More than 900 people have filled the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens tonight as Tasmania’s hospitality industry came together to celebrate its best and brightest.
The 2025 Hospitality Tasmania Awards for Excellence drew its biggest crowd yet, surpassing last year’s attendance of 800.
A record 213 venues submitted 625 nominations across 44 categories – the strongest field in the event’s history.
Hobart restaurant Peppina was among the night’s standout performers, taking home four gold medals, including the coveted Restaurant of the Year – Metro title.
The Italian eatery also won Best Restaurant in an Accommodation Venue and Best International or Speciality Cuisine, while claiming silver for Wine List of the Year, behind Stillwater Restaurant.
Launceston favourite The Plough Inn matched Peppina’s haul with four golds of its own, including a third straight Hotel Pub/Tavern of the Year – Metro crown.
The venue also held onto its Best Sports Bar and Best TAB titles and added the Disability & Inclusion Access Award to its growing list of honours.
In the accommodation categories, The Cove Tasmania enjoyed a breakthrough night, collecting three golds – including Accommodation Venue of the Year – Metro for the first time.
It also picked up Best Superior Accommodation and the Veolia Best Environmental & Recycling Practice award.
Saffire Freycinet maintained its dominance in regional accommodation, retaining both Accommodation Venue of the Year – Regional and Best Deluxe Accommodation.
Frogmore Creek reinforced its reputation as one of Tasmania’s premier dining destinations, winning Restaurant of the Year – Regional and Best Stand-Alone Restaurant.
Longley International Hotel went back-to-back as Hotel Pub/Tavern of the Year – Regional, while also scoring a third consecutive Best Live Music or Entertainment Venue title for pubs and taverns.
The Hospitality Industry Rising Star award went to Mathew Bomford from St Albi Bar + Eatery, ahead of Alexander Palmer from DoubleTree by Hilton Hobart and Shiraza Jaldon from Rydges Hobart.
A new People’s Choice Award category, run in partnership with Pulse, drew more than 20,000 public votes.
Little Green Men Brewing took out Best Bar, Food For Dudes won Best Burger and Bruce’s Café claimed Best Coffee.
The Mure family received Life Membership in recognition of five decades shaping Tasmania’s dining, seafood and tourism scene.
“Every year, these awards remind us just how creative, resilient and community-minded our hospitality professionals are,” Hospitality Tasmania chief executive Steve Old said.
“Whether it’s a regional gem or a bustling metro favourite, Tasmania continues to punch above its weight.”
