Cradle Mountain Dining
Where should I eat at Cradle Mountain?
One thing that often surprises visitors is that there are actually several great places to eat around Cradle Mountain. While you're certainly not spoiled for choice like you would be in Hobart or Launceston, you definitely won't go hungry.
Whether you're after a good coffee before heading out on the walking tracks, a quick lunch between hikes or a memorable dinner featuring Tasmania's wonderful local produce, there's something to suit most tastes.
One tip we'd always give is to book dinner if you're staying overnight, particularly during summer and school holidays. There aren't dozens of restaurants to choose from, and the most popular places often fill up well in advance.
Here's where we recommend:
Elements Café
If you're spending the day in the national park, chances are you'll find yourself at Elements Café.
Located inside the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre, it's the first stop for many visitors arriving at the park. It's the perfect place to grab a coffee before catching the shuttle bus or to pick up lunch before heading out on one of the walking tracks.
The menu is exactly what you'd hope for after a morning's drive—good coffee, fresh sandwiches, wraps, pies, burgers, cakes and plenty of takeaway snacks if you'd rather eat beside Dove Lake than indoors.
It's not somewhere you'd visit for a long leisurely lunch, but it does exactly what it's designed to do, and it does it well.
The café is generally open every day from around 8:00 am until late afternoon, in line with the Visitor Centre opening hours.
Altitude Restaurant
If you're staying at Cradle Mountain Hotel—or simply looking for a relaxed dinner after a day of walking—Altitude Restaurant is a great option.
The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, especially during winter when the fire is going, and the menu focuses on fresh Tasmanian produce. You'll usually find locally sourced beef, seafood, lamb and seasonal vegetables alongside a carefully selected wine list showcasing Tasmanian vineyards.
Even if you're not dining in the restaurant, it's worth dropping into the adjoining Lounge Bar for a drink beside the fire before dinner.
Breakfast is served daily from 7:00 am, lunch is available from around 11:00 am, and dinner is served each evening from 5:00 pm. During busy periods it's worth making a reservation.
Hellyers Restaurant
Discovery Resorts is home to Hellyers Restaurant, and it's become one of our favourite places to recommend.
The setting is relaxed, with large windows looking out into the surrounding bushland, so it's not unusual to spot a wombat or wallaby while you're enjoying dinner.
The menu celebrates Tasmanian produce with fresh seafood, quality local meats and seasonal vegetables, while the dessert menu is definitely worth leaving room for.
If you're staying at Discovery Resorts, it's an easy stroll back to your cabin afterwards.
Dinner is served every evening from 5:00 pm, with coffee available from the morning in the Wilderness Lounge. Reservations are recommended during peak season.
Highland Restaurant
If you're celebrating something special, Highland Restaurant at Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge is probably the finest dining experience in the region.
Everything here is beautifully presented, with menus changing throughout the year to showcase the very best seasonal Tasmanian ingredients. Local beef, seafood, artisan cheeses and cool-climate wines all feature prominently.
Despite its reputation, the atmosphere isn't overly formal. It still feels warm, welcoming and perfectly suited to its wilderness surroundings.
Breakfast is available daily, while dinner begins from around 5:30 pm each evening. Because it's one of the most popular restaurants at Cradle Mountain, booking ahead is highly recommended.
Tavern Bar & Bistro
Not every meal needs to be fine dining.
Sometimes, after spending the day walking around Dove Lake, all you really want is a pizza, a good burger and a local beer beside a roaring fire.
That's exactly what you'll find at the Tavern Bar & Bistro at Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge.
The atmosphere is relaxed, families are welcome, and the menu includes pizzas, steaks, burgers, pasta, salads and plenty of Tasmanian beers, ciders and wines.
Unlike Highland Restaurant, the Tavern generally operates on a walk-in basis, making it a handy option if you've left dinner plans until the last minute.
It's open daily from midday until late.
Our local tips:
If you're only visiting Cradle Mountain for the day, we'd suggest grabbing a coffee and perhaps a takeaway lunch from Elements Café before heading into the park. There's nothing quite like sitting beside Dove Lake, enjoying lunch with one of Tasmania's most famous views.
If you're staying overnight, make the most of it. Enjoy a leisurely dinner, watch the sunset, and don't rush away the next morning. Cradle Mountain is one of those places that rewards visitors who slow down.
Finally, if you're staying in self-contained accommodation, it's worth picking up groceries in Sheffield or Devonport before you arrive. There is a small convenience store at Discovery Resorts, but shopping options around Cradle Mountain are quite limited.
Good food, spectacular scenery and fresh mountain air—it doesn't get much better than that.