Australia’s culinary landscape is as colourful as its geographical beauty. From the bustling streets of Sydney to the tranquil vineyards of the Barossa Valley, Australia offers an extraordinary range of culinary experiences. Fine Dining Australia are your gateway to the pinnacle of culinary discovery. Whether you’re a seasoned food connoisseur or just looking to indulge in an unforgettable meal, every meal at Fine Dining Australia is an opportunity to explore, savour and celebrate the finest elements of Australia’s culinary heritage. We invite you to join us on a culinary adventure and discover why Australia is the destination of choice for food lovers.
Fine Dining Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne’s cuisine is renowned for its diversity and innovation. For those looking for an extraordinary dining experience, Melbourne has many fine dining restaurants guaranteed to tantalise your taste buds and impress you. Below, we highlight 6 of the most outstanding Fine dining in Melbourne, Australia.
Amaru Melbourne
Amaru is a poetic name. It means “A Beautiful Place” in the Aboriginal language. Amaru is a new Fine Dining in Melbourne. The interior is minimalist, with grey concrete walls, wooden tables, and teal mugs. From the customised plates to the bar design by former Vue De Monde chef Clinton Mclver.
Founded in 2016 by Chef Clinton, Amaru picked up two Chef’s Hat awards the following year. Amaru is a modestly sized restaurant, tastefully decorated in warm and welcoming colours, with seating for both regular tables and the Chef’s Bar, which accepts bookings for up to three people and is one of the more popular seating areas in the restaurant, where the chef serves the food himself and introduces the dishes, and where you can see how the food is prepared.
The Chef’s Bar is a popular seat in the restaurant. Here, the chef serves and introduces the dishes. You can see the whole preparation process from the open kitchen, so book in advance! The Chef’s Bar is a multi-sensory journey of sight, smell, and taste, using seasonal Australian ingredients in a creative mix-and-match.
🔗 https://www.amarumelbourne.com.au/
📍1121 High Street, Armadale VIC 3143
GAEA
Gaea is Melbourne’s newest chef’s hat restaurant. It is the only Fine Dining in Australia that changes its menu monthly to give guests great taste buds and more surprises. Nestled in a quiet lane in Fitzroy, Gaea’s modern, minimalist exterior contrasts with its warm, natural, fresh interior. With only 16 seats, Gaea is niche yet unique.
The chef and owner is Chinese; after coming to Australia from China, he has worked in several top Fine Dining restaurants, including Attica, Vue de Monde, The Press Club, etc. He insists that he doesn’t eat from time to time, so the menu is updated every month, and the elements of Chinese food are perfectly integrated into Fine Dining; the combination is not jarring, and it adds more of a finishing touch to the dishes, like The soul of each dish, you can feel the charm of cooking while eating.
🔗 https://www.restaurantgaea.com.au/
📍1/166 Gertrude St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
Grossi Florentino
Initially opened in 1928, Grossi Florentino is one of Melbourne’s oldest restaurants and the recipient of two chef’s hats. In early 2013, architect Mills Gorma set about transforming it into a more contemporary restaurant with a touch of Renaissance grandeur. As an Italian restaurant, Florentine frescoes are a must. With the luxury chandeliers shining brightly, you can choose between Fine Dining upstairs and Casual downstairs for an alfresco location.
There are hardly any restaurants in Melbourne these days that will still open doors, hang coats, pull out chairs and fold napkins for their guests, and Grossi Florentino still adheres to these thoughtful rituals. Chatting with friends, watching the traffic on the street, enjoying the sunset, and eating authentic Italian food is cosy and comfortable, which is what a holiday should be like. It also has the best tiramisu in Melbourne!
🔗 https://www.florentino.com.au/florentino/
📍 80 Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Ishizuka
Ishizuka is Melbourne’s award-winning two-chef hat for Kaiseki cuisine, which is also known as the highest level of feast in Japanese cuisine. The interior has a solid oriental feel. Ishizuka’s central bar resembles a Japanese lantern made of metal frames and linen. Concrete pillars surround the walls, giving the space a Zen-like feel. With seating for just 16, the dining area is centred around the open kitchen, offering an unobstructed view of the chef’s cooking.
Ishizuka uses only fresh seasonal ingredients, and the menu changes according to the seasons, each bringing a different experience. As authentic Kaiseki cuisine, the presentation of the plates and the order in which the ingredients are freshly prepared and served follow the Kaiseki standard. Dainichi Gama, a Kyoto-based ceramics studio, customises all tableware.
🔗 https://www.ishizuka.com.au/home/
📍 Basement Bar/139 Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Flower Drum
Wanshou Palace is a Chinese Fine Dining in Melbourne, Australia. It is recognised as the best Cantonese restaurant in Australia and the only Chinese restaurant to be awarded two chef’s hats. Opened in a hidden alleyway, Wanshou Palace’s traditional Chinese décor is atmospheric without being ostentatious. It has an ancient flavour and a solid Chinese atmosphere, demonstrating stability and elegance.
Opened in 1975, Wanshou Palace has been around for a long time, where chefs bring the best of Chinese flavours to life. For more than 40 years, Wanshou Palace has remained the number one Chinese restaurant in Melbourne, winning numerous awards and recommendations from local dining guides.
🔗 https://flowerdrum.melbourne/
📍 17 Market Lane, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000
Vue De Monde
Vue De Monde is one of Melbourne’s finest, most luxurious, and sophisticated restaurants. It is situated on the 55th floor of the landmark Rialto building, overlooking the entire cityscape. Australians judge food by its chef’s hats, with three being the highest accolade. Vue De Monde has always held the honour of three chef’s hats.
Vue de Monde’s décor is modern, simple, and understatedly luxurious, with black as the primary colour. Everything from the furniture to the cutlery is beautifully detailed. The cutlery is Christoflé, a luxury silverware from France, which is probably Chef Shannon Bennett’s French passion.
🔗 https://vuedemonde.com.au/book-now
📍Level 55 Rialto Towers, 525 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Fine Dining Sydney, Australia
Sydney’s culinary scene is renowned for its diversity and excellence, offering a range of dining experiences that cater to different tastes and preferences. If you’re looking for a fine dining experience with refined elegance and culinary excellence, then the following 4 Fine Dining in Sydney are definitely for you.
Sepia Restaurant
Voted ‘Restaurant of the Year 2014’, Sepia has all the ingredients for fine dining in an elegant setting with delicious food and courteous waiters. The restaurant uses the finest seasonal ingredients and draws inspiration from Japanese cuisine, presenting each dish like a painting. Sepia offers a four-course and degustation menu on Tuesday to Thursday evenings and Friday lunchtime, as well as a completely different degustation menu on Friday evening, Saturday lunchtime, and Sunday evening, making it an excellent restaurant for a date.
- Food: Contemporary dishes with a Japanese twist. Order by the menu or choose from a selection of set menus.
- Service: Professional and skilful.
- Ambience: Elegant, understated Art Deco style.
🔗 https://www.sepiachicago.com/
📍201 Sussex St, Sydney
Restaurant Huber
Hailed as one of the finest Fine Dining Sydney restaurants, Restaurant Hubert takes the top spot for its exclusive location in Sydney alone. Restaurant Hubert embraces culinary excellence in preparing the finest French cuisine, as every dish is worth savouring. This secret underground restaurant and bar comes alive on Friday nights with a naturally inclined wine list and a relaxed, unfussy atmosphere.
- Food: Beautifully presented.
- Service: Professional and effective.
- Environment: Simple and elegant.
📍15 Bligh St, Sydney NSW 2000
📞 02 9232 0881
The Gantry
There’s no more spectacular view than Sydney Harbour, and The Gantry, the idyllic Longman’s location on Walsh Bay’s waterfront, is out of this world. All dishes are determined by the kitchen on the day and presented in great detail by the ordering waiter, who is attentive and entirely professional. Perfect for a date night or special occasion, each dish is carefully concocted, and the restaurant prints out the menu you enjoyed as a souvenir when you’ve finished, which is a very thoughtful service.
- Food: Fresh and delicate.
- Service: Professional and courteous.
- Environment: Low-key and elegant.
📍11 Hickson Rd, Dawes Point, New South Wales 2000
📞 6128 2989 910
Bennelong Restaurant
Bennelong is more than just a Fine Dining in Sydney; it’s a destination. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply looking to enjoy a memorable meal, Bennelong offers an unrivalled experience. Extraordinary cuisine, stunning views and impeccable service make it a must-visit destination for lovers of Sydney’s finest cuisine.
From the moment you walk in the door, the atmosphere of a fine-dining restaurant hits you. The restaurant’s interior perfectly blends modern design with its iconic status. High ceilings and wide floor-to-ceiling Windows create an open and welcoming atmosphere, allowing diners to enjoy stunning views of Sydney Harbour. Soft lighting and well-designed decor add to the sense of luxury and make every guest feel part of something genuinely different.
📍Sydney Opera House Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000
🔗 https://www.bennelong.com.au/
Fine Dining Cairns, Australia
Cairns is a tropical paradise in northern Queensland, known for its stunning scenery and the Great Barrier Reef. It is also a treasure trove of culinary experiences that delight your taste buds. If you’re a food lover and want to explore culinary delights, here are three Fine Dining in Cairns you can’t miss!
Tamarind Restaurant
The sophisticated and elegant Tamarind Restaurant is located in the heart of Cairns in the Riviera Reef Hotel & Casino. Tamarind Restaurant is a multi-award-winning restaurant in Cairns and North Queensland. It is the first choice for Fine Dining in Cairns, Australia, offering a wide range of modern and innovative Asian dishes featuring the best ingredients.
The restaurant’s philosophy of fine dining is conveyed through the use of seasonally fresh ingredients and a high level of culinary excellence. The Chef has carefully selected wines to complement the dishes, and the cocktail list is a creative blend of modern Asian influences, ideal for pre or post-dinner enjoyment. The Thai-inspired interior creates a pleasing and comfortable dining environment.
Ochre Restaurant
Ochre Restaurant is a renowned Fine Dining in Cairns, known for its innovative modern Australian cuisine. The restaurant prides itself on using locally sourced ingredients, giving you an authentic taste of Australia in every dish.
- Unique flavour: Ochre’s menu celebrates local Australian specialities, including kangaroo sirloin steak, salt-and-pepper crocodile meat, and Waterside pie.
- The view: While enjoying your meal, you can also enjoy stunning views of Trinity Inlet, adding a picturesque backdrop to your dining experience.
- Impeccable service: A passion for the food ensures a memorable dining experience.
📍1 Marlin Parade, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
📞 617 4051 0100
Waterbar & Grill Steakhouse
For those who love their steaks cooked to perfection, Waterbar & Grill Steakhouse is a great choice. Known for its mouth-watering steaks and vibrant atmosphere, this restaurant is one of Cairns’s top Fine Dining in Cairns restaurants.
- Extraordinary steaks: Waterbar & Grill’s steaks are sourced from Australia’s finest beef, perfectly prepared and available in various cuts.
- Lively atmosphere: The restaurant is warm and welcoming, perfect for a relaxed and sophisticated dining experience.
- Waterfront dining: The restaurant is located in the Marina Mall, where you can enjoy the stunning waterfront view while enjoying the delicious food.
📍Pier Shopping Centre, Pier Point Rd, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
📞 617 4031 1199
Fine Dining Byron Bay, Australia
Byron Bay is known for its stunning beaches, vibrant arts scene and undeniable laid-back charm. But it’s not just the surf and sand that draws people to this seaside paradise; Byron Bay has become a culinary hotspot, too. Let’s explore some of the must-visit Fine Dining in Byron Bay for an unforgettable culinary experience.
Beach Byron Bay
Situated on the coast of Byron Bay, Beach Byron Bay offers an exquisite dining experience and breathtaking sea views. This restaurant is perfect for those who like to dine by the sea and enjoy peace and tranquillity while still indulging in good food.
- Seasonal menu changes seasonally, ensuring only the freshest local ingredients are used.
- Signature dishes: Indulge in imperial fish cooking and succulent grilled octopus.
- Unbeatable view: While enjoying the food, you will also have a fantastic view of the Pacific Ocean.
📍2 Massinger Street, Clarkes Beach, Byron Bay, New South Wales 2481
📞 61 1300 583 766
Rae’s Fish Cafe
Located in the iconic Rae’s Hotel on Wategos, Rae’s Fish Cafe combines luxury with laid-back glamour. This Fine Dining in Byron Bay specialises in seafood, with a menu showcasing the freshest ingredients from the sea. The setting is perfect for those who enjoy a relaxed atmosphere whilst savouring a delicious meal.
- Signature seafood dishes: The seafood here is unbeatable, from oysters to whole fish.
- Beachfront dining: Enjoy a meal amid the sound of waves and salty air.
- Elegant atmosphere: The refined and relaxed atmosphere reflects the unique charm of Byron Bay.
📍6/8 Marine Parade, Byron Bay NSW 2481, Australia
📞 612 6685 5366
Conclusion
Fine Dining Australia promises a meal and an unforgettable culinary adventure, whether you’re savouring contemporary flavours at a Michelin-starred restaurant or reminiscing about authentic flavours at a hidden boutique restaurant. For those seeking culinary excellence, Australia is a beacon of choice, offering a wide range of options to suit every taste and occasion. Their dedication to quality, innovation and sustainability not only sets high standards for the restaurant industry but also plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of global cuisine. Australia’s finest culinary experiences celebrate the country’s diverse heritage and forward-thinking spirit. They invite you to indulge in extraordinary cuisine, explore new flavours and create memories to cherish for years.
FAQ
Which city in Australia has the best restaurants?
Melbourne and Cairns are famous for their gourmet restaurants. With their multiculturalism, the Fine Dining in Melbourne and Cairns is unique, making Australia one of the most vibrant countries in the world for food and drink.
What is the foodie capital of Australia?
When you think of Australia’s culinary destinations, you may think of Sydney and the Gold Coast. But for those who know Melbourne, it’s a vibrant and diverse food scene that celebrates innovation, originality and, most importantly, flavour. That’s why Melbourne deserves to be Australia’s culinary capital.
What is the dining etiquette in Australia?
Australia is known for its diverse culture and relaxed lifestyle, but its unique dining etiquette reflects its multicultural heritage. Here are three things you need to know about dining etiquette.
- Australians value punctuality highly, so arriving on time is polite, whether for a formal dinner or a casual brunch.
- Australians enjoy conversation. Topics such as travel, sport and food are usually safe and welcome.
- For more formal occasions, it’s a good idea to bring a small gift for your host, such as a bottle of wine or a box of chocolates.
