Why go
A flat white with honey is the house order
A flat white with honey is the drink this counter is known by, and it tells you most of what you need to know about the place: a small idea, done the same way every time. Around it sits a straightforward list of iced coffee, latte, turmeric latte, homemade chai, tea and sodas, none of it stretching further than the kitchen can make properly.
Sunbear opened in 2019 as a sunny room in the heart of nipaluna/Hobart, built by two families to feel like somebody’s house rather than a business, and open to whoever walks in. That intention still governs the room, which is light-filled and calm, with counter service and a personal feel that suits a solo coffee as easily as a quick lunch between meetings.
Made in-house, from Tasmanian produce
Food and drinks are made in-house wherever they can be, using the best produce available from Tasmanian growers and keeping waste down in the process. It is a working principle rather than a slogan, and it shows in a menu that stays small enough to be made fresh each day instead of assembled from deliveries. The homemade chai belongs to the same logic, made in the kitchen rather than poured from a bottle, and the turmeric latte sits beside it for anyone who wants the warmth without the caffeine.
The savoury side runs to toasted sandwiches, caramelised onion and cheese among them, plus cheese toasts and soup when the weather asks for it. Croissants and scones cover the morning. Vegetarian and vegan choices run through the list rather than sitting in a corner of it, so a mixed table does not have to negotiate.
Finish with the Basque cheesecake
Finish with the Basque cheesecake, the sweet the kitchen is most identified with, or go smaller with a cookie or a chocolate oat cookie if the visit is only a coffee and a sit-down. Either one is a better close than a second flat white.
The rhythm here is a city-centre one: breakfast, a coffee break, lunch, and out again. It is not a dining room and does not pretend to be, which is why the plan that works best is a drink, one plate, and something sweet to end on.
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Frequently asked questions
What should I order at Sunbear Coffee?
Order a flat white with honey, the drink the counter is best known for. Homemade chai and the turmeric latte are the alternatives if coffee is not the point. For food, a toasted sandwich or the soup does the savoury work, and the Basque cheesecake is the sweet to finish on.
Where does the food at Sunbear Coffee come from?
Food and drinks are made in-house wherever possible, using the best produce available from Tasmanian growers and limiting waste along the way. That keeps the menu small and seasonal rather than sprawling, which is why the savoury side stays close to toasted sandwiches, cheese toasts and soup instead of a full kitchen operation.
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