Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards have just dropped – here's how Sydney's venues ranked

We didn’t need reminding that Sydney’s bars and restaurants know how to put together a wine list, but it’s always interesting to get the expert insights on where to take your friend/ partner/ parent for a glass of the good stuff. Every year, Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards step in to do exactly that – spotlighting the venues across the country that are serving up the very best Australian and international wines. The awards, now in their 33rd year, assess wine lists on content, balance, suitability for the venue, presentation and pricing  – so a pretty comprehensive guide to where to drink well. Last night, the 2026 winners were announced, with NSW venues taking home 16 major category wins. 

The biggest state honour went to Shell House Dining Room and Terrace, which took home the award for Best Wine List NSW. It’s the first time the Sydney venue has taken out the state’s top gong – another reason to add this sky-high gem to your CBD hit list.

Altitude Restaurant at the Shangri-La was another big winner, picking up three major awards: Australia’s Best Listing of NSW Wines, Australia’s Best Listing of Organic and Biodynamic Wines and Australia’s Best Hotel/Resort Dining Wine List. The restaurant (whose views, incidentally, are worthy of an award too) was also a finalist for Australia’s Best Listing of ACT and Canberra District Wines and Australia’s Best Listing of Australian Wines.

Another high-altitude eatery, Westfield Tower newcomer Infinity by Mark Best made an impressive awards debut – taking home Australia’s Best Listing of Australian Wines and The Tony Hitchin Award for Australia’s Best New Wine List.

There were also wins for some familiar Sydney names. Up in the Northern Beaches, Jonah’s Restaurant and Boutique Hotel picked up Australia’s Best Food and Wine Matching List and the consumer-voted Australia’s Choice Award, and Rockpool Bar and Grill Sydney, a member of the Awards’ Hall of Fame, was recognised for Australia’s Best Listing of Cellared and Museum Wines.

Over in the Inner West, Japanese-inspired gem Ante made its awards debut with Australia’s Best List of Japanese Sake, and Redfern’s Olympus Dining took home Australia’s Best Listing of Greek Wines for the second year running. Devine Food and Wine also continued its winning streak, taking out Australia’s Best Aperitif for the third time, having previously won in 2018 and 2024.

The awards also recognised Sydney venues across different list sizes. Surry Hills fave The Rover was named Australia’s Best Wine List (Max. 50 Wines), and Taronga’s Me-Gal took out Australia’s Best Wine List (Max. 100 Wines).

You can check out the full list of winners over here.

The NSW venues that won at the 2026 Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards

• Shell House Dining Room & Terrace – Best Wine List NSW
• Altitude Restaurant – Australia’s Best Listing of NSW Wines; Australia’s Best Listing of Organic and Biodynamic Wines; Australia’s Best Hotel/Resort Dining Wine List
• Infinity by Mark Best – Australia’s Best Listing of Australian Wines; The Tony Hitchin Award for Australia’s Best New Wine List
• Jonah’s Restaurant and Boutique Hotel – Australia’s Best Food & Wine Matching List; Australia’s Choice Award
• Ante – Australia’s Best List of Japanese Sake
• Olympus Dining – Australia’s Best Listing of Greek Wines
• Devine Food & Wine – Australia’s Best Aperitif
• Rockpool Bar & Grill Sydney – Australia’s Best Listing of Cellared and Museum Wines
• The Rover – Australia’s Best Wine List (Max. 50 Wines)
• Me-Gal – Australia’s Best Wine List (Max. 100 Wines)

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