Couple dining at Dier Makr restaurant in Hobart © Osborne Images

Dier Makr, Hobart, Tasmania © Osborne Images

The 10 Best Modern Australian Restaurants

Minted Potato dish served at Attica restaurant in Melbourne © Colin Page

Attica, Melbourne, Victoria © Colin Page

"From having my mind expanded by the global cooking cultures of our staff, to the recent harvest of hundreds of Murnong (Yam daisy) after two years in Ripponlea soil; we’ve made some incredible discoveries – if only the walls could talk."

Ben Shewry, Head Chef, Attica 

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Did you know?

It’s estimated there are up to 5,000 native food species that have historically been utilised by Aboriginal Australians.

Couple enjoying food and drink at Quay Restaurant © Destination NSW/Dick Sweeney

Quay Restaurant, The Rocks, Sydney, New South Wales © Destination NSW/Dick Sweeney

Fun fact

Quay’s executive chef Peter Gilmore usually works on a single dish for months before putting it on the menu.

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Interior of Africola Restaurant in Adelaide © Andre Castellucci

Africola, Adelaide, South Australia © Andre Castellucci

Flat lay of dishes from Penfolds Magill Estate Kitchen © South Australian Tourism Commission

Penfolds Magill Estate Kitchen, Adelaide Hills, South Australia © South Australian Tourism Commission

"Our aim is to constantly be inventive, drawing influences from season, flavour, aroma, wine and texture. We have a conceptual approach to cooking, which reflects on travels and exchanges of ideas."

Scott Huggins, Head Chef, Magill Estate 

Table set with food and drinks at Rick Shores Restaurant on the Gold Coast © Tourism and Events Queensland

Rick Shores Restaurant, Gold Coast, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland

Detour Restaurant in Brisbane © @detourrestaurant and @dine.agency

Detour, Brisbane, Queensland © @detourrestaurant and @dine.agency

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Did you know?

Detour's focus is "Inclusive Dining", where the menu is specifically designed to spark conversation and provide artful dishes that encourage a shared experience. 

Couple dining at Dier Makr restaurant in Hobart © Osborne Images

Dier Makr, Hobart, Tasmania © Osborne Images

Abrolhos Island Scallop dish at Wildflower restaurant in Perth © Wildflower

Wildflower, Perth, Western Australia © Wildflower

"The most exciting challenge of working with native ingredients is respecting their delicate seasonality, but the rewards are endless, allowing you to forge your own techniques without boundaries."

Matthew Sartori, Head Chef, Wildflower 

Chef cooking meat at Firedoor restaurant in Sydney © Firedoor/Nikki To

Firedoor, Sydney, New South Wales © Firedoor/Nikki To

Fun fact

Firedoor is one of only two Australian restaurants to be featured on the Netflix series Chef’s Table.

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Read next

Insider guide: restaurants worth travelling for (according to Australia’s top restaurant critics)

Chilled broth dish served at Brae in Birregurra © Brae Restaurant

Brae, Birregurra, Victoria © Brae Restaurant