Must-see restaurants in Australia & Pacific

  • Mansfield Coffee Merchant

    Victorian High Country

    This roaster set-up within a cavernous, modern space is the place for coffee lovers. It also does contemporary fare such as Bircher muesli, chilli…

  • Le Bon Delice

    Sunshine Coast

    From the tarts and eclairs to the dacquoises (made with almond and hazelnut meringue), the calorific concoctions from French-born owner and pâtissier Jean…

  • Woodhouse

    Victoria

    In a warehouse-style space clad in warm brick tones, Woodhouse has some of the finest steaks you'll find in regional Victoria – all cooked on a red-gum…

  • Hotel Rottnest

    Rottnest Island

    It's difficult to imagine a more inviting place for a sunset pint of Little Creatures than the front terrace at this chic waterfront pub. A big open-sided…

  • Koonwarra Store

    Victoria

    This renowned cafe in a renovated timber building serves simple food with flair. It prides itself on using organic, low-impact suppliers and products –…

  • Tha Fish

    Cairns

    The ultimate in DIY seafood scoffing without actually having to do it yourself, Tha Fish lets diners choose between five types of fish (no cheapo shark…

  • Oakridge

    Yarra Valley

    Head here to taste Oakridge's acclaimed chardonnay in one of the most stunning cellar door set-ups in the valley (and that's really saying something)…

  • Dispensary

    Whitsunday Coast

    The dark, cavern-like interior with dark-wood banquettes is a boon for those who've come here to romance their sweetie over share plates of scallops with…

  • Maker & Monger

    Melbourne

    What was a small cart now has a shop complete with 40 seats, neon, pretty sage-colour tiling and Savignac-inspired posters. Cheap-eats favourite Maker &…

  • Patricia's Table

    Victorian High Country

    Break up your travels with lunch at this fine-dining restaurant at the picturesque Brown Brothers winery. Regarded as one of the region's very best,…

  • Church Hill

    Fiordland & Southland

    Top-notch nosh is prepared at this friendly restaurant, making use of home-grown veggies, house-made pasta and Stewart Island/Rakiara seafood, such as…

  • Port Phillip Estate

    Victoria

    Home of the acclaimed Kooyong Estate pinot noir and chardonnay, this stunning Wood Marsh–designed winery resembles the lair of a Bond villain. Its…

  • Mr Wong

    City Centre & Haymarket

    Classy but comfortable in an attractive, low-lit space on a CBD laneway, this place has exposed-brick colonial warehouse chic and a huge team of staff and…

  • Stone's Throw

    Victorian High Country

    One of the mountain's best restaurants, Stone's Throw specialises in produce from regional Victoria. The menu is seasonal, but expect the likes of smoked…

  • Blue Swimmer

    South Coast NSW

    A short walk from Seven Mile Beach, this timber-adorned cafe-restaurant impresses through attentive service and perfectly executed seafood. Familiar…

  • Flames of the Forest

    Port Douglas

    This unique experience goes way beyond the traditional concept of 'dinner and a show', with diners escorted deep into the rainforest for a truly immersive…

  • Trader & Co

    Southern NSW & The Murray

    Run as a sunny and spacious co-op by three different businesses, Trader & Co combines a coffee roastery, an arty homewares shop, and the best cafe in Yass…

  • Amisfield Bistro & Cellar Door

    Queenstown & Wanaka

    Put yourself in the very capable hands of the kitchen wizards at this stylish vineyard bistro; simply inform the waiters of any dietary restrictions or…

  • Little Valley

    Fortitude Valley

    Hatted Little Valley has established quite a reputation for its contemporary, regional Chinese cuisine. Order an on-point cocktail and snap your…

  • Dumu Balcony Cafe

    Victorian High Country

    Set up to train Indigenous youth from the Wadeye community in Australia's Northern Territory, Dumu – translating to 'Pacific black duck' in Bright's local…

  • Subo

    Newcastle

    Sweet little Subo gets everything right, from the generous attitude of its enthusiastic young team to its interesting wine selection and romantic…

  • Muse Restaurant

    Hunter Valley

    Inside the Hungerford Hill winery complex is the area's highest-rated restaurant, offering assured contemporary fare and stellar service in an attractive…

  • d'Arenberg Cube

    Fleurieu Peninsula

    The product of d'Arenberg winemaker Chester Osborne's vision, the d'Arenberg Cube is an eccentric, surprising place – a towering, multi-tiered, black-and…

  • Babyface

    South Coast NSW

    The risk of fusion food pays off at Babyface, where Aussie meets the rest of the world. Smaller dishes like crumbed pig's head on a saltbush stick, or…

  • Hanoi Kitchen

    Bellarine Peninsula

    Run by husband and wife Nick and Hong, this vibrant eatery on the main strip does fragrant Vietnamese salads, hearty bowls of pho, bánh mì and barbecued…

  • Underbar

    Victoria

    The current darling of the Goldfields food scene, this intimate, minimalist 12 seater only opens for a handful of seatings – and it's booked out for…

  • Nodo

    Fortitude Valley

    Light-washed Nodo serves up Brisbane's poshest doughnuts, with combos like Valrhona chocolate with beetroot. They're gluten-free, baked (not fried) and…

  • Bendooley Bar & Grill

    Southern NSW & The Murray

    Just north of Berrima, this is a top spot for a leisurely lunch showcasing local and seasonal produce. Try the linguine and blue swimmer crab with…

  • Goldfish Bowl

    New South Wales

    Hands-down the best lunch-stop in Armidale, the Goldfish Bowl serves top-notch coffee alongside artisanal breads and pastries, and toothsome lunches such…

  • Akiba

    Canberra

    Here's a place to kickstart a night out or savour 'New Asian' food with attitude. Canberra's coolest bar-restaurant is cocktails first, questions later,…

  • Il Passaggio

    South Coast NSW

    Cheerfully located on the top deck of the wharf, Il Passaggio whips up authentic pizzas and a few out-of-the-ordinary Italian dishes, like saltimbocca…

  • Efendy

    Sydney

    Occupying the house and courtyard of a venerable Balmain mansion, this immersive Turkish restaurant is a buzzy place designed for sociable dining on…

  • Happy Boy

    Fortitude Valley

    Fun, loud and always pumping, this ever-hip place draws all types with its toothsome Chinese, good enough to make your uncle weep. Dive into smashing…

  • Shelter

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    One of the region's tastiest offerings, head here for generous lashings of entrees (like 'eat 'em whole' Clarence River school prawns) and sides like…

  • Morning After

    Brisbane

    Decked out in blonde-wood furniture, terrazzo flooring and bold green accents, airy, contemporary Morning After turns out exceptional, produce-driven fare…

  • Longtime

    Fortitude Valley

    Blink and you'll miss the alley leading to this dim, kicking hotspot. The menu is designed for sharing, with a repertoire of Thai-inspired dishes that…

  • CharlotteJack

    Tasmania

    The flagship of the Providore Place complex is this glass-walled restaurant from (and named after the children of) TV celebrity chef Ben Milbourne. Select…

  • JK's Delicatessen

    Townsville & Mission Beach

    An enticing mix of deli items, many of the gourmet Italian variety, light meals (lasagne, sandwiches, pies, wraps, pastries, all-day breakfasts, Turkish…

  • Pier 33

    Sunshine Coast

    Crisp, luminous and casually sophisticated, waterfront Pier 33 serves up beautifully textured, produce-focused dishes, both large and small. Indeed, the…

  • Hub 62

    Victorian High Country

    In the historic former Masonic Hall is this relaxed and vibrant art-filled cafe that offers a distinct contemporary point of difference from the rest of…

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