Menupedia is an independent reference. Not affiliated with any restaurant listed. Menu data reviewed May 2026 — confirm with the official source before ordering.
Menupedia
Cafe · Modern Australian · South Hobart

Bear With Me Menu 2026: Hobart's Asian-Australian Brunch Cafe

Bear With Me is South Hobart's most-celebrated brunch cafe -- a 50-seat room at 399 Macquarie Street where chef Jed Brown fuses Modern Australian cooking with Southeast Asian technique. The menu balances comfort and creativity: dan dan noodles, peanut tofu bao buns, eggs benedict on potato rosti with master stock ham hock, lemon ricotta hotcakes, and a grain breakfast salad that holds its own against anything on the plate. Ona coffee powers the mornings. Open daily for breakfast and lunch.

399 Macquarie St, South HobartOpen Mon-Fri 7am-3pmOpen Sat-Sun 8am-3pmVegetarian & vegan friendlyOna specialty coffee
Jump to full menu Cheapest items
Sample · $$

Signature items

Dan Dan NoodlesMenu favourite
Peanut Tofu Bao BunsVegetarian signature
Eggs Benedict (Potato Rosti)Brunch classic
Lemon Ricotta HotcakesSweet breakfast
Ona Flat WhiteSpecialty coffee
Jump to: Signature dishes Dietary options Full menu What to know About the cafe Compare cafes FAQ
Quick answers

What people ask about Bear With Me

The four things first-time visitors most want to know -- answered in one glance before scrolling to the full menu.

Most popular dish
Dan Dan Noodles

Creamy sesame sauce, pork mince, pickled cabbage, chilli oil -- mentioned in nearly every review.

Best vegetarian pick
Peanut Tofu Gua Bao

Salt-and-pepper tofu, burnt chilli mayo, peanuts, cucumber in steamed bao buns.

Top brunch plate
Eggs Benedict on Potato Rosti

Poached eggs on crispy layered rosti with master stock braised ham hock and thyme.

Coffee
Ona Specialty Coffee

Award-winning Australian roaster. One size only. Flat white and latte are the most praised.

Signature dishes

The six dishes that define Bear With Me

These are the items that appear in almost every review of Bear With Me -- the dishes most worth ordering on a first or second visit.

Lunch favourite

Dan Dan Noodles

Bear With Me's most-discussed dish by a margin. Noodles coated in a creamy sesame sauce built on pork mince, tangy pickled cabbage and a generous hand with chilli oil. Multiple reviewers describe it as a reason to return specifically for lunch rather than the usual brunch visit.

Vegetarian icon

Peanut Butter Tofu Gua Bao

Steamed bao buns packed with salt-and-pepper tofu, shaved cabbage, mustard cress, burnt chilli mayonnaise, roasted peanuts, and cucumber. One of the best-known vegetarian dishes on Hobart's cafe scene -- bold, textured, and satisfying without compromise.

Brunch signature

Eggs Benedict on Potato Rosti

Poached eggs on a crispy layered potato rosti with thyme, crisp apple, and master stock braised ham hock. The rosti replaces the usual English muffin -- a considered swap that gives the dish better structure and a richer flavour platform. One reviewer called it the best eggs benedict they had ever tried.

Sweet breakfast

Lemon Ricotta Hotcakes

Stacked ricotta hotcakes with fresh local berries, blackberry gel, crisp raspberries, ginger crumble and organic maple syrup. Described as "amazingly fluffy" -- the benchmark sweet dish at Bear With Me and a consistent recommendation for first-time visitors with a sweet tooth.

Grain bowl

Breakfast Salad

Grains, roasted nuts and seeds, kale, broccoli, avocado, pomegranate, beetroot, hummus and olive oil dressing. Available topped with poached egg and hot-smoked salmon or with halloumi for a vegetarian build. A whole-food option that punches well above the typical cafe salad.

Specialty coffee

Ona Coffee

Bear With Me sources its espresso from Ona -- an award-winning Canberra- founded specialty roaster with a national reputation. The flat white and latte draw consistent praise for depth and balance. One quirk: coffee is served in a single size only, which surprises some first-time visitors but keeps the quality high and the extraction intentional.

Dietary options

Bear With Me's vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free offerings

Bear With Me is one of Hobart's most accommodating cafes for dietary requirements. The following confirmed dishes are suitable for vegetarian diners; vegan and gluten-free options are also available -- ask the kitchen directly for current specifics.

Bear With Me's menu is genuinely strong for vegetarian diners -- not in the token sense of a token-salad-and-avo-toast sense, but in that several of its best dishes happen to be meat-free. The peanut tofu bao buns are the standout vegetarian plate. The miso tofu rice bowl is a filling lunch. The breakfast salad can be built fully vegetarian with halloumi. And the granola, chia pudding and hotcakes round out a sweet breakfast tier that needs no animal protein to feel complete.

Vegan-confirmed items include the coconut chia pudding, 5-grain porridge, grain and green salad, and fresh juices and smoothies. Gluten-free diners are catered for -- the kitchen can advise on current safe options. Cross-contact may occur in a shared kitchen; discuss with staff if you have a serious allergy.

Top vegetarian and vegan picks

  1. 1Peanut Butter Tofu Gua BaoSteamed bao, salt-and-pepper tofu, burnt chilli mayo.Ask cafe
  2. 2Lemon Ricotta HotcakesLocal berries, blackberry gel, ginger crumble.Ask cafe
  3. 3Miso Tofu Rice BowlGenerous, umami-forward, well-textured.Ask cafe
  4. 4Macadamia Wattleseed GranolaHoneyed yoghurt, fresh fruit, fruit gels.Ask cafe
  5. 5Turkish EggsSpiced yoghurt, chilli butter, poached eggs.Ask cafe
  6. 6Breakfast Salad (halloumi build)Grains, kale, broccoli, avocado, pomegranate.Ask cafe
  7. 7Coconut Chia PuddingVegan. Seasonal fruit. Light breakfast option.Ask cafe
  8. 85-Grain PorridgeVegan. Nourishing winter bowl.Ask cafe
Browse the menu

Jump to a category

All Bear With Me menu categories -- click to jump directly to any section of the full menu below.

Breakfast & Brunch7 itemsBao Buns3 itemsNoodles & Rice2 itemsSalads & Lighter Plates2 itemsSandwiches & Rolls4 itemsPastries & Cabinet3 itemsCoffee & Drinks6 items
The full menu

Every Bear With Me dish, confirmed from public sources

All categories below. Items are confirmed from Tripadvisor reviews, AGFG, restaurantguru.com, and independent food media coverage. The menu rotates seasonally -- some items may not be available on a given day.

About pricing. Bear With Me does not publish a priced menu online. Reviewer mentions suggest coffees run approximately A$10, croissants around A$16, and savoury brunch plates around A$26. AGFG lists the per-person spend at A$29--A$57. All prices should be confirmed directly with the cafe at +61 3 6223 6665 or via their Facebook page before visiting.
What to know before you go

Six things first-time Bear With Me visitors should know

Book ahead

Reservations recommended

Bear With Me is one of Hobart's most-reviewed cafes and a consistent local favourite. Weekend brunch in particular fills quickly. Call +61 3 6223 6665 to reserve -- walk-ins are welcome when space allows but are not guaranteed.

Coffee quirk

One size only

Coffee is served in a single size. If you habitually order a large, you will get the house size -- this is intentional. The quality of the Ona espresso makes the constraint easy to forgive, but it is worth knowing ahead of time.

Menu timing

Lunch dishes appear midday

Dan dan noodles, bao buns and some of the heavier lunch plates are more likely to be on the board from late morning onward. If you arrive at 7:30 AM specifically for the noodles, call ahead to confirm availability.

Cabinet

Check the front cabinet

The pastry and baked goods cabinet changes daily. Croissants, the triple cheese truffle brioche toastie, snowball biscuits and butterbings are regular features -- but supply is limited, so it is worth scanning the cabinet before sitting down.

Seasonal menu

Dishes rotate with produce

Bear With Me updates its menu seasonally, particularly the fruit components in the granola and hotcakes. Do not assume the menu is identical to what a reviewer described six months ago. The kitchen's commitment to seasonal produce is a feature, not a flaw.

Pricing

Premium Hobart cafe pricing

Bear With Me sits in the upper tier for Hobart cafes -- a croissant is around A$16, a savoury brunch plate around A$26. Recent reviews note the pricing feels stretched for some visitors, while others consider it fair for the quality. Budget accordingly.

Specials & seasonal items

What changes at Bear With Me

Bear With Me's menu is not static. Here is what tends to shift.

Seasonal

Rotating Specials

Bear With Me updates its menu seasonally. Dishes such as the acai bowl and specific grain combinations rotate with produce availability. Check Facebook or call ahead to see what's on this week.

Seasonal

Fruit and Berry Specials

The ricotta hotcakes and granola dishes change their fruit and gel components with what is fresh and local -- a deliberate choice by the kitchen to keep the menu honest.

Cabinet

Patisserie Cabinet

The front cabinet rotates daily with croissants, snowball biscuits, butterbings, cakes and the triple cheese truffle brioche toastie. Worth asking what is in the cabinet before ordering.

About Bear With Me

South Hobart's Asian-Australian brunch cafe -- focused, seasonal, and consistent.

Bear With Me opened at 399 Macquarie Street, South Hobart under chef Jed Brown. The concept is Modern Australian cooking with a deliberate Southeast Asian influence -- a combination that was uncommon in Hobart when the cafe opened and remains distinctive today. Dan dan noodles, bao buns, and a miso tofu rice bowl sit comfortably alongside ricotta hotcakes, a grain breakfast salad, and eggs benedict on a potato rosti with master stock braised ham hock.

Bread comes from Imago bakery. Coffee is sourced from Ona, one of Australia's most respected specialty roasters. The seating capacity is 50; the room is plant-filled, light and modern in design. It functions as an unlicensed family-friendly cafe serving breakfast and lunch seven days a week.

With over 650 Google reviews at 4.5 stars and a Tripadvisor Travellers Choice award, Bear With Me has become one of the most consistently cited cafes in Greater Hobart -- not because it is trendy but because the kitchen executes well on a focused seasonal menu and the coffee holds up.

4.5Google rating (650+ reviews)
50Seats
7Days open
OnaCoffee roaster
How it compares

Bear With Me vs. other cafes and brunch spots

Bear With Me is a boutique single-location cafe in Hobart, not a chain. The comparison below shows how it differs from better-known cafe and brunch brands across key dimensions.

CategoryBear With Me (Hobart)Starbucks (Chain)Tatte (Boston)First Watch (U.S.)
Cuisine focusModern Australian / Asian fusionCoffee + grab-and-goEuropean cafe / bakeryAmerican brunch
Coffee roasterOna (specialty)Starbucks proprietaryHouse roastHouse blend
Vegetarian depthStrong (tofu bao, granola, rosti alts)LimitedModerateGood
Brunch identityAsian-Australian fusionFrappuccinos / pastriesFrench-inspired bakedEggs / American classics
Menu sizeFocused (rotates seasonally)ExtensiveModerateExtensive
SettingSouth Hobart -- 50-seat cafeGlobal chainUrban U.S. cafesU.S. suburban / urban

Bear With Me is an independent single-location operation; chain comparisons are included to give context for visitors unfamiliar with the Hobart dining scene.

Related on Menupedia

Other cafes and brunch spots to explore

If you are researching the broader cafe and brunch landscape, these are the closest comparisons available on Menupedia.

Coffee · Global chain

Starbucks menu & prices

Frappuccinos, lattes, seasonal specials and grab-and-go food across 17,000+ U.S. locations. The global benchmark for chain coffee.

$$ · Latte from $5.45 Coffee · West Coast U.S.

Peet's Coffee menu & prices

Specialty-roast coffee with a deeper, darker profile. Peet's was a forerunner of the U.S. specialty coffee movement and remains a West Coast staple.

$$ · Drip from $3.25 Bakery cafe · Boston

Tatte menu & prices

Israeli-inspired bakery cafe in Boston known for shakshuka, bourekas and laminated pastries. A closer comparison to Bear With Me's ethos than a standard chain.

$$ · Brunch from $14 Brunch · U.S. chain

First Watch menu & prices

Daytime-only American brunch chain focused on fresh, made-to-order breakfast and lunch. A direct format comparison to Bear With Me -- breakfast and lunch only, no dinner.

$$ · Plates from $12
Common questions

Bear With Me -- frequently asked questions

Quick answers to what people most often search about Bear With Me, covering location, hours, menu highlights, coffee, dietary options and pricing.

Where is Bear With Me located?

Bear With Me is at 399 Macquarie Street, South Hobart, Tasmania 7004. It sits in a light-filled, plant-filled space in the South Hobart strip south of the CBD, easily reached by car or bus from central Hobart. Phone: +61 3 6223 6665.

What are Bear With Me's opening hours?

Bear With Me is open Monday to Friday from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Hours are subject to change on public holidays -- call ahead on +61 3 6223 6665 or check their Facebook page for current trading hours.

What kind of food does Bear With Me serve?

Bear With Me serves Modern Australian breakfast and brunch with a strong Southeast Asian influence. Signature dishes include dan dan noodles in a creamy sesame-and-chilli sauce, peanut tofu bao buns, eggs benedict on crispy potato rosti with master stock braised ham hock, lemon ricotta hotcakes, and a hearty grain and kale breakfast salad. Breads come from Imago bakery; coffee is sourced from Ona. The menu changes seasonally.

Does Bear With Me have vegetarian or vegan options?

Yes -- Bear With Me has a notably vegetarian- and vegan-friendly menu. Fully vegetarian dishes include the peanut butter tofu bao buns, lemon ricotta hotcakes, macadamia and wattleseed granola, miso tofu rice bowl, and the breakfast salad (with halloumi). Vegan options include the coconut chia pudding, grain and green salad, and 5-grain porridge. Gluten-free modifications are also catered for -- ask the kitchen directly.

What coffee does Bear With Me use?

Bear With Me sources its coffee from Ona Coffee, an award-winning Australian specialty roaster. Reviews consistently rate the espresso, flat white and latte as exceptional. Note that Bear With Me serves coffee in one size only -- this is a common point of surprise for first-time visitors used to small/medium/large options.

What are the most popular dishes at Bear With Me?

Based on customer reviews and repeated mentions across Tripadvisor, AGFG, and food blogs, the most-discussed dishes are:

  • Dan Dan Noodles -- the clear crowd favourite for lunch, praised for its nutty, spicy complexity
  • Peanut Butter Tofu Gua Bao -- the standout vegetarian dish
  • Eggs Benedict -- especially the master stock ham hock version on potato rosti
  • Lemon Ricotta Hotcakes -- the go-to sweet breakfast option
  • Ona Flat White -- the coffee alone draws regulars
Does Bear With Me take reservations?

Yes -- reservations are accepted at Bear With Me. Given the cafe's popularity (ranked in the top 25% of Hobart restaurants on Tripadvisor) and its limited seating of around 50 covers, booking ahead -- especially for weekend brunch -- is recommended. Call +61 3 6223 6665 to book. Walk-ins are welcome when space allows.

Is Bear With Me accessible for people with disabilities?

Yes -- Bear With Me has disabled access and is wheelchair accessible. The venue also offers alfresco dining, takeaway service, and is child-friendly. Parking is available nearby on Macquarie Street.

How much does it cost to eat at Bear With Me?

Bear With Me sits in the $$-$$$ range for a Hobart cafe. Reviewer mentions include approximately A$10 per coffee, A$16 for a croissant, and around A$26 for a savoury egg dish. AGFG lists the per-person spend at A$29--A$57 depending on what you order. Bear With Me does not publish a priced menu online -- contact the cafe directly or check their Facebook page for current pricing.

More restaurant menus on Menupedia

Full menus, prices, signature dishes and location guides for restaurants and cafes -- fast food, coffee, brunch, steakhouses, bakeries and more. New restaurants added on a rolling basis.

Browse the directory How we work