Saint Peter – Josh and Julie Niland’s pioneering seafood restaurant, housed in Paddington’s Grand National Hotel – has landed at 66th place on the esteemed World’s 50 Best extended list for 2025, announced overnight (Thursday, June 5). That’s a huge leap from last year’s ranking at 98. Saint Peter – which showcases the best local seafood using a scale-to-tail ethos – is the only Australian restaurant to make the global list. I know there are lots of lists and awards flying around – but trust me, the World’s 50 Best is the biggie. So: you beauty!
The annual extended list of the world’s 51–100 finest restaurants is decided by a voting academy made up of more than 1,000 global restaurant critics, chefs and restaurateurs. The top 1–50 list will be announced live from Turin, Piedmont on June 19.
Josh wrote on Instagram: "WHAT AN OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT. @julieniland and I couldn't be more grateful & proud of the superhuman efforts of the entire team — not just @saintpeterpaddo but @saintpeterbar @thesaintpeterhotel & @fishbutchery. Alongside our own team, we celebrate the long list of suppliers, producers and artisans that make @saintpeterpaddo the special place it is."
In Time Out Sydney’s five-star review of Saint Peter, I wrote: "Across nine exquisite courses, Niland celebrates seafood in all its glory, while championing sustainability with each convincing bite."
Some of the courses might include: an exquisite and bright fish soup featuring noodles made from the bones of coral trout; a plate of fish charcuterie that turns offcuts into wine-bar delights; fettuccine-like calamari twirled through a bolognese-style tuna ’nduja; and line-caught blue mackerel with a sublime salt and vinegar sauce. As well as a lemon meringue tart of your citrus-laced dreams.
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While the set menu at dinner is the best way to experience Saint Peter in all its glory, if you don’t have as much cash to splash (it’ll set you back $275 per person, plus drinks), you can order à la carte at lunch. Or drop in to the more casual – but equally excellent – Saint Peter Bar (and order the yellowfin tuna cheeseburger).
And a huge congratulations to our Kiwi mates: Amisfield Restaurant – located in the picturesque Central Otago region, just 15 minutes from Queenstown – also made the list, coming in at 99th place. It’s the first time a restaurant from Aotearoa has made it onto the World’s 50 Best.
Time Out tip: Amisfield is also home to an excellent winery with some of the most beautiful views I’ve enjoyed alongside a glass of pinot noir — add it to your next South Island road trip.
Congrats to Josh, Julie and the whole team. You can see the full list of restaurants and find out more here. Bring on June 19!
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