavour-packed eateries by the shore. With its friendly locals, stunning beaches, and unspoiled beauty, Bicheno is a place where you arrive as a stranger and leave with a heart full of salt and stories.
Book a Bicheno stay here
Club 42 Pilates: The New Hub for Mindful Movement in Bellerive
Looking for a place to stretch, strengthen, and find your flow in Hobart? Look no further than Club 42 Pilates in the picturesque bayside area of Bellerive. This dynamic new studio is all about mindful movement and connection, offering a variety of classes from reformer pilates and hot mat pilates to hot strength and yoga. A warm, welcoming haven for all ages and abilities, you’ll be guided by a team of expert instructors. Club 42 promises a space that’s as inspiring as it is comfortable. Step into a studio that celebrates Tasmania’s natural beauty and feel your best, inside and out. If you’re looking to add some zen to your Hobart experience, Club 42 is the place to be.
31 Cambridge Road, Bellerive
A Magical New Stay is Coming to Bruny Island
At the edge of the world, where Tasmania tumbles into the sea, a stark yet breathtaking vision is taking shape. VIPP Tunnel is a one-bedroom guesthouse unlike anything Bruny Island has seen—a brutalist sanctuary carved into the wild landscape, where concrete meets coastline and silence is a luxury. Designed by the acclaimed Room11 architects, this off-grid retreat frames the D’Entrecasteaux Channel like a cinematic masterpiece, with floor-to-ceiling glass blurring the line between inside and out.
It’s a sensory experience as much as a stay. A minimalist courtyard, home to a single white birch, creates a hypnotic tunnel vision from the entrance to the water’s edge. A sculptural lightwell installation bathes the interiors in shifting shades of amber and gold, playing with time and season like an artist’s brushstroke. Inside, Danish design powerhouse Vipp has curated a space of effortless elegance—sleek furnishings, refined craftsmanship, and that signature Scandinavian restraint.
Beyond the concrete walls, Bruny’s raw beauty awaits: kayak through glassy coves, feast on Bruny Island Cheese, and watch white wallabies graze at dusk. Prepare for an extraordinary new retreat set to redefine Tasmania’s luxury stay scene.
Book your stay with Booking.com
Bruny Island
Upgrades to the Royal Botanic Gardens
Foodie? Wine lover? Nature enthusiast? Or maybe all three? Then this news is for you. Big things are blooming at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens in 2025, with a series of upgrades set to make this lush sanctuary even more irresistible.
The highlight? The arrival of Bird in Hand, the renowned South Australian winery, brings a dynamic new culinary experience to the gardens. Launching later in the year (exact date TBC, so stay tuned!), Bird in Hand will transform the gardens’ hospitality offerings. Think exclusive food and wine experiences, a stylish tasting room, and a fine dining restaurant inspired by the rare and unique flora found across the 200-year-old, 14-hectare grounds.
The launch also coincides with the limited-edition release of Bird in Hand’s Tasmania Series and Tasmanian Reserve Series, which include a lighter-style Nouveau Pinot Noir, a crisp, dry Riesling, and a rich, full-bodied Pinot Noir capturing the island state’s distinct terroir and marking the winery’s first foray into the region.
But that’s not all—the upgrades also include a sleek new visitor centre, a charming kiosk, and an upgraded entrance to make exploring this iconic destination even more enjoyable. 2025 is shaping up to be a deliciously exciting year!
Late 2025
OIRTHIR: Where the Wild Tasmanian Coast Meets Scottish-French Finesse
There’s something poetic about OIRTHIR, the much-anticipated fine dining venture taking root on Tasmania’s East Coast. Perched at the former VAN BONE site, this striking space now belongs to Michelin-starred husband-and-wife duo Bob Piechniczek and Jillian McInnes—Scots by birth, Tasmanians by fate.
At OIRTHIR, the rugged beauty of Tasmania dictates the menu. A seven-course lunch ($175pp) is a precise yet deeply personal expression of place—Blue Lagoon oysters, honey from their hives, Bangor lamb, and line-caught seafood pulled straight from the wild waters. A more relaxed three-course supper ($75pp) invites locals in with whisky, Black Angus, and an atmosphere that feels both intimate and inevitable.
The drinks list is a study in reverence: Tasmania’s finest wines, a measured touch of French varietals, and a nod to home with Scottish whisky. The venue itself remains architecturally untouched, but there are whispers of Scotland woven in—tartan, timber, a sense of time slowing down.
For Bob and Jillian, OIRTHIR isn’t just a restaurant; it’s the sum of decades in kitchens, of risks taken and roots finally planted. This is fine dining made personal—an experience worth crossing land and sea for.
357 Marion Bay Road, Bream Creek, Tasmania
A Tasting Room is Coming for Stargazer Wines
Stargazer Wines is quietly carving out its place in the world. Winemaker Sam Connew, once immersed in the corporate grind of law, found her true calling working with renowned vineyards in California, France, and South Australia before settling in Tasmania’s Coal River Valley. It’s here that her passion for cool-climate wines comes to life. Sam’s Tupelo—bright, vibrant, and beautifully balanced—is perhaps the perfect drop of white wine, ever.
While a Stargazer tasting room won’t open until October 2025, her wines are already making waves online and in retailers around the country. We can’t wait to experience a tasting where the wine is exceptionally crafted. Keep your eyes peeled for updates.
Coal Valley, Tasmania
Analiese Gregory’s New Dining Experience Is On Its Way
Analiese Gregory’s upcoming Huon Valley venture promises more than a meal. It’s more of a raw, unvarnished homage to place and provenance. Set inside a 115-year-old farm shed, this 10-seat sanctuary will spotlight fire-kissed, hyper-local produce — freshly foraged abalone, farm-reared pigs, and wild-caught fish. Though not open yet, it already feels like a reckoning: a stripped-back, fiercely authentic celebration of Tasmania’s wild pulse, where every bite tells a story of survival, respect, and deep connection to the land. Keep an eye out — this one’s destined to shake up the scene.
Address undisclosed
The Opening of Ranita Ramen in Hobart
Hobart’s dining scene is a whole lot tastier with the arrival of Ranita Ramen, a charming nine-seat ramen bar that’s already causing a stir. Located on Liverpool Street, this intimate spot, led by the talented couple Zoe Erskine and Javier Garcia Tornel, serves up homemade noodles and velvety broths crafted with locally sourced ingredients.
Each bowl is a delicious reflection of the couple’s culinary journey — from Melbourne to Madrid, and a passion ignited in Japan. The seasonal menu features dishes like fish shio ramen: a delicate fish broth with chicken chashu, meatballs, ajitama egg, and emmer wheat noodles — light yet rich, complex yet comforting. Don’t miss the chance to experience this extraordinary ramen bar in 2025.
206 Liverpool Street, Hobart
With so much on the horizon, 2025 is a year of indulgence, exploration, and connection in Hobart. From innovative dining concepts to cultural experiences that celebrate Tasmania’s unique character, there’s never been a better time to dive into all this beautiful region has to offer. For an extra dose of Tasmania’s vibrant energy, explore our guide to the best art galleries in Hobart and discover what’s happening this month in the city and beyond.
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