How I Holiday: Fresh From A Hobart Holiday, Sofia Levin Shares Where To Sip And Snack

Welcome to How I Holiday, a series of travel stories and recommendations shared by friends of Urban List from Aotearoa and Australia.

Sofia Levin is a MasterChef Australia judge, a food writer and the founder of Season Traveller, so when she suggests a wine bar, you go there. 

Fresh from a mid-winter trip to Tassie, Sofia shares the places that make her feel at home, a permanently parked food truck where she had one of her most memorable meals, and a unique 10-seat fine-dining kaiseki restaurant inside a luxury car showroom. 

Why is Tasmania special to you?

Tasmania is special to me because it leans into being one of Australia’s minor cities, and in doing so feels more connected. That’s especially clear in the hospitality industry, from chefs sourcing produce from friends and neighbours, to the way restaurants, cafes and bars welcome guests and locals with open arms. 

What's the best time of year to visit, and why?

It has got to be winter. Dark MOFO is on in Hobart, fireplaces are roaring, and the seafood is absolutely peaking. It’s the perfect time to experience the state’s rawness and wildness – all from the comfort of a cosy wine bar, Airbnb or even a floating sauna.

Where are the best spots to eat, play and stay?

If you only have time for one city, make a beeline for Hobart. Places to eat and drink here rival some of the best in Australia, and it’s also the cultural heart of Tassie thanks to MONA. The places that make me feel at home every time I’m down are Ogee and Sonny. Ogee has a guesthouse on Airbnb next to the wine bar. Lumiere Lodge is the pick if you’re with a small group (up to six people) and want to cook the fabulous produce of the region (or visit The Agrarian Kitchen for a garden-to-plate set menu or cooking class). If you have longer, Tassie is one of the best spots in Australia to road trip, from the oyster-lined Eastern coast, to the Southern tasting trail that is the Huon Valley, to Cradle Mountain in the north. Or visit one of my favourite places in the country, Flinders Island. Tasmania is truly an exquisite place. 

Tell us about the best meal you've ever had in Tasmania.

It’s too difficult to pick just one, but two of the most memorable meals at opposite ends of the spectrum include: a homely East African spread at Queen Sheba Injera Catering, a permanently parked food truck run by a gorgeous couple; and Omotenashi, a 10-seat fine-dining kaiseki restaurant inside a luxury car showroom.

Where's the best spot for a tipple?

I’ve already mentioned Sonny and Ogee (both musts!) but Lucinda Wine Bar is phenomenal, too. It’s attached to fine-diner Dier Makr's, so their by-the-glass and cellar offering is pretty special, as are the homely but considered dishes that are scrawled on the blackboard menu each day. 

What's the highlight on the cultural calendar for you?

It’s definitely Dark MOFO. There’s a real buzz about Hobart when it’s on and it seems as though there is something exciting happening in every corner of the city. The festival hub is always a work of mad genius – somewhere between a movie set and a night market – but there are also incredible artistic and musical performances as part of the line-up.