Which restaurants should I book in Sydney and Melbourne?

Quay in Sydney, for Peter Gilmore's tasting menu and the Opera House view, and Attica in Melbourne, Ben Shewry's restaurant in Ripponlea.

Does Australia have Michelin stars?

Michelin doesn't publish a guide to Australia. The local benchmark is the Good Food Guide and its hats.

Which wine regions are close to Sydney and Melbourne?

The Hunter Valley is about two hours from Sydney and known for Semillon. The Yarra Valley is about an hour from Melbourne, for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Sydney vs Melbourne: Luxury Food and Wine

Q: Is Sydney or Melbourne better for food?

Do both. Sydney eats with a harbour view and Melbourne eats down a laneway. Give each city at least three nights.

The Sydney-Melbourne rivalry goes well past sport. It's Australia's favorite food argument, and both cities win it in completely different ways.

Is Sydney or Melbourne better for food and wine? Do both, with at least three nights in each. Sydney gives you harbour views and Quay looking at the Opera House. Melbourne gives you laneway dining and Attica. Each city has a wine region within about two hours: the Hunter Valley from Sydney and the Yarra Valley from Melbourne.

Key facts

How long: at least three nights in each city.
Sydney's signature table: Quay, with Peter Gilmore's tasting menu and a view of the Opera House.
Melbourne's signature table: Attica, Ben Shewry's restaurant in Ripponlea.
Wine country: Hunter Valley (about two hours from Sydney), Yarra Valley (about an hour from Melbourne), Barossa Valley (an hour from Adelaide).
Caviar trip:The Australia Experience starts with 4 nights at Four Seasons Sydney and a dinner cruise on the harbour.

The Dining Scenes

Sydney eats with a harbour view. Melbourne eats down a laneway. Michelin doesn't publish a guide to Australia, so the local benchmark is the Good Food Guide and its hats.

A narrow Melbourne laneway covered in colorful street art and graffiti Photo: Linda Xu / Unsplash

Wine Country Within Reach

Hunter Valley, about two hours from Sydney, for Semillon
Yarra Valley, about an hour from Melbourne, for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
Barossa Valley, an hour from Adelaide, for Shiraz

Rows of grapevines at golden hour in the Hunter Valley wine region of New South Wales Photo: Arie Oldman / Unsplash

Claire's Verdict

Do both. In Sydney, Quay looking at the Opera House is the one I'd never skip, and Peter Gilmore's tasting menu is art. In Melbourne, Attica will change how you think about Australian ingredients.

A set table with white wine beside a window overlooking Sydney Harbour

My favorite add-on is a private Yarra Valley wine tour with lunch at TarraWarra Estate. I give my travelers at least three nights in each city, so nobody has to rush dessert.

Building a whole trip around the food? Start with my Australia luxury travel guide, then read how to see the Great Barrier Reef the ethical way. Our Australia Experience begins in Sydney with a welcome dinner and a multi-course dinner cruise on the harbour.

Taste Australia with Caviar in the Air, where every meal comes with a view or a story.

6X Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist with 65+ countries visited across all 7 continents.