Best breakfast in Devonport? Here’s 7 cool cafes raising the barista bar

When we rolled off the Spirit of Tasmania at 7:30am a few years ago, grabbing a coffee and breakfast to get oriented was top of mind. But where to find the best breakfast in Devonport at that time of morning? More importantly, where to find the best java in town? If you’re as obsessed with full bodied coffee and griddle-sizzling bacon as I am, these are seminal questions. Questions that I’m about to answer. Because we’ve been to all of these cafes since then. So sidle up for the lowdown we never had on where to grab the best brew & breakfast straight off the boat.

The best breakfast in Devonport Tasmania

We rate these 7 cafes in Devonport for 5 important factors, in order of importance, for a great breakfast experience:

1. Taste – the food is number one on our list. It has to be full of flavour, cooked beautifully and have that special sauce, or twist. Use of fresh local produce wins here too.
2. Coffee quality – we like it rich, strong, from great beans, not too milky and the perfect temperature.
3. Menu – is there something for everyone? We’re meat eaters, but are there gluten free and vegan options? Are there non-dairy coffee options?
4. Dining experience – a mixture of service, ambiance, interior style, and comfort.
5. Price – are we happy to pay the asking price for the experience and the food?

So which Cafe gets the crown of ‘Best Breakfast in Devonport“?

1. Laneway for their standout food with The Harbourmaster Cafe second
2. Fundamental Espresso for their immaculate coffee

We wish it was an all in one deal. But that just means you’ll have to spend the night in Devonport, have a look around town and try both. 😃

Here’s a summary of our ratings, so you can pick the best breakfast in Devonport based on what’s important to you:

7 best cafes for breakfast in Devonport Tasmania

1. Laneway

Laneway Cafe serves up the best breakfast in Devonport. Hear me out.

Actually, you probably just need to look at the pictures👆🏼. Exhibit A on the left – Southern chicken on maple waffles served with crispy bacon. Theres a tiny bit of sweet chilli in there too.

O.M.G. It’s truly delicious.

The chicken is tender and crispy outside. There’s 3 tiers of waffles involved. And I love crispy, smokey bacon. It’s a winner all round. But it’s not the only delicious breakfast on the menu.

Enter exhibit C on the right. The Terry Burger.

This is not a boring breakfast burger dear reader. It’s the best breakfast burger in Devonport. And that’s no mean feat. A toasted brioche bun, smoked bacon, tasty but not overpowering melted cheese, and sweet and savoury tomato chutney.

Also, it’s big. And my favourite go-to over the years and many breakfasts at Laneway.

Laneway was where we ended up, after disembarking the Spirit of Tasmania that fateful day. And it’s been a match made in heaven ever since.

If Laneway had better coffee, it would hands down be the standout best cafe in Devonport. But alas, observe Exhibit B in the middle 👆🏼. It’s not too bad, but we won’t officially be naming their brews ‘the best coffee in Devonport Tasmania’.

There are superior baristas and coffee options.

We know this complicates your breakfast choice and we’re sorry. The world is just not that simple.

But if you’re a fan of mouthwatering smokey bacon served crispy, and big tasty breakfasts, pick Laneway. Then swing by to Wilmot and thank me later

Laneway Cafe is open from 6:30am, 7 days a week. Enjoy your hearty breakfast and thank me later.

2. Fundamental Espresso

Now this actually is the best coffee in Devonport Tasmania.

Fundamental Coffee is all about the cup of joe. Owners Tom and Emily are serving up the good stuff – on par with any en vogue Melbourne cafe.

If my humble opinion is not enough to convince you, ask Bean Hunter.

Their cappuccino is a rich brew, loads of body, perfect temperature and milk in equal portions, and I like mine with the chocolate on top.

Breakfast is served up differently at Fundamental Espresso. It’s breakfast bagels here, devoured at the bench style seating inside, or take way – that’s up to you.

The bagels are chunky, chewy and full of flavour. I have the BLT. But there’s classics like cream cheese or salmon, as well as haloumi for the veggos and a vegan option. Oh, and the mushie truffle toastie will blow your mind.

Breakfast for around $20 a head with the best coffee in town. Yes please.

The interior of Fundamental Espresso straddles industrialism / brutalism. Very Melbourne-esque. It’s sparse. There’s loads of space, with no tables and not a lot of seating. Just one lonely bench that runs the length of the room along the wall, with bar stools for patrons. I guess it’s not the kind of space to get cosy with your coffee. It’s more a grab breakfast and run kind of deal. Most customers while we were there seemed happy with a takeaway.

Fundamental Espresso is open from 6am Monday to Friday, from 7am Saturday, and closed on Sunday.

3. The Harbourmaster Cafe

The Harbourmaster Cafe is full of surprises.

Take this dish for example 👆🏼. Fluffy scrambled eggs on a flakey croissant topped with asian fried shallots and a spicy chilli oil from China called ‘Mama Chilli’, as well as some coriander.

It’s brilliant, inspired. And we keep going back again and again for this dish.

For us, The Habourmaster Cafe serves up the second best breakfast in Devonport. It runs an all day breakfast menu for late starters too!

If you’re not an experimental eater, don’t worry. There’s plenty traditional on the menu for you. Fried chicken waffles, a classic ‘Benny’ or masters big breakie.

And they often have yummy almond pastries, although just a few each day so you have to go early.

They do a mean coffee too. Better than Laneway. But a smidge off the quality brews from the team at Fundamental Espresso.

If you’re visiting Devonport, this place has front row, floor to ceiling views of the mouth of the Mersey River where The Spirit of Tasmania docks and out to Bass Strait. Sweet bonus! Breakfast in Devonport on the waterfront makes for an extra special experience.

The Habourmaster Cafe opens at 8am, about an hour after most cars disembark The Spirit of Tasmania.

We recommend exploring the town’s best coastal walk first, which runs right past the door and all the way around to The Bluff, Bluff Beach and Bluff Lighthouse. A perfect way walk off the calories early morning and then load up on a delicious breakfast in Devonport.

4. Hill Street

We go to breakfast at Hill Street for the pastries. Not gonna lie.

I never eat anything else here.

I am a flakey pastry connoisseur with years of experience smashing these parcels of sweet goodness into my pie hole. On holiday, I will literally eat my way around every patisseries en-route. In 2007 I travelled to Paris to eat pastry. I’m serious.

I feel qualified to say that these are the best pastries in Devonport. I always opt for the Almond Croissant. If sold out, my go to is the Morning Bun. AKA the ‘cinnamon scroll’ throughout the rest of Australia. Tasmania’s like to do things differently…

Hill Street Cafe does a hot breakfast too, but honestly I can’t recommend any of them because I can never get past the pastries….

Pastries… pastries… pastries. Where was I? Oh, yeah.

We rate the coffee here too. On par with The Harbourmaster Cafe. Not quite at the same spec as Fundamental Espresso tho.

Hill Street Cafe is open from 7:30am Monday to Saturday and from 8:30 on Sunday, but if you fancy a pastry with your morning brew, it’s worth the little wait.

5. Leaping Goat Coffee

A coffee roastery that is open to the public, Leaping Goat roast and sell the beans and turn them into a excellent cup of brew for you on site too.

It’s a cool spot to enjoy a coffee too. Shaped like an aircraft hanger, the building was a tractor maintenance shed in its former life. Leaping Goat makes an excellent coffee, best enjoyed by the inside wood fire on a chilly day. Their coffee is strong, creamy, and not overheated. Clearly made by experts of the craft.

As a pure play artisan coffee roaster and retailer, the breakfast menu is limited to toasties on turkish and there’s a sweets counter with slices and cakes.

But… it’s really great value – $18 for a coffee and a large turkish toastie is probably the best value breakfast in Devonport if you’re travelling on a budget.

Leaping Goat Coffee opens at 7am Monday to Friday (closed on the weekend) and are located in Spreyton on Devonport’s southern outskirts. If you’re headed toward Sheffield from the boat, it’s on the way. Check it out.

6. Nourish Me Cafe

The food at Nourish Me Cafe prides itself on being healthy.

And the menu here is surprisingly diverse.

There’s loads of vegan and gluten free options – Acai bowls, scrambled tofu, corn and zucchini fritters. Non-dairy sweets and coffee options too. It’s definitely the cafe of choice in Devonport if this is you.

They also serve up some traditional breakfast bangers. Like a big breakfast, eggs benny or a sinful pancake stack.

The coffee is milky for my liking, on par with somewhere like Laneway. But then I like a stronger flavoured brew.

Nourish Me Cafe is open 7am Monday to Friday and 7:30am on Saturday. Closed on Sunday.

7. Playfish

Playfish is definitely for the early breakfast in Devonport crowd. It’s popular if you’re coming off the Spirit of Tasmania at 6:30 ready for coffee and hot breakfast without breaking the travel budget before you even hit the road.

This place is all about the value. Lots of breakfast options, at affordable prices in a relaxed setting.

It’s not a classy cafe with immaculate interiors buzzing with hipsters and DINKS. It’s retro, with comfy home cooked breakfasts often served by the very attentive and welcoming owner.

Again, the coffee here is milky for me but I have friends who rate it.

Bonus for the ferry crowd – there’s a laundromat right next door!

Playfish opens 6am Monday to Friday and 8am on Saturday. Closed Sunday.

FAQ