Neil Perry’s Margaret in Sydney’s Double Bay has been crowned the best steakhouse in Australia, topping a newly released ranking of the country’s 30 finest steak restaurants.
The accolade caps a remarkable result for the veteran restaurateur, whose Double Bay venue Gran Torino also cracked the top 10 at number seven, making Perry the only chef or restaurateur with two entries in the elite upper echelon of the list.
Perry took to Instagram to mark the occasion. “So proud and feel so privileged to have two restaurants in the top 10 and to be number one is amazing,” he wrote. “It says a lot about our amazing farmers and incredible staff.”
Margaret claimed the top spot ahead of Surry Hills fire-driven restaurant Firedoor at number two, and Aalia Restaurant at three.
Firedoor pays homage to producers
Firedoor, which has built an 11-year reputation as one of Australia’s most singular dining experiences, was gracious in its response to the recognition. “Steak has always been one of our signatures, but what we do with fire is only the final conversation in a much longer story,” the restaurant said.
“The steak on the plate is the result of years of quiet dedication on farms, in paddocks, in breeding programs, in feed regimes, and in stewardship. Our role is simply to honour that work and allow the fire to reveal its true potential.”
The restaurant paid tribute to the producers behind its result, including Westholme, Rangers Valley, O’Connor Beef, Blackmore Wagyu, Cobungra Station Wagyu and Coppertree Farms. “This recognition belongs as much to them as it does to us,” Firedoor said.
Agnes Restaurant in Brisbane claimed fourth, ahead of Arkhe at five and Steer Dining Room at six. Gran Torino’s seventh-place finish was followed by Melbourne’s Victor Churchill at eight, The International Sydney at nine, and Porteño Sydney, rounding out the top 10.
The broader list of 30 restaurants spans Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and beyond, and includes celebrated addresses such as Rockpool Bar & Grill (11), The Gidley (12), Gimlet Melbourne (15), Restaurant Hubert (20) and Bistecca Sydney (25) — a testament to the depth and diversity of Australia’s steak culture.
The ranking assessed restaurants on the quality of their produce sourcing, fire craft, consistency and overall dining experience, painting a picture of a country punching well above its weight as a global steak destination.
