12 of the top cafes in Launceston

The way to the heart of this city is through your stomach.

A vibrant, bustling cafe culture lies at the heart of Launceston. This should come as no surprise, given that Launceston has made a name for itself as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy (thanks to its lively markets, acclaimed vineyards and renowned restaurant scene.) There’s truly no better way to discover Launceston’s foodie offerings than exploring the city’s fabulous array of coffee shops and eateries— we’ve rounded up a few of our favourite Launceston cafes below.

1. Samuel Pepy’s Cafe

This beloved Launceston cafe combines the city’s quintessential quaintness with a hearty menu and great coffee. Coeliacs can rejoice, as everything at Samuel Pepy’s is 100% gluten-free. The cafe also caters to vegetarian and dairy-free dietary requirements, although rest assured this means no sacrifice in flavour. Loaded waffles, crispy house-made hash browns and gluten-free toasties are a few of the menu highlights here. With its cosy interior embellished with old-timey decor, this cafe is a place you’ll want to linger in.

Samuel Pepy's Cafe in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia — Samuel Pepy’s Cafe combines the city’s quintessential quaintness with a hearty menu and great coffee—all gluten-free! (Image: Samuel Pepy’s Cafe)

2. Earthy Eats

The name of this cafe says it all. Earthy Eats highlights the very best of Tasmania’s produce through a hearty, wholesome and seasonal menu. The emphasis is on high-quality local ingredients here— toasted muesli made with Tassie oats and raw honey, eggs from local free-range chooks and great coffee made with milk from the region (delivered by the keg!). If you’re not a coffee drinker, don’t fear— there’s cosy house-brewed chai, warming house-made turmeric lattes and refreshing juices on offer.

Earthy Eats in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia — Earthy Eats highlights the very best of Tasmania’s produce through a hearty, wholesome and seasonal menu. (Image: Kelly Slater)

3. Cafe Mondello

Cafe Mondello is a small but iconic Launceston cafe. The team serves up a flurry of flavours with their eclectic menu featuring classic brekkie items as well as more complex flavours (like vanilla poached pears and cuca sardines with gentleman’s relish). There’s an undeniable Italian influence evident in some of the menu items, the quirky vintage decor, and most importantly— in the fantastic coffee. Buonissimo!

Cafe Mondello in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia — Cafe Mondello offers undeniable Italian influence paired with their quirky vintage decor. (Image: Lusy Productions)

4. Mad Apple

Mad Apple makes the most of the Apple Isle’s natural abundance with a healthy, vegetarian and vegan-friendly menu that features locally sourced produce. You’ll find Asian and Middle Eastern-inspired dishes, uniquely crafted with fresh Tasmanian ingredients. The nasi goreng is a crowd favourite, and the spiced dahl is guaranteed to warm your belly on a chilly day. The space is sleek, modern and sunlit, with an adorable herb garden outside that brings the ultimate touch of cosiness.

Mad Apple Cafe in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia — Mad Apple is a plant-based paradise with interiors that have just the right balance of sleek and cozy. (Image: Mad Apple Cafe)

5. Amelia Coffee Co

Amelia Coffee Co has built a reputation as one of the best cafes in Launceston when it comes to concocting the perfect caffeine boost. Coffee aficionados should head to this hole-in-the-wall speciality coffee house, known for its excellent brews and knowledgeable baristas. The brew bar offers coffee made in every way– cold brew, cold drip, pour over…you name it, Amelia Coffee can make it. If you’re picky about your coffee, or just want to delve into Launceston’s vibrant coffee scene, Amelia Coffee Co. is the place to go. There’s a daily selection of pastries to satiate your sweet tooth cravings, too!

Amelia Coffee Co in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia — Amelia Coffee Co has built a reputation as one of the best cafes in Launceston. (Image: Amelia Coffee Co)

6. Sweetbrew

Sweetbrew hits the sweet spot with its hearty all-day breakfast menu and flawless coffee. This lively cafe is popular with locals— for good reason. Known for its friendly service, colourful interior and charming atmosphere, Sweetbrew is the perfect place to grab brunch or a quick caffeine fix. The baked masala egg is a menu highlight, and the banana and medjool date pancake is perfect if you’re craving something sweeter.

Sweetbrew Cafe in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia — Known for its friendly service, colourful interior and charming atmosphere, Sweetbrew is the perfect place to grab brunch or a quick caffeine fix. (Image: Lusy Productions)

7. Bread + Butter Bakery and Cafe

This trendy Launceston cafe is located in a former motorcycle storehouse, this cafe is fittingly named for its daily house-made sourdough and onsite small-batch butter company. Bread + Butter’s menu offerings include fresh-baked goodies like croissants, cookies and cakes— all made with butter hand-churned onsite.

French Toast at Bread + Butter Launceston — Bread + Butter serves up mouth-watering baked goods and pastries. (Image: Supplied)

If you fancy something more savoury, sample a sourdough pizza with seasonal toppings, or a sourdough bagel with cream cheese. There’s great coffee to wash it all down, too.

Coffee at Bread + Butter Launceston — Get your morning brew at Bread + Butter. (Image: Supplied)

8. Inside Cafe

Inside Cafe has earned a reputation for the best eggs benny in town— putting a unique spin on the classic dish with eggs served on a buttermilk hash brown and topped with cider bearnaise. If you wander in later in the morning, Inside’s lunch menu pulls together cuisine influences from afar, tying it all together with fresh, local Tassie ingredients. The bare-brick interior is rustic-chic in style, with an atmosphere that’s cosy and welcoming. With fantastic coffee to seal the deal, Inside is a place you’ll want to stick around!

Inside Cafe in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia — The bare-brick interior of Inside Cafe is rustic-chic in style, with an atmosphere that’s cosy and welcoming. (Image: Chris Crerar)

9. Basin Cafe

Located in Cataract Gorge, this coffee shop nabs a spot on the list of our favourite Launceston cafes for its location alone. Here, you can graze on jam and cream scones while watching peacocks frolic on the lawn— scenes that seem as if they were taken straight out of a fairy tale. With a vantage point that looks out over the gorge, Basin Cafe is the perfect spot to soak up the beautiful natural surroundings. There’s great coffee, and classic brekky items with generous portions to fuel you up for a day of exploring.

Basin Cafe in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia — Thanks to Basin Cafe’s stunning location, you can graze on jam and cream scones while watching peacocks frolic on the lawn. (Image: Basin Cafe)

10. Relish

Relish is a lovely suburban cafe with chilled-out vibes, great coffee and delicious food (the kimchi scrambled eggs are a must!). The cafe is fully licensed so that you can enjoy a tipple with brunch. Sit in the sunshine with a mimosa or a bloody mary, or pair some local wines with a scrumptious brekkie plate. There are lots of fresh juices and virgin cocktails, as well as sweet treats and warm beverages.

Relish Cafe in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia — Relish is a lovely suburban cafe with chilled-out vibes, great coffee and delicious food. (Image: Relish Cafe)

11. Charlie’s Dessert House

This haven for desserts was founded by intrepid globe-trotter Brooke Saward. Charlie’s Dessert House draws on the culinary influences from Brooke’s travels around the world (where she’s experienced everything from making macarons in Paris to sampling baklava in Turkey). Brooke brought these experiences back to her hometown of Launceston, and since 2016, the cafe has been serving up sweet treats and sugar rushes to locals and travellers alike. If you’re searching for a cafe in Launceston to satiate your sweet-tooth cravings, then we highly recommend stopping by.

Charlie's Dessert House in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia — Since 2016, Charlie’s Dessert House has been serving up sweet treats and sugar rushes to locals and travellers alike. (Image: Kelly Slater)

12. Valley Coffee

Pull up a stool (or milk crate) in the sunlit alleyway. Valley Coffee is located in a small nook in the CBD, and although it may be small, what it lacks in size it makes up for in warmth and friendliness. There’s great coffee, an inviting local vibe and a mouthwatering array of biccies and cakes set out on the counter each day.

Valley Cafe is full of friendly faces and great coffee. (Images: Nick H Visuals)

Read our ultimate travel guide to Launceston for more tips, guides and itineraries.

Hobart has quietly become our coolest capital, but the real wonder lies just beyond the city limits.

In the cool shade of Kunyani/ Mt Wellington, Hobart has earned a reputation. Home to culture-defining Dark MOFO, the city blends rugged, raw wilderness and rule-breaking galleries. But, step beyond the thrumming capital’s border and you’ll find a new perspective: historic towns, Jurassic-era cliffs and a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. With ALL Accor as your home away from home, fill your days with epicurean odysseys and wild scenery on the best day trips from Hobart.

Where to stay

Behind every good road trip is the perfect home base. Somewhere central to review your camera roll, make the most of Hobart’s dining scene and relax before setting off again.

For modern, Tasmanian-inspired design, book a stay at the Movenpick Hotel Hobart . Standing at the Salamanca Markets, look to the Hobart skyline and the award-winning hotel will catch your eye. As the third-tallest building in the CBD, the views across the harbour toward Antarctica are totally unique to your room. Here, end each day at the daily free chocolate hour (plus a free Movenpick ice cream for the little ones).

For a more budget-conscious option, head to the picture book, sandstone buildings of Macquarie Street. Nestled along the buzzing, historic streetscape, you’ll find Tasmania’s biggest hotel: the Ibis Styles . Return home each day to defrost in one of the hotel’s two saunas. Make use of the proximity to MONA, or take an easy stroll to the candy-coloured cottages of Battery Point between your adventures.

A stylish, Tasmanian-inspired bedroom at Mövenpick Hotel Hobart, your perfect base for relaxing after the best day trips from Hobart. — Elevate your Hobart stay with sleek style at Mövenpick.

1. Bruny Island

Craggy cliffs and tropical-hued, white sand beaches signal your arrival to Bruny Island/ Lunawanna-Alonnah.

Start your day trip at the island’s most iconic spot, the Neck Game Reserve. Scale the Trunganini steps to gaze out over the teensy stretch of land that juts through the sea connecting the two ends of the island.

Catch a rare glimpse of the white furred wallabies that call Bruny Island home at Adventure Bay. Then, for ocean-fresh oysters, pull into the drive-thru window at Get Shucked . Sample Bruny Island cheese at the cellar door before catching the ferry home with an esky full of local produce.

Bruny Island Neck is an isthmus of land connecting north and south Bruny Island. — Begin your adventure with a climb and a view. (Image: Elise Weaver)

2. Mount Wellington

At 1271 metres, Mount Wellington watches protectively over Hobart. Follow the winding road to climb through alpine forest and tufts of snow to reach the summit. Gaze down over Hobart and out to sea, or over your shoulder to the southwestern wilderness.

Reset your adrenaline with a mountain bike ride back down. Or, make like the locals and head into the mountain on foot. Try the hike to the Jurassic-period Organ Pipes which slips under the mountain’s magnificent dolerite cliffs (perfect for families thanks to the trail’s minimal incline).

For a view of Mount Wellington itself, hike nearby Cathedral Rock.

No matter where you are in Hobart you are never far away from the City's beloved mountain, Kunanyi / Mount Wellington — Climb through alpine forest to the summit. (Image: Paul Flemming)

2. Port Arthur

Constructed entirely by convicts, the manicured gardens and penal buildings of Port Arthur offer a day trip that practically hums with history.

The rugged, seagirt location was chosen for its difficult escape conditions. Now, you can cruise the coast below the towering, jagged cliffs of the Tasman National Park or wander the sloping fields of fragrant lavender.

Tickets to Port Arthur include a walking tour and harbour cruise. See the Isle of the Dead where 1000 men are buried in marked and unmarked graves. And Point Puer, Britain’s first prison for children.

The Port Arthur Historic Site is one of Australia's most important heritage sites and tourist destinations. Located on the scenic Turrakana / Tasman Peninsula in the south east of Tasmania, it offers a unique and essential experience for all visitors to the area. — Wander convict-built grounds and gardens. (Image: Dearna Bond)

3. Launceston

You’ll find Launceston at the confluence of three rivers after an easy 2.5-hour drive from Hobart. Launceston is a patchwork of old and new. Here, heritage streetscapes meet modern architecture.

Visit Cataract Gorge, the green, sun-dappled heart of the town and sacred meeting point for Tasmania’s indigenous communities. Pull up at roadside produce stalls that dot the Tamar Valley, or dine out. Launceston is, after all, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.

Should the local wine scene persuade you, simply extend your time in Launceston at Peppers Silo (but definitely at least stop by the onsite restaurant, Grain of the Silo , for a farm fresh menu) or Mercure Launceston before heading back to Hobart.

Walk the sunlit paths of Cataract Gorge. (Image: Nick H Visuals)

4. Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary

Take a 35-minute drive from your hotel and you’ll find Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary . This social enterprise is run by a team of extremely passionate Tasmanians with a mission to look after critically endangered species who have found sanctuary here after facing extinction on the mainland.

Choose to wander the sanctuary at your own pace or join a guided tour (free with your ticket) to come face to face with Tassie’s most iconic species. Tasmanian Devils, wombats and echidnas are part of the free tour. You can book up close encounters with your favourite animals, too.

Bonorong is a Sanctuary for wildlife run by a passionate team of like-minded people. We're a social enterprise: a little business with a big heart. — Snap a cuddle-worthy encounter. (Image: Tourism Australia)

5. Richmond Village & Coal River Valley

Richmond is a town that belongs in a snow globe. Fifty colonial-era, Georgian buildings have been painstakingly restored and turned into cafes, cosy restaurants and galleries. Visit Richmond Gaol , said to be the home of a prisoner so vile he inspired Charles Dickens to pen Oliver Twist’s Fagin.

Then, follow the Coal River as it flows past grassy, duckling-dotted knolls and under the iconic Richmond Bridge, the oldest bridge in Australia. From the crest of the bridge, see the oldest Catholic Church in Australia. The river crawls past many cellar doors, perfect for a day of wine tasting.

Richmond is a picture-perfect town in the Coal River Valley wine region, offering a glimpse into early colonial life, one of the best day trips from Hobart. — Trace the river through history and wine country. (Image: Fin Matson)

Plan your trip to Hobart and beyond with ALL Accor at All.com .