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Are These The 10 Best Restaurants In Australia?

Are These The 10 Best Restaurants In Australia?

If you’ve ever wanted an insight into where the best chefs in Australia like to eat, take note. This week over 500 chefs and restaurant owners cast their vote for the inaugural The Australian Financial Review Top 100 Restaurants awards, in partnership with Qantas.

Boasting a mix of fine dining temples, farmhouse kitchens, fried chicken diners and Greek neo-tavernas, the list is an inspiring and eclectic snapshot of the modern Australian dining experience. While the list honours numerous restaurants in across the country, both Victoria and NSW took out five spots each in the top ten, which won’t help any arguments over which state is the gastronomic capital of Australia.

Here’s a closer look at the top ten:

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(Photo: Sepia Restaurant)

#1 Sepia (NSW)

Martin Benn’s Japanaese-fusion restaurant took out the top spot, having been an instrumental part in the Australian dining experience since it’s opening in 2009. Benn migrated to Australia in the mid-1990s and today is praised for his innovative style, with his Golden Egg a big favourite.


#2 Attica (VIC)

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(Photo: Attica)

Recently showcased on Netflix’s culinary program Chef’s Table, Ben Shewry proves his Ripponlea restaurant deserves the three Michelin stars he’s accumulated with an experimental yet personal take on cooking. His iconic Tuesday night degustation includes the opportunity to test brand new menu ideas from the New Zealand born chef.


#3 Quay (NSW)

The iconic setting of Sydney’s Quay restaurant, just shy of the harbour is the benchmark for Sydney dining. Remember that Snow Egg from Masterchef? Mastermind Peter Gilmore’s menu is full of textural beauties, and he cites nature as his main inspiration.


#4 Brae (VIC)

This modern restaurant can be found amongst 30-acres of natural Otway hinterland in rural Victoria. Chef Dan Hunter creates menus that are explicitly connected to the land and the pristine region that surrounds it.


#5 Cutler & Co (VIC)

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(Photo: Cutler & Co.)

A unique Melbourne dining experience, this casual restaurant serves up clever eating at a leisurely pace.


#6 Vue de Monde (VIC)

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(Photo: Vue De Monde)

Shannon Bennett’s flagship restaurant is a dazzling insight into modern Australian cooking; diner favourite is the candy-coated smoked eel with white chocolate and caviar. Located on the 55th floor of the Rialto, it’s an extraordinary, out-of-this-world dining experience.


#7 Cumulus Inc (VIC)

The second restaurant for Andrew McConnell finishes just under this Fitzroy gem Cutler & Co. Cumulus Inc is a CBD dining experience that perfects comfort food and drink, with a seat at the bar one of the best spots in town.


#8 Sixpenny (NSW)

This subtly smooth Nordic dining room in Sydney’s inner west brings inspired, forward thinking dishes to the forefront.


#9 Mr Wong (NSW)

Mr Wong pays homage to classic Chinese influences in a modern style. This 240-seat restaurant offers a reimagining of classic dishes like roast duck and dim sum in the hustle of the Sydney CBD.


#10 Tetsuya’s (NSW)

Tetsuya Wakuda’s eponymous restaurant has become synonymous with minimalist fine dining and relish in the mixtures of Japanese and French cuisines.

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(Photo: Martin Benn, Sepia Restaurant)

Following his Darling Park restaurant Sepia being crowned the top spot, head chef Martin Benn also took out the title of Australia’s Top Chef. An honourable mention must be made to Melbourne chef Andrew McConnell who had two of his restaurants (Cutler & Co, and Cumulus Inc.) voted into the top 10.

Diners also had their say with The People’s Award being awarded to Catalina Restaurant in Rose Bay, NSW. The family run restaurant opened in 1994 and has since become one of Sydney Harbour’s premier dining experiences.

The full list of winners and the ranked top 100 restaurants in Australia can be seen here.

(Lead Image: Sepia Restaurant)

These are certainly worth travelling for. Check out domestic flights with Qantas. Plus, Qantas are currently running an Instagram competition where you can win flights to Sydney, a night at the Sofitel and dinner at Rockpool Est 1989. From now until May 31, just Instagram a restaurant experience (the food, ambience or service) and tag #qantasfoodie15 for your chance to win. Full terms and conditions are here

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