When travelling, I find the best way to immerse yourself in a destination is through food. Here are some of my favourite eateries in some of my most treasured places to visit – close enough for a quick weekend escape or an extended stay.

Tasmania

The most popular item on any Tassie itinerary is the Salamanca Market, with an abundance of fresh produce; just make sure you allow enough time to properly explore. For craft beer lovers, the Hobart Brewing Company has a great range of local brew on tap, which you can take home (the beers are canned right in front of you) or enjoy a beverage in the courtyard over a woodfired pizza. The best coffee in town is from hole-in-the-wall espresso bar Ecru Coffee, Pilgrim Coffee and Queens Pastry, which also serves tasty sweet treats, as does Daci & Daci Bakers.

Byron Bay

A visit to Byron isn’t complete without a stop (or two) at The Farm. Entertain the kids with farm tours and then grab a quick bite to eat at The Bread Social, dishing up freshly baked bread and pastries, or perhaps you’d rather indulge in a relaxing meal for breakfast, lunch or dinner overlooking the green pastures.

Other popular eats are Woods Bangalow and their sister restaurant Folk, Harvest Newrybar, 100 Mile Table, Bayleaf Cafe, Combi, Treehouse on Belongil, The Roadhouse Byron Bay and Beach Byron Bay.

Melbourne

Boasting one of the highest concentrations of coffee shops per capita on Earth, Melbourne knows a thing or two about coffee. My favourites are Brother Baba Budan and Sensory Lab Specialty Coffee, both in the city.

For avid Instagrammers, you can’t deny the blueberry and ricotta hotcakes from Higher Ground, Top Paddock and Kettle Black, which are among my favourite brunch locations; as is Auction Rooms and Two Birds One Stone. Zumbo Patisserie and Burch & Purchese Sweet Studio are your go-to for designer desserts, and for more sweet eats, there’s Lune Croissanterie, and Mörk Chocolate Brew House.

Queenstown, New Zealand

Bespoke Kitchen and Vudu Cafe, both in the heart of town, and The Chop Shop Food Merchants in Arrowtown (20 minutes from Queenstown) serve up unique breakfast and lunch offerings, steering away from the traditional menus most of us have become accustomed to.

Then for dinner, it’s impossible not to dine at Botswana Butchery, which always comes highly recommended from foodie friends and is perfect for a special occasion or indulgence on your holiday.