Good Gilbert bar and Restaurant Botanic win big at Gourmet Traveller awards

South Australia is continuing to make a name for itself on the food and wine scene with a local hot spot taking out Wine Bar of the Year at Gourmet Traveller’s 2024 Restaurant Awards.

Wilson Shawyer of Good Gilbert. Picture: Matt Loxton

Good Gilbert’s a relatively new kid on the block, but the bar in the ‘burbs has been named the nation’s best in Gourmet Traveller’s 2024 Restaurant Awards.

The Goodwood meeting place was named Wine Bar of the Year at Monday’s ceremony at Brasserie 1930, inside the new Capella Sydney.

Good Gilbert at Goodwood. Picture: Supplied

Husband and wife Wilson and Isabelle Shawyer opened Good Gilbert, on the corner of Goodwood Rd and Gilbert St, at the end of 2020 with the dream of it being the neighbourhood bar.

Their inspiration was the bar in US sitcom Cheers, which has the theme song “Where Everybody Knows Your Name”.

Good Gilbert quickly grew in popularity and size, to also include a dining area.

Good Gilbert’s Wilson Shawyer. Picture: Matt Loxton

“Good Gilbert is a bar that caters equally to the aficionado or the family gathering,” The Advertiser reviewer Simon Wilkinson has noted, adding: “It has the lovely knack of being highly professional and incredibly warm all at once. Any neighbourhood would welcome it.”

Restaurant Botanic, which 12 months ago won the coveted title of Restaurant of the Year, was also among Monday’s winners.

It was named SA’s best restaurant, with Brisbane’s wood-fired bistro Agnes winning the national award.

Head chef Justin James at Restaurant Botanic. Picture: Matt Loxton

Dates for next year’s Tasting Australia are announced

Presented by RAA, it will run May 3 to May 12.

“Tasting Australia showcases South Australia as a true international culinary hotspot, bringing together top chefs, drinks makers and industry leaders from all around the globe, exposing them to the state’s incredible produce working alongside our amazing local talent,” Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison said.

“This year’s Tasting Australia saw more than 150 events across all 12 regions of the state – this event is a wonderful driver of visitation to our regions, showcasing to visitors and locals alike the very best that South Australia has to offer.”

Tasting Australia’s 2024 program will be announced later this year. More information is available at tastingaustralia.com.au.