New Year – New Restaurant! Put These 5 RCA-winning Venues on Your Holiday Radar

2025 is here and it’s time to break the dining mould in the New Year! Take yourself out of your comfort zone and venture out to tickle taste buds with new experiences that will have you salivating and coming back for more.

Let’s take a drive around the country and check out these five Readers’ Choice Award-winning restaurants that you need to visit:

Boasting a stunning waterfront venue and exotic cuisine to suit, spoil yourself and loved ones At Harbour Thai Restaurant at the ocean end of Addison Street in Shellharbour. Offering a spacious, open plan design, At Harbour radiates a welcoming ambience suited to couples out to treat themselves to an evening of intimate dining, as well as groups celebrating special occasions, sheltered from the elements in contemporary surrounds; or enjoying glorious weather and gentle sea breezes alfresco on a wide balcony.

 

Incorporating fresh, local produce, a menu of traditional and modern cuisine is sure to set mouths watering with dishes such as Massaman slow-cooked lamb shank in mild coconut curry, with potato, fried onion and cashews; or salmon choo chee in hot coconut curry sauce, with sides of steamed jasmine rice stir-fried vegetables and oyster sauce.

Casual fine dining with a Hamptons beach-style feel is what you'll find served up at Banksia Seafood and Grill on Charlton Esplanade in Hervey Bay. This locally-loved dining destination enjoys gentle sea breezes in a modern venue with artwork adorning the walls, polished wood floors and cosy table settings; while the alfresco space is ideal for soaking up rays at stylish outdoor cane couches and chairs.

Crisp wines, icy beers and creative cocktails await as you peruse a menu of perfectly cooked seafood and steak; begin with tempura prawns, sriracha mayo and Asian slaw, or chorizo and smoked cheddar croquettes with rocket salad and roasted pepper sauce. Cast your net for memorable mains like freshly grilled Moreton Bay bugs with garlic, lemon and herb butter, sticky rice and herb slaw, or pistachio mustard-crusted pork loin, apricot purée, apple salad and salsa verde. 

Nestled in the undulating hills just north of Warragul, Brandy Creek Estate on Buln Buln Road in Drouin is West Gippsland's premier wine, food, function and day spa destination. Take to the relaxed atmosphere of the beautifully appointed restaurant, or on the recently built outdoor deck to enjoy Brandy Creek's premium cool climate wines, including Tempranillo and Sparkling Pinot Gris.

 

Share a tasty tapas dish with family and friends while taking in stunning views over the vineyard, olive grove and out to the Baw Baw ranges, or delve into crackled pork belly with apple compote and sides of garlic and herb potatoes, zucchini, garlic and pesto. Perhaps slow-braised beef cheeks hit the mark, braised in red wine and herbs, served with cauliflower.

Cataract on Paterson brings a unique and modern dining experience to Launceston’s city fringe. This restaurant oozes sophistication via a blend of classic interiors with a modern twist, making it an ideal place to unwind on a Friday night. The menu focuses on fresh Tasmanian produce, featuring high-quality grass-fed beef from Great Southern Pinnacle and a seafood-tasting plate, containing locally caught fresh Tasmanian oysters and scallops.

 

For the ultimate interactive dining experience, try a stone grill where steak, prawns, scallops, or salmon are cooked to your liking on a 400-degree volcanic stone at the table. A la carte options include slow-cooked beef cheeks in a light rendang sauce with fragrant jasmine rice, chilli sambal and Asian herbs; or delve into twice-cooked pork belly, crushed peas and roasted pork fat potatoes, finished with an apple liqueur reduction.

The "la Famiglia’ neon sign as you enter D’Amico’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria on Sanger Street in Corowa sets the vibe of food, fun, friends and family at this long-standing local dining destination. Slick décor with plush banquettes and a moody glow set the tone for a great night out, paired with an eclectic soundtrack, fabulous cocktails and a great mix of regional wines to savour; perhaps stop in on a Thursday or Friday for an Aperitivo afternoon and sip a spritz in the alfresco garden.

 

Say grazie to pan-fried calamari, caponata, greens and toasted almonds to begin; then twirl a fork around pasta plates such as pappardelle with slow-cooked lamb shank in rich tomato sugo, or devour market fish with lemon and dill butter, served on a bed of pearl couscous, caponata and mixed greens, topped with fried capers. Pizza lovers opt for chicken on a BBQ and tomato sauce base, with cheese, pineapple, capsicum and onion.