TripAdvisor^®, the travel site that helps you find the latest reviews and lowest prices, today announced the winners of its Travellers' Choice® awards for the best fine dining restaurants around the world, with Muse Restaurant in Pokolbin, New South Wales, named as the best restaurant in Australia.

This year’s awards recognise nearly 400 fine dining restaurants, including the Top 25 in the World, plus dedicated lists for Asia, Europe, India, Canada, Mexico, Australia, South America, South Pacific, the U.K. and the U.S. Award winners were determined using an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of reviews for restaurants around the world, gathered over a 12-month period.

Top 10 Fine Dining Restaurants in Australia
(Excerpts in quotes below from TripAdvisor reviewers)

1. Muse Restaurant – Pokolbin, New South Wales

Opened in 2009 by husband-and-wife team Troy and Megan Rhoades-Brown, this restaurant has set itself apart as the “gastronomic delight set in the Hunter Valley”. Their menu is centered on offering fresh local produce that is simple yet exciting. TripAdvisor reviewers love the restaurant for its “open kitchen” concept and highly recommend the coconut dessert, a “strong finish” to an exquisite dining experience.

2. Friends Restaurant – Perth, Australia

Lauded as the “benchmark for fine dining in Perth”, Friends Restaurant prides itself for offering high quality dishes, along with an award-winning wine list – all served with warm hospitality and at a waterfront property overlooking the Swan River. TripAdvisor reviewers recommend going for the truffle degustation meal with matching wines which “surpass expectations on all levels”. 

3. fermentAsian – Tanunda, South Australia

Award-winning chef-owner Tuoi Do opened the restaurant with the aim of serving delicious Southeast Asian menu inspired by her Vietnamese heritage. Using local produce, reviewers say the dishes are “flavourful” and “beyond delicious”. The TripAdvisor community also loves the chef’s table menu featuring Hanoi spring rolls, grilled South Australian prawns and Barossa Hampshire pork belly.

4. Watergate Restaurant & Lounge Bar – Port Douglas, Australia

Located in the heart of Port Douglas is this charming property that offers both indoor and outdoor dining. Executive chef Lee Neate uses the best local produce to whip up “truly memorable” Australian cuisine with a modern twist with the duck pancakes and cuttlefish entrée especially popular . Order your cocktails with the “very knowledgeable” bar staff who can make anything you ask for.

5. Spice Bar – Mooloolaba, Queensland

With “delicious and beautifully presented” Asian fusion dishes as its main draw, diners should not miss another Spice Bar highlight - its bar and dining area which feature spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. According to TripAdvisor reviewers, ordering the degustation menu is a must, with the scallops and braised duck named as favourites. 

6. Nobu Japanese Restaurant – Burswood, Perth

Chef Nobu Matsuhisa mixes traditional Japanese cuisine with a twist of South American flavours to create “an out-of-this world” unique dining experience for everyone. Ask the friendly service staff who will be more than happy to recommend dishes for you but diners can’t go wrong with the classic bento box featuring “exquisitely presented” prawn tempura, sashimi salad, chef’s choice sushi and miso soup.

7. 1889 Enoteca – Brisbane, Australia

Set in the heart of Woolloongabba’s antique and café quarter is 1889 Enoteca which prides itself for serving some of Brisbane’s best Italian cuisine. The TripAdvisor community loves the restaurant for its “excellent and not intrusive” service and “lovely” ambience. A must-try as recommended by TripAdvisor reviewers is the “ridiculously good” gnocchi that “melts in your mouth”.

8. Spirit House – Yandina, Queensland

This restaurant doubles as a cooking school and serves up award-winning contemporary Asian food in a “magical” property set in a tropical garden. Stand-out dishes amongst TripAdvisor reviewers include the coconut soup of smoked salmon that is “divine” and whole crispy fish that is “truly worth savouring every morsel of”.

9. The Stunned Mullet – Port Macquarie, New South Wales

Located in the coastal town of Port Macquarie, The Stunned Mullet delivers a “fabulously consistent” Australian dining experience with exceptional locally-sourced food and wine. The TripAdvisor community raves about its Mandagery Creek venison that is “plated beautifully and exquisite to the palette”.

10. Maha – Melbourne, Australia

Head chef and owner Shane Delia leads a team in Maha that creates Middle Eastern cuisine “with flavours that burst in your mouth”. Recommended dishes by TripAdvisor reviewers include the 12-hour roasted lamb shoulder that is “tender” and “absolutely delicious”, as well as chemen cured swordfish which often said to be the “highlight” of the meal.

Top 10 Travellers’ Choice Restaurants in the World

1. The Black Swan at Oldstead – Oldstead, England 
2. Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons – Great Milton, England
3. Maison Lameloise – Chagny, France
4. L'Auberge de l'Ill – Illhaeusern, France
5. Martin Berasategui – Lasarte, Spain
6. Daniel – New York City, New York
7. La Colombe – Constantia, South Africa
8. David’s Kitchen – Chiang Mai, Thailand
9. Maido – Lima, Peru
10. El Celler de Can Roca – Girona, Spain