5 RCA-winning Restaurants to Dine on a Sunday

Sunday dining has a special place in our hearts – whether around the family table or at your favourite restaurant as the ideal end to a leisurely-spent weekend.

As we celebrate Sunday Sessions this week, let’s continue on our delicious drive around the country to Readers’ Choice Award-winning restaurants that are open on a Sunday:

Paying homage to the rich history of the building and bringing a new dining experience to Torquay, Doc Hughes on The Esplanade delivers fresh food made with passion. Nestled on the shore of Torquay’s best family beach, this former general store is named after its original owner and exudes a bright and breezy coastal vibe of white subway tiles, light wood table settings and potted greenery.

 

On balmy days sit alfresco while devouring breaky plates like blue swimmer crab scrambled eggs, served in a toasted croissant with crispy chilli, harissa aioli and herbs; or dine later on beef bourguignon – beef cheeks, slow cooked in red wine, smoked bacon and chimichurri, with cream Parmesan polenta and crispy potato.

Expect to find each dish true to its origin and fused with a delicate balance of flavours at Zazu on Mollison Street in West End. This new Brisbane dining destination captivates the senses with a stunning interior design boasting a contemporary yet warm vibe of sleek lines, tasteful décor and a colour palette that exudes refinement.

 

Curated lighting creates an intimate and inviting setting, ideal for lingering over a cocktail and small dishes like garlic prawns with lemon-infused olive oil, gremolata, chilli and toasted sourdough; for the main, think sticky soy BBQ glazed pork ribs with Chef’s slaw and fries, or sand crab lasagne with abalone cream, Parmesan and basil oil.

Vines Restaurant at Hollydene Estate presents a unique and inviting dining experience on the edge of the Upper Hunter Valley. Located on the site of the historic Arrowfield Winery, this award-winning restaurant is one of the region’s best-kept secrets. With a distinct respect for the property’s long history, the timbers from the original nearby Bowman’s Crossing Bridge are a stunning feature of the restaurant and cellar door.

 

Unwind over a glass of estate wine and a mezze platter; then peruse a menu focused on fresh local produce, with tempters like housemade hummus, crispy spiced eggplant, pomegranate molasses, lamb mince, lemon oil, mint, sumac and lavash to start; pistachio crusted barramundi fillet entices for the main, served with garden salsa, lime and lemon butter.

Nestled in the heart of Wollongong and part of the town’s cheery seaside dining scene is Kneading Ruby on Crown Lane. Imposing from the outside with high brick walls, inside is unassumingly elegant, with lofty ceilings giving an airy feel to pair with delicate vines draped across timber ceiling beams and polished floors.

 

Naturally lit during the day for a breezy café feel and cast under a soft glow for more ambient evening dining, Kneading Ruby can cater to a range of occasions and is popular for large groups looking to share a selection of tasty wood-fired pizzas and bespoke dishes of seasonal produce. Perhaps start with grilled King prawns, garlic and chilli butter, lemon, chives and sourdough, before pork cotoletta with lemon butter, capers and feferoni.

Find the finest in Indian cuisine and an exceptional dining experience at Royal India Restobar on Bultje Street in Dubbo. With a reputation built on careful attention to every aspect of service, food, atmosphere and wine selection, this stylish restaurant sets the scene for creative dining in surrounds of copper artwork and chandeliers, alongside a statement light fixture which snakes from the ceiling to floor.

 

Perhaps pair an icy glass of Chardonnay with a starter of crispy deep-fried prawn pakoras served with mint sauce, or lamb seekh kebabs roasted in the tandoor; then devour signature mains such as Nawabi chicken cooked in a creamy cashew and tomato gravy, or goat curry cooked on the bone with garlic, capsicum, chilli, herbs and soy sauce, best enjoyed with steamed rice, papadums and garlic naan.