More than 300 distinguished guests, restauranteurs and hospitality heavyweights took centre stage last night at Doltone House, Darling Island for the 2026 Hostplus Awards for Excellence, a celebration of outstanding restaurants, cafes, and caterers from across NSW.

Throughout the evening, host Jane de Graff announced the winners in over 50 categories spanning metropolitan and regional NSW; including Restaurant of the Year, Casual Dining of the Year and Caterer of the Year.

Among the Major Category Award Winners on the night were Paddington’s Izy.Aki Restaurant, which took home the Restaurant of the Year (Sponsored by Hostplus) and Japanese Restaurant of the Year (Sponsored by Coopers).

Restaurant of the Year, Regional (Sponsored by Hostplus) went to Arrana, Springwood.

NSW major award winners

Caterer of the Year, Regional NSW (Sponsored by American Express): Esca, Bimbadgen, Pokolbin

Caterer of the Year, Sydney (Sponsored by American Express): Laissez-Faire Catering, The Calyx, Sydney

Casual Dining of the Year, Regional NSW (Sponsored by Hostplus): Birchwood Jindabyne, Jindabyne

Casual Dining of the Year, Sydney (Sponsored by Hostplus): Chiosco by Ormeggio, Mosman

Each category is assessed by a team of independent judges who vigorously review all aspects of operations, from the kitchen to the table and beyond.

R&CA National President John Hart OAM acknowledged that the Awards demonstrate the excellence and diversity of the hospitality industry across NSW.

“NSW is home to some of Australia’s most passionate and dedicated hospitality operators,” he said.

“It showed at the Awards last night, from Pokolbin to Paddington and Tumbarumba to Thirroul the Hostplus Award for Excellence are Australia’s hospitality industry Awards – these Awards are a well-deserved recognition of our restaurant, café and catering operators.”

Award highlights, Sydney

New Restaurant (Sponsored by Twin Social): MAGMA by Dany Karam - Cabravale Club Resort, Canley Vale

Restaurant in a Pub/Club (Sponsored by Coopers): The Wine Room - Balgowlah RSL, Seaforth

Italian Restaurant (Sponsored by Gallagher): The Restaurant Pendolino, Sydney

Tourism Restaurant (Sponsored by Destination NSW): Luna Lu, The Rocks

Café Dining (Sponsored by Knorr Professional): Forum Restaurant, University of Sydney, Camperdown

Award highlights, regional NSW

New Restaurant (Sponsored by Unox): Papalote Mexican, Newcastle

Restaurant in a Pub/Club (Sponsored by Coopers): The Bolt Inn, Uralla

Asian Restaurant (Sponsored by Primo Foodservice): Nagisa Japanese Restaurant, Newcastle

Tourism Restaurant (Sponsored by Destination NSW): Potager – A Kitchen Garden, Carool

Café Dining (Sponsored by Knorr Professional): Birchwood Jindabyne, Jindabyne

The Hostplus Awards for Excellence is the restaurant and catering industry’s most prestigious national awards program, celebrating the industry operators and professionals across every state and territory of Australia.

The 2026 awards will culminate with a National Gala ceremony, at Doltone House in Sydney, on 26 October 2026.