OpenTable has announced its first-ever Melbourne and Sydney Icons, a curated list of venues recognised for their contribution to Australia’s world-class dining culture, alongside its inaugural Restaurant Awards, which honour the standout favourites of Melbourne’s dining scene as voted by diners and industry professionals alike.
The move comes off the back of new research revealing that 63% of Australian diners are more likely to try a restaurant they haven’t visited if it has an award or appears on a ‘best restaurants’ list.
Selected by a panel of respected hospitality figures, critics, and creatives, the Icons designation recognises restaurants that have helped shape how Australia eats, drinks, and experiences hospitality.
“Melbourne and Sydney are home to some of the world’s most exciting hospitality venues,” said Drew Bowering, General Manager Australia at OpenTable. “Restaurants play an important role in how people experience a city and OpenTable Icons is an opportunity to recognise the restaurants helping shape Australia’s dining culture and setting the standard for hospitality experiences globally.”
The 2026 OpenTable Melbourne Icons
Amaru | Attica | Carlton Wine Room | Caterina’s Cucina e Bar | Etta | Ishizuka | Kafeneion at the Melbourne Supper Club | Lee Ho Fook | MoVida | Omnia Bistro & Bar | Reed House | Serai Kitchen | The European | Trattoria Emilia | Tulum Turkish Restaurant | Vue de monde | Yiaga | Yugen Dining
The 2026 OpenTable Sydney Icons
10 William St | Bathers’ Pavilion Restaurant | Clam Bar | Ester | Fontana | Fratelli Paradiso | Grandfather’s | LuMi Dining | Neptune’s Grotto | Olympus Dining | Pellegrino 2000 | Pilu at Freshwater | Poly | Porcine | Saint Peter | Sixpenny | Sushi Oe | The Apollo | Yellow
The Melbourne judging cohort brought together a who’s who of the city’s hospitality world: Anthea Loucas Bosha (CEO, Food & Drink Victoria), food journalist Dani Valent, restaurant photographer Kristoffer Paulsen, Leon Kennedy (CEO and Founder, PAX Hospitality), chef and cookbook author Rosheen Kaul, food writer and television host Sofia Levin, Sophie McIntyre (Founder, Club Sup), and Thurman Wise (Co-Founder, MEASURED Studio).
“Melbourne’s dining scene has always been defined by its creativity, diversity and willingness to evolve,” said Rosheen Kaul. “What stood out most throughout the judging process was the calibre of venues consistently delivering memorable experiences while continuing to shape the culture of dining out in this city.”
In Sydney, the panel comprised chef and cookbook author Brendan Pang, chef and cookbook author Danielle Alvarez, Joel Amos (Founder, DRNKS), book publisher Julie Gibbs, photographer Nikki To, and presenter and food judge Simon Marnie.
“Sydney’s hospitality industry is producing restaurants that stand confidently alongside the best in the world,” said Danielle Alvarez. “OpenTable Icons is about recognising the venues setting the benchmark for experience, service, and cultural impact, and helping more diners discover the restaurants shaping what modern Australian dining looks like.”
Melbourne’s Restaurant Awards
Beyond the Icons list, OpenTable’s inaugural Restaurant Awards, hosted in Melbourne by comedian and presenter Merrick Watts, honoured standout venues across both diner and industry votes.
Industry Choice Awards (voted by the hospitality industry):
- Restaurant Design Award: Yiaga
- Innovation Award: Serai Kitchen
- Impact Award: Farmer’s Daughters
- Standout Service Award: Il Solito Posto
People’s Choice Awards (voted by diners):
- Neighbourhood Gem: Carlton Wine Room
- Bar & Pub of the Year: Marquis of Lorne
- Bucket List: Attica
- Opening of the Year: Yiaga
The Australian OpenTable Restaurant Awards follows the debut of the OpenTable London Restaurant Awards in May, with local venues now joining a growing international line-up of restaurants recognised for defining dining culture and exceptional hospitality.
