5 RCA-winning Restaurants to Put on Your Festive Radar

With the festive season now looming large, what better way to get in the mood for celebrating in style than a meal out with family and friends at an award-wining restaurant?

Here are five Readers’ Choice Award-winning venues to put on your festive radar…who knows you might even see Santa!

Take in sweeping views over the rolling hills of Goonoo Goonoo Station and the distant Liverpool Range from the contemporary surrounds of Glasshouse Restaurant on New England Highway in Tamworth. Completed in 2016, this state-of-the-art venue sits seamlessly between two re-purposed heritage buildings, with a full glass frontage and sleek interior vibe of subtle downlights, stacked stone feature wall and splashes of greenery.

 

From a menu focusing on fresh, local produce start with applewood smoked salmon, crème fraiche, pickled cucumber and warm fried sourdough, or prawn toast with white sesame, eschalot, sambal aioli and soft herbs; for a memorable main, delve into roasted lamb rump, garlic cream, pea purée, jus and sides of fried potatoes, broccolini and grilled baby cos. Finish sweetly with whipped New York cheesecake, dark chocolate mousse, marmalade and brown butter crumble.

Find a little slice of Europe on Phillip Island at Anerie on Thompson Avenue in Cowes. This French-style bistro exudes stylish charm from the black and white striped chairs to an eclectic mix of art on the walls, including a sketch of ‘Anerie’ the donkey; or soak up the island sun alfresco as balmy sea breezes ruffle trees and peruse an authentic menu of classic dishes.

 

Serving lunch and dinner, pair a wine with starters like escargot, garlic, parsley butter and baguette, or twice-baked cheese soufflé and dressed greens; move onto plat principal choices such as confit duck leg, salad, honeycomb wager and spiced honey velouté, or pork belly, apple and onion mille feuille, calvados sauce and sides of pomme frites and seasonal greens. Make sure to leave room for decadent desserts such as chocolate meringue or orange crème brûlée.

Discerning Newtown foodies know where to find the best Thai meals in town at well-loved local dining destination Atom Thai on King Street. For more than a decade, this restaurant has been serving not just authentic Thai food but a truly unique dining experience in monochromatic surrounds of black and white floor tiles and wall art, while potted greenery adds a softening touch.

 

Bifold doors open onto the street for people watching as you peruse an extensive menu serving up starters like satay chicken skewers or duck pancakes then devour red duck curry with steamed rice; perhaps chicken pad Thai hits the mark with thin noodles, tamarind sauce, egg, mild chilli, dried shrimp and peanuts, while vegan options include choo chee or green tofu curry and brown rice.

Above Wollongong Harbour’s glistening waters sits Bombora Seafood, a unique dining experience in breezy, stylish surrounds on the jetty. Versatile for all occasions, be it a romantic evening or family lunch, this waterfront restaurant boasts a smart, casual setting worth lingering over. Enjoy a drink on the deck and browse a menu of fresh seafood, partnered with a selection of alternatives for those looking to deviate.

 

Bombora’s prawn buckets and seafood platters go down a treat, as does grilled chicken with chat potatoes, carrot, peas, buttered spinach, feta and scorched almonds; perhaps wrap your hands around a classic hamburger with a Wagyu patty, cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, housemade sauce and chips, or devour linguine with black lip mussels in white wine and garlic cream sauce with a side of garlic bread.

Beginning as a pop-up restaurant during COVID, Café Haha’s on Brunker Street brings the taste of homestyle Vietnamese fare to Adamstown diners. A bright and breezy interior vibe of whitewashed walls, trailing greenery and dark wood table settings sets the scene for inspired all-day dining from a menu mixing Aussie café classics with Vietnamese favourites.

 

Think breakfasts such as pulled pork on a toasted waffle with apple Asian slaw, poached egg and ginger maple syrup, or chunky avocado smash with poached eggs, Asian dukkah, pickled carrot, coriander, sweet chilli and roasted tomatoes; join a lively lunch crowd for fresh rice paper coconut chicken rolls, or a lemongrass beef banh mi with pâté, mayo, cucumber, pickled carrot and coriander.