Celebrate Fabulous Flavours at these 5 Readers’ Choice Award-winning Venues

Whether they are local or global, Readers’ Choice Award-winning restaurants across the country promise to tantalise taste buds with fabulous flavours on the plate.

Here are five that never fail to disappoint whether you are looking for a slice of Europe, a steak or a Latin American flavour fiesta:

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 sardine crostini, pickled shallots, capers and croutons; before plats principal such as confit duck leg, Spring salad, honeycomb wafer and spiced honey velouté.

Taste family pride and tradition in every bite taken at Bella Italia on Hunter Street in Newcastle. This authentic Italian ristorante dishes up a slice of Italy in stylish surrounds of exposed brick, dark wooden table settings, softly glowing bulb lighting and a lively buzz of conversation, as family and friends gather over a memorable meal.

 

Join the lunch crowd for a glass of wine and pasta plates such as spaghetti with fresh mussels, prawns, mixed seafood, cherry tomato, Napoletana sauce, pepper and parsley; or devour pizza slices topped with tomato, mozzarella, gorgonzola, sausage and hot salami.

Melbourne foodies head to Colombian dining destination El Toucan South Central on Victoria Street in Abbotsford for share plates and good times. Sister venue to El Toucan in Maribyrnong, this restaurant has a relaxed vibe of polished wood floors and panelling, while the walls are adorned with vibrant artwork depicting toucans.

 

Delivering an authentic menu, start by sharing beef empanadas, morcilla, chorizo, cassava chips, potatoes, pork bites, spicy aji and chipotle mayo; before mains such as crunchy pork belly, rice, arepa, plantain, pulled beef, beans, avocado, chorizo and fried egg.

Find Margaret River’s best steakhouse at Elliott’s on Bussell Highway showcasing local produce with a British-European twist. Step into a stylish vibe of polished wooden floors, glowing Edison bulb lighting, forest green walls adorned with artwork and bi-fold windows opening to let the outside in, ideal for lingering over a meal with family and friends, or a romantic rendezvous.

 

Start small with plates of grilled octopus, toasted corn, potato chowder, sofrito, venison chorizo and crispy spinach; while mains like dry-aged duck, cauliflower, leg pasty, pickled plum, watercress and game jus always tantalise taste buds.

Located in Rowland Flat within the beautiful Barossa Valley, Harvest Kitchen on Barossa Valley Way serves Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-inspired dishes that highlight the abundance of local, seasonal produce available from the region. Expect to discover stunning vineyard and valley vistas through floor-to-ceiling windows within the modern main restaurant or enjoy the fresh air in the courtyard with uninterrupted views of the vines, hills and ancient gum trees.

 

Harvest Kitchen offers shared-style dining, featuring two Feed Me experiences that encourage communal dining to allow guests to engage with one another over food. Opt for a curated dining experience with the Feed Me Like a Barossan menu; for a lighter option, the Feed Me Eden menu allows guests to select five items to share.