NOMAD global kitchen

Indonesian Soto Soup 🍜

This little number is one we bought back with us from our travels. We first tried this on the Gili Islands off the coast of Indonesia, perched on a wooden platform under the shade of the palm trees, our toes buried in the white sand and the sound of the sea in our ears.

We thought to ourselves that it was pretty damn good - and whilst we couldn’t bring back the tropical weather with us, we could return with a taste of those wonderful flavours!

This bowl of goodness consists of rice noodles, cabbage, potato and a boiled egg, drowned in a lemongrass & turmeric broth, and topped with bean shoots, crispy shallots, lime & housemade sambal oelek. 🙌🏻

We are wasting no time in getting back into the swing of things - find us at the Devonport Farmers Market today from 8:30am to 12:30pm!

We’ll have all the classics, can’t wait to see you! ✨

▫️ Taiyaki; Japanese fish-shaped waffles filled with choice of Nutella, lemon curd, custard or sweet red bean.

▫️ Japanese savoury pancake topped with kimchi, pickled ginger, kewpie, bean sprouts, crispy shallots, sticky soy & sriracha.

▫️ Corn fritters topped with chipotle mayo, black bean pico de gallo, sour cream, spring onions & coriander.

▫️ Aloo chaat; Indian street food with crispy potatoes, mint yogurt, tamarind, fresh tomato, red onion, chickpeas & coriander.

Let us introduce you to one of our new dishes - the Meze Box. ✨

This little number is inspired from our travels through Turkey, where instead of being served a plate of one thing, many meals consist of multiple small plates, meaning you get bites of many different flavours.

Our meze box is packed with hummus, caçik, beetroot & walnut dip, feta, pickles, olives, cucumber and tomato, and is served with warm toasted pita. The perfect grazing lunch for busy people to take back to the office 🙌🏻

We are back open today from 11am! 🙌🏻

One more sleep!✨

We are re-opening tomorrow lovely folks! We have been busy making and baking, filling our little space with delicious aromas and getting ready to welcome you back through our doors 😍

Don’t forget we have new opening hours - 11Am to 2:30PM TUESDAY to FRIDAY.

We are so excited to be back in action tomorrow, and can’t wait see you! ❤️

Hello Tasmania!! ✨

We’re back on home turf after our incredible adventures gallivanting across the globe. We absolutely loved sharing our experiences with you along the way—thank you so much to everyone who followed our travels!

While we are eager to settle back into ‘life as normal,’ apparently fate has different plans in store for us… we’re thrilled to announce that we’ve returned home with a little stowaway traveler on-board, who’s decided to join us on our life journey 🥰

So it seems we are about to embark on our biggest adventure yet - welcoming a little baby nomad into the world sometime around Christmas. What a gift!

With such a wonderful change coming our way, we’ve realised some lifestyle adjustments are necessary! We will be implementing some slight changes to our cafe opening hours and menu structure to help us ease into this new chapter in our lives.

Our new opening hours going forward are:

✨ TUES ~ FRI 11am to 2:30pm
✨ SAT ~ MON closed

We will be re-opening this Tuesday the 10th! Thank you for your continued support, we can’t wait to see your faces in here again - we’ve missed you all!

Lots of love,
Bree & Raz ❤️

We’re on the homeward bound, but we had one last quick stop to make on the way…

One fabulous day spent in Singapore where we visited Kampong Glam, the bohemian quarter of the city; full of tiny lanes packed with brightly coloured shops, cafes and bars, and absolutely covered in amazing street art! 😍

As you wander up and down the narrow paths from Arab street to Haji lane, soak in the clash of cultures, textures, smells and sounds - it’s a magnificent feast for the senses.

As the heat of the day climbed towards ‘intense’, we cooled down with a meander through the Gardens By The Bay - an incredible nature park spanning an impressive 260 acres in the middle of the city. The towering ‘supertree’ structures are an incredible sight to behold - covered with climbing plants, they simultaneously stand out and blend in with the nature around them. And when night falls they illuminate, becoming beacons of colour and light.

Even though our time in Singapore flashed by in a heartbeat, it was so worth the visit for one last culture soak!
Now it’s time for us to pack our bags and board the airplane one last time - Tassie here we come! ✈️

Exploring Langkawi has been an absolute blast!

The best way to get around the island is by scooter, so we’ve been cruising around with the sun on our shoulders and the wind in our hair, discovering hidden nooks and crannies, and taking refreshing dips in waterfall pools - not to mention a few interesting encounters with the local monkeys 🙈

One of our favorite parts? Chasing down the night markets that pop up in different spots each evening. There’s nothing like the thrill of hunting down the best street food for dinner every night, sampling delicious local dishes under the stars. 🌟

This little island has certainly left its mark on our hearts, and as much as we wish we had more time to bask in all the beauty Langkawi has to offer, home is calling. And we have one last exciting stop to make along the way…

Hello from tropical paradise! 🌴

We’ve flown to stunning Langkawi Island, a gem off the coast of Malaysia, and we’re already loving the laid-back vibe here. The pace of life is as relaxed as the gentle waves, and the friendly locals make you feel right at home from the moment you arrive.

Surrounded by lush greenery and gorgeous beaches, it’s easy to see why this island is such a beloved escape. From sipping on fresh coconuts to exploring the hidden temples and waterfalls, every moment here feels like a dream.

Can’t wait to dive into everything Langkawi has to offer—stay tuned for more adventures from this beautiful island! 🌺

Wrapping up an incredible journey in Istanbul, where every moment was a feast for the senses!

We will miss meandering through the bustling bazaars, tasting our way around Beyoğlu, and watching the fishermen haul in their catch off the side of the Galata bridge.

From the mouthwatering cuisine to the rich culture, we loved every minute of our time here.

Now, we’re off to our next exciting destination. Any guesses where we’re headed next…? 🌍✈️

Flavours of Istanbul 🇹🇷

Istanbul is a culinary paradise - from bustling street food stalls to charming restaurants, the city offers a feast for the senses that you simply can’t miss.

Typical Turkish cuisine is a delightful medley of flavors, textures, and aromas. Think juicy kebabs, mezes bursting with color, freshly baked simit, and the rich, comforting taste of slow-cooked stews. And don’t forget the famous Turkish delight and baklava for those with a sweet tooth!

But did you know that the food scene in Istanbul is also a melting pot of influences? Over centuries, Turkish cuisine has absorbed the best of neighboring cultures:
✨Greek; the use of herbs and fresh ingredients, especially in meze and seafood dishes.
✨Persian; rich spices and the concept of the “mezze” (small plates) have Persian roots.
✨Arab; flavors of cumin, coriander, and mint come from the Arab world.
✨Balkan; hearty meat dishes and pastries like börek are influenced by the Balkans.
✨Mediterranean; the use of olive oil, and the concept of healthy, balanced meals.

We wanted to dive deeper into the cuisine, so we joined for a sensational hands-on cooking experience, where we gained an introduction to Turkish flavours and culinarily techniques.

One thing is for certain, you’ll never go hungry in Istanbul - we’ve been in an ongoing food coma for days 😳

The city of cats 🐈

When in Istanbul, you will not fail to notice an abundance of city residents of the feline variety.

These street-savvy kitties can be seen draped over old monuments, lounging on shady street corners, snuggled amongst shop displays, or purposefully making their way through the crowds, snagging affectionate pats on the head from tourists and locals alike.

At first we were concerned about all the stray kitties, worried that perhaps they were doing it tough living on the streets. But everyone we talked to assured us that all the locals are fond of the furry community, and collectively make an effort to look after them.

We quickly started noticing heaping bowls of food and water tucked in doorways and alcoves along every street, along with purpose built little sleeping boxes.

Many restaurants too are part of a program where their food scraps are sent to a facility that process them into food for the cats. How amazing is that! 😻

Selam from Istanbul! 🇹🇷

After our slow meanderings through Estonia, we’ve cranked up the pace and turned up the heat as we immerse ourselves in this extraordinary, sprawling Turkish city!

Istanbul is unique in the way that it straddles two continents - Eastern Europe on one side, and Western Asia on the other, divided by the mighty Bosphorus straight, flowing to the Sea of Marmara.

Istanbul’s geographical position, as well as its long and colourful history, make this place a complex amalgamation of architectural wonders.

The city was first named Byzantium, founded back in 660BC by the Greeks for its strategic trading position on the Bosphorus straight. Then in 330AD, Roman Emperor ‘Constantine the Great’ refounded the city as Constantinople, making it the capital of the Roman Empire, and a beacon of wealth and culture for nearly a millennium.

The city fell to the Ottoman Empire in 1453, becoming the centre of Islamic culture and capital of the Empire, renamed Istanbul. The Ottomans were responsible for much of the city’s architectural wonders, including mosques, palaces, bazaars, hamams, bridges and aqueducts.

After the establishment of the republic of Turkey in 1923, the country’s capital was moved to Ankara. However Istanbul still remains Turkey’s largest and most vibrant city, attracting flocks of tourists with it’s with rich historical legacy.

Let us take you on a journey through pictures, and show you why Istanbul is one of our favourite cities in the world ✨

As always, our trips to Estonia seem to be over in the blink of an eye, and we are never quite ready to say goodbye. 💙🤍🖤

We are so grateful for the amazing quality time that we got to spend with our European family, especially for the days shared with Raz’s dad, who always misses us when we come back home to Australia.

But as we step onto the air plane in beautiful Estonia, we are excited to step off to a new place, and a new adventure. We can’t wait to show you where we’re going next… 🌎

Our time in Estonia is drawing to an end, so we made sure to squeeze in a trip to , a fabulous fine dining experience at .

The restaurant is located on the grounds of an old manor estate - the intimate dining space situated in the old servants quarters, overlooking the manor.

The experience was simply superb from start to full-bellied finish. This tiny restaurant seats a maximum of 10 guests per evening, the quaint room illuminated by candlelight. To begin our culinary journey the head chef was introduced, speaking about her experiences and the inspiration behind the food we would eat that evening - most ingredients lovingly grown and harvested from the kitchen garden.

There was no menu, so having no idea what to expect, we waited with anticipation as chef introduced each glorious course that rolled out of the kitchen. Every bite was mouthwatering.

Midway through the degustation, we were treated to another surprise when it was announced that all the dinner guests would be taken on a tour of the old manor before our main course. We obediently scuttled off after our guide, who gave us the run-down of the estate’s history, along with interesting details and stories about some of its past occupants.

We finished off our evening back in the dining room with more delectable morsels, and some perfectly paired wines shared with our friends. What a night to remember! ✨

Exploring Estonia is an absolute adventure! 🇪🇪

From the vibrant streets of Tartu, where modern art and history collide, to the serene coastal vibes of Pärnu, this country is full of surprises.

Helme’s hidden caves and ruins whisper tales of the past, while Toila’s sweeping landscapes take your breath away with its natural beauty.

Anywhere you go, this unique country has reminders of its rich history around every corner, art in the most unexpected places, gorgeously green vistas and delicious food to fuel the journey. Estonia truly has so much to offer—each stop a new discovery! ✨

An evening spent hanging out in Tallinn with friends - there’s always plenty to see and do in this vibrant city!

We ate our fill at the Tallinn Food Truck Festival, where around 60 food trucks were gathered cooking up a storm. Scents of frying churros and sticky sweet waffles mingled with billowing plumes of smoke from grilling meats sizzling over hot coals.

Tummies full, we made our way to the new promenade at the cruise ship terminal, the perfect place to sit and chat and share a nightcap. On a clear night, after the sun sinks below the horizon, you can watch the ships coming and going, their lights sparkling and reflecting off the surface of the sea. 🌊

Another road trip, another castle 🏰

This latest little excursion took us back to Latvia - because it’s so close it’d be rude not to 😉 - where we visited Cēsis and Sigulda, two gorgeous towns with plenty of historical interest.

A cable car ride across the sweeping valley running through Sigulda offers stunning views of the landscape, and castle-tops peeking out from the trees on surrounding hills. Dine on traditional fare, like crispy potato pancakes and pickled cabbage salad, then venture forth on foot or by bicycle to explore the manors and castles of the area. 🇱🇻

Exploring some of Estonia’s abandoned historical buildings 🇪🇪

For a multitude of reasons, Estonia has many abandoned mansions and buildings. This is largely due to historical shifts following the decline of the Baltic German nobility after Estonia’s independence in 1918, and the subsequent Soviet occupation.

During Soviet rule many mansions and estates were seized and repurposed for state use, often as administrative buildings or collective farms, and were very poorly maintained.

After regaining independence in 1991, economic challenges, rural depopulation, and complex legal issues regarding property ownership further hindered restoration efforts. Under either private or government ownership, the cost of restoring and maintaining these large manor estates is problematic, leaving many of these historical buildings neglected and abandoned.

As Estonia’s economy continues to grow and strengthen, we are hopeful that we will see the restoration of many of these stunning structures in the future.
Until then, it’s definitely exciting to explore these incredible places and imagine what they would have been like back in their prime. ✨

Sveiki from Latvia! 🇱🇻

One of Europe’s biggest perks is the ability to just jump in the car, drive a couple of hours and you’re in a totally different country! We popped over the border on a little road trip with friends for a quick peek at Riga, Latvia’s capital.

Even though there’s only 300km separating Latvia and Estonia’s capital cities, the architecture, layout and vibe are totally different from each other!

In its central areas, Riga’s streets are dominated by grand art nouveau buildings with elaborate facades. But delve into the old town where the streets become narrowed and winding, and you start to see influences from different periods and styles that have shaped the city over centuries, from medieval to gothic and baroque.

We loved exploring the central markets with its stalls bursting to overflow with berries and vegetables, the many boutique craft beer bars dotted around the city, and the view of the old town from the water on a river barge cruise.

And we’re still dreaming about the lemon and poppyseed ice cream that was probably one of the best we’ve ever had. 🍦

Wild blueberry picking! 🫐

One of the coolest things about Estonia is the abundance of wild growing berries! They sprout up literally everywhere, and it’s not uncommon to see cars pulled over in totally random places with eager people scavenging on the roadsides for bucketfuls of blueberries or strawberries.

We found a great spot for blueberry picking at a local swamp, (which was much nicer than it sounds - think less ‘Shreck’ and more ‘enchanted woodland pine forest’🍄🍂).

There are wild blueberry shrubs stretching out as far as the eye can see, shielded from the bright sun by a canopy of towering pines.

The wild blueberries are much smaller than the common variety you find in the shops, which makes picking them a fairly laborious task - but the hard work pays off, for what these little berries lack in size, they more than make up for in taste.
A wild blueberry packs about double the flavour punch of a normal blueberry, it’s unreal! 🫐

Avatud Talude Päev - Open Farm Day!

Once a year, Estonian farms, growers and producers all across the county open their doors for a day, inviting people to come and see what it is they do, how they live, and what makes each farm unique.

There are literally hundreds of places offering different experiences that you can visit; berry growers, breweries, distilleries, flower farms, riding schools, handicrafts, fruit farms, dairys, hobby farms… and then there’s the obscure ones, such as one property we visited with a huge personal collection of old and vintage cars, busses and army vehicles!

Open Farm Day is such a gorgeous concept, and a great activity for tourists to participate in to see firsthand how Estonian country folk live and work, and gain insight into the local way of life.

Tõrva Loits Festival 🔥

This incredible annual event features music, fire and light installations on a grand scale!
The small village of Tõrva in southern Estonia attracts around 10 thousand festival goers for the event, and they really put on an impressive spectacle.

Follow the trail that winds alongside the river and into the forest, where you find artistic light installations illuminating the path along the way. Deep into the woods there’s a forest rave with beats by local DJ’s, and on the river you can paddle in an illuminated canoe.

There’s also a huge array of food and craft beer stalls, a laser light show, entertainment performed by talented local musicians, the lighting of Estonia’s tallest bonfire, and this year an appearance by Estonian slackline world champion Jaan Roose, who balanced on a line over the heads of the crowd.

We were lucky enough to attend this fantastic event last summer, and it was such a highlight that we couldn’t resist going again this year. If you ever find yourself near Estonia in July, this festival is so worth visiting. 🔥✨

Exploring Tallinn’s historic Old Town ✨

Tallinn today is a spreading, bustling metropolis, but when you step into Vanalinn, immediately the surroundings drag you back to a more ancient time.

Wander through narrow, winding cobbled streets, with clusters of tall houses leaning together, scattered between impressive stone buildings, churches with towering spires, and remnants of the Old Town walls.

As you walk around, you can hear snippets of dozens of different languages being spoken, as this part of the city is where the tourist population is the most concentrated. But for good reason - the architecture, historical museums, great restaurants, and Estonian hospitality provide plenty of reasons for foreigners to visit!

There’ll be more posts to come dedicated to Tallinn’s Old Town as there is so much to explore here, but in typical Nomad fashion we deemed it appropriate to sniff out some good food as our first order of business… 😋

The first honey harvest of the season! 🍯

Beekeeping has been a family tradition for generations. Raz’s dad and uncle have kept bees for years, continuing the legacy started by their father and grandfather.

Following this tradition, Raz has spent the last few years learning the art of beekeeping from his dad. Now, we maintain six strong hives of healthy bees in our garden back in Tassie. 🐝

Raz’s dad operates on a much larger scale; at the peak of his beekeeping endeavours he was maintaining between 50 to 60 hives, producing around one tonne of honey per year, and he did it entirely on his own.

He’s been scaling it back a bit over the last couple of years, but it’s still a lot of work, so it’s wonderful that we could be here to help with the harvest and the heavy lifting!

Did you know that a full frame of honeycomb can weigh around 3kg?
This means one super of full honeycomb frames can weigh between 30 to 40kg!

Beekeeping is certainly a good exercise in strength and patience, but the rewards are sticky sweet 🍯🐝

Tallinn’s Tall Ships Races! ⚓️

This weekend we went to take a peek at Tallinn’s maritime festival , held over four days across three ports on the capital’s coastline.

Hosts claim that this year’s event is the world’s largest sail training regatta, with over 60 sailing ships from 16 different countries congregating to the capital’s docks for the occasion.

Festival-goers can climb aboard sailing ships and chat to the crew members, or take a cruise around the harbour. Free concerts featuring local Estonian artists are playing across all three ports, and there’s food and drink aplenty.

We loved the atmosphere of this festival, wandering around the docks is a great way to spend a sunny weekend in the city!

#🇪🇪

Rakvere castle! 🏰

Walk through the front gates and step back in time to the 16th century!
Although there is not much left of this castle after it was partially blown up by the Swedes in 1605, what does remain has been preserved as a fascinating shapshot into medieval life.

In the courtyard you’ll find sword fighting, jousting and archery exhibits as well as other fun activities; make a coin the old-fashioned way with the blacksmith, or handmade candles with the village women. You can eat from rustic crockery at the tavern, take a tour through the torture chambers, or climb the castle walls to get a superb view over the whole town.

Castle workers dressed in medieval attire, along with the friendly goats, sheep, geese, and chickens that freely roam the courtyard, provide a glimpse into the sights (and smells) of daily life in ancient times. ⚔️

“Curiouser and curiouser!”

Down the rabbit hole at Wagenküll Castle, for an Alice in Wonderland themed flower show! 🐇

Located in Taagepera, southern Estonia, the castle has curated its expansive grounds into an impressive exhibition of whimsical installations, thematic sculptures, and thousands of brightly coloured flowers. 💐

Winding pathways take you through the castle gardens, where the tale of Alice in Wonderland unfolds like a storybook along the way.

Conclude the journey with a climb up to the castle’s tower, each level decorated in glittering jewels and colourful frescoes, enveloping you in a magical atmosphere.

The exhibition at Wagenküll castle is running for the summer as part of the additional program of the Tartu 2024 ‘European Capital of Culture’.