At a glance…
- The first Australian Michelin Guide was unveiled in South Australia on 14 October 2026, recognising 77 restaurants.
- Eleven restaurants received Michelin stars, with Magill Estate Restaurant becoming Australia’s first two-star recipient.
- The guide also recognised 16 Bib Gourmand restaurants for offering excellent food at good value.
It was the most ingenious marketing campaign ever, at least in this author’s opinion.
A tyre company pitches a road trip guide centred around food. Amazing restaurants and experiences that you could drive to (in a car with Michelin tyres, of course).
However, nowadays, many might not even realise the prestigious food guide has rubber-based roots.
And now, more than 125 years after the first Michelin Guide was published, Australia has finally joined the party.
On 14 October 2026, the inaugural Michelin Guide South Australia 2027 was unveiled at a ceremony in Adelaide, with 77 restaurants recognised, including 11 awarded the coveted Michelin stars.
And in a major coup, one restaurant received not one but two Michelin stars!
Which Australian restaurants have received Michelin stars?
The biggest winner of the night was Magill Estate Restaurant, located at the iconic Penfolds winery at the base of the Adelaide Hills. Led by executive chef Scott Huggins, the restaurant was awarded two Michelin stars, making it the first Australian restaurant to receive the distinction. Its 10-course tasting menu showcases Australian produce, complemented by wines from one of the country’s most recognisable wineries.
A further 10 restaurants received one Michelin star:
- Anvers Restaurant
- Aptos
- Arkhé
- Aurora at ILA
- Botanic
- Esmay
- Hentley Farm
- LVN Restaurant at Bird in Hand
- Maxwell Restaurant
- Skillogalee Barrel House
Another 16 restaurants received the Bib Gourmand distinction, recognising exceptional food at good value, while 50 were included in the Michelin Selected category.
Among the Bib Gourmand recipients were Adelaide favourites Africola and Parwana Afghan Kitchen, demonstrating that you don’t necessarily need to book an extravagant fine-dining experience to enjoy Michelin-recognised food.
Why did Michelin choose South Australia?
It’s a fair question. After all, Sydney and Melbourne have long been regarded as Australia’s culinary capitals. However, following years of discussions about bringing Michelin to Australia, South Australia secured a multimillion-dollar partnership with the French company to establish the country’s first guide.
The state’s extraordinary food and wine regions certainly make a compelling case. There’s the lush Barossa Valley, the City of Restaurants – I mean Churches – Adelaide, the sweeping vistas of the Fleurieu Peninsula and McLaren Vale, and even the rugged landscapes of the Flinders Ranges.
And then there’s the food itself. South Australia is home to some of Australia’s finest cooks and food personalities, including the incomparable Maggie Beer.
When Michelin first announced its arrival, I had hoped that Maggie’s Farm Shop and Eatery might earn a place in the guide. Although it didn’t feature in the inaugural selection, there’s always next year!
In announcing the first selection, Michelin praised South Australia’s diverse culinary influences, including its use of native Australian ingredients, multicultural cooking traditions and strong relationships with local producers and winemakers.
Of course, the guide’s arrival also raises an interesting question: what about the rest of Australia?
For now, Michelin’s Australian restaurant selection is limited to South Australia. That doesn’t mean Sydney, Melbourne or other destinations don’t have restaurants worthy of stars. They simply haven’t been assessed by Michelin inspectors as part of an Australian guide.
What is the Michelin Guide?
For those not in the know, the Michelin Guide was first established back in 1900 by the French tyre company to promote the growing car industry. Its ethos is to guide international travellers and local food lovers to the area’s best restaurants. It’s a mix of a travel guide and a food guide.
The five universal criteria which the Michelin Guide’s Inspectors use are:
- Quality of ingredients
- Mastery of cooking techniques
- Harmony of flavours
- Personality of the cuisine
- Consistency over time and across the menu
How does the Michelin Guide rating system work?
The most famous distinction in the Michelin Guide is a Michelin star. One star is awarded to restaurants that are worth a stop, two stars are for those that are “worth a detour”, and three stars are awarded to restaurants with “exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey.”
Besides the star rating system, there’s also the Bib Gourmand distinction, which is for more budget-friendly restaurants that serve up good quality food and experiences.
The Michelin Guide is pretty much the global standard for high-quality restaurants. Seeing as we don’t have the rating system here in Australia, restaurants have relied on the Australian Good Food Guide’s Chef Hat system. Similar to the Michelin Guide, restaurants can earn one, two, or three hats based on food quality, service, and experience.
Where can I see the full Michelin Guide South Australia 2027?
The full guide, including all 77 recognised restaurants, is available free on the official Michelin Guide website.
And for anyone planning a South Australian road trip, it might just provide the perfect itinerary. Which, when you think about it, brings Michelin right back to where it started: encouraging us to get in the car and explore somewhere new.
