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Australia is best known for its no-fuss foods – from meat pies and fish and chips, to sausage sangas and schnittys. But our talented chefs also know how to serve up an absolute feast, as showcased by the top-rated dining destinations spotlighted in Tripadvisor's 2024 Travelers’ Choice Awards for the Best of the Best Restaurants.
With more than 1 billion reviews and contributions from food lovers across the globe, Tripadvisor’s annual awards crown the crème de la crème in the dining world. This year, they recognised the top ten Australian venues that achieved a “high volume of above-and-beyond reviews” over the last 12 months in two categories: Best Fine Dining and Best Casual Dining.
Hungry to hear who snagged the top spot? One of the Hunter Valley's standout venues, EXP. Restaurant, took out the title of Australia’s best Fine Dining Restaurant in 2024, scoring five stars from more than 800 glowing reviews. Our Time Out Sydney Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure also rates EXP. as one of the top spots to dine in the Hunter region.
According to Treasure: “The slick and intimate restaurant by talented chef-owner Frank Fawkner offers a multi-course menu featuring inventive, wow-inducing, and most importantly, delicious plates of food. There are a handful of tables for groups, but if you can, nab a seat at the chef’s table and enjoy a front-row view of the action.”
Hot at its heels was Melaleuca, a modern Australian gem set just back from the waterfront in Port Douglas. The charming venue earned high praise for its scenic views, attentive service, stunning presentation and seasonal menus.
Wineries were a big winner on the Best Fine Dining list, with The Gates Restaurant in Polkolbin, Maxwell Restaurant in the McLaren Vale, The Lane Vineyard in Hahndorf, Vasse Felix in the Margaret River, and Margan Wines and Restaurant in Broke also ranking in the top ten.
Fancy something more relaxed? Tripadvisor also announced the ten Best Casual Dining venues in Australia, showcasing nine different cuisines. The top gong went to Shiraz Persian Restaurant and Bar on the Gold Coast, with Sydney’s Thai Potong and Melbourne’s Rice Paper Scissors rounding out the top three. You can find the full results from Tripadvisor's Best of the Best Restaurant awards below.
Here are the best fine dining restaurants in Australia for 2024:
- EXP. Restaurant, Pokolbin, NSW
- Melaleuca, Port Douglas, QLD
- The Gates Restaurant, Pokolbin, NSW
- Maxwell Restaurant, McLaren Vale, SA
- Windy Point Restaurant, Adelaide, SA
- L’isle De France, Terrigal, NSW
- The Lane Vineyard, Hahndorf, SA
- The Stunned Mullet, Port Macquarie, NSW
- Vasse Felix, Margaret River, WA
- Margan Wines and Restaurant, Broke, NSW
Here are the best casual dining restaurants in Australia for 2024:
- Shiraz Persian Restaurant and Bar, Gold Coast, QLD
- Thai Potong, Sydney, NSW
- Rice Paper Scissors, Melbourne, VIC
- Dogwood, BX, Bathurst, NSW
- The Old Synagogue, Fremantle, WA
- Hatsuhana Japanese Restaurant, Gold Coast, QLD
- Yiani’s Greek Restaurant, Coolum Beach, QLD
- Yaya’s Hellenic Kitchen and Bar, Cairns, QLD
- Flavour of India, Sydney, NSW
- Primi Italian, Sydney, NSW
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