Tucked in the back streets of Hobart, this 20-seat hole-in-the-wall is a must. With an old favourite of ours (Chulo) recently residing here, we were quick to notice the take-over in ownership by Templo.

Being only a small space, it’s made for communal dining, with people sharing plates at the main dining table, and bigger groups digging in to family dinner. We opted for the chef’s menu of the night for $65, which includes 9 courses and consists of their whole menu, written on the wall. 

The staff were professional, inconspicuous and very knowledgeable. We were immediately greeted with a smile and an offer of Aperol Spritz, a mix of sparkling wine, Aperol liquor and sparkling water (I had no idea what this was before I ordered it but it was delicious). We were seated at the bar, which is my favourite place to sit so that I can observe all the goings-on ‘behind the scenes’.

The décor is simple, with modern wood furnishings and black finishes. It’s humble, with plenty of soft lighting. The food is the star after all. 

The wine list is small, with only a selected few local and international options by the glass, varying between $9-$15 each. Sparkling water is on the house, with their under-counter water carbonator.

The chef’s menu included seafood, lamb, beef, rabbit and vegetarian pasta. We were thoroughly impressed and fed to the point of satisfaction without feeling overly full.  

This gem has been the talk of the town in recent times and I can attest that it’s perfect for a quiet dinner in the city (but with plenty of parking!).