Australia's top chefs and restaurateurs have voted Dan Hunter's rural Victorian fine diner Brae number one for a second year running in a triumphant night for regional dining at the Financial Review Australia's Top 100 Restaurants awards.

But Hunter, who also won the coveted Australia's Top Chef award last year, was beaten to that honour by 29-year-old Josh Niland of Sydney's Saint Peter. Niland is the youngest to be named top chef and is one of a wave of fresh young faces to make the list this year.