gourmet traveller best restaurants australia

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

Restaurant Botanic in Adelaide named Australia’s restaurant of the year by Gourmet Traveller

Chef Justin James combines native flavours and exotic botanics to create a 20-something-course menu

• Get our weekend culture and lifestyle email

Adelaide’s Restaurant Botanic has won restaurant of the year at Gourmet Traveller’s annual awards night, which were announced in-person at a gala event on Tuesday, after being cancelled in 2020 and held online last year .

The restaurant, headed by chef Justin James and located in the middle of the South Australian capital’s botanic gardens, opened just 14 months ago after the gardens’ previous restaurant underwent a transformation. James uses plants from the surrounds, combining native flavours and more exotic botanics to create a 20-something-course menu that unfolds over at least four hours.

Accepting the award, the chef said he was “a bit shocked, to be honest”.

“I’ve been to many of these and I watched all these great chefs stand up here and pick this award up, and I said, ‘one day, I hope I can do that’. I saw them come through, the Ben Shewrys, the Dan Hunters, the Neil Perrys. And it’s pretty incredible to stand here.

“The idea I had, to go to Adelaide – everyone told me, ‘it’s not possible, maybe in Melbourne, maybe in Sydney’. It’s just pretty incredible.”

Sign up for the fun stuff with our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Saturday morning

Gourmet Traveller’s editor, Joanna Hunkin, opened the awards by paying tribute to the “deep talent, vision and strength that fuels this industry”.

“It’s what’s seen you all battle through two and a half years of hell and come out the other side. And that is worth celebrating.”

Winners from previous years appeared at the awards held at Shell House in Sydney, also one of the finalists for the best new restaurant award; Attica’s Ben Shewry attended, as did Neil Perry, whose new venue, Margaret, was awarded best new restaurant and Tedesca Osteria’s Brigitte Hafner, whose restaurant was recognised again as a state winner after being named last year’s restaurant of the year.

Prior to the pandemic, the magazine compiled a ranked list of 50 restaurants around Australia each year. Last year, however, after border restrictions and pandemic limitations made that impossible, the awards changed to recognise a winner for each state alongside an unranked list of top venues. The format has endured this year, with 82 restaurants featuring on the 2023 list .

Mug Chen and Chia Wu, two Taiwanese chefs who opened the natural wine bar and restaurant Muni in the McLaren Vale town of Willunga, SA, were awarded as best new talent, while Thi Le was named chef of the year in the night’s only peer-voted award.

Le, whose background is Vietnamese-Chinese and who grew up in Sydney’s west, dedicated her win to “all the ethnic, Asian girls who want to be chefs and didn’t want to be accountants”.

Le thanked her partner, Jia-Yen, who she says pushed her to open acclaimed fine diner Anchovy in Richmond, Melbourne. “I originally wanted to open a chicken shop! So, it’s a failed chicken shop.”

Le, who now runs Ca Com, a banh mi bar, and Jeow, a Laotian eatery, both in Melbourne, said she had always wanted to champion south-east Asian food. “Sometimes I wonder whether it’s the right thing to do. I think being recognised with this award means I’m on the right path.”

Restaurant of the year Restaurant Botanic, Adelaide, SA

Restaurant of the year state winners Pilot, Canberra, ACT Margaret, Sydney, NSW Essa, Brisbane, Queensland Restaurant Botanic, Adelaide, SA Fico, Hobart, Tasmania Tedesca Osteria, Red Hill, Victoria Lulu La Delizia, Perth, WA

Chef of the year Thi Le – Ca Com and Jeow, Melbourne, Victoria

Best new restaurant Margaret, Sydney

Best new talent Mug Chen and Chia Wu – Muni, Willunga, SA

Restaurant personality of the year Shannon Martinez – Smith & Daughters, Melbourne, Victoria

Best destination dining Van Bone, Marion Bay, Tasmania

Best wine bar Paloma, Burleigh Heads, Queensland

Outstanding contribution to hospitality Dani Valent, journalist and food communicator

• Australian food and drink
• Restaurants (Food)
• Restaurants (Travel)
• South Australia
• South Australia holidays

Most viewed

GOURMET TRAVELLER’S RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR AND WINNERS OF THE 2023 RESTAURANT AWARDS REVEALED

Posted 28 September 2022 in Uncategorized

CELEBRATING THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST IN AUSTRALIAN DINING THIS YEAR

Australia’s leading luxury food title, Gourmet Traveller , last night unveiled the winners of the Gourmet Traveller 2023 Restaurant Awards at the hospitality event of the year.

South Australia’s Restaurant Botanic has taken out the top honour at this year’s Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards , with chef Justin James accepting the award at a glittering gala event at Shell House in Sydney.

“There’s no question that Restaurant Botanic is a bravura performance,” says Gourmet Traveller editor Joanna Hunkin. “It combines fun and adventure with polish and poise. Chef Justin James doesn’t attempt perfection but rather embraces the beauty of irregularity and nature, making the most of the restaurant’s iconic location and using the garden’s bounty to create something uniquely of its place.”

The country’s leading chefs and restaurant personalities came together to celebrate the annual awards, which are Australia’s longest-running restaurant awards and a highlight of the hospitality calendar.

Neil Perry, Shannon Martinez, Ben Shewry, Brigitte Haffner, and Andrew McConnell were amongst the top chefs to attend the event, which marked the first time the awards have been announced in person, following more than two years of Covid restrictions and disruptions.

It was a night of double celebration for Perry, whose Double Bay diner Margaret was named both Best New Restaurant and the NSW state winner of Restaurant of the Year.

Tasmania claimed Best Destination Dining for Van Bone in Marion Bay, while Hobart’s Fico was named the state winner.

In South Australia, Restaurant Botanic claimed both the state prize and was named Restaurant of the Year, while the creative duo behind Willunga wine bar Muni – Mug Chen and Chia Wu – were named Best New Talent.

From Victoria, Thi Le was voted Chef of the Year in the night’s only peer-voted category, while Shannon Martinez was named Restaurant Personality of Year. Tedesca Osteria was named the state winner for the second year in a row.

Gold Coast wine bar Paloma was singled out as the Wine Bar of the Year, while Essa was awarded the state prize for Queensland.

Rounding out the state winners, Pilot was named ACT’s best restaurant for a second year running, while Perth’s Lulu La Delizia took out the honour for Western Australia.

Full profiles of all the winners, along with the full 2023 Restaurant Guide, feature in the October issue of Gourmet Traveller , on sale now.

The Gourmet Traveller 2023 Restaurant Award winners:

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR: 

RESTAURANT BOTANIC, Adelaide

STATE WINNERS:

ACT: PILOT, Canberra

NSW: MARGARET, Sydney

QLD: ESSA, Brisbane

SA: RESTAURANT BOTANIC, Adelaide

TAS: FICO, Hobart

VIC: TEDESCA OSTERIA, Red Hill

WA: LULU LA DELIZIA, Perth

CHEF OF THE YEAR:

Ca Com & Jeow, Melbourne, Vic

BEST NEW RESTAURANT: 

MARGARET, Sydney, NSW

BEST NEW TALENT: 

MUG CHEN & CHIA WU

Muni, Willunga, SA

BEST DESTINATION DINING:

VAN BONE, Marion Bay, Tas

WINE BAR OF THE YEAR: 

PALOMA, Burleigh Heads, Qld

RESTAURANT PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR:

SHANNON MARTINEZ

Smith & Daughters, Melbourne, Vic

Profiles of the award winners will be published in the October issue of Gourmet Traveller , on sale Thursday September 29 , along with the 2023 Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide,

which highlights the best dining experiences to be found in Australia in the year ahead.

This year’s awards are sponsored by Winning Appliances, PorkStar, Oceania Cruising, Ilve & Fhiaba, and Furi.

Media Enquiries

Join our newsletter.

• thrillist logo
• icons/general/search Search this site
• Go to Navigation icons/general/menu

This Year’s Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards Finalists Have Just Been Announced

The best of the best..

Published on 26/09/2021 at 11:47 PM

Every year, The Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards celebrate the best in Australian dining. The awards recognise the best new restaurants, new talent and restaurant personality of the year.

This year, due to ongoing restrictions, The Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Award winners will be announced via a virtual event on October 24, with the awards’ dinner at Melbourne’s Gimlet postponed until early 2022, when a who’s who of the industry will gather to celebrate winners and champion the strength and resilience of the hospitality industry.

Although, you can plan ahead, as we have a list of the finalists. There are five hotly contested categories including, Best New Restaurant, Best Wine Bar, Best New Talent, Restaurant Personality of the Year and Best Destination Dining—to support the tourism sector.

The coveted Restaurant of the Year award will be announced live on October 24, along with the peer-voted Chef of the Year, recognising a single chef for their contribution to Australian dining.

In addition to announcing the finalists, this month, Gourmet Traveller has named Amy Chanta , the recipient of Outstanding Contribution to Hospitality. The chef and businesswoman was instrumental in shaping Sydney’s Thai food scene, opening the first Chat Thai restaurant in 1989 on Liverpool Street in Darlinghurst.

Gourmet Traveller’s October issue will pay tribute to Amy who sadly passed away earlier this year. In tribute to Amy, the issue will showcase a selection of her signature recipes, as shared by her daughter Palisa Anderson.

Without further ado, the finalists are…

Best New Restaurant

• A’Mare, NSW
• Bianca, QLD
• Corella Bar & Restaurant, ACT
• Gimlet, VIC
• Ho Jiak Town Hall, NSW
• Porcine, NSW
• Van Bone, TAS

Best Wine Bar

• Monopole, NSW
• Mummucc, WA
• Public Wine Shop, VIC
• Snackman, QLD

Best New Talent

• Jung Eun Chae – CHAE, VIC
• Nathan Dunnell – Elska, QLD
• Rosheen Kaul – Etta Dining, VIC
• Daiki Shigeta – Fleet/Roco Ramen, NSW

Restaurant Personality of the Year

• Federica Andrisani & Oskar Rossi – Fico, TAS
• Cam Fairbairn – Café Paci, NSW
• Hannah Green – Etta Dining, VIC
• Carlo Grossi – Grossi Florentino, VIC
• Nick Hildebrandt – Monopole, NSW
• Jason Lui – Flower Drum, VIC
• Tania di Nicolo – Mummucc, WA
• Sharon Romeo – Fino, SA
• Tyron Simon, QLD

Best Destination Dining

• Oaks Kitchen and Garden, QLD
• Hentley Farm, SA
• Millbrook, WA
• Provenance, VIC
• Underbar, VIC
• Stillwater, TAS

The Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards are presented by Levantine Hill, with support from Visit Victoria, Longines, Waterford, Sub Zero & Wolf and PorkStar.

Get the latest from  Thrillist Australia  delivered straight to your inbox,  subscribe here .

Mad Mex’s New Menu Item Is Inspired by a Popular Mexican Street Food

Published on 22/11/2023 at 08:16

Mexican restaurant chain Mad Mex has dropped a new protein, and it’s one of the most popular street foods in Mexico.

Enter, Chicken Al Pastor. It’s traditionally made with pork and grilled on a spinning rotisserie with a pineapple sitting a top, but Mad Mex has put its own spin on it, serving chicken bathed in an Al Pastor marinade with a touch of juicy pineapple.

You can order the protein-packed filling in your favourite burrito , bowl, quesadilla, nachos, or in a taco.

As always, these things are here for a good time, not a long time. Pop into your local Mad Mex restaurant, order delivery or through the Mad Mex app today.

Bailey’s New Liqueur Tastes Exactly Like a Favourite Italian Dessert

By Natasha Bazika

KFC Drops a BBQ Onion Ring Burger You’ll Be Saying I Do To

Little Moon’s Adds Six New Flavours to the Freezer

Did Maccas Just Drop Its Crispiest Chicken Burger Yet?

GYG is Now Serving Crispy Chicken Tacos and Burritos

Bethesda Softworks and Uber Eats Deliver the Wonders of Starfield Via a Sci-Fi Storefront

By Thrillist Entertainment

White Claw Launched a Hard Lemonade, Proving It’s Going to Be a Hard Soda Summer

Connoisseur’s Indulgent New Ice Cream Is Like Biting Into a Jam Doughnut Without the Mess

Smirnoff Drops New Hard Soda Range in Time For a Sizzling Summer

That Famous ‘Vegan McDonald’s’ Is Coming to Sydney

Here’s How You Can Win This Chery OMODA 5

Japan’s Cult-Favourite Vodka Drink Is Coming to Australia For the First Time Ever

Food & Dining

Gourmet traveller announces the finalists in the 2022 restaurant awards.

The Gourmet Traveller team has uncovered the best restaurants around the country to bring you the finalists for the 2022 Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards in the October issue of Gourmet Traveller, on sale now.

Due to ongoing restrictions , The Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Award winners will be announced via a virtual announcement on October 24, with the awards’ dinner at Melbourne’s Gimlet postponed until early 2022, when a who’s who of the industry will gather to celebrate winners and champion the strength and resilience of the hospitality industry.

“The Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards have always been about celebrating the best in Australian dining and uncovering exciting new experiences for our readers to explore in the year ahead. It is testament to both the creativity and resilience of the industry that new venues have continued to open since March last year, offering new and exceptional experiences. Lockdowns may pause physical progress but, time has proven, they can spark even brighter, bolder plans,” says Gourmet Traveller editor, Joanna Hunkin.

Finalists have been announced in five hotly contested categories:  Best New Restaurant, Best Wine Bar, Best New Talent, Restaurant Personality of the Year and Best Destination Dining.

The coveted Restaurant of the Year award will be announced live on October 24, along with the peer-voted Chef of the Year , recognising a single chef for their contribution to Australian dining.

In addition to announcing the finalists, this month, Gourmet Traveller announces Outstanding Contribution to Hospitality recipient Amy Chanta . The chef and business woman was instrumental in shaping Sydney's Thai food scene, opening the first Chat Thai restaurant in 1989 on Liverpool Street in Darlinghurst. Gourmet Traveller’s October issue pays tribute to Amy who sadly passed away earlier this year. In tribute to Amy, the issue will showcase a selection of her signature recipes, as shared by her daughter Palisa Anderson.

The winners, along with Australia's Top 80 restaurants, will be profiled in a special Celebration Issue of  Gourmet Traveller , on sale Monday 25 October.

And the Finalists are...

Best New Restaurant

·       A’Mare, NSW

·       Aru, VIC

·       Aurora, SA

·       Bianca, QLD

·       Corella Bar & Restaurant, ACT

·       Elska, QLD

·       Gimlet, VIC

·       Ho Jiak Town Hall, NSW

·       Porcine, NSW

·       Van Bone, TAS

Best Wine Bar

·       Monopole, NSW

·       Mummucc, WA

·       Public Wine Shop, VIC

·       Sonny, TAS

·       Snackman, QLD

Best New Talent

·       Jung Eun Chae – CHAE, VIC

·       Nathan Dunnell – Elska, QLD

·       Rosheen Kaul - Etta Dining, VIC

·       Daiki Shigeta – Fleet/Roco Ramen, NSW

Restaurant Personality of the Year

·       Federica Andrisani & Oskar Rossi - Fico, TAS

·       Cam Fairbairn - Café Paci, NSW

·       Hannah Green - Etta Dining, VIC

·       Carlo Grossi - Grossi Florentino, VIC

·       Nick Hildebrandt - Monopole, NSW

·       Jason Lui - Flower Drum, VIC

·       T ania di Nicolo - Mummucc, WA

·       Sharon Romeo - Fino, SA

·       Tyron Simon – Bianca, Agnes, Same Same, Honto, QLD

Best Destination Dining

·       Oaks Kitchen and Garden, QLD

·       Hentley Farm, SA

·       Millbrook, WA

·       Provenance, VIC

·       Underbar, VIC

·       Stillwater, TAS

Gourmet Traveller reviewers arrive at restaurants unannounced and pay their own way. Each restaurant is judged on its overall dining experience, including its food and drink offering, as well as ambience, service and setting.

What risks does work outside involve? What precautions should be taken for these risks?

Many people work outside as part of their jobs. Due to the risks associated with working outside, you as an employee may be exposed to health and safety risks. Working...

Make the Most of Your Plastic Bags in Your Motorhome

For those who know how to enjoy the experience, living in a motorhome is enjoyable and thrilling. The myth that living in a motorhome can cost a lot of money...

Volcano Man to screen across Australia with Palace Cinemas

This November, the Australian feature documentary Volcano Man will screen in Palace Cinemas in major cities across the country to drive awareness and fundraising for men’s mental health in partnership with Movember – the global leading men’s health charity.  Premiering at the 2022...

Rogers Digital

News services, our news network.

Australia and Oceania Chevron

Australia Chevron

Victoria Chevron

Melbourne Chevron

20 Best Restaurants in Melbourne

By Dan F. Stapleton

It’s considered Australia’s most food-forward city (even Sydneysiders grudgingly agree), and it pulls farther ahead of the competition with each passing year. Local produce and native Australian ingredients feature prominently, whether you’re dining at a buzzy Asian-fusion joint in a downtown laneway, or eating at a fine diner on the World’s 50 Best list. Here are some of the current standouts for Melbourne's best restaurants, hand-picked by our editors.

Lûmé may not have cracked the World's 50 Best list just yet, but the hugely ambitious fine-dining destination in South Melbourne is heading in the right direction, wowing Melburnians with its technical wizardry, ingenious ingredient pairings, and endearing sense of grandeur. The menu changes a lot, but some dishes tend to pop up again and again: The sea corn taco, filled with delicate crab custard and molded to look like corn kernels; squid with complex sauces; and "pearl on the seafloor," an oyster hidden beneath sesame "sand," royal-blue scampi roe, and other accoutrements.

Attica Arrow

Attica, Australia's most lauded fine dining destination, just keeps getting better. After a comprehensive renovation in 2017, Ben Shewry's Outback-inspired restaurant in Ripponlea feels more comfortable—and comforting—than ever, with a raft of new dishes that shed light on little-known native Australian ingredients. The meal, which lasts about three hours, begins with a flutter of greens from Shewry's garden and moves on to more substantial meat and fish dishes featuring dozens of native Australian ingredients, from lemon myrtle and pepperberry to desert oak wattle seeds and native blooms.

The industrial-looking dining room and menu of small plates may no longer be cutting edge, but this decade-old Vietnamese fusion restaurant in City Centre still feels fresh and exciting. Respected chef Adam D'Sylva pairs Southeast Asian techniques with Australian produce to remarkable effect. Not everything on the menu stuns, but the signature dishes—the aromatic duck yellow curry, barramundi with jungle aromats, the wok-tossed lamb with lemongrass—are so satisfying that they make up for the occasional underwhelming appetizer.

Flower Drum Arrow

Flower Drum has been operating more-or-less unchanged for three decades, but this Cantonese classic in Chinatown still manages to excite and delight in equal measure. The restaurant remains deferential to traditional Chinese recipes, including some exemplary dim sum selections, and is also admired for its breadth of seafood. If you'd like to eat simply, a meal of dim sum, egg rolls and Peking duck won't disappoint. But it's also worth sampling some of Flower Drum's more adventurous dishes, such as the tangy "noodles" made with barramundi meat, Chinese pork sausage, and tangerine zest.

Stacey Lastoe

Tonya Russell

Steph Koyfman

Emily Pennington

Cutler & Co. Arrow

Serial restaurateur and chef Andrew McConnell is arguably Melbourne's best-known food personality, and this fine dining restaurant on ever-so-trendy Gertrude Street in Fitzroy is his signature spot. In 2017, McConnell gave the place an Art Deco–inspired refurb, unleashed a dozen fun bar snacks, and refined the already-elegant menu in the main dining room. It may no longer be new, but Cutler & Co. remains essential. This is bistro fare as seen through a fine dining lens: Dry-aged rib eye with house-made mustard, smoked maple-glazed muscovy duck with quince and liquorice, and Jerusalem artichokes with walnut sauce. The Champagnes and fresh, fizzy cocktails are celebratory and truly seductive, so don't feel ashamed if you decide to spend all evening near the bar.

Rockpool Bar & Grill Arrow

Helmed by celebrity chef Neil Perry, Rockpool is unashamedly modeled on great American steakhouses, but Asian influences and superlative local produce give them an edge. You could dine perfectly well on items from the raw bar—the crudo of hiramasa kingfish, ocean trout, and bigeye tuna with finger lime, horseradish, and trout roe is sensational—but then you'd miss the steak, which is unquestionably the star here. The grass-fed Australian beef varieties are dry-aged on the premises and served with a dizzying array of decadent sides. Rockpool Melbourne is part of the gargantuan Crown Casino complex and adopts a suitably moneyed tone.

Grossi Florentino Arrow

Melburnians have been visiting this handsome Chinatown venue for Italian food since the 1920s, but it wasn't until 1999, when the Grossi family took over, that it became a fine-dining heavy hitter. Expect classic dishes made with opulent ingredients and dashes of modern flair. The menu changes seasonally but seafood remains a dominant feature; a recent dish of seaweed taglierini with prawn and bottarga brought to mind crashing through late-summer waves. The six-course "Gran Tour" never disappoints, but picky eaters may prefer to choose the three-course prix-fixe instead.

Sunda Arrow

This Southeast Asian joint in Chinatown was an instant word-of-mouth success when it opened in mid-2018, and it has managed to sustain its initial buzz by tweaking its playful, slightly disorientating, menu. To get an idea of chef Khanh Nguyen's style, start with the wagyu rendang buns, served with pickled radish and fermented sambal—just be careful not to fill up on them. Then, meander through the medium-sized dishes (make sure you try the spanner-crab curry with finger lime and rice crackers, an exceptionally effective Asian/Australian mashup) before gorging on the mains. Nguyen's union of Southeast Asian recipes and Australian native ingredients is inspired, making Sunda the best kind of sharing restaurant: One where you'll actually talk about the food.

Ishizuka Arrow

Kaiseki, a kind of Japanese degustation menu with a strong seasonal focus, has lately taken root in Melbourne, and Ishizuka is doing it better than anyone. This is delicate, thoughtful food steeped in tradition and served in a humble 16-seat basement space in the CBD. No two nights here are the same, but some themes are consistent: seemingly low-key dishes may in fact be luxurious; the custards and jellies are transcendental; there's always a seafood soup; and the sashimi shows off local fish like snapper. Service here is an art form as finely calibrated as the kaiseki itself. Better yet, it's also utterly unobtrusive.

Supernormal Arrow

This perennially packed, decidedly casual spot in the CBD from Melbourne titan Andrew McConnell perfectly sums up the area: The menu mashes together half a dozen Asian cuisines, the crowd is heavy on well-dressed international students, and the service is delivered at lightning speed. The raw bar is usually the star here—seafood like oysters and kingfish are always A-grade and prepared with deference to Japan. Don't overlook the meaty mains, including the exemplary char-grilled Wagyu strip-loin, which is served with green pepper, spinach, and caterpillar mushrooms.

Etta, an unfussy bistro in East Brunswick, has no real gimmicks and no overarching food philosophy; rather, it simply offers reliably delicious seasonal dishes plus some of Melbourne's most interesting bottles. The bulk of the starters are vegetarian with a strong seasonal focus, which could mean meaty mushrooms with chestnuts in winter or rich crumbed eggplant in summer. Of the three or four mains, the fish is often the highlight; the New Zealand salmon with horseradish and finger lime is a perennial standout. Finish with an ice-cream sandwich enlivened with lemon verbena. Nothing feels forced at Etta, from the seasonal menu to the waitstaff's repartee. It's the sort of restaurant you'll wish you had in your neighborhood.

Transformer Fitzroy Arrow

Transformer, a contemporary vegetarian spot in a converted warehouse in Fitzroy, is casual enough for a quick supper, yet far-reaching enough for a grand night out. The appetizers are geared toward cocktail hounds: Zesty dips and light nibbles that pair well with the drinks. If you want a proper meal, however, turn straight to the shared-plates section. The vegetables plates are the stars; don't miss the cumin-braised eggplant with chermoula, smoked labneh, quinoa crisps, and mint, and order two servings of the grilled pears with chestnuts and white beans.

Iki-Jime Arrow

Iki Jime, the newest venture from star chef and restaurateur Shannon Bennett, serves nothing but ocean produce, and does it in an unadorned black-walled dining room on Collins Street. The oysters are impeccable and the red-wine-braised octopus appetizer charming, but the less obvious dishes are where Iki Jime really shines. Fresh truffles nestle in the calamari noodles like treasure in a cave, and the yabby tart is held together with rich seaweed "fudge." For mains, choose your fish and cooking method and let the chefs adorn it accordingly.

Saint Crispin Arrow

When this hip fine-dining restaurant opened in 2013, Smith Street was a scruffy place. Since then, Collingwood has become one of Melbourne's trendiest neighborhoods, and Saint Crispin now fits in perfectly. Half-a-dozen chefs rub shoulders and tap-dance in a tiny open kitchen, and that liveliness extends to the food itself: The pork jowl appetizer with eggplant, apple, and smoked pork dashi is truly invigorating, while the venison with smoked beetroot and radicchio is to-die-for. The five- and seven-course tasting menus are both a great value.

Smith & Daughters Arrow

Chef Shannon Martinez dreamed up Smith & Daughters in 2014 as an antidote to the virtuous vegan fare she found elsewhere in Melbourne. Her zesty, calorific Latin-American menu was an instant smash, and her recent turn towards Italian cuisine has been similarly acclaimed—even by devoted carnivores. Located in Melbourne's boho inner north, Smith & Daughters draws a mostly local crowd who seem to have adopted the place as their de facto living room. Quiet nights are a rarity, but the vibe remains respectful. The best dishes here are the unashamedly vegan ones, such as pillowy gnocchi with broccoli-rabe pesto and earthy baked eggplant with complex cashew cheese.

Matilda 159 Domain Arrow

At Matilda 159 Domain, the latest addition to Scott Pickett's culinary empire pairs an oh-so-chic South Yarra location with an audacious menu of fire-cooked delicacies. The food is both indulgent and moreish, wonderfully fresh but also smoky and charred. Don't pass up the wood-oven salmon roe tartlets with bonito cream; the exquisite spanner crab, rendered tangy with citrus and served with prawn-buttered flatbread; or the whole Macedon duck, smoked over cherry wood and served with an array of flamed vegetables. The tarte tatin with smoked vanilla ice cream is an unmissable finish.

Ides, which began as a buzzy pop-up from former Attica sous-chef Peter Gunn, is now a permanent restaurant in grungy Collingwood, and one of the more glamorous restaurant experiences in Melbourne. Gunn keeps diners on their feet, eschewing signature dishes in favor of an evolving chef's menu of inventive vegetable presentations followed by a variety of meats and unusual desserts. Sesame sourdough served with peanut-infused butter is a constant, however, and thank goodness: It's close to perfect. He also breaks the fourth wall by sending his chefs into the dining room to serve some of the food—a charming touch. Waitstaff looks after the remainder of the service with a flourish.

Osteria Ilaria Arrow

With its easy-breezy Mediterranean food, adventurous drinks list, and shoulder-rubbing intimacy, Osteria Ilaria is fast becoming a favorite hangout among locals in the CBD. Appetizers here pack a punch: The porcini croquettes have achieved local legend status, and the calamari with fava beans and paprika is deeply satisfying. If there's pasta on the menu, try it, but don't neglect the rustic meat dishes, including a superlative rabbit sausage. The remarkably pleasant atmosphere, fortifying food, and diverse drinks make this restaurant a quietly impressive choice for a satisfying lunch or casual dinner.

Ezard Arrow

This veteran fine-dining destination in the CBD has tightened up its menu in recent years, and not a single dish on its Asian-inflected menu feels superfluous. It remains one of Melbourne's best bets for a satisfying white-tablecloth experience. Ezard's city-staple status makes it an evergreen favorite with Melbourne's grown-ups, but a younger crowd has recently started showing up, too, drawn in by young head chef Jarrod Di Blasi's recent changes to restaurateur Teage Ezard's foundational formula. Di Blasi has recently amped up the Japanese influences at Ezard, offering cured swordfish with seaweed, pickled ginger and whipped sheep's yogurt as a starter and fluffy salmon with braised daikon, shiitake and citrus kosho dashi to follow. Other winning dishes include the rich Wagyu with ox tongue and pepper jus, and a cosmic dark chocolate sphere with beetroot. Each of the eight-course tasting menus (regular, vegetarian, and vegan) are well-balanced and attractively priced.

Longsong Arrow

Locals flock to Longsong in Chinatown on balmy evenings for Southeast Asian vibes, wood-fired meats, and cocktails. The primary cooking equipment here is a wood-fired grill, and its aromas are redolent of a Bangkok night market. Standouts include the baby octopus skewers with chilli and the duck breast with plum sauce; even the grilled greens and potatoes come smeared with char. Save the vibrant grilled calamari and hot mint salad with ink and garlic for last—it's an unforgettable final bite.

Recommended

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

• Travel blog

A foodie's guide to the best restaurants in Adelaide

Food blogger christina soong knows and loves food, revealing her favourite foodie jaunts in adelaide..

Adelaide’s restaurants, wineries and food producers are world-class and we enjoy an enviably easy lifestyle – I live five minutes from the beach, twenty minutes from the city, forty five minutes from the Adelaide Hills and an hour from the Barossa, Australia’s most famous wine region.

I can’t think of another city where I can live in such convenient proximity to so many exceptional food and wine experiences. Here are some of my favourite foodie things to do in Adelaide.

If you only have time for one fine dining experience in Adelaide, make it Orana. Why? Because you can’t have this experience anywhere else and that is the very definition of a must-do. What makes Orana so special? For starters, the food is spectacular and uniquely, definitively, Australian: while lots of Australian chefs are sprinkling native Australian ingredients like wattle seed and muntrie berries throughout their menus, nobody is using them so comprehensively and with such stunning results as chef Jock Zonfrillo (ex Marco Pierre White, Damien Hirst’s The Pharmacy, Restaurant 41 and Magill Estate Restaurant).

The plants and insects that grow in the Australian outback have to be tough to survive so they’re not always immediately palatable – it can take time and persistence to work out how to make the most of them. But Jock has been studying and experimenting with bush ingredients since the early 2000s. Equally importantly, he’s built up relationships with Aboriginal groups throughout South Australia over the years who supply his kitchen with unusual and hard-to-find ingredients. Doing the degustation menu in Orana’s beautiful dining room is to be constantly surprised, challenged, delighted and intrigued. I couldn’t ask for more.

Orana was named Australia’s Restaurant of the Year 2018 by Gourmet Traveller magazine and Restaurant of the Year 2019 by the Good Food Guide.

Where to find it: 285 Rundle Street, Adelaide. Tel: (08) 8232 3444. Open for lunch on Fridays and for dinner Tuesday to Saturday.

When deciding where to meet someone for dinner, Peel St is always on my short list because I know I’m not going to be disappointed. The restaurant industry is a fickle one: you can always spot the troubled restaurant when you notice that they’ve included every single trendy ingredient or cooking style in a muddled dog’s breakfast of a menu. Conversely, confident chefs keep an eye on the competition but they focus on doing their own thing and doing it well. It’s this commitment to craft and self-belief that makes all the difference and I think it’s partly why the crew at Peel St cook some of the best food to come out of Adelaide.

Chef Jordan Theodoros was formerly the well-credentialed owner/chef at Goolwa’s Aquacaf; previously, he worked at The Melting Pot and Sydney’s Darley Street Thai. At Peel St, Jordon and co cook the type of food they like to eat at home so the dishes are brimming with flavor, generously sized, beautifully presented and consistently impressive. Add to this a pared back but inviting dining room with dark floorboards, exposed brickwork and intimate lighting, and friendly servers and Peel St is a place that you’ll want to return to again and again.

Where to find it: 9 Peel Street, Adelaide. Tel: (08) 8231 8887. Open: 7:30am-5pm Monday – Friday (kitchen closes at 3pm) and 6:30pm until late Thursday to Saturday.

Seeing the personality of a chef reveal itself through his or her cooking is an anthropological puzzle that I find endlessly intriguing. So I loved the concept of Africola immediately. Chef Duncan Welgemoed’s impressive CV includes stints at Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck, Restaurant Gordon Ramsey and modern French restaurant, Bistro Dom in Adelaide, which he steered to Best New Restaurant awards and associated glory. Instead of resting on his laurels he then opened Africola, a return to his roots and his childhood growing up in South Africa and an entirely different experience altogether.

Inside, the design by Duncan’s partner, James Brown of Mash Graphic Design, is colourful, frenetic and cheeky: dining at Africola feels like you’re having a fun dinner party at a (very cool) friend’s place. In terms of the menu, forget about ordering a la carte and opt instead for the Kitchen Menu so you can work your way through the glorious spit roasted meat of the day, Peri-Peri chicken, kingish sashimi and smoked and roasted vegetables. Andrew Macaroon’s cunningly blended and dangerously delicious cocktails are a must, too. Enjoyed with a group of friends, Africola is a fantastic dining experience and a very fun one too.

Where to find it: 4 East Terrace, Adelaide. Tel: (08) 8223 3885. Open: Tuesday to Saturday for dinner from 6:30pm.

Press* Food & Wine

In the current era of restaurant dining, where smart dining rooms, a relaxed ambience and shared plates rule supreme, Press* Food & Wine has emerged as a tried and tested member of the new establishment. Press makes sophisticated comfort food for grown ups - think slow-cooked pork belly, sliders, mixed offal plates, excellent steaks and mash and indulgent desserts that are perfect for sharing.

Press* is the culinary equivalent of that great little black dress that a woman can pull out time and time again for different occasions, knowing it’ll make her look fantastic every time. Date with a new prospect? Anniversary dinner? Catch up with your best mate? Press* works every time. You’ll need to book if you want to eat upstairs but downstairs is reserved exclusively for walk-ins making Press* a too-easy choice any night of the week.

Where to find it: 40 Waymouth Street, Adelaide. Tel: (08) 8211 8048. Open: Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner from 12 noon until late.

Haigh’s Chocolates

Do you remember that scene in Breakfast at Tiffany’s when Holly Golightly explained why she liked visiting Tiffany’s when she got a case of the mean reds? “The quietness and the proud look of it; nothing very bad could happen to you there,” she said. As a young girl I felt exactly the same way about visiting Haigh’s: as my eyes darted dreamily around the brown and gold store the intoxicating smell of chocolate would fill my nostrils.

The oldest chocolate factory in Australia makes chocolates that should savoured: shoving them mindlessly down your throat when you’re upset would be an insult to chocolate of this quality. Haigh’s runs free, 20-minute factory tours every day so you can watch the chocolates being made before enjoying a complimentary tea or coffee and chocolate. I dare you to take a tour and not drool just a little.

Where to find it: 154 Greenhill Road, Parkside. Tel: 8372 7070 (tour bookings are essential). Open: 830am – 5:30pm from Monday to Friday.

Adelaide Central Market

Growing up, visiting the Adelaide Central Market was always a happy occasion – my parents would do their food shopping and then we’d lunch on Asian food at the food court, running into half a dozen friends along the way. For a brief period of time when I was a stay-at-home mum I’d take my toddler to the Adelaide Central Market every Thursday and we’d follow the same routine – we’d people watch over a baby ‘cino and soy latte at Lucia’s, do the shopping, and then finish up with Hainanese chicken rice at China Town Café. Nowadays, my life is a lot busier so we don’t make it to the market each week anymore. But when we do, my kids know the routine like pros.

Where to find it: 44-60 Gouger Street, Adelaide. Tel: 8203 7494. Open: Tuesday from 7am-5:30pm, Wednesday and Thursday from 9am-5:30pm, Fridays from 7am-9pm and Saturdays from 7am-3pm. Closed Mondays.

Little NNQ is the smarter, city offshoot of the popular Vietnamese restaurant, NNQ, which moved to a new location in Woodville towards the end of 2014. Being centrally located, Little NNQ is a great place to meet friends for a causal catch up and it’s kid friendly, too. My kids love making the roll-your-own sugar cane prawn rolls before tucking into a bowl of beef pho.

Where to find it: 125 Gouger Street, Adelaide. Tel (08) 8211 8558. Open: 11:30am-10pm Wedesday to Monday. Closed Tuesdays.

Devour Café & Patisserie

I first came across pastry chef Quang Nguyen a few years when he collaborated with Duncan Welgemoed at Bistro Dom on a wine degustation. Curious, I visited his busy late-night dessert bar on Prospect Road and came away even more intrigued. Instead of serving up easy crowd-pleasers, Quang was constantly deconstructing classic desserts and experimenting with new flavours and textures. Since moving to gorgeous new digs in Richmond, Devour has morphed into a daytime café and patisserie serving up excellent breakfast and lunch dishes, pastries and desserts. The food is not the only thing easy on the eye - Devour’s clientele are typically young, gorgeous and/or hip.

Where to find it: Davenport Terrace, Richmond. Tel: 0411 536 343. Open: 7am-4pm Monday to Friday and 8am-4pm Saturday and Sunday.

For those mornings when you’re badly hangover or just completely ravenous, Ding Hao provides succor and relief in the form of steamed and fried dumplings, noodles and pastries. When eating yum cha (literal translation: to drink tea) it’s best to go with a crowd so that you can order a mountain of food and try a bit of anything: yum cha for two might be cosy but it’s also deeply unsatisfying as even the most enthusiastic eater has to admit defeat at some point.

My typical dim sum order for your easy reference: har gao (prawn dumplings), sui mai (pork and prawn dumplings), pai gwat (spare ribs), char siu bao (roast pork bun), gai lan (steamed Chinese broccoli), chee cheong fun (steamed rice noodles), xiao long bao (Shanghainese pork dumplings), salt and pepper squid, mango pudding, ma lai go (golden syrup sponge), and dan tart (egg tarts). To wash it all down, order a pot of Gook Bo tea, a strongly fragranced and robust blend of dried chrysanthemum flowers and Pu-erh tea.

Where to find it: 26 Gouger Street, Adelaide. Tel: (08) 8211 7036. Open: 11am-3pm and then 5pm-10pm daily.

LET’S STAY IN TOUCH

Sign up for our newsletter and get top stories, exclusive offers, events and free travel inspiration straight to your inbox!

ADD TO TRIP

Go to trip planner to manage your trips.

This page relies on JavaScript to function. Please enable it. Thank You! 🚀

Saved stories

You don’t have any saved content.

• Industry News

Australia’s best restaurants revealed

Australia’s leading restaurants and culinary talent are being celebrated in the September issue of Gourmet Traveller, which has unveiled the finalists of its annual restaurant awards for 2023.

The winners will be announced at the Gourmet Traveller 2023 Restaurant Awards which will be held 27 September at Sydney’s Shell House.

A highlight of Australia’s culinary calendar, the gala event will celebrate the country’s top restaurants, chefs and hospitality leaders, which continue to prove Australian dining is among some of the most dynamic and creative in the world, despite the challenges of the past year.

In addition to the above finalists, a further three awards will be presented on the night for Outstanding Contribution to Hospitality, Chef of the Year and the prestigious Restaurant of the Year, with award winners published in the October issue of the luxury food magazine.

The finalists for the Gourmet Traveller 2023 Restaurant Awards are:

BEST NEW RESTAURANT

Arkhe, SA Di Stasio Carlton, VIC Frui Momento, WA Lana, NSW Margaret, NSW Onzieme, ACT Peppina, TAS Shell House, NSW Grill Americano, VIC

BEST DESTINATION DINING

Armia Estate, WA Beach, NSW Blume, QLD Chauncy, VIC Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard, SA Van Bone, TAS

BEST NEW TALENT

Alex Wong, NSW Dennis Yong, VIC Ethan Ferris, QLD Elizabeth Mitchell, NSW Helly Raichura, VIC Mug Chen & Chia Wu, SA Rohan Park, WA

RESTAURANT PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR

Andy Clappis, SA Elise Jacobsen, WA Laura Stucken, TAS Shannon Martinez, VIC Simon Gloftis, QLD

WINE BAR OF THE YEAR

Bar Merenda, VIC Bar Rochford, ACT Casa, WA Good Gilbert, SA Paloma, QLD Paski Vineria Popolare, NSW

Related stories

Australia’s favourite hotels revealed

Australia’s most sustainable city revealed

Restaurants in brisbane, restaurants in melbourne, restaurants in sydney.

Eventbrite reduces fees in Australia

• Australia's best restaurants
• Australian restaurants
• Gourmet Traveller
• Gourmet Traveller 2023 Restaurant Awards

Leave a comment: Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. All fields are required

Sign up now

Join our mailing list to keep up to date with the latest event industry news direct to your inbox

The A-Z guide for organising events

• Suppliers Venues

New GM appointments across TFE Hotels

Commitment to culinary excellence at optus stadium, five tips for professional resilience, celebrating the past, present and future at the fullerton hotel, melbourne to host 2025 ufi asia pacific conference.

Search from hundreds of cafes, wine bars and restaurants nationwide

Find a restaurant, search results, glebe point diner, cutler & co., cumulus inc., fatto bar & cantina, supernormal, margan restaurant, maxwell restaurant @ maxwell winery, hentley farm restaurant, ruby red flamingo, the standard, participating restaurants, ormeggio at the spit, marta osteria, public dining room, china diner - double bay, vinery foods, the meat & wine co barangaroo, mrs jones restaurant bar lounge, mamak melbourne, the meat & wine co adelaide, sake restaurant & bar double bay, italian street kitchen neutral bay, a portal for discovery, an experience for any occasion, a great travel companion, a selection you can trust, sign-up to stay in touch for news and deals.

19 of the best restaurants in Darwin for all occasions

Kate Bettes

Travel Journalist

30 October 2023

Darwin’s best restaurants add a healthy dollop of spice and experimentation to cuisines you might have tried before.

Asian markets, hipster cafes and jovial Greek tavernas meet high-end restaurants, perfect for sampling wild ingredients such as banana prawns, crocodiles and kangaroo. Here is our guide to the best places to eat in Darwin .

Best Asian restaurants in Darwin

Whether you’re feasting on Sri Lankan string hoppers, pork-stuffed Thai chicken wings or freshly made Vietnamese banh mi, you can tell that Darwin’s soul is in step with its closest neighbours.

1. Little Miss Korea

The hottest joint in Darwin is Little Miss Korea . Down a graffiti-filled laneway, the restaurant serves up the traditional Kimchi and Korean BBQ (think Bulgogi beef or Jaeyuk Gui Spiced Pork Belly) or just a more than ample a la carte. The wine list is small but well put together with the obligatory cocktails.

Little Miss Korea offers a modern take on Korean à la carte meals. (Image: Tourism NT)

2. Smith Street Mall

For authentic, budget-friendly Asian delights, make a beeline for the arcades around the Smith Street mall. Don’t miss Roast & Noodle 328 for a cheap and cheerful Chinese barbecue and a mouth-watering prawn wonton soup.

If you love a bit of Vietnamese pho (and let’s face it who doesn’t) then head to the waterfront and slurp down some of the finest rice noodles with raw beef at kitschy-cool Chow.

Chow is a bolthole of authentic Vietnamese food. (Image: Tourism NT)

The pan-Asian restaurant Hanuman may be an established favourite, but it still cuts it with an enticing mix of Indian, Thai and Nyonya flavours. Cool down on its fabulous deck and tuck into the signature clay pot oysters presented in an earthenware holder and served with vivid lemongrass and sweet basil sauce.

Feast on pan-Asian favourites. (Image: Tourism NT)

5. The Noodle House

The Noodle House opposite Hanuman is great for unfussy inexpensive quick and easy noodles.

Noodle House is notable for its Chinese stir-fry recipes. (Image: Tourism NT)

6. Ella – by Minoli

A luxurious take on modern Sri Lankan cuisine. Ella – by Minoli promises a well-balanced mix of flavours, which pays homage to Sri Lankan food’s Ayurvedic properties, as well as creative and original cocktails.

For the menu, think mas cutlis fried meatballs with a chunky tomato tamarind sauce, crispy whitebait with curry-leaf mayonnaise, and wild-caught Australian king prawns slathered with Lankan butter, as well as black pepper pork belly, served with tamarind coconut sauce and pineapple salsa and much more.

Best Greek restaurants in Darwin

Darwin has a strong Greek heritage and you can indulge in home-style mezedes, juicy meats, grilled seafood and mama’s syrupy sweets on the deck at Yots , overlooking Cullen Bay Marina.

Yots serves traditional Greek food. (Image: Tourism NT)

Best upmarket restaurants in Darwin

8. pee wee’s at the point.

With its sweeping views across Fannie Bay to Darwin, tables on the water’s edge under native fig trees, and innovative Top End favourites, Pee Wee’s at the Point is the ideal place to make the most of the balmy, tropical weather.

Try the macadamia and mint-crusted lamb rack. (Image: Tourism NT)

Appealing dishes such as buffalo carpaccio, tempeh bao buns and crocodile wrapped in betel leaf celebrate Territory produce.

An equally charming night out can be had at Char , an upmarket surf-and-turf restaurant in historic Admiralty House.

The beef (including 300-day grain-fed Wagyu rump) and the crispy fried whole baby barramundi are the stars of the menu, but it’s hard to resist a mojito under the lantern-lit trees.

The restaurant prides itself on its meticulously curated dishes. (Image: Tourism NT)

10. Wharf 1

For the best crispy barramundi in Darwin drop in on Wharf 1 at the waterfront.

The crispy potatoes with Szechuan salt are incredibly addictive. (Image: Tourism NT)

Magnificent views of the harbour are matched with a selection of cured and raw plates (think carpaccio, cured salmon, charcuterie plates and tartare) and grilled meats or small share plates.

Have a sumptuous lunchtime feast at Wharf 1. (Image: Tourism NT/Shaana McNaught)

11. PepperBerry

One of the town’s best-rated restaurants can be found in one of Darwin’s top-rated hotels , PepperBerry at The Hilton Darwin. Its modern Australia menu features miso tempura crocodile with mango green chilli sauce, Black Angus steaks and baked Massaman market fish in a fine dining setting and gorgeous atmosphere.

Casual dining in Darwin

The most laid-back capital in Australia does casual dining better than most. The iconic Mindil Beach Markets are just one of several outstanding Darwin markets . Most locals can be found on a picnic blanket on the Nightcliff on a Sunday chowing down on a mic of food van and BYO dinner and drinks.

12. Nightcliff Foreshore’s food truck scene

Twenty minutes north of the CBD in artsy hub Nightcliff, a ‘village walk’ of new-breed food trucks has popped up alongside the suburb’s milky-blue ocean fringe.

The iconic Nightcliff Foreshore. (Image: Tourism NT)

Further north lies Teardrop Coffee (Monday to Saturday), a pop-up blue-and-white vintage van with the pick of early morning locations: a stand-up paddle boarder’s section of beach, set right by the Aralia Street and Casuarina Drive intersection. Here, owner Imogen Gough brews java beside a scattering of milk crates and a lush strip of lawn.

By night, just around the bend at the Seabreeze car park (Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays), you’ll find the jewel in the foreshore’s food truck crown. Cucina Sotto Le Stelle translates from Italian to ‘kitchen under the stars’. In his mobile restaurant, chef Benjamin Matthews wood-fires traditional pizzas, while diners share long, communal tables set beneath illuminated flame trees.

Try the risotto with NT squid ink, garlic and blue swimmer crab. But do take note that the menu here shifts with the seasons, so while you may not always find your favourite, you can be assured the freshest produce Matthews can get his hands on.

Dine al fresco on long picnic tables at Cucina sotto le stelle. (Image: Tourism NT/Christopher Nayna)

13. Hot Tamale

For a spicy, funky Mexican feed down on the water, look no further than Hot Tamale . As well as the usual suspects, this water-view restaurant dishes up raw snapper ceviche with local tropical fruits, hot pork shoulder served in steaming tamale, spiced chicken, topped with cocoa and dried fruit mole and much more.

Head to Hot Tamale if you’re craving Mexican food. (Image: Tourism NT)

If you want to save on the dollars, arrive for Hot Tamale’s ‘Loco Arvos’ at 4pm to 6pm for $6 tacos, sangria and beers, as well as $12 spicy or frozen margaritas. Now that’s a perfect sunset pairing!

Chill out with a cocktail in hand. (Image: Tourism NT)

14. Crustaceans on the Wharf

A classic surf and turf restaurant on the Darwin waterfront at Stokes Hill Wharf. Pull up a chair outside, and order from the enormous menu, which includes crocodile fillet skewers, grilled squid, sizzling chilli prawns, grilled beef and lobsters, wild barramundi, Northern Territory mud crabs (when in season), and Moreton bay bugs.

Book a romantic dinner by the sea. (Image: Tourism NT)

15. The Oyster Bar

If you’ve staked money that Darwin is ‘not an oyster kind of palace’, you can just put your cash on one of the waterside tables of the Oyster Bar . Located at the Darwin Waterfront Precinct, as well as Coffin Bay oysters served up every which way (natural, Kilpatrick, Thai, with caviar …), you can also opt for house pickled octopus, coconut crumbed prawns, pork belly bites and popcorn crocodile with salad and bush tomato relish.

Happy hour runs from 4pm (5pm Fridays).

Find oysters served up every which way at the Darwin Waterfront Precinct. (Image: Tourism NT/Christopher Nayna)

Darwin’s ‘clubs’

16. darwin ski club.

For an unencumbered beverage and an open outlook over a classic Top End sunset, many Darwinites will rightfully recommend Darwin Ski Club .

Enjoy flavourful casual dining options.

Grab a table on the manicured lawns, choose your fave bottled beer and watch the boats bob up and down in Fannie Bay, the palm trees reminding you that, hey, you’re in the tropics now. The bistro food here is also on the rise.

Simply pop into Ski Club for friendly hangouts over dinner. (Image: Tourism NT/Cait Miers)

Other options include the Darwin Sailing Club or the Darwin Trailer Boat Club . They’re all neighbours that share the beachfront linking Mindil with Fannie Bay.

Seeing the sunset at Darwin Ski Club is bucket-list worthy. (Image: Tourism Australia/Allan Dixon)

Fun Darwin restaurants and bars

We’ve previously written about our favourite bars in Darwin , but have included a few more options for a bevvy and a feed below.

17. Deckchair Cinema

The open-air Deckchair Cinema (April to October) has very little chance of being interrupted by rain and it screens an intelligent array of films seven nights a week (on the Darwin Waterfront). There’s a licensed bar and decent food to help you enjoy the show (no BYO) with double-session marathons for the buffs. Definitely one of our favourite things to do in Darwin.

Spend a tropical night at Deckchair Cinema. (Image: Tourism NT/Friederike Franze)

18. Lola’s Pergola

Lola’s Pergola is a cabaret and carnival-themed restaurant and bar in the harbour-side precinct of Cullen Bay.

It is the sister bar to Monte’s Lounge, an Alice Springs staple with a cracker of an outdoor area and more atmosphere than you’ll find at a footy grand final.

Lola’s serves up another NT newbie, too, a draught beer from local Darwin label One Mile Brewery. Cheekily, the beer’s name is drawn from the knock-off time for public servants: 4:21.

19. Nirvana

If you like to mix spice with music, then head to Nirvana on a Tuesday evening. It’s jam night where plenty of talented Darwin musicians pick up a sax or play impromptu drum sets. Fantastic cocktails – try the whisky sour – and Thai/Malay/Indian food is consistently flavoursome too.

Expect to dine on fresh Asian flavours from Thailand, Malaysia and South East Asia. (Image: Tourism NT/Christopher Nayna)

For more insider tips, check out our ultimate travel guide to Darwin here .

Kate Bettes is a freelance travel writer. Whether having a picnic in Vietnamese jungle with new friends, or partying in the back of a limousine in Hollywood, Kate’s experiences have left her with the sneaking suspicion that the best travel memories happen when you least expect. It’s this feeling - and how to get it - that she loves to write about.

LEAVE YOUR COMMENT

Cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

One Comment

My Wife and myself come up to Darwin every second year for the Football AFL -FREO We always bring some one with us ,last time one of our grandson he had a great time ever time we come we find more to do

You might also like

Restaurant review: Hanuman, Darwin, NT

Where do you eat when you’re only in town for a few hours? Go where the recommendations point you, and you won’t be disappointed. When I told p...

© Australian Traveller Media 2024. All rights reserved.

10 masterful cookware sets for the discerning home chef

Level up your dinner party game with these top-quality cookware sets.

10 best cookware sets for the home chef

Chatham 10 Piece Cookware Set, $317.97 (usually $529.95), GreenPan Designed for everyday use, this sturdy Chatham collection features GreenPan's signature healthy ceramic non-stick coating. Reinforced with diamonds for extra resilience, you can simmer and sear with ease. SHOP NOW

Cosmic Cookware bundle sets, from $139, Cosmic Cookware Combining functionality with good looks, Cosmic Cookware is a relatively new cookware brand in the Australian market that offers quality, Swiss-certified pots and pans without the high prices. If you're looking to upgrade your entire cookware set , the brand offers everything from a starter set to an impressive 7-piece set , as pictured; and also has recently released new cookware inspired by East Asian cooking, such as the Cosmo Wok and Cosmo Fry 28 , as well as a range of culinary classics that include a stylish casserole dish . Plus, Cosmic Cookware is non-toxic; suits gas, electric, and induction stovetops; and features a two-coat system that distributes heat evenly.

4 Piece Cookware Set, $630 (usually $1015), OurPlace Not only does this peach-coloured kit come with a slippery toxin-free non-stick ceramic coating, it is also designed with sturdy aluminium for fast and even heat distribution - so you can make optimal use of your time in the kitchen. SHOP NOW

Le Creuset 3-ply stainless steel 3pc cookware set, $574 (usually $820), Amazon Le Creuset's three-ply stainless steel saucepans forgo the serving splutters of a cleverly constructed meal. Featuring an all-round pouring rim that allows you to pour from any angle without a drip, capacity markings etched into the pans' walls and concave bases for peak performance on induction cooktops, you'll be sure to impress your guests with mess-free entertaining. SHOP NOW

The Heirloom 28cm skillet, $479, Ironclad Co Handmade from recycled iron, The Heirloom 28cm skillet has a finish inspired by antique cast iron and a Three Generation Guarantee™ cast into the base. Plus, Ironclad has a few cookware sets available if you're in the market for a few pots and pans. SHOP NOW

Versatile Workhorse Duo, $389 (was $409), Solidteknics Australian-owned and Australian-made from Australian iron, Solidteknics know a thing or two about quality, locally produced cookware. This seasoned workhorse duo will be a multigenerational addition to your frypan collection and is compatible with all heat sources from induction cooktops to the campfire. SHOP NOW

Tefal Ultimate non-stick induction 6pc cookware set, $419.98 (was $839.95), Myer A classic choice of cookware, Tefal delivers on prograde non-stick pieces that boast optimal performance as well as convenience. With reinforced hard titanium non-stick that lasts up to three times longer than standard Tefal coating, ergonomic stainless steel handles, vented glass lids and its signature thermo-spot heat indicator, this French-made Tefal set is one for budding and established cooks alike.

Anolon Nouvelle copper luxe nonstick induction cookware set 11pc, $399.95 (was $1099.95), Cookware Brands An 11-piece collection designed with the versatile chef in mind, this set features an hard-anodised aluminium construction, a copper base for fast and even heating, and is dishwasher and oven-safe up to 260°C.

The Cooks Collective classic non-stick 10pc cookset, $209.98 (was $599.95), Myer This set from Cooks Collective is made from premium cast aluminium which allows for even and consistent cooking, and features bearing-shot technology that increases durability and hardness. Non-stick, dishwasher-safe and oven-safe up to 180°C, this set means serious entertaining business. SHOP NOW

Fika the Ultimate induction-ready cookware set, $584.96 (was $1326.95), Neoflam Awarded the Prestige International RedDot Design & IF Design Award in 2020, this Scandinavian-style set complements the minimalist's kitchen. The ceramic-based coated aluminium pans feature glass silicon rim lids and advanced Neoflam induction technology – marrying functionality with design. SHOP NOW