The 30 best restaurants in Australia right now

This superb yet relaxed fine diner in Melbourne’s west, serving imaginative contemporary Australian food with the wow factor, won the Best Fine Dining category at Time Out Melbourne's 2025 Food & Drink Awards. Chef and owner Julian Hills describes Navi as his "dream," and you can taste how much heart he’s poured into it – from his clever marriage of native produce and European technique to his well-nurtured relationships with sustainable and ethical farmers. Anticipate a wildly unique culinary adventure that somehow still manages to feel grounded in the earthy dining space. Every morsel is a delight.

What's the deal? Multi-course set menu, plus Saturday matinee menu available between 2pm and 5pm.

Time Out tip: There’s a separate cocktail bar area called Navi Lounge where you can sneak in for amaro tasting flights, elevated snacks (Murray cod katsu sanga, anyone?) and one of the best Gin and Tonics in town. No bookings needed here, and it’s a nice way to dip your toe into Navi’s world without committing to a full degustation.

Address: 83b Gamon St, Yarraville, VIC

Opening hours: Wed-Fri 6pm-11pm; Sat 2pm-5pm, 6pm-11pm

Expect to pay: Evening set menu for $190 per person, with matched beverages for an extra $110. Navi also offers a Saturday matinee menu for $105.

Named after a Japanese style of pottery, Raku blurs the lines between art and sustenance. The menu is extensive, showcasing seafood in all its glory. You can have it raw in the kingfish served with truffle yuzu, cold in a spanner crab sushi roll, or hot as king prawns doused in XO butter. Masters of the blades, the chefs expertly slice up fresh snapper, tuna belly and scallops into sashimi or nigiri; add crunch with popcorn shrimp on the tempura menu; and grill high-grade Wagyu on a robata charcoal grill. The carefully adorned plates are a spectacle in themselves, never mind the super sleek, monochrome fit-out to boot. From the $60 express lunch to the $170 royal tasting degustation, Raku will leave you wishing you had the moolah to dine here daily – or maybe you do, but that’s none of our business.

What's the deal: Two tasting menus (with optional wine pairings); a weekday express lunch; an à la carte menu; and a beverage tasting menu for sake, gin and whisky.

Time Out tip: Gluten-free, gang, rejoice. There’s a five-page menu dedicated to you, featuring treats like chargrilled cauliflower with miso-butter mayonnaise, and soft shell crab tempura.

Address: 148 Bunda Street, Canberra, ACT

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30pm-9:30pm

Expect to pay: More than $60 a head for an à la carte meal without drinks, or from $120-$170 for the tasting menu.

Sydney is home to – dare we say – the world’s most revolutionary seafood restaurant, helmed by the pioneer of ‘nose to tail’ cookery, Josh Niland. While Saint Peter has found a beautiful new home in Paddington’s Grand National Hotel, the game-changing dishes remain. Niland and his chefs transform the whole fish – guts, flesh and bones – into the most sustainable multi-course tasting menu. Think coal-kissed coral trout head, salt and vinegar mackerel, dry-aged swordfish, and even ice cream made from fish eyes. 

What's the deal? Ten-course chef's table menu, seven-course evening tasting menu, à la carte lunch menu, bar snacks and full wine list.

Address: The Grand National Hotel, 161 Underwood St, Paddington, NSW

Opening hours: Mon-Wed 5pm-11pm; Thur-Sun 12pm-11pm

Expect to pay: $275 for the seven-course tasting menu, or $350 for the ten-course, without drinks.

Attica is not just a meal. It's an all-consuming sensory experience that has been a regular on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list for years. Given its worldwide reputation, scoring a table is no easy feat, and you’ll need to book far, far in advance. Those lucky enough to try chef and Netflix star Ben Shewry’s ambitiously Australian menus can expect artful dishes that hero hyper-local ingredients, including barbecued saltwater croc ribs, smoked emu with warrigal greens and finger lime, and wattleseed cake. There’s a true sense of wonder in Attica’s menu that rewards newcomers and returning visitors alike with a singular journey.

What's the deal? 11-course tasting menu, with alcoholic and non-alcoholic pairings (or a mix of both) available.

No gas. No electricity. Only fire. At Adelaide’s first open-flame restaurant, main character energy comes from a three-and-a-half-tonne wood-burning oven that sizzles everything from local figs and sourdough crumpets to black Angus strip steak, bone marrow and Southern Rock lobster. Michelin-trained chef Jake Kellie heads this sleek barbecue restaurant, which is housed inside a heritage-listed sandstone building. You can dine à la carte from Arkhé’s seasonally-driven menu, or try for a seat at the exclusive chef’s table, located in the heart of the restaurant. Sip on enticing cocktails with the likes of a Wattleseed Negroni and Watermelon Fizz, which sit atop Arkhé’s extensive drinks list.

What's the deal? Seasonal à la carte menu, with extensive beverage list.

Time Out tip: We quite like the seating at the very back of the restaurant, which backs onto a leafy courtyard – it’s like you’re outside but you’re inside all at the same time. There’s something rather calming about it.

Address: 127 The Parade, Norwood, SA

Opening Hours: Wed 4pm-12am; Thurs-Sun 12pm-12am

Expect to pay: More than $130 a head for a proper dinner without drinks.

Pushing the boundaries of what can be accomplished in a kitchen using exclusively the power of woodfire and smoke, Agnes brings precision to this unwieldy and demanding medium. Executive chef Ben Williamson and his talented team use different types of wood – ironbark, apple wood, cherry wood and olive wood – to uniquely interact with each of the dishes, whether it be Wagyu sirloin, pork tomahawk, Murray cod or potato flatbread. Agnes’ brilliance lies in merging food with architecture; those hanging lights transition from necessary beacons into spotlights over the table, forcing you to focus on every flavour, every technique, every crumb. You’ll want something to wash it all down with, and fortunately, the team at Agnes has curated an impressive cellar of over 1,400 bottles from across Europe and Australia. Perch up somewhere across the three levels – aside the open kitchen in the main dining room, at the wine bar, or perhaps the terrace for some sweet sunshine.

What's the deal? Four-course set menu, à la carte offering, extensive wine list and small bar menu.

Time Out tip: Agnes Restaurant states that ‘it’s not fine dining, but not entirely casual’ – do with that information what you will, but we reckon it’s great for a date or a hang with your mates, either way.

Address: 22 Agnes Street, Fortitude Valley, QLD

Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 5:15pm-10pm; Fri 12pm-11pm; Sat 11:30am-11pm; Sun 11:30am-5pm

Expect to pay: More than $70 a head for a main.

What does it take to earn the crown of Sydney’s finest diner? Perhaps the dress-circle harbour views? Or the exquisite works of art on each and every plate? The custom-made crockery? The cornucopia of produce grown exclusively for the restaurant? The service team’s unrivalled professionalism? Some restaurants are engineered for special occasions and totally worth the splurge – Quay is most definitely one of them. 

What's the deal? Seven-course tasting menu, with thoughtfully curated wine list.

To question Gimlet’s beauty is like pondering out loud whether the sky is blue. One foot through the door into the almighty fine diner (in fact, Time Out Melbourne’s crowned winner of the Best Fine Dining award in 2023) and you’re swept into an era of astonishingly impressive 1920s glamour. The handsome, plush curved booths invite you to settle in and share a bottle of Champers with a friend, uniformed staff skate around the floor with ease, and warm light dances off the grand chandeliers overhead. You can, of course, go all out at Gimlet and dine on lobster, caviar service and exxy bottles of wine all night, but even just popping in for a few cocktails and a taste of a few dishes here and there is truly a lovely way to experience the restaurant, which tends to feel welcoming and adaptive no matter how much you’re willing to splurge.

What's the deal? Seasonal four-course menu, à la carte menu, and bar menu with snacks and cocktails.

‘Farm-to-table’ is a buzzword tossed around kitchens across the country, but it’s a genuine way of life at The Agrarian Kitchen. Set in an old mental asylum, this hybrid restaurant, cooking school, kitchen garden and kiosk is the crown jewel of Tasmania's quaint New Norfolk neighbourhood. Plenty of the ingredients for the set menu’s dishes are grown on the kitchen’s onsite farm, while the rest are sourced from nearby growers, farmers and fishermen. Everything The Agrarian Kitchen uses is fresh (we’re talking just-picked herbs and fish straight out of the river), and the kitchen team does its own cheese-making, pickling, smoking, fermenting, whole-animal butchery and bread-making. 

What's the deal? An eight-course set menu, with optional alcoholic and non-alcoholic pairings, is available from Friday to Sunday. A casual kiosk out front also serves pastries, salads and cakes. 

Time Out tip: The exclusive Agrarian Kitchen experience is only open for a short window of time during lunch, three days a week. We highly recommend reserving your spot so your cravings don’t go unfulfilled.

Address: 11a The Avenue, New Norfolk, TAS

Opening hours: Fri-Sun 11am-2pm

Expect to pay: $220 per person for the set menu, with beverage pairings for an additional $120 (alcoholic) or $80 (non-alcoholic).

Nostalgic flavours and playful desserts take flight at this small suburban diner in the Bush Capital. Pilot’s four-, nine- and 12-course set menus are quintessentially Australian, and on any given day, you may be served IPA beer pretzels, Hawaiian pizza scrolls or brandy butterscotch Wagon Wheels. The experimental non-alcoholic drinks pairing is just as impressive as the boozed-up version, with a focus given to small, sustainable Aussie producers, which we love to see. Speckled handmade bowls elevate the earthy medleys that are cradled within, where nasturtium leaves and verdant broths are to be expected. Soft light penetrates the 24-seat dining room through off-white fabric curtains if you’re escaping the direct sunlight, otherwise, Pilot’s petite outdoor area, cornered by miniature olive trees, is a divine backdrop for snacking in the rays. 

What's the deal? Four-course lunch menu, nine-course evening degustation, or 12-course extended menu, with alcoholic or non-alcoholic pairings available.

Time Out tip: On Thursdays, Pilot welcomes BYO. Just choose how much you’d like to contribute and 100 per cent of the proceeds go towards the monthly-rotating charity.

Address: 1 Wakefield Gardens, Ainslie, ACT

Opening hours: Wed-Fri 6pm-9:30pm; Sat 12pm-3:30pm, 6pm-9:30pm; Sun 12pm-4pm

Expect to pay: From $115 a head for mandatory lunch and dinner menus, or $200 per head for the extended option. Beverage pairings are available from $60 to $150 extra.

Such and Such is the cooler and colourful younger sibling of Canberra’s award-winning restaurant, Pilot. You could mistake the bright and bold dining room for an art gallery, where the walls pop with artworks, ceramics and sculptures by local artists. Once you’ve had a good old-fashioned peruse around the intriguing and/or inspiring dining room, make your way across the terrazzo floor to a cool cushioned booth or timber tabletop where you’ll be equally enticed by the fare. Each dish is a playful masterpiece with the super seasonal menu featuring contemporary takes on nostalgic snacks and share plates. Think: a soupy sensation of fish in ‘crazy water’ with mussels and white beans, as well as pasta perfection of orecchiette in pistachio pesto – try saying that fast, three times. Don’t take things too seriously and add on a glass (or three) of lo-fi, organic wines from both local makers and far away places.

What's the deal? Shared set menus, à la carte menu and 29-page wine list.

Time Out tip: If you’re after a quick in-and-out lunch, it’s hard to go past the $55 one-hour menu, which will get you two snacks and a salad (to share) as well as a main dish, plus dessert if there’s room post-savouries (there always is).

Address: 220 London Cct, Canberra, ACT

Opening hours: Mon 5pm-10pm; Tue-Thur 12pm-10pm; Fri-Sat 12pm-11pm

Expect to pay: $55 per head for the lunch set menu, $80 per head for the 5-7pm set menu, or $110 per head for the shared-style dinner set menu. You can also order à la carte.

This fiery subterranean restaurant in the Sydney CBD spotlights the cuisines from China’s lesser-known regions. You won't find any Cantonese hits on the menu, but you will find dishes from Sichuan to Yunnan, Hunan and Guangxi. Spice Temple has just turned 15, which is no small feat in a city that leans towards glossy new openings. And that’s largely down to head chef Andy Evans, who has been serving dishes with punchy, bold flavours here since day dot. Spice Temple also has a sister restaurant in Melbourne, which is equally worth a visit.

What's the deal? À la carte menu, plus two grand banquet options with paired wines available. Spice Temple also offers a more casual bar menu of dumplings, noodles and cold cuts. 

Time Out tip: Dining solo? Spice Temple’s bar is an ideal spot to knock back a glass of crisp white with a bowl of flavour-packed noodles.

Address: 10 Bligh St, Sydney, NSW

Opening hours: Daily 12pm-3pm; Mon-Thur 6-9pm; Fri 6-10pm; Sat 5.30-10.30pm; Sun 5.30-9pm

Expect to pay: More than $80 per head if dining à la carte, or between $139 and $159 for a banquet, without drinks.

It takes a full day to dine at Brae. A meal at one of Victoria’s most highly decorated fine dining institutions fits a micro holiday into the hours needed to get out to the gently sloping paddocks of Birregurra (an easy two-hour drive from Melbourne), dine in rural splendour at an appropriately relaxed pace at Dan Hunter’s famous farmhouse restaurant, and return home. You could make it a genuine mini-break should your budget stretch that far, but it’s hard to think of a more pleasant day trip than one centred around the country’s pre-eminent dining experience. Now excuse us while we try to score a booking before everyone else does.

What's the deal? Seasonal nine-course tasting menu with matched alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages available.

Time Out tip: If you’ve got the capacity (or will) to splurge, an overnight stay at one of Brae’s six peaceful suites will allow you to bask in the magic a little longer. You can also join a guided farm tour every Friday at 10.45am.

Address: 4285 Cape Otway Rd, Birregurra, VIC

Opening hours: Wed-Thur 5pm-10pm; Fri-Sat 12pm-5pm

Expect to pay: $360 for the degustation menu, with matched beverages for $120 (non-alcoholic) or $210 (alcoholic).

Why go? If anyone ever complains about Canberra’s nightlife, just nod quietly and then laugh all the way up the stairs to Bar Rochford. This is undoubtedly the best little wine bar in the ACT, and it’s hidden away in one of the capital’s oldest buildings. Once you’re up in the cosy confines of this first-floor bar you could be in Melbourne, Munich or Manhattan. Let their young gun team guide you on a vinous adventure that traverses the world, but if you don’t order food too, it’s a lost opportunity. The $90 set menu isn’t a cop-out; it’s more like a tour of their latest and greatest seasonal hits. Think smoked beef tongue with anchovy mayo; lamb ribs (or cauliflower for vegos) with black bean and honey; and crème brûlée tart, if you’re shooting for the stars. 

What's the deal? Four-course set menu (with vegetarian option), à la carte offering and expertly curated wine list.

Time Out tip: The pretty, edible creations are worthy of a snap. So clean your lens, capture Bar Rochford’s glorious plates and send them to the group chat for safekeeping.

Address: Inside Melbourne Building, 1/65 London Crescent, Canberra

Opening hours: Tues-Wed 5pm-11pm; Thurs 5pm-12am; Fri-Sat 5pm-1am

Expect to pay: More than $60 a head for a proper meal without drinks, or $90 per person for the set menu.

This is not your white-tablecloth kind of fine diner; it’s a casually charming Northern Rivers edition, run by award-winning chef and Noma alumnus Ben Devlin, and his wife Yen Trinh. The best seats in the house are at Pipit’s open kitchen counter, where wild foraged plants – most sourced from within 15 minutes drive of the restaurant – and sustainably caught seafood are smoked, charred or kissed on the woodfire grill. From the koji sourdough to the delicate linguine and tropical ice cream, everything is made in-house, with any offcuts fermented or converted into dressings, charcuterie, vinegar and even kombucha. Pipit’s five-course tasting menu is seasonally curated, and with advance notice, they can cater for pretty much any dietary requirement.

What's the deal? Eight-course evening set menu, or à la carte menu or six-course menu for lunch and Monday dinner. Australian-only wines, spirits and cocktails available from the bar.

Time Out tip: Pipit runs hands-on Gyotaku (ancient Japanese printing) art classes and demos, which can be tacked onto any private dining experience for a lil' something extra.

Address: Shop 4/8 Coronation Ave, Pottsville, NSW

Opening hours: Thur 6pm-10pm; Fri-Sat 12pm-3pm & 6pm-10pm; Sun 12pm-3pm; Mon 5.30pm-10pm

Expect to pay: $180 per person for the dinner menu, or $135 for the lunch set menu. À la carte plates range from $6 to $50.

Nothing can beat a great curry, and few chefs can outdo Minoli De Silva’s jaggery lamb with spiced tomato salsa. The former MasterChef contestant has set up a city centre establishment that marries creativity with reverence for traditional Sri Lankan ingredients. Fill the table with spice-cured kangaroo tartare, spiced lamb ribs that are slow-cooked for 18 hours, and twice-cooked eggplant moju (a kind of relish-y curry). The plates are pretty and the product placement is thoughtful, accompanied by verdant sauces that dance around the dish, with a symphony that concludes in your mouth. The choice is only made harder by the wafting (and sensational) aromas that linger around the contemporary dining room. Top it all off with a zingy cocktail from Ella’s extensive list, where ingredients like kaffir limes, cardamom and pandan steal the spotlight. The Kiwi Bay not only leaves you refreshed, but it changes colour too.

What's the deal? An à la carte dinner menu, with mostly-Australian wines and beers.

Time Out Melbourne's Restaurant of the Year in 2023 may be almost a decade old, but it still stands out as one of the most energising fine dining experiences in Melbourne. This farm-to-table restaurant’s kitchen sources all of its ingredients from a nearby 2.5-acre farm in Cardinia, owned and run by friends of the chefs. Over the years, O.MY Restaurant has set up nearly 400 garden beds, an orchard of 50 fruit trees, a berry patch, beehives and many other perennials they use on the menu. Each dish elevates humble produce to new heights, an alchemical feat that looks far outside the box in delivering an experience you'll remember. Up the ante and pair your four- or seven-course seasonal menu with regional wines from small producers near and far.

What's the deal? Seasonal four- or seven-course menu, with snacks and sourdough, plus optional alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink pairings.

This 30-year-old beachside institution, affectionately known as the ‘salty jewel' of Bondi, has been championing seasonal produce long before it was cool. Award-winning chef Sean Moran’s creativity is showcased on the restaurant’s daily-changing three-course blackboard menu, which takes cue from the restaurant’s farm harvests in Bilpin – and is so closely tied to the seasons that it could quite literally change mid-service. Cross your fingers that Sean's famous roast chook is on the menu, and don’t underestimate the nostalgic comforts of his seasonal jelly with ice cream for dessert.

What's the deal? Daily changing three-course set menu, including an appetiser and house-baked bread, plus a concise wine list.

“Look but don’t touch,” said no one ever at Faro Bar and Restaurant. Here, you’re encouraged to touch, play and even eat the artful creations plated by this fancy European-inspired restaurant. Jutting out over the River Derwent, the dining room is as extravagant as you’d expect from MONA restaurant, with pink marble tables, velvet chairs, a sleek timber bar and the odd saxophonist or singer drifting by. Faro’s ‘platedropping’ menu is as experimental as its art, featuring wild-caught and feral meats, alongside local Tassie produce. Given that the guy who owns MONA is vegetarian, you’ll find plenty of ingenious plant-forward options too, along with fun twists on classic cocktails and local drops from on-site winery, Morilla.

What's the deal? You can pick your own adventure with à la carte lunch available from Friday to Monday, or let Faro take the reins with a set menu dinner on Friday and Saturday. 

Time Out tip: Make your visit to Faro even more memorable by catching the 25-minute ferry from Hobart’s Brooke Street Pier directly to MONA’s doorstop. The River Derwent’s flora-laden banks will butter you up just nicely for an equally fantastic feast.

Perched on a hill overlooking one of the most magical beaches in Byron Bay – where surfers glide on seemingly endless gin-clear waves – is where you’ll find Raes on Wategos. Built in the 1960s, the Mediterranean-style boutique hotel and restaurant is without a doubt one of the country’s most lusted-after institutions. Jason Saxby (Pilu, Quay and The Ledbury in London) heads the kitchen, where the brief is modern Australian food with a Mediterranean touch. That’s encapsulated in an exquisite snack of kangaroo ‘tart-are’; Australian bay lobster with hand-rolled pasta and native spiced butter; and Iced Vovo semifreddo with native berry jam. 

What's the deal? Eight-course tasting menu, with paired wines available; three-course à la carte menu (with dedicated vegetarian menu); and casual bar menu.

Time Out tip: Raes recently opened a dreamy 10-suite property just down the road. Book a night here so you can let the wine flow. 

Address: 6-8 Marine Parade, Byron Bay, NSW

Opening hours: Daily 12pm-3pm; 5pm-late

Expect to pay: $125 for three courses, or $195 for the tasting menu with paired beverages for an extra $135.

Odyssey lives up to its name in every way possible, presenting a long, adventurous and flawless dining experience in the heart of Hervey Bay. The fate of your journey at this farm-to-table bistro is presented in a hand-sealed menu, featuring a three-course line-up that changes monthly based on the produce and proteins available from local suppliers. You can trace the origin of your freshly shucked oysters, fish crudo or triple cream brie, along with the perfectly paired drinks from local distilleries, breweries and wineries. Every dish and drink really is a love letter to the Fraser Coast region and its people.

What's the deal? Seasonal three-course menu, with wine pairings available, plus an á la carte lunch offering.

Time Out tip: Invest time in learning about the local producers that inspire Odyssey's seasonal menus. You can ask the friendly team or find the details printed on your menu.

Address: 4/341 Esplanade, Scarness, QLD

Opening hours: Wed-Thur from 5pm; Fri-Sat from 12pm

Expect to pay: $95 for the three-course menu.

The saying goes that good things come in small packages, and Orange’s anchovy-tin-sized wine bar proves just that. Funky art and vintage posters dress the walls alongside vintage knick-knacks, jars of pickles, booze and a record spinning vinyl hits. You can’t not start with a glass of ‘Hey Rosé’ by Tristian Clark, which tastes like strawberries and picnics in the sunshine. Pair it with stellar snacks, including cheeses with local honeycomb, salumi and a solid selection of tinned seafood from Spain. There's a reason Hey Rosey won the title of Best Destination Venue at Time Out Sydney's 2025 Food & Drink Awards – we suggest you go find out why.

What's the deal? A succinct bar menu, with a list of local cheese, salami and tinned seafood available, plus local wines

Time Out tip: If you find yourself in Orange on a random Monday night, be tempted by Hey Rosey's $25 roast dinner. Pair it with an orange wine and pretend it's still a chill Sunday evening.

Address: 301 Summer St, Orange, NSW

Opening hours: Mon-Tue & Thur-Fri 5pm-11pm; Sat-Sun 3pm-11pm

Expect to pay: Around $50 for snacks and a drink.

When it comes to WA’s culinary legends, seasoned chef Aaron Carr is right up there. At his latest bucket-list dining experience, diners can enjoy a seasonal three-course menu, or leave it up to the chefs with Yarri’s signature six-course tasting experience. Both menus kick off with a complimentary snack on arrival, followed by the likes of wood-grilled sirloin with black garlic and miso butter; or lamb dressed in sumac and burnt honey. Each plate is lovingly decorated with vibrant herbs and vegetables that are hand-picked from the restaurant’s flourishing kitchen garden each morning. Yarri's wine list proudly showcases Snake and Herring – no surprise, as it’s the home of this award-winning Western Australian winery. 

What's the deal? Three- or six-course menus, with extensive wine list and cocktails.

Time Out tip: If you're just after a taster, walk-ins are welcome at the bar for drinks and à la carte bites. While you're there, make the most of 'Yarri Hour' from 4–5 pm, featuring $8 tap beer, $8 wine and $12 cocktails. 

Address: Unit 7/16 Cyrillean Way, Dunsborough, WA

Opening hours: Daily 4pm-10pm

Expect to pay: $105 for the three-course menu or $165 for the six-course, without drinks.

Set below the Metro Arts theatre of Brisbane, Exhibition becomes the unexpected final act of any show. Akin to its theatrical counterparts, chef and owner Tim Scott has curated a provocative and multisensory dining experience, engaging in a seasonally evolving menu that is also a committed nod to culinary arts and craftsmanship. The modicum of dishes on the venue’s nightly six-course exhibit can only be attributed to their devotion to Queensland’s best local and sustainable produce. Be prepared to immerse yourself in the spectacle of abalone liver parfait served with milk bread; features of shrimp and scampi with secret sauces and fingerlime; and multiple monologues of rare and smoke-kissed Wagyu.

What's the deal? Two omakase experiences: shortened or full, with three options for matched drinks. 

Time Out tip: Exhibition’s basement locale may be a little difficult to find. But to help you on your merry way – just pull open the big green doors, look to your right for the glowing sign, and follow it downstairs.

Address: Basement 2/109 Edward Street, Brisbane, QLD

Opening hours: Tues-Sat 5pm-10pm

Expect to pay: $187 a head for the Shortened Experience, and $247 for the Exhibition Experience.

It’s rare to find a restaurant in Australia where you’re asked to drink broth through branches and feast off sticks or rocks. Tucked in the 51-hectare Adelaide Botanic Gardens, award-winning Restaurant Botanic offers a sensory menu that changes with the seasons and daily weather patterns. You’ll need at least four hours to fully appreciate the degustation, which showcases more than 26 different flavours and highlights native Australian ingredients – like emu, green ants, desert lime and lemon myrtle – along with herbs and leaves foraged directly from the gardens. 

What's the deal? A four-hour, 20-something-course menu, with alcoholic and non-alcoholic pairings available.

Time Out tip: Clear the calendar – this dining experience takes around 3.5 hours from top to tail. 

Address: Adelaide Botanic Gardens, Plane Tree Dr, Adelaide, SA

Opening hours: Thur-Sat 6pm-12am; Sun 12pm-5pm

Expect to pay: $315 for the degustation, with optional drink pairings from $145 extra.

Perched sky-high on the rooftop of the renowned Como The Treasury hotel, Wildflower is proudly the highest-ranked restaurant in Perth. Every plate has a story to tell and revolves around the Indigenous ethos of six seasons. As the narrative unfolds over a four-, six- or eight-course degustation, you can take in sweeping views across the Swan River and city skyline. More importantly, the transitional menu never fails to delight curious diners and you can expect to come across dishes with the likes of the Manjimup marron with bush tomato, dhashi and coastal succulents, as well as the Berkshire pork with cauliflower, Geraldton wax and black pudding – both peculiar and inspiring, if you ask us. It’s worth playing with Wildflower’s cocktail list too, where native Australian ingredients steal the spotlight, including Davidson plum, strawberry gum, fingerlime and quandong. 

What's the deal? Seasonal four-, six- or eight-course evening degustation; two-course lunch; bar menu; and lengthy wine list.

Time Out tip: A floor-to-ceiling window seat offers a tableside dramatic drop if you’re down for elevating your Wildflower experience even further.

Address: COMO The Treasury, Level 4/1 Cathedral Avenue, Perth, WA

Opening hours: Wed-Fri 12pm–2:30pm, 5:30pm–10pm; Tues and Sat 5:30pm-10pm

Expect to pay: $140 a head for the four-course degustation, $180 for the six-course, and $240 for the eight-course – without drinks.