Best Places to Eat in the Huon Valley
It’s a tough gig but someone had to do it. We’ve tasted, slurped, sipped, and feasted over many months all in the name of research. Here are our findings, the very best places to eat in the Huon Valley, according to us.
Starting off in our home village of Franklin, head to the Café Franklin at the Post Office for a mean Rueben toastie, Jackman & McRoss pies and excellent cakes. For an Italian fix, you can’t go past Osteria @ Petty Sessions with handmade pasta and dishes made from locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. Best breakfast has to be at Cinnamon & Cherry, their Turkish breakfast platter will keep you going well noon. And for something casual by the water, Aqua Grill does a decent fish and chips, tempura mushroom and sweet potato cakes, plus they don’t skimp on the lemon.
Heading into “town” as we like to call Huonville, you can’t go past The Lost Captain for excellent beer, food and cocktails to sip in the garden on a sunny afternoon. If it’s noodles you’re after Alternative Japanese has all your favourites, we love the ramen. For early risers, Summer Kitchen Bakery in Ranelagh is very busy for good reason, delicious pastries, pies and bread, but get there early as things sell out. In North Huonville aka NoHo check out Reba Sear, a cool café with great food and homewares and if you keep heading up the highway you’ll hit The Apple Shed: The home of Willie Smiths Cider serving decent local fare.
Cygnet has long been known for its excellent dining options, we’ll start with Poolish & Co Bakery, where everything’s delicious; the pies! the bread! the sausage rolls! the Portuguese custard tarts! Take one of everything, you can’t go wrong. Then there’s The Port Hole Café , a tasty food and music spot at the Venice end of Cygnet. Red Velvet Lounge is legendary for good reason, the woodfired pizzas alone are worth the trip. Cygnet Old Bank is a gorgeous old building with an expansive garden and good things to eat.
Fast becoming known as the culinary capital of the south, Geeveston is where you’ll find lots of delicious gems to fill an empty tummy. Looking for wine and cheese? Head to Harvest and Light, a small batch picklery and wine bar in a cosy space with knowledgable staff. Whether your tipple is wines, craft beer or spirits these guys have you covered. They also sell a small selection of cheeses from around the world. Oh and by the way, it’s also a gluten-free venue.
Communion could claim the title of best toasties in the state, but don’t take our word for it, try for yourself, this pocket-sized cafe serves a mean coffee, pigeon whole toasties and delicious bikkies.
If you’re looking for Masaaki Sushi on the weekend, just keep a lookout for the queue. Masaaki has been on foodie must-do lists for ages. Best tip is to order online at least a day ahead and pick up on the day - then you’ll avoid that queue. The Old Bank of Geeveston is a small, regional bistro with a darling interior and they also sell a stylish range of home goods.
Finally, we’ll let you in on a locals secret, on the first Thursday of the month, at the Geeveston Visitors centre is the Geeveston Feast, think trestles tables, food stalls inside and food trucks outside in the carpark. It’s low-key and casual. Our pick, Waiora Farm Food, where Jess and ex Chin Chin chef Lachie Fletcher serve incredible Asian inspired food using produce from their farm, but leave room for the steamed boa buns from David and Cassandra’s Deep End Farm. Entry is free and it’s first in best dressed, we highly recommend you get there early.
There you have it, that’s a round up of our favourites in the Huon Valley - feeling hungry yet?
