Tuck into Tasmania’s most scrumptious scallop pies

Popular in Hobart since the late 19th century, the scallop pie became synonymous with Tasmania during the 20th. It’s now popping up around Australia, but that delicious combo of scallops, creamy mild-curry sauce and pastry is best enjoyed in its island home – especially at these places that locals love.

One of the most satisfying scallop pie experiences is tucking into one fresh from the popular Smith’s Specialty Pies van at Salamanca Market on a chilly Saturday. Need a weekday fix? Pop into their HQ nearby in Cambridge.

Harbour Lights Cafe has strong Italian leanings, so you might be surprised to find the Yachtie’s Scallop Pie on the lunch menu. This pleasant waterfront eatery is actually one of the most authentic stops on any scallop pie odyssey. Served with salad, the cafe’s signature dish has been on the menu since the original owners perfected the recipe in the early 1970s.

Another Hobart waterfront favourite just steps away is Mures, an upstairs-downstairs restaurant renowned for fresh seafood. So for sure the scallop pie in their casual Lower Deck dining room is going to be good, whether on its own as a hearty snack or as a meal with chips and salad.

You only need to drive 20 minutes west from Spirit of Tasmania’s Devonport home to find the state’s gold-standard scallop pie. Oliver’s Bakery & Cafe in Ulverstone won gold at the 2020 Tassie Scallop Fiesta for their mornay scallop pie, which is based on baker Shaun McCarthy’s mum’s recipe. His classic curried version is rather tasty too. One of each, please!

The east coast’s fishing towns are also good places to hook a scallop pie. Try St Helens Bakery or Bicheno’s Blue Edge Bakery – they both really pack those molluscs in.

Between Hobart and Launceston, the roads follow much the same route as those built by convicts in the early 19^th century. They are dotted with historic towns you’ll want to pause in, like Ross – which may only be a village, yet is blessed with two beaut bakeries.

Home to the Tasmanian Scallop Pie Company, whose bounty is exported to select outlets around Australia, the cheery red Bakery 31 serves them freshly made. Or try the century-old Ross Village Bakery, whose pies are cooked in the original wood-fired oven.

Blessed with even more heritage charm that’s well worth stopping to admire, Richmond also has a scallop pie hot spot to fuel your explorations. Richmond Bakery’s take will leave you wanting more. One now, one for later?

After being crowned champion pie maker at the Baking Association of Australia’s Tassie Baking Show year after year, the pastry king at Brighton’s Best Bakehouse recently moved on – but we’re sure he left those scallops in good hands.

Also check out Sheffield’s popular Bossimis Bakery and, on your way to or from the Port Arthur Historic Site, the Tasman Peninsula’s Dunalley Bakery or Doo-lishus food van.

Where do you get your favourite Tasmanian scallop pie?

Information included in this blog is correct at the time of publishing. Please contact individual operators for further information.