Hobart’s Bar Wa Izakaya and Launceston’s The Plough Inn were among the big winners at Tasmania’s largest hospitality night, with a record crowd of more than 950 people packing Mac 02.
The 2026 Hospitality Tasmania Awards for Excellence handed out more than 50 awards across food, drinks, tourism and accommodation.
Last year’s event drew 850 people.
Bar Wa Izakaya took out Restaurant of the Year – Metro, while Appleby’s Mediterraneo Bar and Grill in Boat Harbour won the regional title.
The Plough Inn was named Hotel/Pub of the Year – Metro, with The Beach Hotel Burnie winning the regional award.
The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart, was named Accommodation of the Year – Metro and The Cove Tasmania took the regional prize.
Jason Unwin from Easy Tiger won the Premier’s Award for Contribution to the Community, while Massimo Mele received the Hospitality Minister’s Award for Contribution to the Industry.
Rocky Doniz from Astor Grill was awarded the Bertie Tucceri Award.
Louise Aldrone Tanguio from Callington Mill House of Whisky and Dining at MACq01 was named Chef of the Year.
Saffire Freycinet won Best Deluxe Accommodation, Landscape Restaurant and Grill took Best Fine Dining and MyState Bank Arena was named Best Live Music or Entertainment Venue in the large capacity category.
Hospitality Tasmania said it received a record number of nominations from across the state this year.
Steve Old, chief executive of Hospitality Tasmania, said the awards were about the people behind the businesses.
“Every winner should be incredibly proud-not only of their achievement, but of the contribution they make to their communities and to Tasmania,” he said.
“The energy in the room demonstrated just how much pride, passion and optimism there is across hospitality in Tasmania.”
Old said the night was also a chance to acknowledge the thousands of Tasmanians working in the industry every day.
“This was an exceptional night for Tasmanian hospitality-record attendance, outstanding finalists and winners and a room full of people who genuinely care about our industry,” he said.
The winners will now represent Tasmania at the national AHA Awards for Excellence at RACV Royal Pines on the Gold Coast on November 30.
