5 Incredible Dining Experiences in Australia

Tasty food is something that keeps us happy and satisfied. What about food when traveling to Australia? In Australia, you get the ‘taste’ of the gorgeous local produce grown there and most local restaurants take pride in serving up dishes made out of it.

Coupled with some lovely local wines, Australian restaurants promise to celebrate the amazing life there.

Incredible Dining Experiences in Australia

Australia is home to a vibrant culinary scene, and you can find incredible dining experiences across the country. Here are some noteworthy dining establishments and experiences that showcase the diverse and innovative Australian cuisine:

1. Attica, Melbourne, Victoria:
   • Attica, led by Chef Ben Shewry, is renowned for its modern Australian cuisine with a focus on native ingredients. It consistently ranks among the world’s best restaurants.
2. Quay, Sydney, New South Wales:
   • Quay, located at Sydney’s Circular Quay, offers a fine dining experience with panoramic views of the Sydney Opera House. Chef Peter Gilmore’s creations highlight the best Australian produce.
3. Brae, Birregurra, Victoria:
   • Set in the picturesque countryside, Brae is a celebrated restaurant known for its commitment to local and seasonal ingredients. Chef Dan Hunter’s innovative menu has earned critical acclaim.
4. Vue de Monde, Melbourne, Victoria:
   • Vue de Monde, situated in the Rialto Tower, provides a sophisticated dining experience with breathtaking views of Melbourne. Chef Shannon Bennett offers a degustation menu featuring contemporary Australian cuisine.
5. Quay, Brisbane, Queensland:
   • Quay, located in Brisbane, is a riverside restaurant offering a refined dining experience. With a focus on sustainable and locally sourced ingredients, the menu showcases modern Australian cuisine.
6. Rockpool Bar & Grill, Sydney, New South Wales:
   • Neil Perry’s Rockpool Bar & Grill is renowned for its premium steaks and seafood. The elegant restaurant is located in Sydney’s Crown Casino complex.
7. Aria, Sydney, New South Wales:
   • Aria, overlooking Sydney Harbour, combines stunning views with award-winning cuisine. The menu by Chef Matt Moran emphasizes seasonal and local produce.
8. Tetsuya’s, Sydney, New South Wales:
   • Tetsuya’s is a Japanese-influenced fine dining establishment in Sydney, known for its innovative fusion of flavors. Chef Tetsuya Wakuda’s tasting menu is a culinary journey.
9. Ormeggio at The Spit, Sydney, New South Wales:
   • Ormeggio, located in Mosman, offers contemporary Italian cuisine with a focus on seafood. The waterside setting adds to the dining experience.
10. FermentAsian, Tanunda, South Australia:
    • FermentAsian in the Barossa Valley is celebrated for its Vietnamese-inspired dishes using local produce. The extensive wine list complements the flavors.
11. Bentley Restaurant + Bar, Sydney, New South Wales:
    • Bentley, located in Sydney’s CBD, offers modern Australian cuisine with a touch of molecular gastronomy. The restaurant has a focus on sustainability and seasonality.
12. Grossi Florentino, Melbourne, Victoria:
    • Grossi Florentino, a Melbourne institution, offers classic Italian cuisine in an elegant setting. The Cellar Bar downstairs provides a more casual experience.
13. Wasabi, Noosa Heads, Queensland:
    • Wasabi in Noosa Heads is known for its contemporary Japanese cuisine, utilizing fresh local ingredients. The restaurant’s riverfront location adds to its charm.
14. The Source at MONA, Hobart, Tasmania:
    • The Source, located at the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), offers a unique dining experience in Hobart. The menu features Tasmanian produce, and the setting is unconventional and artistic.
15. Esquire, Brisbane, Queensland:
    • Esquire, overlooking the Brisbane River, is known for its degustation menu and innovative dishes. The restaurant has received accolades for its commitment to quality and creativity.

5 Incredible Dining Experiences in Australia

Here I have picked out the top 5 offbeat dining experiences that you can have in Australia:

1. ARIA, Sydney & Brisbane

The Chef Matt Moran, the MasterChef Australia, is known for his passion for using seasonal local produce means that ARIA Sydney, which is also the sister concern of ARIA Brisbane, has some amazing food to offer. ARIA is a two-hat restaurant awarded by The Good Food Guide in Australia, located at Circular Quay at the edge of Sydney Harbour, ARIA offers a memorable view, which includes the famed Sydney Opera House. Enjoy a two-course dinner including the beautifully plated entrées of oysters, marron, truffles or Wagyu beef. The main course includes a choice of crispy-skinned Barramundi, Roasted Duck and the like. You can also enjoy award-winning wine ranges, including boutique wine producers.

2. Showboat Dinner Cruise, Sydney

You can step on board the Sydney Showboat Dinner Cruise for a three-hour-long dinner and show. It’ll make you feel you have stepped into the Moulin Rouge, as glamorous Australian showgirls in shimmering costumes about while your entrée is being served. You can relish the 3-course dinner that has been freshly prepared on-board. Dessert is accompanied by a magic show and is followed by the showgirls putting up a great performance.

3. Boathouse Restaurant, Melbourne

Boathouse Restaurant, owned by MasterChef Australia’s co-host Gary Mehigan, located on the banks of the Maribyrnong River and is surrounded by grass banks and river terraces. You should enjoy a 2-course menu and celebrate fine Australian produce. You can also taste a mezze platter which is one of their signature pizzas, including toppings like a gorgonzola pear, and prosciutto or salmon.

4. Zaaffran, Sydney

Zaaffran is a famous restaurant in Sydney that brings a taste of India to Australia. Located on the waterfront of Darling Harbour and looks out over Cockle Bay, it is run and owned by Chef Vikrant Kapoor offering creative and modern Indian food to Sydney and has gone beyond North Indian cuisine. Here you can taste some Lucknowi dishes and also Goan specialties to select from. Vegetarians can look forward to foods like Subz Miloni and Khuswale Baingan. You can opt for the à la carte or have a 3-course Indian meal, which is guaranteed to satiate any homesickness you might be having! You’ll also get an extensive range of wine list complementing the Indian spices.

5. Colonial Tramcar Restaurant, Melbourne

Located in Melbourne, Colonial Tramcar Restaurant is a fleet of vintage trams making it the first traveling tramcar restaurant in the world. You can enjoy here 3-course dinner having Australian specialties like Duck Terrine and Eye Fillet of Beef or an Eggplant Involtini for the vegetarians, which is followed by a cheese platter and a selection of desserts. Finally, you can also have some excellent Australian wines.

Synopsis

These are some of the most astonishing and incredible dining experiences that you might have if you happen to visit Australia besides other adventure cruises and sports.