CITY OF GASTRONOMY

Launceston- A Fusion of Fresh Flavours

Launceston has asserted its place among the world’s great epicurean destinations.

In late 2021, it was named a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, making it one of only 36 cities worldwide bestowed with this prestigious status.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation announced the title as part of its Creative Cities Network. It recognises northern Tasmania’s unique paddock-to-plate culture and Launceston’s role as the region’s gourmet hub.

Launceston’s food culture comes to the fore in the city’s restaurants, which offer diverse dining experiences. The provenance pioneer Stillwater brings fresh local produce to an 1830s flour mill at the mouth of Cataract Gorge, and Black Cow Bistro is true to its origins as a butchery, serving best-in-show Tasmanian beef.

And seasonal food and wine are natural companions at Timbre, sitting among the vines at Velo Wines in Legana, on Launceston’s northern outskirts.

Meet the makers and connect with a community of innovative local farmers at Harvest Market, held each Saturday morning in a city-centre car park. These award-winning markets feature a roll call of northern Tasmania’s finest producers, such as Felds Farm Market Garden, Hazelbrae Hazelnuts, Sandy’s Sourdough, Kabul Veggie Delights, and Steve’s Vegies.

Local cooking schools extend the paddock experience to the plate, with ForknFarm combining luxury accommodation with classes that range from salami making and French provincial cooking to pickles and preserves. Hinton Bay Kitchen also runs cooking classes in the Tamar Valley.

Indulge your senses and discover fresh new flavours as you trace northern Tasmanian produce to its origins in and around this enticing City of Gastronomy.

Brunch at Tatler Lane by Sweetbrew

Scrumptious and aromatic brunch, rich coffee and a modern, relaxed ambience combine to make Tatler Lane by Sweetbrew a top spot for café connoisseurs.

Tatler Lane by Sweetbrew is a beloved fixture of Launceston’s brunch scene, featuring colourful wall art and cosy seats, couches and booths to sink into while you fill up on healthy creations. Much of the cuisine here is Middle East-inspired, so take a seat and enjoy the enticing aromas lingering in the air.

Enjoy a cup or two of specialty coffee. Indulge in the full-bodied flavour of Five Senses Coffee’s blend, or sample some single-origin batch brew or cold brew. Satisfy your sweet tooth with a hot chocolate, or spice things up a little with a Prana brewed chai.

The all-day brunch menu is stacked with vegetarian goodies. You can’t go past the Sweetbrew Steamed Egg. Tuck into a succulent, marinated mix of Tasmanian shimofuri hiratake mushrooms, hearty potato gratin, romesco and Persian feta.

Another fragrant savoury dish is the baked chili eggs, with an aromatic mix of five beans, fresh coriander and chili, avocado and ciabatta.

The feisty egg butty is fiery and smoky, blending battered jalapenos, aioli, and cheesycroquettes.

Tatler Lane by Sweetbrew is open 7am to 3pm on weekdays, and 7am to 2pm on weekends. From Thursday to Saturday, it’s open 5pm to 11pm. Head on in and expect friendly service, a satisfying brunch and a cool, relaxed atmosphere.

Lunch and drinks at Saint John Craft Beer

From the fruity to the hoppy, the creamy to the malty: you’ll find more than 100 craft beers at this casual, contemporary bar in Launceston.

Saint John Craft Beer has high ceilings, stylish black walls and plenty of space to sit and have a chinwag with your mates over some great food and drink.

At any given time, a diverse array of 18 ice-cold beers flow from the taps here, including international, Australian and Tasmanian brews. Chat with the staff for a rundown on each of the tapped beers. Alternatively, get your hands on a can or bottle from the extensive selection of full-bodied ales, crisp lagers, rich stouts and chocolatey porters. If beer’s not what you fancy, sip some high-end spirits, craft cider, or wine.

Hot and hearty food creates a satisfying contrast with the refreshing beverages at Saint John Craft Beer. Get started with warm marinated olives or fried chickpeas, or share Tasmanian cheese platters and charcuterie boards. More sizeable favourites include chicken tenders with dill pickles, crumbed fish, and a mouth-watering array of juicy gourmet burgers.

The taco range features tasty delights like charred octopus and pulled lamb. The meals here often change with the availability of seasonal produce. The most up-to-date version of the menu can be found on the Saint John Craft Beer website.

This venue in the heart of the city is open for lunch, dinner and, of course, drinks from 12 to 10pm seven days a week.

Pop into this buzzing space for an array of unique independent beverages alongside hearty, quality food.

Accessibility

These two eateries are situated within easy walking distance of each other in the Launceston CBD.

Stop B1 is the closest bus stop when travelling to or from Tatler Lane by Sweetbrew, with both northbound and southbound routes stopping at St John Street, just near Tatler Parade. Walking from Tatler Lane on Tatler Parade to Saint John Craft Beer Bar is a mere three minutes, or two blocks, back down St John Street.

The B1 bus stop will also get you close to Saint John Craft Beer Bar, as will the C1 stop on nearby York Street. These bus stops are accessed by the Metro Tasmania bus service, which accepts greencard or cash. Ubers and taxis also operate in and around Launceston.

Menus are available online for Tatler Lane by Sweetbrew and Saint John Craft Beer. Saint John Craft Beer has a seasonal menu that changes regularly. Call or email ahead at each venue if you’d like to organise any additional assistance, or find more information online at tatlerlane.com.au and saintjohncraftbeer.com.au.

The Harvest Market provides a convenient means of accessing some of the best local produce and hand-crafted fine foods this bountiful region has to offer, within one central location. The markets are held in the car park opposite Albert Hall, within walking distance of many central city accommodation providers. Alternatively, travel via public transport and hop off at nearby bus stops such as stop 53 on Lambert Street, City Terminus North on St John Street, or stop 2 on William Street.