A look at three Southern Tasmanian venues — Frank, Westside Laundry, and Pitzi — where bold design decisions reshape existing structures into expressive, identity-rich dining spaces.
1. Frank Restaurant- Colour inside the Concrete
📍 1 Franklin Wharf, Hobart TAS 7000 (Marine Board Building)
Design & Architecture
Frank Restaurant & Bar sits within Hobart’s Marine Board Building, a 1970s example of Late 20th Century Modernist architecture. The building is defined by its clean lines, exposed concrete, and ribbon windows typical of a functional, no-nonsense design ethos focused on structure and simplicity. Inside, Frank brings bold contrast to this minimalism. Its interior is playful and layered—combining industrial finishes with vibrant colours, custom furniture, and eclectic South American dining. Where the building’s exterior is restrained and uniform, the restaurant is expressive and dynamic. Together, they create an engaging dialogue: Frank injects warmth, creativity, and personality into the Marine Board’s austere Modernist shell—softening its edges while celebrating the structure’s clean geometry and harbour outlook.
The Experience
Named after its home in the Franklin Wharf’s Marine Board Building, Frank brings South American-inspired, fire-focused cooking to Hobart’s waterfront. Founded by Scott McMurray and Kif Weber, the restaurant delivers bold, share-style dining built around premium, locally sourced Tasmanian produce. The interior, designed by Georgina Freeman, softens the building’s 1970s Modernist lines with rich textures, playful details and a warm, expressive palette. Expansive windows open onto views of Hobart’s harbour, reinforcing the restaurant’s strong connection to place. The experience centres on connection through food, setting, and service. The menu is driven by fire and flavour, designed for sharing and shaped by the seasons. Service is confident and genuine, contributing to a relaxed, social atmosphere. Whether you’re in for a casual lunch or a vibrant dinner, Frank offers a dining experience that’s curated yet comfortable, and distinctly Tasmanian in spirit.
Image Source: Frank Instagram
2. Westside Laundry — Grit, Gloss & a New York Soul
📍 87 Goulburn Street, Hobart
Design & Architecture
Set in a former laundromat, 87 Goulburn Street is a modest post‑war brick shopfront—typical of mid-20th-century commercial builds in Hobart. Its plain masonry façade, steel-framed glazing and simple layout aren’t heritage-listed or architecturally ornate. But inside, a carefully curated fit-out transforms the space into a moody, New York-style diner. Polished concrete, dark timber, wraparound mirrors and a granite bar evoke 1940s Art Deco interiors—layering vintage charm over a functional shell.
The Experience
Westside Laundry is the creative outcome of two seasoned Hobart hospitality minds — Fletcher Scott and Dom Walsh — whose time at MONA’s experimental diner, Faro, sharpened their flair for detail, quality and atmosphere. Together, they’ve reimagined a humble former laundromat into a confident, low-lit homage to New York’s diner culture, filtered through Tasmanian produce and sensibility. By day, the menu leans into bold, tightly executed sandwiches and by night the offering shifts into elegant comfort food with a playful twist. The dining experience at Westside Laundry is equal parts nostalgic and refreshingly modern.
3. Pitzi — A Neighbourhood Pasta Bar
📍 4 Victoria St, Hobart TAS 7000
Design & Architecture
Pitzi inhabits a compact inner-city shopfront, transformed by the team from Fico co-owners and chefs Federica Andrisani and Oskar Rossi into a playful, Euro-influenced venue. The building itself has a rich local history. Originally one of two Georgian townhouses built for prominent Hobart surgeons, it became part of the Astor Private Hotel when the properties were joined in 1922. A 1930 refurbishment brought modern comforts like hot and cold running water and bedside lights. Most recently, the distinctive blue brick building—formerly home to Jackman & McRoss—has been reimagined as Pitzi, adding a fresh chapter to its long Hobart story. It features bold wall art including artwork of Tom Samek one of the owners fathers, banquette seating, and an open kitchen layout. The oversized pasta tools—forks and paddles—mounted vertically either side of the entry and windows are both quirky and clever. They hint at the venue’s culinary focus without overpowering the heritage aesthetic.
The Experience
Pitzi is a modern pasta bar celebrating handmade pasta, clever antipasti, and nostalgic desserts with a twist. The menu is tight and seasonal, with everything made by hand using quality Tasmanian produce. Aperitivo-style drinks round out the offering, designed for sharing and ease. The vibe is casual yet elevated: heritage bones, contemporary design, and an open, energetic feel. Pitzi strikes that sweet spot between neighbourhood favourite and destination dining.
Image Source: Pitzi Instagram
