Australia's Best Restaurant

Quay

Peter Gilmore's Quay. In it's second year in the World Top 100 Restaurant list, Quay came in at number 27 and earned the title of Best Restaurant in Australiasia. It also retains 3 hat status in the SMH Good Food Guide and 3 stars in Gourmet Traveller magazine into 2011.

Overlooking Sydney Cove, Quay features stunning views sweeping across from the Sydney Opera House at one end to the Sydney Harbour Bridge at the other end. The dishes are as aesthetically pleasing as the views, they are beautifully plated with vibrant colours in forms that draw inspiration and metaphors to scenes and objects from nature. Past the superficial, the menu doesn't fail to deliver quality and creativity. Textural variety and complexity is a notable feature of Peter Gilmore's cooking and is showcased in dishes such as the Jackfruit Snow Egg or the Eight Textured Chocolate Cake. Rare and unusual ingredients are sourced from around Australia to create dishes that are as much about balance as they are about contrast of flavours and textures. Dining at Quay is a captivating experience that showcases the great diversity and quality that modern Australian cuisine can offer, set amidst some of the most iconic scenery that Australia can offer. Check out the videos of head chef Peter Gilmore talking about some of his signature dishes at Quay.

Attica

Ben Shewry's Attica. Again, the only Victorian based restaurant in Australia to make the World Top 100 list in 2011, it has climbed up the list 20 places to number 53. It is now also the second highest Australian restaurant on the list. Set in the unassuming suburbs of Melbourne, dining at Attica is all about the food. Ben Shewry delivers tantalizing combinations of unique and eclectic ingredients, some of which are foraged by Shewry himself in the morning near his home on the Bellarine peninsula. These are then prepared using elaborate techniques and an array of home-brewed technology within the kitchen of Attica. Though the wine list, setting and service is no match for most of the other restaurants on our list the heights delivered by the food elevate Attica to its current position.

Tetsuya's

Tetsuya Wakuda's Tetsuya's. One of Australia's most internationally recognised restaurants, Tetsuya's for the first time has dropped out of the World Top 50 and now ranks at number 58 in 2011. Previously it had been inside the the top 50 since the award's inception in 2002. At its peak it ranked number 4 in the world in 2005 and for 7 years has been the highest ranked Australian restaurant on the list. It has retained 3 hat status in the SMH Good Food Guide from 1992 until 2010.

The cuisine is a fusion of Japanese and classical French technique that consistently produces dishes of high quality. The menu may be regarded as more conservative and less bold than some of the other top restaurants in Australia but what is consistently delivered is almost perfect flavour and textural combinations. The dining area overlooks a serene Japanese garden and the friendly, informative service adds to a complete dining experience.

Marque

Mark Best's Marque. In its second year in the World Top 100 Restaurants list it came in it at number 70 and was also awarded 2011 Restaurant of the Year by the SMH Good Food Guide. Self described as a modest family run restaurant it seats 50 people and the front of the house is run by Best's wife Valerie.

The menu is predominantly French influenced that delivers highly intelligent and original flavour combinations. New age techniques are used but without ego and only when relevant to amplifying the best aspects of an ingredient in a dish. An excellent wine list is matched expertly to the menu. Marque puts on a personable yet world class dining experience in all aspects and is deservedly one of Australia's best restaurants.

Vue de Monde

Shannon Bennett's Vue de Monde. The name literally translates to 'view of the world' and represent's Bennett's imaginative and ambitious view of the world through food and wine. In 2007 it achieved a plethora of top honours, taking out the Restaurant and Catering Australia's Restaurant of the Year and Best Fine Dining award, Gourmet Traveller's Restaurant of the Year, The Age Good Food Guide's Restaurant of the Year and a number 71 ranking in Restaurant Magazine UK's Top 100 list. It has since dropped out of the World Top 100 list but still maintains 3 Good Food Guide chef's hats and 3 Gourmet Traveller stars.

Vue de Monde attempts to create a dinning experience that cannot be replicated at home. The menu is ultimately based on French style cuisine but with creative, playful and unique interpretations. Touches of imaginative décor add to the sense of an alice in wonderland dining experience. The service is meticulous and an extensive international and local wine list serves some great matches.