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The Best Seafood and Fish You NEED To Eat in Tasmania

Tasmania is Australia’s island state and it’s completely surrounded by water.

Therefore, you’re going to find some of Australia’s best fish and seafood delicacies in this area.

Keep reading for the absolute best seafood and fish you need to try in Tasmania.

1. Best Oysters: Lease 65
St Helens

You’ll find the very best oysters in Tasmania at Lease 65 in St Helens.

Located on the north-east coast near the famous Bay of Fires conservation area, St Helens is a coastal town renowned for its oysters.

But don’t expect half a dozen with a glass of champagne at Lease 65, because this is a working oyster farm offering Tassie’s freshest & biggest oysters to takeaway.

Often considered Tasmania’s best kept secret, the entrance to Lease 65 is completely unassuming with just a small sign on the side of the road (so drive slowly or you’ll miss it).

The friendly staff on the farm will sell you a dozen shucked oysters for $12, which is an excellent price.

My top tip is to buy your oysters at Lease 65 (cash only) and take the 10 minute drive up to the free beach side camping areas at Bay of Fires.

Here, you can crack open a bottle of local pinot gris and enjoy your oysters overlooking the ocean.

Lease 65 oysters and wine at the Bay of Fires free camping area
Lease 65 oysters and wine at the Bay of Fires free camping area

My second oyster recommendation in Tasmania is Get Shucked on Bruny Island.

The charming oyster bar overlooks Great Bay and offers shucked oysters with different accompaniments along with champagne, beer and cider.

Oysters at Get Shucked Oyster Bar on Bruny Island
Oysters at Get Shucked Oyster Bar on Bruny Island

2. Best Seafood Platter: Cataract On Paterson
Launceston

A trip to Launceston, a riverside city in northern Tasmania, is necessary to try the best seafood platter in Tasmania.

It’s where you’ll find Cataract on Paterson, a quirky yet elegant seafood restaurant and grill with a brilliant wine menu.

Seafood platters here aren’t cheap, but they promise a huge selection of freshly caught fish and seafood from Tasmanian waters including lobster, oysters, prawns, mussels, octopus and salmon.

Served on ice and paired with local sparkling wine, you’re in for a real treat at Cataract.

 seafood platter  Cataract on Paterson launceston tasmania
The amazing seafood platter via Cataract on Paterson

3. Best Fish & Chips: ScaleFish Takeaway
Coles Bay

Fish and chips by the ocean is integral to a Tasmanian holiday, and the best fish and chips can be found at ScaleFish Takeaway in Coles Bay.

Coles Bay is the main entrance point for visitors to Freycinet National Park, so it’s the perfect spot for some food after a long hike or boat trip in the area.

At ScaleFish the owners are completely passionate about fish and seafood, and they’ll happily chat to you about the catch of the day.

Fish from ScaleFish is fresh, crispy and full of flavour, and the chips are perfectly crunchy.

I personally chose a selection of lightly battered fish, prawns and squid with a slice of fresh lemon and some salt.

The best fish and chips in Tasmania via ScaleFish Takeaway

Along with fried fish, ScaleFish also do fresh scallops and a huge variety of market fish for you to takeaway and cook on the BBQ at your campsite/ accommodation.

Oysters here are also great – they sometimes do an oyster special with wasabi granita, which is out of this world.

Other high quality fish & chip shops in Tasmania include Salt on Tamar in Launceston & Tangaroa Kai Strictly Seafood in Huonville.

4. Best Scallop Pie: Blue Edge Bakery
Bicheno

Scallop pies at Blue Edge Bakery Bicheno via shauneeie on Instagram

I ate several scallop pies in Tasmania and the one from Blue Edge Bakery in Bicheno is by far the best.

The scallop pie is unique to Tasmania and dates back to the 19th century.

A good scallop pie should contain at least 5 or 6 scallops and the orange roe should also be present.

Blue Edge Bakery in Bicheno does two types of scallop pie: the classic curry scallop pie or the mornay scallop pie (béchamel sauce with a touch of cheese).

I’d recommend getting one of each because they are both spectacular in their own way.

Even if you don’t like seafood, Bicheno should definitely be on your Tassie bucket list.

Found on the east coast above the Freycinet Peninsula, don’t miss the short hike to Whalers Lookout, as well as Bicheno Blowhole and Waubs Beach.

5. Best Seafood Chowder: Prem’s Seafood Bar
Devonport

Tasmania has cool summers and chilly winters, so it’s the perfect place to try some warming seafood chowder.

For the very best seafood chowder Tasmania has to offer, you need to go to Prem’s Seafood Bar in Devonport.

Located on the north coast of Tasmania where the Mersey River meets the Bass Strait, the fish and seafood at Prem’s comes straight out of the city’s fishing port for ultimate freshness.

Filled with local snapper, prawns, scallops and mussels encased in a creamy broth with side of fresh crusty bread, you have to try the chowder for yourself to understand how good it is.

best seafood chowder tasmania prems seafood bar and grill devonport
The best seafood chowder in Tasmania via Prem’s Seafood Bar & Grill

Devonport is a great stop on your northern Tasmania road trip before hitting Stanley or Cradle Mountain.

Alternatively, if you catch the Spirit of Tasmania ferry from Melbourne, definitely choose Prem’s for your first evening dinner when you dock.

6. Best Fish Sushi: Masaaki’s Sushi
Geeveston

Widely regarded as the best sushi in Tasmania, a trip to Geeveston in the Huon River area is necessary to try Masaaki’s Sushi for yourself.

Less than an hour from Hobart, Masaaki’s is run by an Osaka-born sushi chef, who is now feeding Tasmania’s sushi loving locals and tourists.

Here, gourmet sushi is hand made every day using fresh Tasmanian fish and local garnishes.

best sushi tasmania masaaki's sushi geeveston
The best sushi in Tasmania via Masaaki’s Sushi

It’s hard to believe you’ll find some of Australia’s best sushi in a small former logging town in rural Tasmania, but that’s simply the beauty of Tasmania’s thriving multicultural food scene.

7. Best Market Fish of the Day: Brisbane Street Bistro
Launceston

The great thing about Fresh Tasmanian fish is that the catch of the day changes from season to season, and Brisbane Street Bistro in Launceston has complete respect for the process.

Drawing inspiration from both classic French and contemporary Australian cooking, Brisbane Street Bistro always has a market fish option on the menu, which is paired with seasonal local produce.

Their current offering is pan fried market fish with Jerusalem artichoke purée, confit mushroom, artichoke chips, and black truffle dressing.

Executed to a high standard, the artichoke and black truffle perfectly elevate the flavour and freshness of the fish, whilst adding extra dimensions you wouldn’t normally associate with the catch of the day.

best market fish tasmania brisbane st bistro
The best market fish via Brisbane Street Bistro

8. Best Fish Sashimi: Bar Wa Izakaya
Hobart

Bar Wa Izakaya is a neighbourhood sashimi and ramen bar in Hobart offering classic Japanese dishes made with local wild caught fish.

Favourites include blue fin tuna tartare with a Japanese twist, king fish belly sashimi and Tasmanian octopus Yakitori skewers.

best fish sashimi in Hobart Bar Wa Izakaya
The best fish sashimi in Hobart via Bar Wa Izakaya

They also do a great oyster happy hour every day between 4-6pm, where shucked oysters are half price.

I hope you enjoyed my guide to the best seafood and fish in Tasmania. Don’t miss my guide to the best restaurants in Melbourne here!