Top restaurants near Perth
Lulu La Delizia
It’s not just fresh, handmade pasta you’re getting at Lulu La Delizia, it’s the chef-owner’s family heritage blended with his brave wielding of ingredients and flavours. His Nonna Luigia, who grew up in Italy’s Friuli region and came to Perth in the 1950s, inspires much of the menu, which ranges from saucy vongole to the signature veal and pork ragu. The special of the day tends to push boundaries; expect smoky eel with asparagus or tagliolini topped with a blend of prawn meat, white vermouth and fennel seed.
Wildflower
Top restaurants near Darwin
Pee Wee’s at the Point
Nothing says Darwin like a stunning view of the ocean. At Pee Wee’s at the Point, you’ll enjoy a beautiful backdrop along with dishes that hero the Northern Territory’s fresh seafood and local produce. Dive into a wild-caught saltwater barramundi with herbs and lemon myrtle, or opt for a tasting platter that takes you on a gourmet tour of the chef’s kitchen.
Sounds of Silence dinner
Venture outside the city and into the outback to enjoy a dining experience unlike any other. At a Sounds of Silence dinner, you’ll enjoy a meal as you watch the sunset around Uluru. Sip Australian wine and beer as you watch the outback stars begin to sparkle, then embark on a guided tour of the night sky. Then, indulge in a bush tucker-inspired buffet that showcases the land around you.
Top restaurants near Adelaide
Orana
At Adelaide’s Orana, it’s not just food that goes onto a plate – it’s a taste of Australia. Owner and chef Jock Zonfrillo travels to some of the most remote corners of the country to find ingredients for his imaginative dishes. He talks to men and women in Aboriginal communities to learn about traditional bush foods, and how these foods fit into indigenous culture. Then he brings these ingredients back into the kitchen and turns them into something extraordinary for his customers at Orana.
Shobosho
If you love Japanese cuisine and innovative cooking techniques, then Adelaide’s Shobosho is a dining experience you don’t want to miss. Shobosho uses smoke, steam and fire to create flavours that are both interesting and true to the ancient traditions of Japanese yakitori, or grilled meat. Take a journey through the menu as you move from raw sashimi to spit-roasted meats, each simply seasoned to allow the cooking process to shine.
d’Arenberg Cube
It’s not only Adelaide that offers exceptional eateries. Venture into one of South Australia’s wine regions to find top-notch restaurants paired with world-class wine. d’Arenberg Cube in McLaren Vale is known for its delicious dishes and bizarre architecture, while Hentley Farm in the Barossa Valley offers regional ingredients with a side of vineyard views.
Top restaurants near Brisbane
OTTO
Riverside views, sparkling glassware and warm hospitality are just a few of the elements that make OTTO Brisbane irresistible. This modern Italian eatery overlooks the Brisbane River to the iconic Story Bridge, serving up great Australian ingredients in a contemporary Italian style. Along with exquisite food, OTTO also serves up an extensive wine list. Thanks to the Coravin system – where small amounts of wine can be taken from a bottle without oxygenating it – several premium Australian and Italian wines are available as a taste or full glass.
The Fish House
From the outside, The Fish House at Burleigh Heads looks like a simple brick diner (albeit with astonishing views across to the glittering Surfers Paradise skyline). Step inside to discover why this modest-looking eatery is a culinary contender. A southern European twist elevates fresh Australian seafood: try lemony fish soup, steamed coral trout with ginger and shallots or a whole rock lobster. For real decadence, add a caviar course to your order.
Rick Shores
On the Gold Coast, Rick Shores brings together pan-Asian flavours, a breezy atmosphere and floor-to-ceiling views of the crashing ocean waves. Choose from a range of bar snacks like crispy tofu sliders and baked butter chicken buns before moving onto hearty meats and curries.
Top restaurants near Sydney
Ester
For cutting-edge dining, Sydney’s Ester is the place to be. Ester offers a sublime culinary experience in a pared-back space with an open kitchen. Although the menu contains a variety of small plates, every dish is big on flavour. Explore the eclectic menu that evokes smoke and fire with charred meat, succulent vegetables and fresh accompaniments.
Quay
Thanks to chef Peter Gilmore’s intricately prepared and delicately balanced dishes, Quay has won more awards than any other restaurant in Australia. It’s one of only two Australian restaurants on the prestigious S. Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. Located on Sydney Harbour’s waterfront with sweeping views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, this is a uniquely Australian dining experience with food and views that are both world class.
Drive out of the bustling city and into the quiet country for a feast at Biota. Located in Bowral, about an hour and a half from Sydney by car, Biota rests among the rolling hills and vineyards of the Southern Highlands. Here, you’ll indulge in dishes that transform humble Australian cooking into something extraordinary. Order the seven-course set menu, or choose from a casual menu that can be enjoyed on the lawn.
In Brunswick Heads, about a 20-minute drive north of Byron Bay, you’ll find a true gem in Fleet. This tiny wine bar and restaurant serves an ever-changing menu of small dishes that are created based on what’s in season. The space seats just 14 guests at a time, so book well in advance for your chance to indulge in their degustation menu. For something more casual, the same team also operate La Casita. This more casual Latin-inspired haunt serves, simple, Oaxacan fare, crafted from local produce.
Top restaurants near Canberra
Aubergine
Known for its intimate atmosphere, award-winning wine list and inspired use of ingredients, Canberra’s Aubergine is one you don’t want to miss. The kitchen is stocked by local farmers and suppliers who let the chef know what’s best on the day. As a result, Aubergine’s menu changes daily and always uses fresh produce to maximise flavour. Choose from one of over 500 wines on the menu and dig into the surprising dishes.
Eightysix
For a cosy yet lively dining experience, head to eightysix in Canberra’s hip suburb of Braddon. Eightysix first came on the scene as a noisy, edgy underdog, but quickly became a well-loved neighbourhood establishment. Serving up plates of habanero steak tartare and ricotta gnocchi with gremolata, Eightysix creates contemporary dishes rooted in tradition.
Top restaurants near Melbourne
Attica
Ben Shewry is one of the most lauded chefs in Australia thanks to his sophisticated yet playful menus. A degustation at his Melbourne restaurant Attica offers great insight into Australia’s most cutting edge cuisine trends. Expect the unexpected with ingredients like emu liver, quandong and finger lime making an appearance. Book well in advance to secure your table.
Brae
Each day, the ingredients used at Brae are carefully selected from Brae Farm’s own harvest of organic fruit and vegetables, as well as from local farms and sustainable producers in Victoria and beyond. Brae’s garden-based cuisine has earned them a long list of awards, which further puts Birregurra – a small Victorian town in the Great Ocean Road region – on the culinary map. As if the delectable dishes aren’t enough, Brae has also been commended by The Australian Good Food Guide for their exceptional wine list.
Laura
Named after Pt. Leo Estate’s celebrated Jaume Plensa sculpture, Laura is an intimate and refined dining offering on the estate’s stunning property. Located an hour from Melbourne, Laura offers a set menu that tells the story of the Mornington Peninsula. With the choice of four, five or six courses, guests are taken on a culinary journey that embraces the season and the region.
Top restaurants near Hobart
Fico
With its delectable produce and fresh air, Tasmania boasts some of the country’s best cuisine. Fico, located in Hobart, blurs the line between traditional bistro and fine dining establishment. Established in 2016, Fico offers up a menu influenced by European tradition and sourced from local fishers and farmers. Indulge in a set menu of warm brioche, peppered steak and Tasmanian black truffle.
Templo
Tucked away in Hobart’s back streets is Templo, a small eatery offering exceptional share plates and unique wines. Visitors to Templo will immediately notice the restaurant’s humble feel. Take a look at the menu, written on a blackboard on the wall, to see Italian and Spanish plates with distinctly Australian twists.
Mudbar
Mudbar, located in Launceston, isn’t flashy – but it is delicious. Focussing on fresh Tasmanian produce, Mudbar has views over the nearby marina and is the perfect spot for a relaxed lunch or dinner. Indulge in dishes like crispy baby squid and sesame-seared salmon. Mudbar also offers an extensive vegetarian and vegan menu.
