Australia/ Food & drink

Is Hobart Australia’s most underrated brunch destination?

If Great Britain is a nation newly in love with going out for brunch, then Australia is the seasoned pro. Enjoying a leisurely morning meal (or ‘brekkie’ as they say) goes hand in hand with the laid back vibe, right?

On every menu, you’ll find eggs galore and a whole lot of smashed avo. Instagram foodies, this is a place for you as impeccable presentation comes as standard.

I read about Melbourne’s cafe culture and experienced Sydney’s thriving food scene but one city took me by surprise.

Tasmania’s capital Hobart is a strong, if unexpected, contender for the best brunches I have enjoyed in Australia. The two mornings I spent there were some of the best yet so keep reading for some seriously mouth-watering meals…

Pollen Tea Room

We stumbled on the first cafe entirely by chance. Battery Point is a mere 15 minute walk from Salamanca Square and the peaceful area boasts some pretty lovely eateries.

The pint-sized Pollen Tea Room specialises in vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options, along with freshly baked raw treats. Typically ordering the biggest item on the menu, I was thrilled when this pile of goodness arrived.

For $15.50 (just over £9), this brunch will fill you up for hours. Crushed avocado is mixed with feta, herbs and za’atar then served on sourdough with mixed leaves, olive oil and a squeeze of lemon.

My friend enjoyed ‘Pollen Eggs’ – two baked eggs with avocado, za’atar, herbs and sourdough ($14.50). Tasty food in a relaxed environment is the best way to start a morning.

Machine Laundry Cafe

After completing our Tasmanian road trip, we ended up back in Hobart for one final morning. We met up with a friend of mine for a catch up in Machine Laundry Cafe. Far from just being a quirky name, you can actually do your laundry here while enjoying a delicious breakfast.

The cafe was full to the brim so we were lucky to squeeze onto a table and quickly got down to browsing the menu. If you love eggs, this is definitely the place for you but it turns out I’m a real sucker for the avocado.

According to the reviews, my choice ‘Thom’s Thing’ (picture above) is a favourite among visitors. Consisting of avocado salsa, chickpeas, tomato, spinach and grilled halloumi, this is all piled onto – yep, you guessed it – two hunks of toasted sourdough.

The halloumi is great addition to the dish, especially for a cheese obsessive like myself! As well as being a great looking plate of food, it’s tasty and keeps you full for hours thanks to the added protein from the chickpeas – an unusual addition in dishes like this.

All in all Hobart’s brunches are big and truly wonderful. After days of trying anywhere to eat in tiny, secluded villages, we were definitely impressed by this dinky city’s food offerings. In a huge country that does brunch so well, visitors to Tasmania might be surprised to find exceptional breakfasts here too.

Where is your favourite city to eat brunch? Share your recommendations below!

Laura x