The Hobart eatery at the top of my wish-list this year was Straight Up. I read about this all-vegetarian cafe on quinces and kale about a month before we arrived, and we shared our breakfast with the very same mutual friend as they did!
Straight Up is quite centrally located on Liverpool St, and has a light, casual look and prominent espresso machine that's likely to attract non-veg diners. Once in, they'd surely not be put off by the menu! It's stealthily gluten-free and absent of bacon, of course, but who wouldn't be tempted by corn bread topped with grilled haloumi, avocado and herb salsa, spiced ginger buckwheat porridge or miso marinated pumpkin? And that doesn't even cover the dishes we did order...
Michael picked out the vegan BBQ king brown mushrooms served on potato hash with caramelised onions, harissa and kale chips ($17.50). Michael didn't miss his toast with a potato hash in play, and he loved the meaty mushrooms and slaw-like toppings. His only wish was a little more spice from the harissa.
Our friend and dining companion ordered my plan B and was kind enough to offer me a bite. It was a pretty and gently sweet plate of smashed banana on toast, topped with soy ricotta, pink pear slices, popped amaranth, activated buckwheat and drizzled stripes of date syrup ($13.50).
Lovely as it was, Plan A ensured I had no order envy. Behold, the chocolate waffles ($15)! Vegan and gluten-free, these waffles were thick, crunchy and a guarantee I wouldn't need lunch any time soon. Cinnamon grilled bananas, berry sauce, chocolate icecream and coconut crumble lent softness, sweetness and tanginess, bringing together the best darn vegan waffles I've ever ordered.
Our hot drinks were pretty good and the staff were chipper. This cafe has gone Straight Up to number 1 in our breakfast recommendations for Hobart.
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You'll struggle to find a bad word about Straight Up in the blogosphere, where it's been mentioned on chocolatdehaut (twice!), Two Clowns Tripping, The Hobart Life, Walking the Derwent River and quinces and kale.
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Straight Up
202 Liverpool St, Hobart
(03) 6236 9237
breakfast, drinks
http://www.straightupcoffeeandfood.com.au/
Accessibility: The door has a small lip owing to the street-level incline. Tables are generously spaced inside. We ordered at our table and paid at a low counter. Toilets were unisex but narrow, with stair access.
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Wahhhh where were all these amazing places when I lived in Hobart? :( All the more reason to go for another visit soon I guess!
ReplyDeleteYeah, there are some really nice little spots in Hobart! This one really took us by surprise.
DeleteI'm lucky enough to have Straight Up as my local - it's run by two awesome humans who have real passion for what they prepare. The consistent quality even when super busy is to be commended.
ReplyDeleteThe sweets are all vegan too, and really delicious.
Lucky indeed, JayBeeGeeBee! We'll do our best to make an annual visit, at least.
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