Must-see restaurants in Australia

  • Conservatory

    Canberra

    With fabulous views of Canberra and surrounds from the windows, this little restaurant in a roped-off corner of the Arboretum's Village Centre is a…

  • Red Lantern on Riley

    Surry Hills & Darlinghurst

    This atmospheric eatery is run by television presenters Luke Nguyen (Luke Nguyen's Vietnam and others), Mark Jensen (Ready Steady Cook) and sister/wife…

  • Thanh Ha 2

    Melbourne

    If you want to 'do Vietnamese' on Victoria St but are overwhelmed by the options, this family-run restaurant is consistently great. The menu is huge and…

  • Woods Bangalow

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    This plant-based cafe forms the heart of the arts precinct. It's a lovely place of polished concrete and wood that serves Sydney's Single O coffee, the…

  • The Collective

    Gold Coast

    Five kitchens here serve one rambling indoor-outdoor communal dining space, strung with fairy lights, flush with pot plants and packed with happy eaters…

  • Teddy Picker's

    Canberra

    A friendly, relaxed atmosphere pervades at this modern cafe in Campbell. The all-day menu, which means you can pick the best of breakfast or lunch anytime…

  • Wild Harvest

    Tasmania

    King Island on a plate – most of the produce used by the chefs at this eatery overlooking Grassy Harbour is local, seasonal and fresh. The result is a…

  • Paragon Cafe

    Southern NSW & The Murray

    One of NSW's most fabulous old-school Greek diners, the Paragon has barely changed since it opened in 1948. With an extensive á la carte menu of Greek and…

  • Cafe Moby

    Great Ocean Road

    This old weatherboard house on The Esplanade harks back to a time when Torquay was simple – which isn't to say its meals aren't modern. Fill up on smoked…

  • Lotus Eaters Cafe

    The Southeast

    This mighty-fine hippie cafe has rustic decor that belies real culinary savvy: expect terrific eggy breakfasts, curries and soups, with a rigorous focus…

  • Kitsch

    Perth

    Southeast Asian–style street food, Thai beers and a light-strung frangipani tree make Kitsch a great spot for a few laid-back hours of tasty grazing…

  • Sage

    Canberra

    In the genteel environs of the Gorman House Arts Centre, Sage offers well-regarded degustation-style dining; the five-course chef's tasting menu is worth…

  • Eden

    Sydney

    Colourful comfort foods from pizzas and cheeseburgers to 'fysh' tacos and watermelon 'sashymi' are served sans animal products at this leafy courtyard…

  • Bar Lourinha

    Melbourne

    A local favourite since 2006: take a seat at the bar and let charming waitstaff lead you through a menu of modern Portuguese and Spanish dishes and a…

  • El Público

    Perth

    Interesting and authentic spins on Mexican street food, all served as small plates that are perfect for sharing. Menu standouts include duck carnitas…

  • Abbots and Kinney

    Adelaide

    This stylin’ city cafe takes its name from Abbot Kinney, the guy who gave LA’s Venice Beach its moniker. We’re not sure how this pertains to downtown…

  • Me Wah

    Hobart

    From the outside, Me Wah looks just like any suburban shopping-mall joint. But inside it's an elegant confection of chinoiserie, almost bordering on over…

  • River Cafe

    Tasmania

    On sunny days, the River Cafe's windows fold back and the water feels almost in reach. The cafe tempts with all-day breakfasts ($10 to $22) and a…

  • Funky Pies

    Sydney

    Taking the meat out of a pie would be considered un-Australian in some quarters, but this tiny place does a great job of it. Really tasty vegan…

  • Toko

    Surry Hills & Darlinghurst

    With a beautiful wood-lined look, Toko dishes up superb modern Japanese otsumami (tapas) such as soft-shell crab, sweet eggplant miso and meaty options…

  • Front

    Canberra

    Part art gallery, part cafe, the Front has a minimalist, aesthetic vibe. The brunch menu is short and sweet, with unique options like a radish, mint and…

  • Dôme

    West Coast Australia

    The nicest aspect of this large branch of a WA cafe chain is the glorious old building it's housed in – an old nurses' quarters with a modern annexe. Pull…

  • Geckos Cafe

    Yulara

    For great value, a warm atmosphere and tasty food, head to this buzzing licensed cafe. The wood-fired pizzas and kangaroo burgers go well with a carafe of…

  • Paco y Lola

    Melbourne

    Upbeat and casual, Paco y Lola cooks up zingy Mexican flavours, from juicy burritos, quesadillas and tacos to more substantial options. Try their take on…

  • Andy’s Bakery

    Tasmania

    This roadhouse is a bit of an icon around these parts, with a big reputation for its house-made pies, cakes and gelato. The peppery 'Tassie Devil' pie isn…

  • Magic Curries

    Hobart

    There's a photo on the wall here of the Indian cricket team's visit in 2004 – a while ago, we know, but if it's good enough for Anil Kumble, it's good…

  • Don Don

    Surry Hills & Darlinghurst

    For years we’ve thumbed our way through diminutive Don Don’s photo menu, discovering consistently delicious dishes. Expect everything from katsudon (rice…

  • Penny University

    Canberra

    Bustling Penny University is packed all weekend long with Kingston locals who know exactly where to come for hearty meals and a linger-longer atmosphere…

  • The Provincial

    West Coast Australia

    Stencil art and a lifesize wire mesh shark adorns this cool little taste of the city, an atmospheric bar particularly renowned for its wood-fired pizzas …

  • Kynefin

    Australian Capital Territory

    Polished concrete, Edison bulbs and a modern menu make this country cafe feel like an urban transplant. Breakfast options include all the avocado, poached…

  • Organic Republic

    Sydney

    Its motto – 'let the bread speak' – says it all. Fabulous sandwiches on slabs of home-baked organic bread (including spelt) are the signature dish at this…

  • Criterion Hotel

    Victoria

    The beer garden here takes up as much real estate as the entire Criterion Hotel of which it's a part. Shady umbrellas and good views of the lake combine…

  • Fetta's Greek Taverna

    Cairns

    The white walls and blue-accented windows do a great job evoking Santorini, but it's the classic Greek dishes that are the star of the show here. The…

  • Bondi Trattoria

    Sydney

    For an all-day Bondi option with vistas, you can't go past the trusty 'Trat', as it's known in these parts. Tables spill out onto Campbell Pde for those…

  • Mates Gully

    Southern NSW & The Murray

    Shared tables and wall art create a cool vibe, and much of the produce is home grown on their own farm in nearby Mates Gully. There's also occasional live…

  • Udder & Hoe

    Victoria

    This rustic provedore specialises in seasonal South Gippsland produce, and is all about everything local, low waste and organic. As well as cheeses, milk,…

  • Barringwood Estate

    Tasmania

    Enjoying a gourmet lunch and glass of wine on the deck or lawn of Tuckshop at Barringwood, the cafe at Barringwood Estate, is a wonderful way to while…

  • White Elephant Cafe

    West Coast Australia

    Combining a simple pavilion and a spacious deck, White Elephant's location just metres from the cobalt waters of Gnarabup beach offers some of the best…

  • Cafe One 3

    Airlie Beach

    Everything about this family-run cafe says 'wholesome': the menu, full of vegetarian and vegan dishes (vegan muffin with avocado and chutney, homemade…

  • Lane

    Victoria

    The lane running beside the George Hotel buzzes with all-day diners. At the front is a bright cafe with breakfast, light meals and a bar; at the back is a…

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