8 of the best restaurants in Cradle Mountain

Refuel at one of these top restaurants surrounded by the beauty of the Tasmanian wilderness.

You’re bound to work up an appetite while exploring the beautiful surroundings of Cradle Mountain. Fortunately, there are some great restaurants in Cradle Mountain Lake-St Clair National Park to replenish you after a day of sightseeing, especially if you’re making the most of the hiking trails in Cradle Mountain.

It’s important to note that the food options at Cradle Mountain are limited. It’s best to opt for self-catering accommodation if you intend on preparing your own meals, and to purchase groceries beforehand. But if you’re keen to explore the local food scene, we’ve rounded up the best restaurants in Cradle Mountain. Whether you’re sitting down for a fine dining experience or grabbing a bite at a bistro, these top picks will demonstrate why this corner of Tasmania is a haven for foodies.

1. Highland Restaurant

Open: Dinner only

The renowned Highland Restaurant curates a fine-dining experience that showcases the best of cool-climate produce. Seafood and a great selection of local wines are central to the menu, allowing visitors to savour some of Tasmania’s best specialities.

Sit fireside as you dine at Highland Restaurant in Cradle Mountain. (Image: Cradle Mountain Lodge)

Expect modern cuisine prepared with local ingredients, combined to create an original yet decadent medley of flavours. Highlights include fresh Tasmanian oysters for entrée and a daily selection of Tasmanian cheeses to finish.

With a stylish yet cosy interior and great views of the pristine bushland, it is a marvellous way to experience fine dining with a Tasmanian flair. You’ll find the Highland Restaurant in Cradle Mountain Wilderness Lodge . Booking in advance is recommended.

2. Tavern Bar & Bistro

Open: Lunch & Dinner

The Tavern Bar & Bistro offers hearty meals and snacks that will satiate any post-hike appetite. Also located in the Cradle Mountain Wilderness Lodge, the Tavern is the casual companion to the upscale Highland Restaurant next door. Here, the cosy atmosphere is complete with a rustic timber interior, a roaring fireplace, a pool table and great views over the surrounding wilderness. You’ll find classic pub-style meals, wood-fired pizzas and a range of Tassie beers on tap. What better way to end a day of exploring?

Tavern Bar & Bistro Cradle Mountain pizzas — Fill up on wood-fired pizzas at the Tavern Bar & Bistro. (Image: Cradle Mountain Lodge )

3. Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village Restaurant

Open: Lunch & dinner

Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village Restaurant crafts an elevated dining experience utilising plenty of locally sourced ingredients. The north-west corner of Tasmania surrounding Cradle Mountain is known as the ‘foraging region’ due to the abundance of the land.

Drawing inspiration from the region’s richness, the restaurant offers a taste of Tasmania with menu highlights that include Tasmanian farmed rib eye and wallaby ragu.

Cradle Mountain Wildernesss Village Restaurant — Elevated dining at Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village Restaurant (Image: Jess Bonde)

To complete your dining experience, there’s a great selection of local Tasmanian wines to pair with your meal, and the restaurant is currently in the running to win the Tasmanian Wine List of the year 2024. You can find the restaurant locates in Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village . Booking in advance is recommended.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

4. Altitude Restaurant

Open: Breakfast & Dinner

Altitude restaurant in Cradle Mountain Hotel offers relaxed yet upscale dining with both buffet and à la carte dining options. The buffet breakfast offers a hearty selection of cooked and continental items that are sure to fuel you up for a day of exploring.

The interior of Altitude Restaurant Cradle Mountain — Visit Altitude Restaurant for relaxed yet upscale dining. (Image: Cradle Mountain Hotel)

Alternatively, the à la carte menu offers a range of contemporary dishes for lunch and dinner that incorporate speciality Tasmanian products.

One of many delicious options on the menu at Altitude Restaurant. (Image: Cradle Mountain Hotel)

5. Altitude Lounge Bar

Open: 10am-8:30pm

Located next to the Altitude restaurant, the Altitude Lounge Bar is a stylish yet comfortable place to grab a drink and enjoy a casual bite. Relax on the plush sofas around a large log fire, and head to the bar for some of Tasmania’s best beverage offerings.

Here, you can refresh yourself with Tassie craft beer, indulge in the local wine selection or warm up with a Tasmanian single-malt whiskey. The food menu includes a hearty range of bar snacks, pub-style dishes, and decadent desserts. If you’re after a casual place to eat in Cradle Mountain, the Altitude Lounge is a warm and welcoming spot.

6. Elements Cafe (in the visitors centre)

Open: 9am-5pm

Located in the Cradle Mountain Visitor Information Centre , Elements Cafe has got you covered for all of your pre-hike caffeine needs. For those seeking a more leisurely coffee break, there’s a range of cakes, pastries, and a simple lunch/snack menu on offer. The cafe serves takeaway sandwiches and pies for those on the go, as well as soups and curries to warm you up on a chilly alpine day.|

Cradle mountain vistiors centre — You can grab a quick bite or a cup of joe at Elements cafe in the Visitors Centre.

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7. Hungry Wombat Cafe (Lake St Clair)

Open: 9am-5pm

The Hungry Wombat Cafe is a charming, down-to-earth countryside eatery delicious food and great coffee. It’s truly a little gem in the middle of nowhere. You’ll find plenty of choice for a great feed. There are pancakes, omelettes, classic cheeseburgers and more, all served in generous portion sizes. A trip to the Hungry Wombat Cafe is guaranteed to fill your belly, and fuel you up for a day of walking.

8. Derwent Bridge Wilderness Hotel (Lake St Clair)

Open: Lunch and Dinner

This down-to-earth restaurant on the edge of Cradle Mountain-St Clair National Park has a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Menu highlights include authentic Sri Lankan curries — perfect for combatting the alpine chill. With friendly vibes, a roaring fireplace, and pub classics, the Derwent Hotel is the perfect place to relax after a day of exploring.

The Derwent Bridge Wilderness Hotel serves up delicious comfort food. (Image: Derwent Bridge Wilderness Hotel )

Looking for more Cradle Mountain inspiration? Check out our guide to Cradle Mountain that covers where to eat stay and play.

Tasmania’s crisp clear air, misty mountains, lakes and ancient forests beckon as winter approaches.

Travelling in the off season has many benefits, none more so in Tasmania, where it’s uncrowded and uncomplicated. Ease into winter with a getaway that spells relaxing with a glass of wine or local whisky, bathing under the stars, or gazing at reflections in pristine waters. Add fireside dining, wilderness walks, after-dark gallery visits and plenty of history and you’ve got a curated winter escape designed to make travelling in the quieter months of the year even more rewarding. NRMA Parks and Resorts’ Off Season Signature Packages across Tasmania (plus 10 per cent off for members) make all these things possible.

Cosy up at Cradle Mountain

two women walking aorund Cradle Mountain Hotel NRMA Parks and Resorts — Immerse into the wilderness at Cradle Mountain Hotel.

For an alpine wilderness experience like no other, chose Cradle Mountain Hotel for a winter getaway. You may even wake up to gently falling snow. Explore nearby Dove Lake, gaze at Cradle Mountain is and listen to the gush of waterfalls.

As Cradle Mountain works its charm, slow down to enjoy the crisp alpine air away from the hustle of the city. There are no crowds here, just serenity and the chance to recalibrate.

Cradle Mountain’s Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, breakfast daily, a bottle of wine (Retreat rom bookings only) and off-season dessert with dinner. Then sip on mulled wine as you wander through the Wilderness Gallery admiring the work of Tasmanian artists.

Finding the flavours of Freycinet

aerial of Freycinet Lodge NRMA Parks and Resorts — Stay at the only accommodation within beautiful Freycinet National Park.

As the only accommodation within Freycinet National Park, among the many reasons for staying at Freycinet Lodge is its easy access to stunning Wineglass Bay, Mt Amos and Honeymoon Bay.

By day it’s the place for communing with nature, taking hikes in some of Tasmania’s most beautiful locations. By night, savour the regional seasonal flavours of the east coast, sip mulled wine to keep out the chill and gaze up at the star-studded skies. This is slow coastal indulgence at its best.

Freycinet Lodge’s Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, breakfast daily, a hosted Flavours of the East Coast food and wine tasting experience and mulled wine under the stars, or beside the fire, after dinner.

Escape to lakeside Pumphouse Point

interior of pumphouse point NRMA Parks and Resorts — Stay cosy while looking out onto Lake St Clair.

Set on the edge of beautiful Lake St Clair in native bushland in the heart of Tasmania’s Central Highlands, Pumphouse Point has launched a new era for its boutique accommodation with the opening of two new luxury retreat rooms last October.

Each of the trio of rooms are thoughtfully designed, with an indoor fireplace and deep-soak bathtub, both perfect for a winter escape. This retreat offers dining and an expanded collection of hosted experiences, including a guided tour to learn more about this historic place, chocolate tastings and whisky tasting from local artisans – with more to come later in the season.

Borrow an e-bike and explore on your own, throw a line in, head off for a hike in the ancient forests that surround the lake, book a relaxing massage, or just settle in for an evening by the fire as the lake works its own magic.

Pumphouse Point’s Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, breakfast, larder lunch and dinner, a bottle of wine with dinner each night, and a chocolate or whisky tasting experience, as well as two $50 massage vouchers.

Slow down in Strahan Village

aerial of boat going through strahan tasmania — Explore UNESCO world heritage wilderness.

As the gateway to UNESCO world heritage wilderness, picturesque Strahan Village is the ideal base for exploring Tassie’s west coast. With a wide range of accommodation choices, from cosy waterfront colonial-style cottages to hotel rooms with sweeping views over Macquarie Harbour, it’s the perfect place for slow travel.

Join Gordon River Cruises to explore ancient wilderness and magical reflections on the Gordon River, wander through the village at your own pace or hire a bike to discover local secrets and attractions, including the iconic West Coast Wilderness Railway . Thrill-seekers can hire taboggans to hit the towering Henty Dunes.

Strahan’s Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, a Gordon River cruise for two and mulled wine at Hamer’s Bistro .

Delve into history in Port Arthur

interior of glamping tent at Port Arthur Holiday Park NRMA Parks and Resorts — Glamp under the stars at Port Arthur Holiday Park.

Spend your evenings glamping under the stars and your days stepping back in time as you explore the captivating stories of the World Heritage listed Port Arthur Historic Site. Port Arthur Holiday Park is the perfect base for exploring the Tasman Peninsula and uncovering the stories of Australia’s colonial and convict past.

Surrounded by nature and history, this off-season escape has the all the makings of an unforgettable getaway. All glamping tents are heated to keep you warm during the off-season months when the nights get a little cooler, and have private bathrooms. Stargazing tents have the added luxury of an outdoor bath on the verandah.

The Port Arthur Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, a Port Arthur Historic Site tour for two and 10 per cent discount for dining at local restaurant On The Bay during your stay.

Start planning an unforgetable trip to Tasmania with NRMA Resorts at nrmaparksandresorts.com.au.

8 of the best restaurants in Cradle Mountain

Refuel at one of these top restaurants surrounded by the beauty of the Tasmanian wilderness.

1. Highland Restaurant

2. Tavern Bar & Bistro

3. Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village Restaurant

4. Altitude Restaurant

5. Altitude Lounge Bar

6. Elements Cafe (in the visitors centre)

7. Hungry Wombat Cafe (Lake St Clair)

8. Derwent Bridge Wilderness Hotel (Lake St Clair)

This twilight tour lets you share dessert with a Tasmanian devil

The new lakeside luxury retreats hidden inside Cradle Mountain National Park

This boutique Tasmania resort is one of Australia’s most unique stays

A guide to the dreamiest Cradle Mountain accommodation

Why you should visit these iconic Tassie destinations

Tasmania’s crisp clear air, misty mountains, lakes and ancient forests beckon as winter approaches.

Cosy up at Cradle Mountain

Finding the flavours of Freycinet

Escape to lakeside Pumphouse Point

Slow down in Strahan Village

Delve into history in Port Arthur

Refuel at one of these top restaurants surrounded by the beauty of the Tasmanian wilderness.

1. Highland Restaurant

2. Tavern Bar & Bistro

3. Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village Restaurant

AI Prompt

4. Altitude Restaurant

5. Altitude Lounge Bar

6. Elements Cafe (in the visitors centre)

7. Hungry Wombat Cafe (Lake St Clair)

8. Derwent Bridge Wilderness Hotel (Lake St Clair)

This twilight tour lets you share dessert with a Tasmanian devil

The new lakeside luxury retreats hidden inside Cradle Mountain National Park

This boutique Tasmania resort is one of Australia’s most unique stays

A guide to the dreamiest Cradle Mountain accommodation

Tasmania’s crisp clear air, misty mountains, lakes and ancient forests beckon as winter approaches.

Cosy up at Cradle Mountain

Finding the flavours of Freycinet

Escape to lakeside Pumphouse Point

Slow down in Strahan Village

Delve into history in Port Arthur