Are you looking for a new brunch venue, or a spot for your next date night? Maybe you’re trying to find that perfect venue for your team end-of-year dinner or Friendmas lunch? If you’re in Salamanca, wander a little further around Castray Esplanade to find this hidden gem – Farzi! A vibrant café serving colourful brunch favourites with an exciting twist on tradition.
We sat down with part-owner Varun to get the low-down on one of the new(ish) kids on the Hobart brunch scene.
“I part-own the business with three friends – we all have over 15 years hospitality experience.”
Varun’s journey began when he enrolled in TAFE where he completed his Advanced Diploma in Hospitality at Drysdale. He continued to work in restaurants both in Tassie and interstate for over 17 years. Varun then joined forces with two other hospitality veterans who shared the dream of opening their own place – and thus Farzi was born!
So, what does Farzi mean?
“Farzi [the word] comes from a lot of regions but it comes from a slang word in India – for us, Farzi means proudly unauthentic.”
“By this, we mean that we put our own unique spin on dishes and use vibrant flavours that are not viewed as ‘typical’ or ‘traditional.’”
Described as Modern Australian cuisine, the food at Farzi can’t be linked to just one cuisine, but a fusion of multiple culinary traditions that have originated from different countries.
“Australia is a melting pot of different cultures and we’re trying to replicate that in our food by combining multiple culinary techniques.”
The Farzi team love putting fresh twists on old favourites. The avo toast is served with dukka, fetta and a beetroot puree – giving it extra flavour and an additional pop of colour. The chili omelette has sambal which gives it more of an Asian flavour profile – and an extra kick! Other brekky items include French toast (with burnt orange + mascarpone) and the taro hotcakes (with berry compote + coconut ice cream).
Speaking of colour, Farzi has become renowned for its colourful, fresh and fun plating. Often, micro herbs and bright coloured pansies will sit atop of your meal, making it bright and Insta-worthy. The Hello Hobart team can confirm the food tastes as good as it looks.
Farzi isn’t just a brekky/brunch/lunch café – come back after 5.30 pm on Friday and Saturday for Farzi Nights! Evenings at Farzi feature a menu of neo-Indian dishes which focus on using fresh, seasonal and local produce but with a Farzi twist.
“In the evening, we serve a traditional Indian chaat which is a spicy, tangy Indian style of street food. We’ve added fresh twist to the traditional chaat by adding tapioca pearls and serving it like a trifle in a glass.”
On the evening menu, you’ll find traditional Indian street food (always with a twist) and customer favourites such as their iconic butter chicken.
“We smoke the chicken and add crème fraiche which gives it an entirely new flavour – we’ve received comments from customers that it’s the best butter chicken they’ve ever had.”
Big call. I’ve tried a few butter chickens in my time and now Farzi is the next on my list to-try. I’ll report back.
There are plenty of delicious vegetarian options too with the Paneer Tikka and the Bang on Baingan (roasted eggplant with masala couscous) named by Varun as two of the most popular menu items.
In the evenings, you’ll also be able to enjoy delicious cocktails such as the Chai Mahal – a chai flavoured twist on a traditional espresso martini or the Bombay Ruby, a negroni that features infused ruby flavoured tea. Delicious and refreshing, especially as we head into the warmer months.
Farzi, whether you visit during the day or in the evening, has a casual and relaxed vibe. The café has plenty of outdoor dining (with umbrellas so you can stay sun safe) on Castray Esplanade making it the perfect destination for brunch with pals in the sunshine!
Notably, Farzi recently took home Silver at the Tasmanian Hospitality Awards for Best Café. Book a table and see what all the fuss is about!
Farzi is open 7am to 2:30pm Monday to Friday, and 8am to 2pm Saturday and Sunday. Farzi nights are on Friday and Saturday from 5:30-9pm. You’ll find them at 17A Castray Esplanade, Battery Point.
