Two bakeries and a half-laundromat – three cafes in Hobart, Tasmania

Here are just three out of many cool cafes and bakeries in Hobart. It’s the usual holiday story: it’s impossible to eat, drink and do everything that you want to. We’ll just have to return to Hobart, won’t we? Feel free to share your favourite Hobart cafe in the comments.

Machine Laundry Cafe

As its name suggests, this place is half cafe, half laundromat, and while I attacked my bacon and eggs, people did actually shuffle in to the laundromat side, stick their coins into washing machines and do their laundry. We had breakfast here with our friends Craig and Caroline on our final morning together in Hobart – they went home to Sydney a couple of days before Jac and I went home to Perth.

The coffee was good, but the cute yellow cups were small. We drained our dolly cups in record time and had to order a second round.

There’s no fry-up, but you can design your own by ordering free range eggs (scrambled or poached) with your choice of toast (sourdough, seeded or gluten-free) for AU$10, then choose from a list of sides. Nice to be able to pick exactly what you want, but it could get pricey if you like a big breakfast. Craig and I are both bacon and haloumi fans, so our plates were quite similar. Craig chose scrambled eggs on sourdough (AU$10) and added pork and sundried tomato chipolatas ($4), bacon ($4) and grilled haloumi ($3.50), total of AU$21.50. I had scrambled eggs on sourdough (AU$10), bacon (AU$4) and grilled haloumi (AU$3.50). The eggs and bacon were generous servings; the haloumi squeaked as we chewed (as it should). No butter on the toast, though.

Caroline ordered the ricotta hotcakes – a short stack topped with chocolate fudge, raspberries and candied pistachio crumbs with a side of clotted cream (AU$16). Although I rarely choose a sweet breakfast, the fudge smelled great to me from across the table and I kept eyeing off that thick splodge of cream in its dish.

Jac’s Fat Boy was a roti parcel of grilled chicken, bacon, tomato, iceberg lettuce, doused with spicy peanut sauce. Fat Boy was certainly not a Handsome Boy, and after the first few bites, the parcel unravelled and rapidly became Ugly Boy as it collapsed into a saucy, lumpy mess. It tasted OK, according to Jac, but wasn’t something she’d rush to order again.

We were among the first to arrive and got a seat around retro chairs at one of the Formica tables inside, but by the time we left, the place was pumping inside and outside. You can always play big chess while you wait.

Machine Laundry Cafe
Shop 12, Salamanca Square
Hobart, TAS 7004
Telephone: (03) 6224 9922

Jackman & McRoss

We took a walk to Jackman & McRoss for afternoon tea. It’s a fantastic bakery cafe in a quiet street in Battery Point with a wonderful assortment of light meals, little cakes, tarts and slices, and crusty loaves on shelves dusty with flour. I chose a chocolate eclair filled with fluffy cream, and Jac chose a chocolate Frangelico tart, with a white chocolate Frangelico mousse in chocolate ganache-lined pastry, topped with crunchy chopped hazelnuts. To go with our sweet treats, two cups of strong, creamy coffee. On another trip to Hobart, I’d like to return for lunch. I envy all those people living in houses a short stroll away – I wish I had a bakery like this in my neighbourhood, though I’d look very ‘prosperous’ (as my mum would say) in no time.

Jackman & McRoss
57 Hampden Road
Battery Point TAS 7004
Telephone:(03) 6223 3186

Daci & Daci Bakers

We walked past French bakery cafe Daci & Daci several times during our stay and peered greedily through the Christmas puddings hanging in the front window. Jac and I had breakfast there on our final morning in Hobart. It was very busy and we were lucky to snag one of the last two free tables outside. I joined the queue inside to place our order. I changed my mind several times as I gazed into the glorious display case, tempted and tortured, ravenously coveting all the pastries. In the end I chose a chicken, leek and white wine pie. Jac was in the mood for a toasted sandwich and the ham and Gruyere did the trick nicely. My pie was slightly scorched on the edges but still flaky and delicious, with tender chunks of chicken, peas and leeks in a tasty white wine sauce. Both came served with mixed salad leaves lightly dressed with vinaigrette – a balanced breakfast!

Daci & Daci Bakers
11 Murray Street
Hobart TAS 7000
Telephone: (03) 6224 9237

About this series

In December 2013, my partner Jac and I went on holiday – 3 nights in Melbourne, then 3 nights in Launceston (Jac, to stay with a friend) and King Island (me, for a photographic safari with our friends Craig and Caroline), and finally, Hobart for 6 nights. This trip was not sponsored in any way.

This is the final post in the Hobart series. The full list of posts is below:

• Short stories: Mount Wellington
• Christmas lunch at the Salamanca Inn
• The Quarry Salamanca
• MONA, Hobart
• A food lovers’ day out on Bruny Island
• Salamanca Market
• Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race
• Cascade Brewery tour
• The Taste of Tasmania
• Two bakeries and a half-laundromat – three cafes in Hobart, Tasmania – this post

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afternoon tea, bakery, breakfast, Hobart, pie, sandwich  1