Central Otago
Set in a beautiful stone building that was once Jolly’s Grain Store, this cafe serves up tasty muffins and big, inexpensive meals. Grab an outside table…
Must-see restaurants in Australia & Pacific
Cradle Country & The West
A popular place near the post office on the main street, the Serenade won't win any awards for its decor or its food, but it is a reliable choice for…
Melbourne
Family-run, alcohol-free and enduringly popular since 1983, Tiba's is one of Sydney Rd's sure bets for tasty Lebanese food populated by hungry locals…
The Daintree
Tuck into a burger or steak and chips or down a cold beer at Daintree's open-fronted end-of-the-road pub. Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with snacks…
Christchurch
Asian fusion is the name of the game at Bamboozle, where talented chefs conjure up innovative spins on traditional dishes. Their stylish new premises is…
Adelaide
Budget-minded pub grub (the students love it) featuring curries, burgers, schnitzels, salt-and-pepper squid and gap-filling pasta. Live original bands…
Blenheim
Opposite the railway station, this sherbet-yellow, candy-striped cafe serves up good espresso and some of the most calorific pastries you'll ever eat. Try…
Sydney
This cafe and deli is a one-stop shop for tasty Italian baked treats, pasta, cheese, coffee and anything else that springs to mind. It's in a foodie…
Gulf Savannah
This licensed restaurant and cafe, often called Rosie's after one of the owners, is across the road from the pub serves up a bit of everything, from…
The Daintree
If you're craving a decent counter meal, a coldie and that Aussie country pub atmosphere, the Cow Bay is the only real pub this side of the Daintree River…
Broome
The best breakfast view in town, with al fresco tables overlooking Roebuck Bay. The simple food (eggs, bacon, pancakes, coffee and smoothies) doesn't…
West Coast Australia
The garden bar and bistro at this hotel are a sure evening bet, with an easy menu of favourites (burgers, ribs, salads, steaks) and a great courtyard…
City Centre & Haymarket
There's no glamour at all to this hole-in-the-wall spot, but the simple dynamics work, with a tasty and cheap selection of vegetarian and vegan Thai…
Melbourne
Brave the trendy surrounds and weekend bustle to feast on delicious dumplings and next-level Southeast Asian hawker food and shared plates. Upstairs there…
Canberra
This long-standing local favourite became a little more upmarket when it crossed the street into new premises, but the generously proportioned Chinese and…
Cradle Country & The West
One of a couple of decent cafes on Zeehan's main street, this place serves fish and chips, homemade sausage rolls, sandwiches and ice cream. It often…
Kingsland & Mt Eden
Gourmet pies, healthy salads and wraps, and drool-inducing cakes. Arrayed across several levels in an old house, there's plenty of room to stretch out and…
Victoria
A popular coffee stop for local vignerons, this contemporary cafe in the Red Hill shops serves gourmet breakfasts, toasties and sandwiches alongside brews…
Gold Coast
An old-fashioned, family-friendly pizza and pasta restaurant on the main drag. Thin, crispy bases are made with a unique wholemeal flour mix, and there…
Victoria
Located in Flinders Hotel, this bistro serves upmarket pub fare including oysters, steaks, pastas and a good range of veggie entrees. The kids menu ($12…
Whitsunday Coast
This quirky, energetic riverfront joint dishes up 'tapas', jugs of sangria, occasional live music and general good times. Service is erratic, but somehow,…
West Coast Australia
Choc-topped banana smoothies, top-notch burgers and home baking are served at this rustic garden cafe, hidden away in the middle of a fruit plantation…
The Far North
Waterfront has water views and old-world charm, although the service can be hit and miss. A pizza menu kicks in at lunch and extends into dinner, when it…
Whitsunday Coast
You can graze on tasty salads, sandwiches and light meals prepared by emergent chefs at Foodspace, the licensed cafe inside Artspace Mackay.
New South Wales
A delightful little, erm, former butcher shop, cleverly transformed. It serves a hearty array of food, all chalked up on the blackboard. The melts and…
Mid-North Coast
Every beach town needs a good ice-cream shop, and this one has a colourful range of flavours. While it isn't entirely authentic, the gelato is made on the…
Taranaki & Whanganui
For a fine lunch or dinner, try this spicy-smelling, black-and-white diner, serving decent curries in upbeat surrounds. Love the lurid murals and the …
Victoria
Tucked away in a cosy house a couple of blocks south of the centre, this authentic Thai restaurant serves fabulously fragrant curries, noodles and stir…
Napier
Fine dining on Marine Pde: a concise and tightly edited menu features the likes of confit duck leg with duck and blue cheese risotto. Sensuously shaped…
Canberra
A good stop for refuelling while exploring Questacon, this basic cafe also has some sunny seats outside under the umbrellas on the terrace.
Coromandel Peninsula
Smoked fish and seafood for cooking and snacking. Also available is excellent Coromandel artisan cheese and the fiery Uncle Dunkle's chilli sauce made…
Sydney
Away from the beachside strip, this cosy restaurant is hugely popular with locals. The menu is modern Australian with a Creole twist; try the signature…
Victoria
This claims to be the best fish-and-chip shop in the state, and we reckon it's a valid claim. It has a good range including river fish (redfin, yellow…
Cairns & Far North Queensland
On the main road into town the roadhouse sells gas, ice and basic groceries, as well as serving meals, including massive burgers, and operating the…
Victoria
The Olive Grove buzzes with locals lingering over coffee, gourmet baguettes, sourdough toasties and tasty salads, or browsing the deli delights of cakes,…
New South Wales
This no-frills Chinese takeout with an open kitchen and plenty of tables for dining in, doles out delicious chunky dumplings and a variety of popular…
Taranaki & Whanganui
In need of a refurb, funky Funkfish is still one of the better options in Inglewood, serving fish and chips and burgers. Doubles as a bar at night. Swap…
Byron Bay & Northern NSW
Serves tasty wraps, salads, rolls, smoothies, an extensive menu of teas and housemade gelato (one scoop $4.50), with flavours such as panna cotta, chai…
Flinders Ranges
There are always a few locals in the front bar at the old Austral, giving the jukebox a workout. But don't get distracted: head for the bistro and order…
Dunedin
Serving up fish and chips since 1932, this local stalwart has its winning formula down pat, complete with vinyl tablecloths, hand-cut chips and curls of…
