The Muse restaurant at Mitchelton winery.

The Muse

Striking architecture matched by the grandeur of its environs.

 Avia.
14.5/20

‘Hands-on and handmade’ is the motto behind this fresh neighbourhood tratt

Focaccia,pasta,vinegars,sausages are all made from scratch at small Darlinghurst spot Avia.

  • Terry Durack
Carlotta in Canberra.
Good Food hat15/20

This high-energy restaurant from a star Melbourne group has Canberra talking

Melbourne’s Lucas Restaurants group’s first Canberra venture,Carlotta,has pulled out all the stops,with a talented chef,wood-fired oven and house-made pasta.

  • Terry Durack
Dim Joy House.
14.5/20

This restaurant hidden inside an RSL offers old-school Cantonese for a new generation

The chefs at Chatswood’s Dim Joy House hail from Chinatown’s greats – East Ocean,Emperor’s Garden,Golden Century,Silver and Marigold.

  • Terry Durack
The famous CWA scones.

Missed the CWA scones at the Easter Show? This hidden spot serves them up all year round

The CWA Tea Rooms offer sweet and simple pleasures such as raisin toast,a glass of milk or cordial and those famous scones,all for just a few dollars.

  • Lenny Ann Low
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Breton custard cake.
14.5/20

Carnation Canteen

Glowing bijou beacon in a former corner store.

Spanner crab and charred flatbread at Matilda 159 Domain restaurant in South Yarra,Melbourne. Pic Simon Schluter.
Good Food hat15/20

Matilda 159 Domain

Park-adjacent haven for the well-heeled.

Swordfish empanada.
Good Food hat15/20

Can’t snag a table at the new Restaurant of the Year? Stroll into the (fancy) bar instead

The new three-hat home for chef Josh Niland’s fish cookery includes a walk-in bar serving seafood-led snacks such as swordfish empanada and curry fish pie.

  • Terry Durack
Wagyu cubes with sea salt and crisp garlic at Firepop.
Good Food hat15/20

Firepop

Coal-fired meat with extra sizzle.

The bar at Dux in Albury.
Critics'Pick

Dux

Sleek newcomer goes straight to the top of the class.