The best pub lunch on tap in Tasmania, from gourmet burgers to Tasmanian seafood

A chef at a popular Hobart pub has revealed his take on pub food as nominations open for Tasmania’s best pub lunch. Whether it be burgers and fries or a hearty steak, the scene is brimming with offerings. HOW TO NOMINATE >>

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PUB food is most definitely comfort food said Hobart chef Dayal Patel.

With 20 years experience in the industry in a wide range of culinary styles the New Sydney Hotel head chef for the past three years said an all time favourite is the chicken parmigiana.

“People do love a traditional style chicken parmigiana and hearty steaks,” he said.

SEE HOW TO NOMINATE BELOW >>

Tassie's Best Pub Lunch. Head Chef Dayal Patel with the New Sydney's take on Caesar Salad. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

“Customers at pubs want that comfort of what they know a lot of the time. 

“It’s often they have a hankering for comfort food and that’s what good pub food is.”

He said their food sales show their most popular meal is the chicken parmigiana, chips and slaw for $28.

Also among lunch offerings is smoked eggplant, ramen, beef ragu gnocchi, spicy chicken Burger and crumbed fish sandwich.

Tassie's Best Pub Lunch. Head Chef Dayal Patel with the New Sydney's take on Caesar Salad. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Most pub menus include some, if not all iconic categories including: chicken parmigiana or chicken schnitzel, steak, burger, fish and chips and wings.

The sale of the popular Bathurst Street pub settled last Monday.

New owners are Tasmanians Nick Blacklow and Simon Harvey.

New Co-Owner of the New Sydney Hotel, Nick Blacklow. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Both have left their jobs at Jack Daniels in Sydney to work at the pub.

Mr Blacklow, Jack Daniels’ finance manager for seven years, said he was “very excited” about the Mercury’s best pub lunch in Tassie competition.

“The pub will stay pretty much the same, most of the staff will continue with us,” he said.

“We bought the place because we like what it is, we like it the way it is, any changes will be subtle.”

Nominations are now open for Tassie’s Best Pub Lunch. Tag your favourite pub and their tastiest counter meal on our Facebook post and they’ll go in the running to win Best of Tasmania.