Skip to main content

Rug up and tuck in as award-winning Tasmanian chef Massimo Mele shares his go-to Launceston restaurants and foodie experiences.

 

Why Launceston’s winter food scene is sizzling

Battening down the hatches for the Off Season? Chef Massimo doesn’t know what that’s like – come May, he's hitting his stride, teaming up with Executive Chef Thomas Pirker at Launceston restaurant Grain of the Silos.

A man in a black shirt sits among raised garden beds, at a barbecue. On the grill is a pan with fillets of fish frying.

Massimo Mele
The Chef’s Garden

“Sure, it gets pretty fresh for a few months of the year. But when I think of winter, I think of that beautiful sun shining through on a crisp morning.

I think of duck dishes and bitter winter greens. I get really excited.

As Food Director at the prestigious Grain of the Silos, Massimo knows that winter in Launceston is unique – truffles are plucked from frosty earth, home-grown meat is slow-cooked till tender, and cool-climate wines are poured at nearby cellar doors.

The fact that Launceston was awarded the coveted status of UNESCO City of Gastronomy in 2021 – one of only 49 UNESCO Cities of Gastronomy in the world –  is no surprise to the chef.

“Launceston has got proximity to produce, to artists and growers and destinations – you put that with some stunning locations and wine regions, and it'd be crazy not to be awarded.”

A black and white image of a person kneeling on the ground, holding up a large handful of dark earthy-looking truffles.

The Truffle Farm

Where to eat, according to Chef Massimo

From farm gates to fine dining, Launceston punches well above its weight when it comes to food and drink.

Massimo’s ever-expanding list of where to eat in Launceston includes Havilah – a cosy wine bar in the city centre serving up small plates and local drops – and Timbre Kitchen, a vineyard restaurant by chef Matt Adams.

“Timbre is one of the best restaurants to showcase seasonality up north,” Massimo says. “They cook seasonally, the way it was done back in the day – when there’s an abundance of food, it’s preserved and pickled, kept for the wintertime.”

With roaring wood-fired pizza ovens and an impressive line-up of craft beers on tap, Du Cane Brewing is where Massimo goes to escape the chill and tuck into a pizza or two with his family.

Launceston’s best kept foodie secret? Massimo believes that local bakery icon Bread and Butter does the best ham and cheese croissants on the island. “I can’t resist – I just think they’re so delicious,” Massimo laughs.

The outdoor facade of a stunning architectural and angular winery, with dark wood cladding and full-length windows. Two people sit on the deck drinking wine.

Stoney Rise Wine Company

Nat Mendham

Launceston’s best winter seasonal experiences

“Anything with slow cooked meats and truffle is an absolute winner over winter,” Massimo says.

As the weather cools, northern Tasmania’s seasonal produce is unearthed – literally. Tasmania’s truffle season kicks off in June, with local producers like the Truffle Farm supplying restaurants throughout Launceston with the rare fungi. If you want to get your hands dirty, visit the farm gate during the Off Season to forage for gourmet gold alongside the farm’s expert truffle dogs.

Just 30min from Launceston, the Tamar Valley beckons with its cosy cellar doors and cool-climate wines. Stoney Rise pours a pinot noir that the chef likes to pair with slow-cooked pork, and Marion’s Vineyard is one of Massimo’s go-to spots for good conversation and a belly-warming cabernet franc by the fireplace.

Launceston Distillery

Winter food festivals and events

Launceston’s festivals hit their stride in winter.

In June, the winter solstice brings its own reasons to gather. Noir Noir pairs new release wines and whiskies with fire pits and a guided stargazing session with an astronomer beneath Tasmania's dark winter sky. At Westella Vineyard, a candlelit feast celebrates the longest night with a produce-driven menu and barrel-aged pinot noir. And in George Town, Solstice in the Square welcomes all with mulled wine, live music and open fires.

Then there's the Island Escape Winter Festival (July). Celebrity chef feasts, a northern Tasmania produce showcase and, somewhere in the middle of it all, a silent disco inside an igloo.

For those who love a dram, Tasmanian Whisky Week (August) is the perfect time to explore Launceston’s distillery scene. Turner Stillhouse and Launceston Distillery both run their own Off Season experiences throughout winter too, so if you miss Whisky Week, you can still learn all about northern Tasmania’s whisky.

Sizzling foodie events

View all events    

Planning your gastronomy escape

There’s one stop that Massimo says is essential to any Launceston food tour: the Harvest Market Launceston on a Saturday morning.

“It’s a great way to get into the community spirit, so I’d start there. Walk around, meet people and try the food – I can’t go past the Korean fried pancakes.”

As for the rest of your Launceston itinerary, Massimo’s top tip is to take it slow.

Tasmanians love to tell their story; they love to showcase what they do. They won’t let you get away too quickly.

“If you’re planning on coming down for two days, maybe come down for four instead. Be present and enjoy it.”

Top tips for your winter foodie trip

  • Book ahead. Launceston's best restaurants fill up fast, even in winter.
  • If you like cool-climate wines, set aside a day for a Tamar Valley wine tour.
  • Make sure you pack some warm layers, many of the best winter experiences are hands-on and outside with producers.
  • Give yourself a few more days than you think, Massimo recommends four days to make the most of the region.

Launceston winter offers

View all offers    

Launceston in winter FAQs


As Chef Massimo puts it, Launceston has proximity to producers, artists and growers that few cities can match. One of only 49 UNESCO Cities of Gastronomy in the world, it's a place where chefs cook with what's grown down the road and the farmers’ market is as much a social event as a shopping trip.


Truffles, whisky, and cool-climate wine are just a few of Launceston’s gourmet specialties during winter. Head to Harvest Market Launceston (every Saturday) to find seasonal produce grown locally, or dine at Havilah, Timbre Kitchen or Grain of the Silos for paddock-to-plate dining with a wintry twist. Explore the Tamar Valley to get cosy in a cellar door or two.

Stay in the know

Don your woolly socks and subscribe to the Off Season newsletter to be the first to know about Tasmania’s winter festivals, experiences and special deals.

Please add a valid name
Please select your location
A close-up of human knees caked with dried mud. In the background, a group of people blurred in motion, in the middle of a football game.

By creating an account on Discover Tasmania, you agree to the terms of use outlined in our Privacy Statement. 

Success!

You are now signed in.

Trip Planner

It looks like you're serious about planning a trip to Tasmania.
Sign in, or create a Discover Tasmania account so you can keep adding items to your trip. create multiple trips, and more.
I'll do this later Continue exploring

Add to Trip Planner

Which trip would you like to add to?

Item added to Trip

View Trip

You have nearly reached the Explore Map plot limit of 27 items per itinerary.

Try splitting itineraries, rather than creating one large itinerary.


Manage trips
Please try again in a few moments.

Save your trip

You have a trip stored, would you like to save it?