5 Chef-hatted Restaurants for Festive Frivolity

There is no better time than the festive season to celebrate in style with family and friends at a Chef-hatted restaurant.

Whether you make a road trip or simply visit a local favourite these dining destinations promise to not disappoint – with the Australian Good Food Guide 2025 Chef Hat Awards announced on Friday, January 17 why wait to find out which venues make the cut when you can test your own palate and make your own decisions.

Here are five we recommend for a memorable experience:

Dine at height in sophisticated surrounds at Wildflower, occupying COMO The Treasury's rooftop space on Cathedral Avenue in Perth. Upon entering, guests are immersed in a sensory experience of fine dining, seated among elegant decor and offered a stunning view across the Swan River from a table either inside through floor-to-ceiling glass windows, or on the terrace.

 

Indulge in the festive spirit with a luxurious six-course Christmas Day lunch at Wildflower and celebrate the season in style, savouring each carefully crafted dish in an atmosphere of elegance and joy; begin with marron lollipops and yuzu kosho, before wild fish, buttermilk, caviar, parsley and granola, for the main South-west turkey with duck, chicken mosaic, parsnip and jus gras won’t disappoint. Finish with lamingtons and Davidson plum for dessert.

Combining the goodness of food with the love of meeting and serving great people, those seeking inspired fare in Bendigo head along View Point to find Alium Dining. Set in the former Royal Bank, this elegant restaurant offers contemporary fine dining alongside a selection of the best of Central Victorian wines in stylish surrounds of green velvet, chandeliers and dark wood tables.

 

Sit and take in the view of the historic Alexandria Fountain and Rosalind Park as you enjoy long holiday lunches from the tapas-style menu before or after Christmas Day and delve into the likes of Skull Island prawns, tare and katsuboshi, lamb neck croquettes with spiced pumpkin purée and chimichurri, along with sticky pork belly, peanuts, crispy shallots, herbs and Crying Tiger sauce.

Discover the beauty of McLaren Vale at Serafino, a winery, restaurant and accommodation venue nestled among 200-year-old gum trees, lakes and rolling hillsides. The largest venue space in McLaren Vale, Serafino is an ideal location for weddings, functions and intimate occasions, with an onsite winery and cellar door adding to the experience.

 

For a Christmas lunch to remember, head here for a decadent five-course menu, complemented by a 3 ½-hour beverage package including award-winning Serafino wines. Immerse yourself in the festive ambience with live entertainment along with dishes such as King prawns, smoked ocean trout, blue swimmer crab remoulade and sea natives. For the main, expect duck breast, pumpkin purée, brassicas, crisp pancetta and seasonal currant compote, finishing with lemon curd meringue cheesecake and chocolate truffles.

Named after the Sanskrit word for ‘flawless jewel’, Mani Restaurant on Alfred Street in Milsons Point is devoted to providing distinguished customer service paired with unique dishes made from fresh and premium ingredients. Expect a stylish ambience of carved wood tables adorned with napkins and sparkling glassware, while a cool green colour palette provides a culinary oasis ideal for any occasion from romantic rendezvous to family gatherings.

 

For a December dining experience like no other book in for the Festive Banquet Menu offering an exquisite selection of dishes that highlight the finest ingredients and unique flavours such as starters of steamed Japanese scallops and XO sauce, or raw squid salad, yuzu soy, ginger and apple; before mains of house tea smoked duck breast and native Davidson plum sauce, signature cauliflower and steamed rice.

Culinary excellence meets the artistry of fine wine in the heart of the Gold Coast at La Bella Cellar on Deodar Drive in Burleigh Heads. Nestled away as a hidden gem, this Chef-hatted destination is a haven for discerning connoisseurs seeking a unique and unforgettable dining experience. Step into a light, bright and stylish vibe of whitewashed walls and furniture, softened by artwork and potted plants to peruse a menu promising temptations sure to entice all palates.

 

Start with small plates such as scallops and foie gras with Pedro Ximenez gel, green apple and lemon pearls, or Singapore chilli crab with lime aioli and pickled ginger herb salad; before delving into blue spotted grouper with potato scales, humble green salad and caviar beurre blanc, or osso buco Milanese with Wagyu beef shin, saffron risotto and bone marrow. For a decadent finish, treat your sweet tooth to white chocolate panna cotta, honeycomb and raspberry coulis.