The Café Chronicles - Ranelagh General Store

Ranelagh General Store 31 Marguerite Street Ranelagh. Tasmania

Open: Thurs - Mon

Crusty old locals like me can remember when the Ranelagh General Store was actually the general store.

That place where you'd swing in on your way home for a loaf of bread or carton of milk.

So when it was sold, renovated and re-opened as a cafe, we were skeptical to say the least.

But RGS is now one of my favourite local haunts to catch up with friends or to have a sneaky breakfast five minutes from home.

Ambience:

Chalkboard wall murals, vintage tools and recycled furniture make this a cosy yet on trend spot to enjoy a cuppa.

Seating:

Ample seating is provided inside, as well as casual seating outdoors. The mix of vintage furniture, upcycled road signs and retro pieces mean that there's a seat for everyone.

Menu:

Tim, the chef, mastermind and purveyor of all things tasty, serves up a dazzling range of beautifully presented local produce.

In house baking and curing is a feature of the menu.

The range of speciality burgers, available to eat in or takeaway, is spectacular especially when paired with the seasoned fries.

For breakfast tragics like me, the breakfast menu is available all day (yay!), alongside delicious lunch options.

More exciting for us, the RGS serves up a fabulous dinner three nights a week, with Friday being Fish Friday, Bistro 31 on a Saturday night and the locally famous Sunday Roast.

Ordered:

My main man ordered the Eggs Timothy; a slab of house baked brioche, topped with house cured bacon, poached eggs and hollandaise, served on a bed of rocket, drizzled and garnished to perfection.

I ordered the Vegetable Fritters; a stack of two delicious vegetable fritters, separated by a smear of caramelised onion, topped with a generous pile of avocado, crumbled feta and a poached egg. The dish was finished with kimchi and pickles on the side and a creamy roasted pepper sauce.

Drinks:

The Big Fella had his usual cuppachino. The coffe at RGS is the Tattooed Nun blend from Zimmah Coffee Roasters, from Hobart and is strong and smooth.

I had a brewed soy chai and the house blend of chai is the best I've ever had. I confess that I drank not one pot, but two!

Try:

Next time I'm in (and not eating breakfast, lol) I'm going to order the Hot Smoked Salmon and insist on Mark getting the Chilli Salt Squid...or a burger...or the fries.