Australia’s leading luxury food title Gourmet Traveller has announced the winners of the Gourmet Traveller 2023 Restaurant Awards at the hospitality event of the year.

Taking home the top honour of Restaurant of the Year was South Australia’s Restaurant Botanic, with chef Justin James accepting the award at the gala event at Shell House in Sydney.

“There’s no question that Restaurant Botanic is a bravura performance,” says Gourmet Traveller Editor, Joanna Hunkin.

“It combines fun and adventure with polish and poise. Chef Justin James doesn’t attempt perfection but rather embraces the beauty of irregularity and nature, making the most of the restaurant’s iconic location and using the garden’s bounty to create something uniquely of its place,” she says.

The country’s leading chefs and restaurant personalities all came together to celebrate the annual awards, including Neil Perry, Shannon Martinez, Ben Shewry, Brigitte Haffner and Andrew McConnell.

Among those from each state recognised for their excellence was Canberra’s Pilot. Known for their 7-course degustation menu showcasing nostalgic flavours and a strong focus on Australian produce, this is their second year to be named ACT’s Best Restaurant.

Full list of state winners:

Restaurant of the Year: Restaurant Botanic, Adelaide

ACT: Pilot., Canberra

NSW: Margaret, Sydney

VIC: Tedesca Osteria, Red Hill

QLD: Essa, Brisbane

SA: Restaurant Botanic, Adelaide

WA: Lulu La Delizia, Perth

TAS: Fico, Hobart

Full profiles of all the winners, along with the full 2023 Restaurant Guide will feature in the October issues of Gourmet Traveller. https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/