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Modern Australian

Urban honey cake with caramelised cream and croissant ice cream streusel.
14/20

The Star’s signature restaurant has an identity problem

Look past its faults and you’ll find a well-priced, sky-high diner that leans into its impressive, produce-driven cooking.

  • Matt Shea
Seafood is a feature of the menu at Banks Cafe.

Banks Cafe

A Port Macquarie cafe serving crab scrambled eggs on the water’s edge.

  • Erina Starkey
The not-so-humble avocado on toast.
14/20

Think avocado toast is passe? This neighbourhood cafe wants you to think again

A masterclass in doing the little things right, this joyous avo toast is just one reason this breezy cafe deserves a place on your summer hit-list.

  • Max Veenhuyzen
Little Gan’s restaurant review WAtoday/Good Food. Picture: Matt O’Donohue
14.5/20

Small wonder: Willetton’s Little Gan’s rethinks the suburban, family-run Asian restaurant

Asian-influenced pastas plus a snappy wine and drinks package in a cosy 24-seat setting equals a blueprint for the neighbourhood eatery circa 2025.

  • Max Veenhuyzen
Summit Restaurant has reopened, now under the stewardship of Mantle Group.
14/20

The Summit restaurant has reopened. Is it any good?

The Mount Coot-tha icon’s location could be an excuse for mediocrity. But Summit finds a maligned operator and star chef striving to match its sky-high outlook.

  • Matt Shea
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Pick up picnic provisions at Sweet Nectar Inn.

Sweet Nectar Inn

A lo-fi neighbourhood bottleshop, bar and pantry in one.

  • Emily Holgate
Peel back the lid of the chicken curry pot pie to reveal chunks of chook and vegetables.

He runs a two-hat city restaurant, so why is this chef serving pies?

The new project from Lee Ho Fook’s Victor Liong appears to have “affordable, healthy, and quick” as its watchwords.

  • Besha Rodell
Cottage restaurant Essen serves up to 30 guests per night.

The 10 Queensland restaurants you need to eat at this year

From Brisbane and the Gold Coast to Cairns and beyond, here’s where you need to eat in Queensland.

  • Matt Shea and Callan Boys
Cochinita pibil (pork) tacos.
14/20

Ride the vertical version of the City Circle tram to get to this Mexi-Melbourne stalwart

This sky-high saloon in the heart of the city has been in business for 11 years, but there’s something special about where it sits right now.

  • Dani Valent
Cacao & Cherry cocktail at The Waratah.

The Waratah

It’s an upstairs-downstairs affair at The Waratah, a cosy corner site infused with an Australian accent.