Black Cow Bistro

Silver service. Young man was doing well to make sure I was accommodated, he just got the butter knife mixed for the mains knife. Prices for quality were in par with expectation, and thankfully the medium-rare scotch fillet was juicy, fatty, but cooked evenly. Nice lux meal for one ; they even gave me some books to read while waiting (it’s what they do for single diners), though it was too dark to read anything. The other options were tantalising but it would be better shared. Atmosphere was nice, a little dark as mentioned, and somehow it felt noisy though it was full.

We were lucky to make early reservation for dinner at this popular fine dining institution of Launceston. The place was fully packed with customers during our dinner visit. We ordered their specialties to share i.e. Cape Grimm's <i>steak tartare</i>, Robbins Island's <i>wagyu</i> scotch fillet steak, and lemon tart for dessert. We also had a glass of Freycinet Louis Syrah wine and Willie Smiths organic apple cider for drink. The dishes and drinks were perfect fine dining experience for any holiday trip to Tasmania and Launceston. If you're beef and steak lovers, then this is a must visit if you're in the area. We are big fan of Tasmanian beef producers since years ago and were very happy with our dinner meal 👍. The place's ambience is great, though space is not big and seats are tightly arranged. Customer services from staff members is very good and reflect the fine-dining status of the restaurant. The waiter staff will provide food and drink recommendation if you need / want them in regards to choice, pairing and portion size. Prices on the menu are super premium, but you get what you paid. You can pay with all type of credit cards, with additional payment surcharge of between 1.3% and 2.95%. I wish I knew about this fact before making payment with my Amex card, which attracted the higher rate 🙁. The payment surcharge rates were printed on the receipt, so better use your V/MC cards if you read this review. The receipt also mentions additional 15% surcharge for public holiday dining.

A stable purveyor of steaks, who also kindly reminds you that other menu options are available, too, would you be in the mood for something less beefy. They also set the table for a solo diner with a selection of reading materials. In the age of smartphones that feels quaint, but also welcoming and caring. The same attention to detail must have shaped the wine list offering more and less rare, more and less local, more and less affordable wines by the glass. I opt for eye fillet with béarnaise and a glass of Tasmanian Malbec - and am very happy with what I get. The staff is lovely, the vibe is relaxed, good times!

Food was amazing. Restaurant has good ambiance. Knife was dull, so we asked for another knife, got told by a blonde waitress: “all our knives are like that”… maybe it’s time for the steak restaurant to get better knives? Or better service training?

The experience here was perfect. Justin was the main guide for us, and her elegance and eloquence were impressive. She was also very kind in reminding us that we had ordered too much. The steak was cooked to perfection, thanks in large part to Justin's repeated communication. We also had children with us, and she offered very helpful suggestions. The steak was a masterpiece, with multiple sauce options enhancing the flavor. The steak's tenderness made it clear that this was truly a Tasmanian creation; the restaurant simply brought it to life. Paired with the sweetness of the Riesling, it was a truly delightful steak experience. I believe it's world-class!

The most underrated steakhouse in Australia. It is by far the best steak in the country. Their cape grim rib eye on the bone was phenomenal. Their cured meats was really good as well. I forgot to take a photo of the steak as the kids finished it before I even had a chance to take a phone. After 650g of rib eye, they wanted more so we ordered another eye fillet.

Exceptional service and food. This place has upmarket food with friendly staff. The atmosphere is beautiful and they have a private dining room amongst the wine cellar. The mains are pretty much all meat based with 1 fish option but everything is so tasty. Highly recommend the truffle bearnaise sauce, the sourdough bread, the pumpkin with tahini and the frozen caramel slice however everything that you choose will be good

Definitely book ahead for this place because it’s always so packed! Steaks were cooked to perfection! Loved the pumpkin side. Caramel slice dessert was AMAZING 🤩

Another 5 Star restaurant in Launceston and possibly the our best one yet. We made a reservation in advance and still could only get a 5:30PM seat...something we rarely do. And glad that we did. We had never been there before and thought it was larger. It is quite small but very cozy. We ordered an order of house made sourdough bread served with a portion of cultured butter $3, a 400 gram porterhouse steak cooked medium rare that was served with a potato galette topped with a Dijon mustard cream sauce and chives $60, a side of steamed asparagus with lemon, elderberry, and golden sesame $13, and the Mr. Brown and Towns mixed mushrooms, parsley and garlic oil $13.50. The bread arrived and it was a beauty of A Piece. Tasty and the butter very good. We decided to leave it for the meal. Then the Porterhouse(we call it a NY Strip) arrived and it was beautiful. The taste was great. The marbling cooked right out to deliver a beautiful piece of meat. We ordered the Peppercorn sauce and an extra Café de Paris Sauce $2. Both sauces were great, although the steak was so great that it really didn't need them. The potato galette was awesome as it was topped with a Dijon cream sauce and chopped chives. I have now come home(US) and tried to make it. I will eventually get there!!! Now for the sides, the Mr. Brown and Towns mushrooms were some of the best I have ever had. Interesting that we had seen them at the Harvest Market that morning and admired them. Sad we were in a hotel and nowhere to cook them. When we saw them on the menu we hesitated for a moment as we are not garlic fans...don't let that stop you. If available, order them. Then there were the asparagus. We normally don't order as much food but couldn't help. Glad we did. They were over the top good. No room for dessert! Highly recommend. Make a reservation well in advance. Can't wait until our next trip to Launceston. Black Cow...Thanks for a great meal.

This place is super popular! We tried to make a reservation a week in advance and it was fully booked. We decided to try our luck and walk-in. We were able to secure a table for 4 at 9pm. The food was totally worth the wait. We shared a dozen pacific oysters, King Island beef tartare, gnocchi, Robbins Island Wagyu scotch fillet (~500g) and Bass Strait porterhouse (aged 35 days). The oysters were fresh, plump and creamy. I don't usually eat beef tartare but I did take a small bite. I found the kimchi a tad bit overpowering and could not taste the beef (maybe that's intentional?) The gnocchi were excellent. It was soft and pillowy, with minimal flour added. The finely grated parmesan and pine nuts elevated the dish. I do wish it was less oily... Next was the long anticipated mains! We ordered both steak cooked medium with truffled bearnaise and roasted garlic demi glaze. We each had a portion of potato galette and it tasted amazing. The stacked of potatoes were firmly compressed and the dijon cream kept them moist. For both pieces of steak, the first thing that hit me was the charcoal flavour. It is rare to have steak cooked over charcoal instead of an electric grill or gas stove. The Waygu beef was tender and moist. The beef flavour was there but not intense. It also wasn't as fatty as I anticipated, which is a good thing because I never liked the feeling of having fat covering the inside of my mouth after eating extremely marbled beef. The porterhouse had a slightly stronger beef taste than the Waygu beef. It was moist but not as tender as the Waygu. For dessert, we shared a creme brulee and a raspberry sorbet with mousse. The creme brulee had a very thin layer of carmalized sugar and you can see specks of vanilla seeds in the custard. It was pair with a pastry filled with lemon custard. The raspberry sorbet was tart which went very well with the meringue pieces. The white mousse was smooth and had a hint of almond flavour. Overall, the desserts were not overly sweet. Don't know if I will ever visit Launceston again, but if I do I will make sure to book a table here well in advance!

Black Cow Bistro is the only restaurant that I put in my 'must-try' list in Tasmania. My first leg of the trip was to Launceston, and the restaurant was only within 10 minutes walking distance. I booked the restaurant a day before I arrived because I'd be eating alone. I thought it would be easy for a restaurant to spare a table for one person. On the day, I walked into the restaurant at exactly 6 PM. I sat at my designated table and the staff already prepared some magazines for my eyes to feast on (yes, they provided me with a couple of Gourmet Travellers magazines!). The simple menu didn't help me to choose quicker. I wanted two different things, one from the grill and one marbled wagyu steak. Unfortunately, I only have a stomach space for one, so I chose the medium rare Robbins Island Wagyu Scotch Fillet with a marble score of 7+. The cow was grain fed for 300 days, specially prepared for a group of customers who crave the 'melt-in-your-mouth' effect. The steak was served with a lemon cheek. The minimum order for this steak was 450g... To the order, I added truffled bearnaise sauce and Cafe de Paris butter. I also asked for a side of Yorktown organic carrots, which served with harissa yoghurt, linseed and rye. The carrot was super sweet, it was already so tasty eaten by itself. My steak was fantastic, from the colour, texture and flavour. I made a mistake in ordering two additional sauces because I ended up using salt to accompany it. I really savoured every bite that I took. Sadly, I couldn't finish the whole steak. The staff said I did really well (hahaha). I highly recommend Black Cow Bistro to be put into your Tasmania itinerary, and it's best to book the restaurant in advance if you dine in a group of 3 or more people. It was a full house on Thursday when I dined there. Eating in a group will also give you better chance to try different meats and side dishes that Black Cow Bistro offers.

Great food as always but in the COVID environment I would expect the dining area to be set up with at least 1.5m between tables as per WorkSafe TAS guidelines. I did contact them privately and they anonymously responded that they complied with the density limits (but not distancing limits that are also required) and that I was free to leave at any time if I didn't like it. They then blocked me on Messenger. So much for supporting local. I won't be back

The steaks are amazing here. No additional sauce required although the roasted garlic demi-glaze was to die for and worth sampling with the meaty goodness. Mains were designed to be shared with optional sides as excellent compliments. Make a booking as reservations are packed during peak season.

Carnivore heaven. I want the Robbins Island Scotch Fillet with the 7+ marbling score to be my last meal. Perfectly cooked and full of delicious fatty veins. The sides left a little to be desired, had one of each and only the roast beets and cheesy cauliflower are worth mentioning. But the steak cures all ills. Top quality service and bar menu to boot!

The Black Cow Bistro, located 70 George St, Launceston, Tasmania. This relaxing modern fine dining restaurant is housed in what was an Art Deco butchers shop, sourcing the best steaks in Tasmania. The decor of this smartly attired restaurant has Mellow wooden floors contrast strikingly with dark stain tables and chairs and the predominately creamy walls are accentuated by medium and charcoal grey accent walls that tone beautifully with a long grey marble counter front . One wall has colourful murals depicting the signature Black Cow , and the colours blend skilfully with the comfortable bench seats below, all creating a pleasing visual ambience. From the entree menu we ordered a tray of assorted fresh oyster. A bowl of seared Tasmanian scallops, a crisp skinned pork belly, a white fish sashimi. For mains we chose from an exhaustive range of steaks, with a delightful range of tasting sauces, roasted vegetables and salads. Our total experience from the food quality and presentation was superb, along with the wine on offer and table service, could not be faulted.

Complete tourist trap! The ambience, service and cocktails are the only saving grace. But what REALLY disappoints are the food and prices. The steaks are all fatty cuts, so if you like your steak rare like me then prepare yourself for a mouthful of fat. The prices are ridiculous. Almost $500 for 4 persons is robbery for Tasmania. Completely pretentious menu aimed at tourists who know no better!

Best restaurant meal ever. I don't know where to begin but wow! Tenderest steak I have ever had. Simple but brilliant vegetables. Friendly, attentive service. Sublime wine pairing. MAKE A RESERVATION or you will have a tough time getting in!

Very very good indeed! Starter recommend the sashimi... Main course, the beef, absolutely the best! We came here with high expectations- yet it was indeed a delight! The quality of the meat and the way it's cooked was absolutely outstanding! We are told the beef is sourcing from Robin island- where has the clear air on earth, so the quality of beef is better even comparing with Tasmania black Angus beef! Good wine as well! Especially local made. Desert, try the frozen caramel slice!

Amazing venue - nice and cosy and perfect for a lovely evening out. The food was well prepared and presented. Defs worth a second visit!

Couldn't fault the food or service, they made space for me on short notice and the entree, meal and sides were as good as you'll find. Coming from NW Australia where restaurants have been known to substitute horse meat for the budget beef we are accustomed to I was looking forward to this meal. It did not disappoint. Service was impeccable and the sommelier knowledgeable. The wine list was extensive and had great examples of Tasmanian products mixed with some Australian classics and foreign flavours for good measure. The dinner menu had a great focus on local produce and I found the calamari entree to my liking. The location is central and convenient if you're travelling as I was though if I had to criticise anything I'd say that this restuarant could do with a better layout and more creativity put into the decor, wasn't bursting with ambience although it was comfortable.

Excellent food - kingfish sashimi w asain style dressing as entree & nth Tas grass fed steak main. Attentive service & suitable ambience. As a solo diner they took the thoughtful step of placing some food & wine travel mags at my table. Only minor issue was the limited selection of wines by the glass (solo diner problem!)...the shiraz from heathcoate did work very well tho.

It is a good place. The side dishes are good. Just the steak is cooked in a different way from we through. It is too dry, not juicy. Smoky on the surface. If you like the way california is cooked, you may need to get used to the Tasmania style of cooking. And we order more steak than we need, almost double the size, but the waiter did not remind us.

Our steaks were fantastic. Don't order the wasabi side, that was the only disappointment. Service was excellent.

This place highlights how lucky Launceston is in terms of amazing food. The service is great the tables a little squishy but quickly forgotten. The prices are good, I've never felt short changed with the excellent meals. Leave room for desert as it's usually pretty special. It's always a treat to head to Black Cow and I can't wait until my next visit.

Wow!! This place was definitely a special find. Thanks to my husband spotting it in Gourmet Traveller he arranged yet another perfect meal to our 25th anniversary holiday. This place does meat the best. Chose a crispy pork belly to start while He chose the quail for entrée. For mains we went for the 650g rib eye on the bone. Was fantastic! No room left for a vanilla creme brûlée even if I wanted it. Would recommend it for the huge shared meat plate..but leave some room for the yummy desserts. A must!!

The whole experience was unencrypted great. I have a very alternative appearance and this was overlooked by staff which I hesitated to believe would happen as this bistro is such kept to such a high standard. The food was amazing to say the least. I started my 3 course experience with the white fish sashimi which was to die for. Continuing through to mains with the market baked fish my tastebuds were delightfully greet by well accompanying flavours and complex tastes. Finishing off my experience at this high end bistro I had the Eton mess, not the highlight of the evening but none the less a good dish. The food was amazing the experience, very classy, the price is quite steep but well worth this high end and delightfully presented experience. definitely one to consider when traveling in or through Launceston.

Pretty delish, steaks are priced from $30 to $60 depending on the amount of hanging with its bros it has done. Have to pay extra for sauces which is a bit crap but fine I guess if you are going to a restaurant of this price range.

Absolutey amazing. Scallops and pork belly starters were outstanding, the sweet potato puree with the pork was to die for. Steaks were some of the best we've ever eaten. Great, relaxed atmosphere. If you are in Launceston this is definitely worth a visit. Steaks are on the priceier side, but so worth it.