Celebrating the most iconic restaurants that make up the Australian dining landscape, the Readers’ Choice Icon Award returns for its third year as part of Gourmet Traveller’s Annual Restaurant Awards in August. This year’s finalists represent an exciting line-up of talent, each with a reputation built on excellence, consistency and creativity.
The only award decided by popular vote, it’s your chance to champion local heroes from these outstanding finalists.
MEET OUR FINALISTS
Berowra Waters Inn
Sydney, NSW
There are few more magical approaches to a restaurant in Australia than the ride across the Hawkesbury to berth at this river-locked landmark. Berowra Waters Inn’s dégustation delivers divine dishes with modern techniques and native flavours.
Du Fermier
Trentham, Vic
Chef Annie Smithers rustles up her menu with picked-that-day ingredients from her kitchen garden, sourcing everything else from nearby suppliers who breed free-range and ethical meats. It’s a menu driven by dishes that appear simple but are hard to get right.
E’cco Bistro
Brisbane, Qld
With almost three decades of practice, E’cco has a knack of making the art of dining look easy. It’s an achievement hard-won by the graft of chef-patron Philip Johnson and front-of-house whiz Mary Randles, that translates to simple yet elevated Euro fare.
Stillwater Restaurant
Launceston, Tas
For 25 years, Stillwater has been nailing it as both a boutique hotel and restaurant. Chef-owner Craig Will’s standard-setting menu, anchored by local producers, makes this a Tasmanian mainstay, supported by unfailingly attentive service and a 200-strong wine list.
Vintners Bar & Grill
Angaston, SA
Chef Peter Clarke and sommelier Rami Heer set a high bar for wine region restaurants, showcasing the produce of the Barossa Valley both on the plate and in the glass. Vintners has earned legions of loyal diners who return for its elegant modern Australian menu.
Voting has now closed for this year’s Readers’ Choice Icon Award. The winner will be announced at our Restaurant Awards on Monday 18 August.
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