Over the past five years, South Australia’s top restaurants have gone head-to-head for prestigious Restaurant of the Year titles from the likes of Gourmet Traveller and the Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence. We’ve pulled together a list of winners from the last half-decade to give you the ultimate guide on where to dine for a phenomenal experience.
2025
Gourmet Traveller
This year, South Australia stole the spotlight on the national dining stage, with Barossa’s Staġuni sweeping up both Australia’s Best Destination Dining and South Australia’s Best Restaurant award at the 2025 Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards.
Staguni is a newer addition to the Barossa dining scene, opening up in 2024 by acclaimed chef Clare Falzo. The restaurant celebrates the seasons with dishes that feel bright, soulful and unmistakably of the Barossa.
For more information, click here.
Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence
Another Barossa spot claimed the biggest prize at this year’s Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence, with Hentley Farm taking out Restaurant of the Year. Known for transforming local produce into edible art, Hentley Farm has long been a favourite in the region.
“This is an incredibly proud moment for us at Hentley Farm. When we launched the restaurant in 2012, our vision was to create world-class food that complemented the wines from our estate vineyard,” shared General Manager Keith Hentschke.
For more information, click here.
2024
Gourmet Traveller
In 2024, Gourmet Traveller awarded the South Australian restaurant of the year to Maxwell Restaurant. This spot is nestled in the picturesque McLaren Vale wine region, and the win further cemented its reputation as a culinary powerhouse.
Maxwell Restaurant’s Executive Chef, Fabian Lehmann, has had a stellar career forged in the Michelin-starred restaurants of Europe. His exquisite multi-course tasting menu is a truly memorable dining experience.
For more information, click here.
Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence
At 2024’s Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence, North Haven’s Mariners Ristorante swept the board, claiming Restaurant of the Year, as well as Best Italian Restaurant and Seafood Restaurant.
This spot opened in 2023 by the Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia, and offers a refined yet casual atmosphere that will transport you to the shores of Italy with every bite.
For more information, click here.
2023
Gourmet Traveller
2023 saw Restaurant Botanic named the SA winner for the Restaurant of the Year by Gourmet Traveller. Tucked away in the heart of the Adelaide Botanic Garden, Restaurant Botanic is known for taking guests on a journey of exceptional flavours, fine wine, and breathtaking beauty.
Now guided by Executive Chef Jamie Musgrave, the team dedicates itself to continual research and education, making sure that every ingredient is understood, respected, and represented with authenticity and care.
For more information, click here.
Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence
At 2023’s Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence, d’Arry’s Verandah Restaurant in McLaren Vale secured the coveted title of Restaurant of the Year. Located at d’Arenberg, this spot is known for showcasing the Fleurieu Peninsula’s finest produce for more than twenty years.
For more information, click here.
2022
Gourmet Traveller
In 2022, the South Australian Restaurant of the Year was again awarded to Restaurant Botanic. At the time, led by chef Justin James, who is now diving into his own venture with ‘Restaurant Aptos’, he was celebrated for his 20-something course menu that Gourmet Traveller said made the dining experience “feel more adventure, less forced march.”
For more information, click here.
Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence
In 2022, the now-closed Yuki in Burnside took out the coveted title of Restaurant of the Year at the Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence. While no longer open, you can still experience the magic at the venue’s sister restaurant, Yuki in the Hills. They have a reputation for creating some of Adelaide’s best sushi, ramen and tempura, so it makes sense to see them well awarded.
For more information, click here.
2021
Gourmet Traveller
In 2021, it’s no surprise to see who took out Gourmet Traveller’s top spot, with Restaurant Botanic being named South Australian Restaurant of the Year.
For more information, click here.
Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence
In 2021, SkyCity’s Sôl Bar & Restaurant, now named SOL Rooftop, took out the prestigious best restaurant title. While now more of a bar than a restaurant, SOL is known for its fabulous cocktails and even more fabulous views. They do a fantastic bottomless brunch, happy hour, pre and post-game food, and also have à la Carte and Feed Me menus.
For more information, click here.
It’s clear to see South Australia’s restaurant game has stayed strong over the past five years, with new restaurants popping up and taking out some pretty impressive titles, while a few of our old favs continue to make their mark on the industry.
For the list of 2025 Gourmet Traveller winners, click here.
For the 2025 Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence winners, click here.
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