In brief
South Australia has earned the country’s first Michelin stars when 11 local restaurants were honoured by the famed guide. Magill Estate Restaurant in Adelaide became the sole venue to receive two stars, while others secured one. The state government paid for covert inspections, a step that has turned the region into a new culinary hotspot. The achievement follows Michelin’s recent expansion into New Zealand and signals a broader push for high‑end dining across Oceania.
Australia has been awarded its first Michelin stars, with 11 restaurants in the state of South Australia receiving the distinction.
Magill Estate Restaurant in Adelaide was the only restaurant to receive two stars, while ten other venues were awarded one star each.
South Australia’s government covered the cost of incognito inspections, according to the ABC, which explains why other parts of the country have yet to be recognised.
Chef and owner Scott Huggins of Magill shares that he dreamed of working at Michelin‑starred restaurants since his youth and has trained in Europe and Japan. He noted that earning two stars is a different level of achievement from one.
The announcement arrives more than a century after the Michelin Guide first appeared in France and after several unsuccessful attempts to bring it to Australia. South Australia opted to negotiate directly, paying an undisclosed amount to the guide. Tourism Minister Emily Bourke said the investment is creating a new tourism destination and putting the state on the world map.
Michelin had recently expanded to New Zealand, which joined the guide in July after a payment of NZ$6.3 million over three years. South Australia now has the nation’s first formal presence in the guide.
The guide categorises stars as follows: one star for high‑quality cooking, two stars for excellent cooking worth a detour, and three stars for exceptional cuisine worthy of a special journey. The 11 South Australian recipients are listed below.
Two Michelin stars
- Magill Estate Restaurant, Rosslyn Park
One Michelin star
- Anvers Restaurant, Kangarilla
- Maxwell Restaurant, McLaren Vale
- Botanic, Adelaide
- Arkhé, Norwood
- Esmay, Adelaide
- Aurora at ILA, Adelaide
- Hentley Farm, Seppeltsfield
- LVN Restaurant at Bird in Hand, Woodside
- Aptos, Stirling
- Skillogalee Barrel House, Sevenhill
The guide also recognises over 70 other South Australian restaurants, some highlighted with the Bib Gourmand award for quality dining at moderate prices.
