A recent addition to UNESCO’s international list of Cities of Gastronomy, it’s no wonder that Launceston’s food and drink scene just keeps growing. Here’s four new additions to Tasmania’s northern capital, as at early 2025.

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LE PETIT CHOU

French expats Prosper and Noémie have long been adored by Launcestonians for their years-long contribution to the local coffee and pastry scenes, and their new George Street shopfront is the fulfilment of a long-standing aspiration to give the city its first French-style pâtisserie. Prosper’s almost two decades of experience as a pastry chef is evident in Le Petit Chou’s daily line-up of meticulously crafted delights, with a heavy - and appreciated - focus on choux. Start savoury with a smokey chorizo and manchego-filled gougère - these cheesy puffs of just-baked pastry are terrifyingly more-ish, and a bevy of different fillings makes it difficult to stop at one. Leave room for sweets, though, because Le Petit Chou’s éclairs have become fast Launnie favourites. There’s also a range of exquisite entremets, multi-person raspberry macarons, mini gluten-free cakes, and take-home pralines. Diet starts tomorrow.

LEKOH

Just around the corner, Ikq and Jeremy are similarly well-loved for the welcoming space and delicious fare they’re serving up at LeKoh. Though the eatery opened with a close-to-single focus on their “charcoal sandwich” offering (think yakitori chicken or slow-cooked beef cheek on brioche), a recent menu update has diversified to include Asian-inspired dishes, while honouring the locals’ love for some of Launceston’s best sangas. A Taiwanese pancake comes rolled with egg, cheese and ham, or vegan-friendly pickled eggplant with shredded carrot and almond cream, and the lunchtime chicken and rice staple is anything but basic in the Khao Yum Gai Yang’s fresh mint, summer veggies and tangy dressing ensemble. Fans of the OG offering are still spoilt for choice, from the acronymous H.A.L.T. (halloumi, avocado, lettuce and tomato), to the Filet-O-Fish with house tartare and cos, or the mustard mayo and sauerkraut-laden Pastrami Toastie. LeKoh is serious about their liquid consumables, too - a partnership with Coffee Supreme ensures the caffeine is as delicious as it is ethical, and there’s a swag of interesting chilled beverages to boot. Black sesame iced latte, anyone?

55 George Street, Launceston

Tuesday-Friday, 6am-2.30pm

Saturday-Sunday, 9am-2.30pm

NOMY

Owner-operator Michael Bernhagen knew he was on to a good thing when he launched The Barrel Collective, and now he’s showcasing the best of Tasmania in the glass and on the plate at new venue Nomy. Named for its derivation from “gastronomy”, this new Launceston watering hole specialises in classic and experimental cocktails (hot tip: the Olive Oil Martini is a unique savoury expression of the speakeasy stalwart), alongside boutique wines and beers, largely sourced locally. The food menu is made for enjoying with drinks, but there’s no sign of peanuts and pretzels here. Instead, you’ll find playful takes on bar snacks: salty fried chickpeas, halloumi fries and buttermilk chicken bites with gochujang and sesame are top picks. Padded out with heartier plates like a King Island porterhouse and a Tasmanian crayfish roll, these are eats best savoured with friends, a spicy marg, and Nomy’s lively ambience.

91 George Street, Launceston

Wednesday-Sunday, midday-late

DILL PICKLE CLUB

While they’re a relatively new concept in the west, listening bars date back to 1950s Japan, where the “kissaten” experience of music through exceptionally engineered acoustics - not the food or the drink - were the order of the day. Today, the listening bar is a scene unto itself on the Australian mainland, but Launceston’s mustard-floored Dill Pickle Club might be a Tasmanian first. Importantly, the new venue boasts an immersive sound system, with nods to high-end cult brands Luxman, Altec Lanzing and KLH ensuring that no ear misses out. Such a set-up deserves the best tunes, and Dill Pickle Club’s admirable vinyl collection takes care of that, with most musical tastes satisfied over the course of an evening. And, though the sounds take centre stage, a menu of classic cocktails, wines and moonshine, plus a small selection of grazing eats, makes for a worthy support act. Tune in and tune out.

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Launceston’s Newest Eats & Drinks

A recent addition to UNESCO’s international list of Cities of Gastronomy, it’s no wonder that Launceston’s food and drink scene just keeps growing. Here’s four new additions to Tasmania’s northern capital, as at early 2025.

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