Tripadvisor has announced the winners of its annual Travelers' Choice Awards: Best of the Best Restaurants for 2026, with eight NSW restaurants dominating the Australian top 20.

Based on first-hand reviews and opinions submitted by a global community of millions of diners over the last year, winners rank among the top one per cent of all listings on Tripadvisor, offering a trusted guide to unforgettable meals for travellers across the globe.

Categories for this year's awards included Fine Dining, Casual, Date Night, Hidden Gems and Vegan & Vegetarian, as well as four new categories centered on food experiences.

As travellers increasingly seek out immersive culinary experiences that bring destinations to life, this year's awards introduce Best of the Best Food Tours, Cooking Classes, Wine & Beer Tours, and a Viral Right Now category highlighting current top trending culinary sensations.

Tripadvisor Group Chief Communications Officer Laurel Greatrix said: "Food is at the heart of how we experience a destination, and these awards recognise the restaurant and culinary experiences travelers consider among the very best.

"From cooking classes with locals to incredible food tours and restaurants, these are the kinds of experiences that can become a highlight of a trip — or even a reason to take one."

Sydney’s Aalia Restaurant was named Australia’s best fine dining venue, while seven other NSW restaurants featured in the Australian Fine Dining top 20.

Australian fine dining cuisine at EXP. Restaurant, Pokolbin

The NSW restaurants included on the list were:

  • Aalia Restaurant, Sydney (no.1)
  • EXP. Restaurant, Hunter Valley (no.3)
  • Arrana Restaurant, Springwood (no.10)
  • Zin Food + Wine, Mudgee (no.14)
  • Waters Edge Restaurant, Batemans Bay (no.15)
  • Aria Restaurant, Sydney (no.16)
  • Atelier by Sofitel, Sydney (no.18)
  • Cafe Sydney, Sydney (no.20)

The 2026 Travelers' Choice Awards: Best of the Best Restaurants are part of Tripadvisor's larger Travelers' Choice Awards umbrella, recognising travellers’ favorite destinations and experiences around the world.

Learn more here.