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Restaurant

Sawak Cafe

131 Collins St, Hobart TAS 7000, Australia

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Find Sawak Cafe

131 Collins St, Hobart TAS 7000, Australia

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+61 410 712 211
HoursMonday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM Tuesday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM Thursday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM Friday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM Saturday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM Sunday: Closed

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Sawak Cafe

Sawak Cafe packs real Malaysian street-hawker punch into a tight Collins Street shopfront. Tables are scarce—regulars know to book or hit the door right when service starts at 5 PM. Plates fly out of the kitchen with serious speed. Char kway teow hits the table carrying genuine wok hei, while the coconut broth in the chicken laksa delivers creamy depth and real chili kick. You will spot travelers and locals digging into the signature Nasi Hobart—turmeric rice piled alongside fall-apart rendang chicken leg or grilled chicken satay with rich peanut gravy. Crisp ikan bilis and house sambal round out the nasi lemak, with roti on the side for mopping up curry. Finish with a cold teh tarik to temper the heat.

  • Bold Malaysian Staples: Traditional favorites like fall-apart beef rendang, coconut chicken laksa, and smoky char kway teow served at approachable prices.
  • Signature Nasi Hobart: House signature pairing turmeric rice with Malaysian classics like chicken satay, sambal fish, or tender rendang chicken leg.
  • Bustling & Quick-Paced: Compact Collins Street storefront with friendly staff and fast ticket times—tables fill rapidly, so planning ahead pays off.
  • Certified Halal & Adaptable: Entire kitchen is halal-certified, with straightforward vegetable substitutions offered across nearly every main dish.
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What's On at Sawak Cafe

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Choose Sawak Cafe

Discover why Hobart locals and travelers turn to Sawak Cafe for authentic Malaysian comfort, quick hospitality, and inclusive dining.

  • Unapologetic Hawker Flavors and Aromatic Spicing

    Sawak Cafe prepares authentic Malaysian hawker staples with rich flavors, tender rendang spiced to perfection, and unctuous sambal.

    The soup in the Laksa had a great mix of creaminess and spice and the chicken breast was tender and flavourful.

    Ian Mo

  • Signature Nasi Hobart Combinations

    The signature Nasi Hobart brings an inventive localized twist, serving turmeric rice accompanied by fall-apart rendang chicken leg or grilled chicken satay.

    They used tuermic rice and rendang chicken leg, with deep fried half egg. Very nice as a whole.

    Mel K

  • Nostalgic Comfort of Home Away from Home

    For travelers and expatriates exploring Tasmania, dining here provides a genuine, comforting taste of home cooked with heartfelt care.

    After traveling around Tasmania for so long, we were really craving the taste of home—and this place delivered exactly what we were looking for.

    Evonイオナ

  • Generous Servings with Wallet-Friendly Value

    Generous portion sizes and accessible prices deliver great value, proving satisfying and budget-friendly for locals and visitors alike.

    Great food, affordable prices, and generous portions—definitely a must-visit if you’re in Hobart and craving delicious, home-style Malaysian cuisine.

    Alessandru Lemos

  • Flexible Plant-Based Substitutions Across the Menu

    Rather than limiting plant-based diners to predefined sides, the kitchen allows flexible vegetable substitutions across almost any dish on the menu.

    instead of having to choose from all of 2 dishes (normally titled as the vegetarian options in other restaurants), we could choose almost any dish and pick the vegetable "choice" rather than the meat.

    siddhi japee

  • Fully Halal-Certified Kitchen for Welcoming Group Dining

    The entire kitchen is completely halal-certified, giving Muslim diners and mixed groups full confidence to enjoy traditional curries and rendang.

    food is incredible - we were in hobart for only a few days and came here three times. the fish curry and beef rendeng with a side order are phenomenal! the staff is extremely friendly. everything is also halal!

    Aeliya & Yousif

Authentic hawker-style staples and house specialties loved by Hobart diners

  • Nasi Hobart

    I tried the Nasi Hobart (Sambal Fish), and every bite was delicious; I finished it all

    FiFi Yu

  • Nasi Lemak

    The nasi lemak is generous and authentic. Ikan bilis so fresh and crispy and salty. Rendang tender and perfect. Sambal unctuous.

    Gav

  • Char Kway Teow

    Food delivered hot and tasty - we each enjoyed every bite from curry puffs, roti, dumplings, satay beef and char kway teow - seriously couldn’t fault a thing.

    Carolyn White

  • Laksa

    My favorite laksa place!

    jacqueline bruksch

Beyond the menu

Distinctive culinary touches and inclusive details that set Sawak Cafe apart.

  • Signature Table Chilli Oil

    House-made fiery table condiment that guests note adds intense, craveable heat to fried rice and noodle dishes.

  • House Special 'Nasi Hobart'

    A local hybrid plate combining turmeric rice with options like tender chicken satay, peanut sauce, sambal fish, or fall-apart rendang chicken leg.

  • Full-Menu Vegetable Customisation

    Flexible plant-based ordering where guests can swap in vegetable protein across almost any regular menu dish instead of being limited to a couple of preset vegetarian items.

  • Strict Halal Kitchen Standard

    The kitchen strictly prepares an all-halal menu, enabling diners with religious dietary requirements to order across the entire range with total confidence.

Before you head over

Practical advice on reservations, dietary ordering, and takeaway to make the most of your meal.

  • Book ahead or arrive early

    The dining space is small and fills quickly during dinner and peak lunch times. Reserve a table ahead of time or arrive right at 5:00 PM when doors open to secure a seat without a long wait.

  • Customize dishes with vegetable options

    Ordering for plant-based diners is flexible here: rather than being restricted to a separate preset vegetarian menu, you can select almost any dish and choose the vegetable option.

  • Takeaway is fast and hearty

    If indoor tables are full or you are on a tight schedule, takeaway is prepared quickly and portions remain generous, from noodle soups to rice specialties.

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