Rockpool (Sydney, NSW; tel. 02/9252 1888): With the chefs on view and designer chairs to sit on, Rockpool is a consistent favorite, not least for its fabulous, inventive food.
Mezzaluna (Sydney, NSW; tel. 02/9357 1988): Come here for exquisite food, flawless service, and a great view across the city's western skyline. The main dining room opens onto an all-weather terrace kept warm in winter by giant, overhead fan heaters. Don't miss it.
Quay (Sydney, NSW; tel. 02/9251 5600): Sydney's best seafood restaurant offers perhaps the loveliest view in town. Gaze through the large windows toward the Opera House, the city skyline, the North Shore suburbs, and the Harbour Bridge.
Tetsuya's (Sydney, NSW; tel. 02/9267 2900): Chef Tetsuya Wakuda is arguably Sydney's most famous chef, and his nouveau Japanese creations are imaginative enough to guarantee that this hip eatery is a constant number one in Australia. In 2007, the restaurant ranked no. 5 in the world!
e'cco bistro (Brisbane, QLD; tel. 07/3831 8344): Simple food elegantly done has won this small but stylish bistro a stack of awards, and you'll see why. Not least among its titles is Australia's top restaurant award, the Remy Martin Cognac/Gourmet Traveller Restaurant of the Year. Booking ahead is essential.
Donovans (Melbourne, VIC; tel. 03/9534 8221): A glass in hand while the sun goes down over St. Kilda beach, watched from the veranda at Donovans, is a perfect way to end the day. This 1920s bathing pavilion has been transformed into a welcoming beach-house-style restaurant, complete with views across the sand and a seafood-rich menu.
Star Anise (Subiaco, Perth, WA; tel. 08/9381 9811): This small restaurant tucked away on a leafy suburban street serves up tasty, innovative, Asian-influenced food. The menu is kept simple, with just five courses in each section, but each dish is a gem.
Voyager Estate (Margaret River, WA; tel. 08/9757 6354): Everything about this winery and restaurant reeks of class. Superb Cape Dutch architecture, impeccable gardens, and imaginative cuisine make this a top dining spot. Recommended wines available by the glass.
Prairie Hotel (Flinders Ranges, SA; tel. 08/8648 4844): While you may be tempted to dismiss the hotel's signature dish, a "feral mixed grill" (camel sausage, goat chop, kangaroo fillet, and wallaby kebab on mashed potatoes with gravy), as a tourist gimmick, the Prairie's food is definitely worth going out of your way for. Aside from a few other novelty dishes ('roo burger or wallaby stir fry), the entrees are a blend of different tastes and textures combining native foods with more contemporary ingredients.
Flower Drum (Melbourne, VIC; tel. 03/9662 3655): Praise pours in for this upscale eatery serving Cantonese food. The food is exquisite and the service impeccable.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
