Love Food? – Get a Taste of Tasmania

I wasn’t expecting Tasmania to be such a foodies paradise.

I’ve been told many times “you have to go to Tasmania, it’s beautiful down there” so I’ve always expected Tassie would have the scenery and the unspoilt natural beauty.

We’ve all seen countless photos of Wineglass Bay, Cradle Mountain and Bay of Fires, and whilst I never got to visit these iconic places on my first trip down to Tassie, I wasn’t surprised by the scenery that I did see.

Tassie is of course also known for its convict history and World Heritage Convict sites such as Port Arthur, but what I wasn’t expecting, and call me ignorant, but it turns out Tassie has some of the freshest and best produce going around.

Unfortunately, we didn’t get to try much of the supposedly famous seafood and cheeses, but for the short period we were down there our taste buds and bellies were very satisfied and I’m definitely looking forward to returning and ‘eating my way around Tasmania”.

We discovered some great cafes and restaurants thanks to tips from the locals. Check out what was on our plate:

Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm Cafe, Elizabeth Town

This cafe came highly recommended by our facebook community and the locals we met on the ground in Tassie. And as you’ll see by the photos below, we were more than satisfied.

My fave was the Mud cake with Raspberries:

How about some scones with raspberry jam?

or maybe the lemon tarts?

Ilk Cafe, Tamar Valley

Without a doubt, the BEST bruschetta I have ever eaten. Topped with roasted capsicum, pine nuts, grilled haloumi and smoked ocean trout:

Saturday Harvest Market, Launceston

Held in the Cimitiere Street Car Park Every Saturday, this market sells only food and beverages grown and produced in Tasmania, and there is a range of foods for all tastes.

Grab yourself a raw energy chocolate ball:

Another treat is the raw chocolate cheesecake:

Some great fresh produce:

And why not try some wallaby, another great meat option similar to Kangaroo:

Fresh Cafe, Launceston

Fresh is great for vegetarians, like us, but also if you like cool, retro, bohemiam and funky. Its the place all cafe bummers head to.

I went for the full vegie breakfast:

Caz tucked into the baked egg with chilli beans:

And the coffee was, yeah…

Ingleside Licensed Bakery Cafe, Evandale

This cafe is located inside the old Council chambers which was built back in 1867. Grab a seat in the pretty courtyard or cozy up around the roaring fire during the winter.

Are stop was a brief one for coffee and gluten-free rhubarb crumble:

Josef Chromy Vineyard Restaurant

Its been said that Josef Chromy is the best winery in Launceston. After eating in their restaurant, I can tell you that the food is top notch too. And as a bonus , you get awesome views over the lake and vineyards.

Try the Risotto with squid ink and salmon:

Salmon cakes:

Levee Food Co. Seaport, Launceston

For some casual dining on the water in Launceston, head to Seaport and Levee Restaurant.

They have burgers:

And a Calamari Salad served on butternut pumpkin & bocconcini salad & a creamy garlic aioli dressing:

Tours of Tasmania to love

We have two Tasmania group tours to recommend if you don’t want to travel independently. These are with our preferred partner, Globus tours which also include Cosmos. Be sure to use our discount code when booking!

1. Ready to discover what all the fuss is about? Serving up waterfalls, wine tastings, and rustic, resort lodges within a stone’s throw of some of Australia’s most spectacular sights, this 9-day Tassie tour will introduce you to the favorite features and creatures of this idyllic island state.
2. Consider yourself a bit of a foodie? This escorted tour of Tasmania with Cosmos Tours is the one for you! Embark on the adventure of a lifetime during this 7-day culinary-focused Tasmania tour from Hobart to Launceston.