Fortitude Valley
Under the watchful eye of Thai royalty, locals sit at easy-wipe tables and tuck into chilli-loaded Thai and Laotian dishes at this lo-fi Chinatown eatery…
Must-see restaurants in Australia
Melbourne
Trunk's beer garden turns into a prime city-centre office-worker watering hole on Friday night, but don’t let Bryan from the marketing department put you…
Cairns & Far North Queensland
Built in 1911, the pokies-free Club Hotel remains true to its old-school roots, offering country-style hospitality and huge, wholesome meals made from…
The East Coast
Into rhubarb, much? The good folks at Cafe Rhubaba make rhubarb sponge, rhubarb shortcake, rhubarb-and-apple tart, rhubarb syrup, rhubarb cordial, rhubarb…
Geelong
You can’t beat the waterfront location at this casual cafe near the Eastern Beach marina. Beer-battered fish and chips is a crowd favourite, and there’s a…
Brisbane
What was once a pistol peddler is now a classic West End cafe, with a grungy '90s vibe and globally influenced dishes like a standout Mooloolaba prawn…
Launceston
Serving old-fashioned faves as well a few newfangled dishes, Me Wah specialises in fresh Tasmanian seafood (crayfish, abalone, scallops, oysters and more)…
Kangaroo Island
In a new location on Kingscote's main strip, long-running Bella is a cheery Italian cafe/pizza bar, now occupying a former drapery (1907). The pizza menu…
Yorke Peninsula
This unassuming corrugated iron shed in Wallaroo's industrial backblocks is full of second-hand books! It's a quirky cafe, too, serving light meals …
Victorian High Country
This barn-sized pub is a friendly place to hang out year-round, with roaring open fires and a bistro serving good pub grub including meaty mains, grilled…
Darwin
The old Rourke’s Drift pub has been completely remodelled into a sassy restaurant-bar with an Oriental/Indian feel – all dark wood, high-back chairs and…
Brisbane & Around
The best eating option in Amity Point is this breezy, casual, open-sided cafe-bar. There's cold beer on tap and a limited repertoire of old-school eats,…
Yorke Peninsula
Edithburgh has two pubs, one short, one tall. This is the handsome, yellow-painted, two-story one, with the Seahorse Restaurant off to one side. Expect…
Victoria
Located in front of the visitor information centre and overlooking the lake, this modest spot serves up some big flavours, especially with its cakes (don…
Flinders Ranges
A traditional country cafe with creaky floorboards and spinning ceiling fans, serving big breakfasts and light lunches. Try a generously adorned 'Railway…
Bellarine Peninsula
The best pizza along the Bellarine is courtesy of this cosy 15-seater on Lonny's main strip. It specialises in traditional Neapolitan-style pizzas topped…
The East Coast
Chew on some pub grub while you assess the health and temper of the locals at the bar. Takeaway barbecue packs and picnic lunches available. There's pub…
Byron Bay
With pink walls, neon signs and a cranking '90s RnB playlist, this vibe at this arcade restaurant and bar is as fresh as the menu. Modern Vietnamese…
Capricorn Coast & the Southern Reef Islands
A broad snapshot of Australian life is found in this sprawling, timber-floored pub just outside town, where, besides eating, you can drink, gamble, play…
Cradle Country & The West
Who would expect such good food in an otherwise-unremarkable small-town motel? It’s quite sophisticated fare here, all cooked fresh to order. Try the…
Melbourne Region
Housed in a former piggery, this cafe and bakery on the 1920s Burnham Beeches estate is operated by Shannon Bennett of Melbourne's acclaimed Vue de Monde…
Murray River
Yes, it's a lavender farm, and you can buy all kinds of purple-tinged lavender-y products here (soaps, oils, candles). But most folks are here for the…
Tasmania
Nutritionists wouldn't approve of the menu in this pub bistro – it's full of delights such as fried seafood towers, butter-saturated chicken Kievs,…
Melbourne Region
Bob and Barbara Nixon's estate is a popular destination on weekends, when families head here to enjoy pizzas and other meals cooked in the wood-fired oven…
Darwin
Reliable pan-Asian flavours are served up with reasonable prices and a casual atmosphere in the city centre. The outdoor tables are a fine Mitchell St…
Port Fairy
Sharing space with the surf life-saving club overlooking East Beach, Charlie's is hands down the most scenic location in town. The food is classic Aussie…
Adelaide
Mamma Carmela has been doing her old-school Italian thing in this heritage Jetty Rd building since 1974! Much has changed since then – not least Australia…
St Kilda, Elwood & Elsternwick
Housed in a former WWII barracks, dirt-cheap drinks and pizzas keep locals and visitors coming back to Banff. Happy hour is between 3pm and 6pm and 9pm…
Surry Hills & Darlinghurst
There are plenty of reasons to visit this old pub – the cosy beer garden, sangría jugs, $10 lunches, the interesting crowd – but it's the cheap and tasty…
Manly
Follow the foreshore southeast from Manly’s ocean beach to this salty little cafe/restaurant, so close to the sea that the windows often get sprayed (a…
Victoria
Dining under open-sided thatched and teak-wood huts in a tropical garden, you’ll think you’ve been transported to Southeast Asia. The authentic cuisine is…
Adelaide
Hispanic Mechanic’s owners dropped a bomb of dollars on this joint, transforming it into a stylin' south-of-the-border diner. The graphics and interior…
Great Ocean Road
Sharing space with the Portland Maritime Discovery Centre, directly overlooking the ocean, this cafe boasts unquestionably the best view in town. Its…
Adelaide Hills
Part cafe, part wine bar, part progressive art gallery hell-bent on promoting Adelaide Hills artists, Atelier is a surprising find on a Crafers side…
Byron Bay & Northern NSW
This airy cafe is part beachside kiosk (partial water views through the trees), part easy-going cafe with a large wooden deck for taking in the sea breeze…
Kangaroo Island
Sun going down, waiting for the ferry, getting hungry and eaten all your supplies? Duck into gaudy, Americana-themed Fire & Smoke for some pasta, ribs, a…
Hobart
Excellent roast duck (the whole bird $46), steamed dumplings, and squid studded with ginger and spring onion feature at this clean-cut, glass-fronted…
Clare Valley
An authentic Indonesian restaurant is perhaps the last thing you'd expect to find on the main street of little ol' Burra. But it's true – hard-working…
Kangaroo Island
Food businesses come and go in Penneshaw – the summer tourist boom here is followed by a devastating winter bust. But Fat Beagle seems to be hanging in…
Hobart
Plonk yourself down on a saffron-coloured chair at this waterside North Indian/Kashmiri diner, with great views over Victoria Dock to the city and, on a…
