That momentum recently received national recognition when Happy Larry was named Tasmania’s People’s Choice winner in the annual Time Out Australia Food and Drink Awards 2026. The recognition placed the venue alongside some of the country’s best operators and continued a strong run for Tasmania on the national stage. Other Tasmanian winners included Bar Wa Izakaya, Peppina and The Winston, further reinforcing the state’s growing reputation for quality food and hospitality experiences. For Varun, the award was particularly meaningful because it came directly from customers. “We won Time Out Australia Magazine People’s Choice Award for 2026 as the best café in Tassie, which is pretty special,” he says. “We’ve got an amazing crew to be able to work with as well and just seeing our regulars day in and day out, coming in, enjoying their matcha, enjoying their coffee, and grabbing a sanger, that’s what we want.” The formula itself sounds deceptively simple: good sandwiches, quality coffee and a welcoming atmosphere. But as with many successful hospitality ventures, the real difference lies in the detail. Varun says travel played a major role in shaping the Happy Larry concept. “I do travel a bit, and whenever I travel, I go look for a good sandwich,” he says. “I just thought in Hobart, that was probably missing at the time a little bit.”
Equally important was the location itself. Rather
HAPPY LARRY’S NEW KINGSTON STORE. PIC: SAMMY JONES PHOTOGRAPHY
than chasing maximum visibility on a busy city strip, the team deliberately chose a more tucked-away space that could develop its own personality. “We did not want something on the main strip in the CBD, something a bit hidden, something that can have its own vibe,” Varun says. “I’m just very pleased that we’ve been able to create that.” That identity has been strengthened by strong social media traction and a customer base that increasingly includes interstate visitors seeking the venue out specifically.
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Tasmanian Hospitality Review June/July Edition
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