Hotel restaurants in Australia are experiencing a renaissance, transforming into must-visit dining destinations that attract both guests and locals, according to new research from OpenTable and travel booking site KAYAK.
The transformation is backed by compelling consumer data, which found 72% of Australians say they would rebook a hotel specifically for the dining experience, while 69% believe hotel restaurants have significantly improved their offerings in recent years.
OpenTable and KAYAK found that 63% of all hotel restaurant dining over the past year came from local diners rather than hotel guests.
“Hotel restaurants aren’t just for guests anymore – they’ve become must-visit dining destinations for everyone,” said Drew Bowering, OpenTable’s senior director for ANZ. “They’re coming for the food, the service, and the elevated atmosphere, and travellers are now actively seeking out hotels with incredible dining experiences.”
The shift represents a fundamental change in how consumers view hotel dining. Research shows 68% of Australians now see hotel restaurants as open to everyone, not just guests, while 64% believe the quality matches that of standalone venues.
Meanwhile, KAYAK has recorded a 64% increase in travellers using its ‘restaurant’ hotel filter compared to last year.
Dining-driven travel decisions
The data reveals dining has become a primary travel motivator rather than an afterthought.
Nearly a third (29%) of Australians have booked entire trips specifically for restaurant experiences, while 46% spend more on food than on any other travel activity. The influence extends to accommodation choices, with 17% selecting hotels based on their restaurant offerings.
Hotel restaurants are winning on service and atmosphere, with 37% of diners rating hotel restaurant service higher than independent establishments and 40% saying hotel venues beat independents on ambience.
However, casual dining remains king, preferred by 74% of diners, followed by buffet-style dining (53%) and rooftop experiences (39%).
“A great hotel restaurant is an extension of the hotel’s identity – warm, welcoming and approachable,” explained Kartik Kapoor, general manager at Four Seasons Hotel Sydney. “Guests and local Sydney diners alike are drawn to the dynamic experience we offer, which at its core, is world-class hospitality built around an evolving menu.”
Top performers across the country
To celebrate this renaissance, OpenTable and KAYAK launched Australia’s first Top 25 Hotel Restaurants list, featuring standouts across all states and territories. The list spans from Monster Kitchen & Bar at Ovolo Nish in Canberra to Ascua by Intercontinental in Perth, with notable concentrations in both Melbourne and Brisbane.
Major hotel chains are represented alongside boutique properties, suggesting the trend spans various market segments. Melbourne leads with eight establishments, including Lobby Lounge by The Westin and Fleet Rooftop Bar by Vibe Hotels, while Brisbane claims four spots.
The rankings, compiled from more than 190,000 verified OpenTable reviews and dining metrics from June 2024 through May 2025, evaluated restaurants on diner ratings, five-star review percentages, and bookability through KAYAK’s platform.
Social media amplification
The hotel restaurant revival is amplified by social media engagement, with 26% of Australian travellers posting more about their meals than tourist attractions while travelling. This digital word-of-mouth marketing provides hotels with organic promotion that extends far beyond their guest base.
“Travellers aren’t just asking ‘Where should I go?’—they’re asking ‘What’s on the menu when I get there?’” said Kate Williams, chief communications officer at KAYAK. “Great dining experiences are an essential part of today’s travel itineraries, and hotels are rising to the occasion.”
The research methodology included analysis of OpenTable’s reservation data comparing traveller types from June 2024 to May 2025, surveys of 1,002 Australian consumers who dined at hotel restaurants within five years, and KAYAK’s global search data comparing 2024 and 2025 patterns.
As the hospitality industry continues recovering and evolving post-pandemic, hotel restaurants appear to have found their footing as legitimate culinary destinations rather than mere conveniences – potentially reshaping both the hotel and restaurant landscapes in Australia.
The top 25 hotel restaurants in Australia:
ACT:
NSW:
QLD:
- Clifford’s Grill & Lounge by voco Hotel, Gold Coast
- Hatsuhana Restaurant at Sea World Resort, Gold Coast
- The Terrace at Emporium Hotel, Brisbane
- The Fireplace Restaurant by IHG, Sanctuary Cove
- Firma Italian at Emporium Hotel, Brisbane
- Lobby Bar at The Calile Hotel, Brisbane
- Shoreline Restaurant at Sea World Resort, Gold Coast
- Kazba at Ovolo The Valley, Brisbane
SA:
- Shiki Japanese Restaurant by Intercontinental, Adelaide
- Koomo Restaurant and Bar by Crowne Plaza, Adelaide
- Coal Cellar + Grill by Hilton, Adelaide
VIC:
- Lobby Lounge by The Westin, Melbourne
- Lona Misa at Ovolo South Yarra, Melbourne
- Fleet Rooftop Bar by Vibe Hotels, Melbourne
- Blacksmith Bar and Grill at Voco, Melbourne
- North&COMMON at Adina Apartment Hotels, Coburg
- Blossom Rooftop Bar at Pullman, Melbourne
- Olivine at Adina Apartment Hotels, Coburg
- Luci by Hilton, Melbourne
- Rosana Bistro & Bar by Holiday Inn, Werribee
- Brougham Arms Hotel, Bendigo
WA:
