Pictured: Shiki by Frankie The Creative
No longer are hotel restaurants just a convenient option for travellers, they’re now becoming sought-after dining destinations in their own right, and Adelaide is leading the charge.
OpenTable has unveiled its Top 25 Hotel Restaurants in Australia for 2026, with three South Australian venues making the prestigious list. Adelaide’s Coal Cellar + Grill at Hilton Adelaide, KOOMO Restaurant and Bar at Crowne Plaza Adelaide, and Shiki Japanese Restaurant at InterContinental Adelaide have all been recognised among the country’s standout hotel dining experiences.
New research shows Australians are increasingly choosing hotels for the restaurant rather than simply where they’ll sleep. And a huge 96 per cent of Australians surveyed said they’ve dined at a hotel restaurant without staying overnight, highlighting a major shift in how hotel venues are being viewed.
The trend is particularly strong in Adelaide. Nearly seven in 10 locals or 69 per cent have dined at a hotel restaurant within the past six months, while almost one in three or 32 per cent believe hotel restaurants are destinations in their own right. Even more telling, 39 per cent of Adelaide respondents said they’ve booked a hotel specifically because of its restaurant.
“Hotel restaurants across Australia have officially shed their reputation as solely a convenience option for tired travellers. In fact, 31 per cent of Australian diners believe hotel restaurants are a culinary destination in their own right, proving that you don’t need a room key to enjoy world-class hospitality,” said Drew Bowering, OpenTable’s General Manager Australia.
“From Melbourne’s moody lounges to Perth’s rooftop bars, Aussies are making the menu their holiday map and OpenTable has the list of the 25 best hotel hotspots to check out to make things even simpler.”
Here in Adelaide, the recognition highlights the city’s growing reputation for exceptional food experiences.
Coal Cellar + Grill has become a favourite for premium steak and an extensive wine collection celebrating South Australia’s world-renowned wine regions. With sweeping city views on the 10th floor of Crowne Plaza, KOOMO continues to impress with contemporary Japanese cuisine and sweeping skyline views. Shiki Japanese Restaurant has long been regarded as one of Adelaide’s premier destinations for authentic teppanyaki and Japanese fine dining.
The research also revealed broader shifts in dining habits across Australia. Nearly a third of Australians have booked accommodation specifically because of a hotel’s restaurant, while 42 per cent have chosen an entire travel destination based on its food scene.
Staycations are also on the rise, with half of Australians having booked a hotel in their own city or nearby for a local getaway. Among Millennials, that figure climbs to 60 per cent.
OpenTable also found Monday is the fastest-growing day for hotel restaurant bookings by travellers, while contemporary Mexican cuisine is emerging as one of the country’s fastest-growing dining trends.
See the list of Top Hotel Restaurants:
New South Wales
DECO Wine Bar & Restaurant at Powerhouse Hotel, Tamworth
Gather at Rydges Resort, Lovedale
Goodenia Restaurant & Bar at Robyn’s Nest Lakeside Resort, Merimbula
Saint Peter at The Grand National Hotel, Paddington
Ulmarra Hotel, Ulmarra
Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel, Watsons Bay
Queensland
Agave Rosa at Iconic Kirra Beach Resort, Coolangatta
Coral Sea Pavilion at Coral Sea Resort, Airlie Beach
Hatsuhana Restaurant at Sea World Resort, Gold Coast
The Fireplace Restaurant at Intercontinental, Sanctuary Cove
The Terrace at Emporium Hotel, Brisbane
South Australia
Coal Cellar + Grill at Hilton, Adelaide
Koomo Restaurant and Bar at Crowne Plaza, Adelaide
Shiki Japanese Restaurant at Intercontinental, Adelaide
Victoria
Bar Yarra at Ovolo South Yarra, South Yarra
Blacksmith Bar and Grill at voco Hotel, Melbourne
Coupette at Hannah St Hotel, Southbank
Fleet Rooftop Bar at Vibe Hotel, Melbourne
Hogans Hotel Bistro, Wallan
Naughtons Parkville Hotel at Naughtons Hotel, Parkville
Olivine at Adina Apartment Hotel, Coburg
Salted Egg at Quincy Hotel, Melbourne
Western Australia
Ascua at Intercontinental, Perth
Heno & Rey at Intercontinental, Perth
Ivy and Jack at Holiday Inn, Perth
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