Pictured: LVN Restaurant
South Australia is proving once again that it punches well above its weight when it comes to exceptional dining, with 13 local restaurants earning a coveted spot on Gourmet Traveller’s 100 Best Restaurants in Australia for 2026.
From intimate Adelaide dining rooms to destination restaurants scattered across the Hills, Barossa and Fleurieu, the list celebrates some of the state’s most exciting places to eat, including newly crowned Restaurant of the Year Esmay.
Esmay – Restaurant of the Year
South Australia’s newly crowned Restaurant of the Year, Esmay, opened in 2025 under the guidance of celebrated chef Alanna Sapwell-Stone. Located inside the historic Hackney Hotel, Esmay is the next chapter in Alanna’s already very well-established culinary journey.
Where: 95 Hackney Rd, Hackney SA 5069
For more information, click here.
Hentley Farm Restaurant
Seppeltsfield’s Hentley Farm Restaurant is a stand out of 2026, being named South Australia’s Restaurant of the Year for 2026 at the Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence. The Barossa restaurant is famous for its ever changing menu inspired by the seasons.
Where: Gerald Roberts Rd, Jenke Rd, Seppeltsfield SA 5355
For more information, click here.
Kiin
Kiin, meaning ‘eat’ in Thai, is bringing modern Asian flavours to the heart of Adelaide. Coming from a team with more than fifty years of combined experience, this is a spot where you’ll find innovative dishes and exceptional wine and cocktails, all paired with a bit of old-school hospitality.
Where: 73 Angas St, Adelaide SA 5000
For more information, click here.
LVN Restaurant
Bird in Hand’s LVN Restaurant is representative of everything the winery stands for. With a focus on art, design, and excellence in cuisine and fine wine, LVN brings the very best of the region to diners.
Where: 150 Pfeiffer Rd, Woodside SA 5244
For more information, click here.
Maxwell Restaurant
Maxwell is nestled in the picturesque McLaren Vale wine region and has a 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.
Where: 19 Olivers Rd, McLaren Vale SA 5171
For more information, click here.
Omada Bar & Grill
After opening late in 2026, Omada Bar and Grill has quickly become a new favourite. The contemporary Greek-inspired venue took out the Hospitality Design Award at the 2026 Australian Interior Design Award, being named one of SA’s most beautiful restaurants.
Where: 46 Currie St, Adelaide SA 5000
For more information, click here.
Parwana Afghan Kitchen
Parwana Afghan Kitchen is a family affair, serving up the cherished recipes of Farida Ayubi, the heart of the Ayubi family. The restaurant first opened in Adelaide’s Western suburbs in 2009. From day one, they’ve aimed to do more than just feed you; they want to transport you to the heart of Afghanistan, showcasing the richness and beauty of their culture through food. It’s a way for the Ayubis to stay connected to their roots, even after being forced to leave their homeland.
Where: 124B Henley Beach Rd, Torrensville SA 5031
For more information, click here.
Pearl
Pearl is a harmonious seaside venue run by two locals, Jules Rydon and Bec Seidel, who shared the same dream of opening a seafood restaurant. With the name reflecting its connection to the sea, the duo are clearly making waves when it comes to their food offering, being named on Australia’s best fish and chips in 2026.
Where: Boat Ramp, Aldinga Beach SA 5173
For more information, click here.
Restaurant Aptos
Fresh on the scene in 2026, as one of the most anticipated and ambitious Adelaide openings of the past few years, Restaurant Aptos is a multi-level, multi-sensory restaurant, with a 16-course tasting menu, three dining rooms, native Australian ingredients, and just 14 guests per sitting.
Where: 147 Mount Barker Rd, Stirling SA 5152
For more information, click here.
Restaurant Botanic
A repeat winner of SA’s Best Restaurant, Restaurant Botanic is tucked away in the heart of the Adelaide Botanic Garden. Known for taking guests on a journey of exceptional flavours, fine wine, and breathtaking beauty, Executive Chef Jamie Musgrave and the team dedicate themselves to continual research and education, making sure that every ingredient is understood, respected, and represented with authenticity and care.
Where: Plane Tree Dr, Adelaide SA 5000
For more information, click here.
Staġuni
Named South Australia’s best restaurant in 2025, Barossa’s Staġuni swept up both Australia’s Best Destination Dining and South Australia’s Best Restaurant accolades at the 2025 Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards, and came in again on the list in 2026. This spot focuses on hospitality, authenticity, creativity, and connection, drawing inspiration from European eateries and the diverse ways communities eat around the world.
Where: 457 Seppeltsfield Rd, Marananga SA 5355
For more information, click here.
The Little Rickshaw
Aldinga’s The Little Rickshaw is a modern Southeast Asian restaurant and bar set in the rustic and historic venue of a 190-year-old blacksmith’s workshop. On the menu are dishes that are fun and fresh, featuring fresh produce from the local region.
Where: 24 Old Coach Rd, Aldinga SA 5173
For more information, click here.
Thelma
Thelma is a recent addition to the Adelaide dining scene, bringing European-inspired dining to the Adelaide Hills. Thelma is the product of a shared desire to make good food and drink good wine grown and produced by friends and family near and far.
Where: 176 Piccadilly Rd, Piccadilly SA 5151
For more information, click here.
Gourmet Traveller’s 100 best restaurants in Australia
South Australia
Restaurant of the Year: Esmay, Hackney
Hentley Farm Restaurant, Seppeltsfield
Kiin, Adelaide
LVN Restaurant, Woodside
Maxwell Restaurant, McLaren Vale
Omada Bar & Grill, Adelaide
Parwana Afghan Kitchen, Adelaide
Pearl, Aldinga
Restaurant Aptos, Stirling
Restaurant Botanic, Adelaide
Staġuni, Barossa
The Little Rickshaw, Aldinga
Thelma, Piccadilly
NSW
Restaurant of the Year: Bistro Livi, Murwillumbah
A’Mare, Sydney
Allta, Sydney
Ante, Sydney
Bathers’ Pavilion, Sydney
Cafe Paci, Sydney
Corner 75, Sydney
Eleven Barrack, Sydney
Ester, Sydney
EXP. Restaurant, Hunter Valley
Grandfather’s, Sydney
Margaret, Sydney
Mr. Wong, Sydney
Olympus Dining, Sydney
Pipit, Pottsville
Porcine, Sydney
Saint Peter, Sydney
Sean’s, Sydney
South End, Sydney
Three Blue Ducks Burradoo, Burradoo
Vin-Cenzo’s, Sydney
Watermans, Sydney
Victoria
Restaurant of the Year: Zareh, Melbourne
Amaru, Melbourne
Anchovy, Melbourne
Barragunda Dining, Cape Schanck
Bistra, Melbourne
Brae, Birregurra
Carnation Canteen, Melbourne
Chauncy, Heathcote
Di Stasio Carlton, Melbourne
Embla, Melbourne
Etta, Melbourne
Flower Drum, Melbourne
Gimlet, Melbourne
Greasy Zoe’s, Hurstbridge
Harriot, Melbourne
Kafeneion, Melbourne
Lagoon Dining, Melbourne
Lake House, Daylesford
Marmelo, Melbourne
Minamishima, Melbourne
Navi, Melbourne
O.My, Beaconsfield
Provenance, Beechworth
Roma, Melbourne
Saadi, Melbourne
Society, Melbourne
Tedesca Osteria, Red Hill
Yiaga, Melbourne
Queensland
Restaurant of the Year: The Woodshed, Kin Kin
Agnes, Brisbane
August, Brisbane
Blume, Boonah
Clarence, Brisbane
Essa, Brisbane
Exhibition, Brisbane
Joy, Brisbane
Jungle Fowl, Port Douglas
Mapleton Public House, Mapleton
Norté, Gold Coast
Pilloni, Brisbane
Restaurant Labart, Burleigh Heads
Supernormal, Brisbane
+81 Sushi Kappo, Brisbane
Western Australia
Restaurant of the Year: De’sendent, Margaret River
Casa, Perth
Farra, Perth
Gibney, Perth
Glenarty Road, Karridale
Le Rebelle, Perth
Lulu La Delizia, Perth
Oscar’s in the Valley, Swan Valley
Pearla, Perth
Tigerfish, Perth
Yarri Restaurant + Bar, Dunsborough
Tasmania
Restaurant of the Year: Scholé, Hobart
Aløft Restaurant, Hobart
Fico, Hobart
Ogee, Hobart
Oirthir, Bream Creek
Omotenashi, Hobart
Stillwater, Launceston
The Agrarian Kitchen Restaurant, New Norfolk
Australian Capital Territory
Bar Rochford, Canberra
Mínima, Yarralumla
Such and Such, Canberra
For more information, click here.
