This Month
Three hotel breakfasts to make you spring out of bed
In their rush to create drawcard restaurants, many establishments overlook what is still arguably the most important meal of the day. Not these ones.
- Necia Wilden
The ultimate in destination dining around Australia
At these restaurants, located from the Gold Coast to the Mornington Peninsula and the Adelaide Hills, the setting is a fundamental ingredient.
- Jill Dupleix
Owners of cult charcoal chicken chain El Jannah flirt with a sale
The Estephan family founded the business in 1998, growing it from one store into dozens around the country. Their CEO has sounded out prospective buyers.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
Schwartz family-backed Armitage Associates buys ERP software firm
The founders took the reins of the business under a management buyout in 2017 and are expected to remain with Redcat under Armitage’s stewardship.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
Crescent’s $200m-a-year Meat & Wine Co empire Seagrass courts buyers
The up-for-grabs business houses 19 steakhouses, with the African-inspired Meat & Wine Co pulling in about 60 per cent of the group’s revenues.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
Seoul’s dining scene is full of surprises – if you know where to go
Hidden speakeasies, a little-known North Korean dumpling house and unexpected food fads are just the start of a taste trip around the South Korean capital.
- Wayne Heeley
Is this controversial pizza topping worth $200?
A British restaurant hates pineapple on pizza so much that it charges customers nine times the price of a standard topping for the order.
- Ruth Hallows
Top restaurant groups expand as diners feast on hot new venues
While many are doing it tough, some of the country’s top hospitality operators are expanding as people seek out novel culinary experiences.
- Larry Schlesinger
PE giant pulls $800m bid for owner of Chargrill Charlie’s, Oporto
Affinity Equity Partners has walked away from the deal to buy Craveable Brands, which it struck in October. The business also owns the Red Rooster brand.
- Kanika Sood
December 2024
The top AFR Magazine reads of 2024
From what Rich Listers teach their kids to why Saudi Arabia is luring so many Australians, here’s a collection of some of our best-read features this year.
Hottest new places to dine around the country right now
These much-anticipated restaurants and bars have opened their doors just in time for summer.
- Necia Wilden
David Thompson’s Long Chim closure blamed on rents and poor business
The high-profile Thai restaurant is the latest major restaurant to close. It blamed high rents, but administrators says staff costs were too high.
- Campbell Kwan
- Drinks With Max Allen
- Life & Leisure
Max Allen’s 5 best chardonnays for summer drinking
The grape variety goes super well with seafood, and the quality coming out of Australia is equal to that of much pricier French whites.
- Max Allen
Hospitality empire behind Rockpool reports $288 million loss
The restaurant group, now called Pacific Hunter, grew out of celebrity chef Neil Perry’s high-profile Sydney steak restaurant.
- Primrose Riordan
Don’t want to cook? Try these 18 top restaurants for Christmas lunch
For the rest of us, it’s a day to feast with family. For chefs, it’s something different altogether.
- Updated
- Lauren Sams
These award-winning restaurants and bars are designed to take you away
At the recent Eat Drink Design awards, judges noted a refreshing shift towards “otherworldly design” in hospitality venues.
- Stephen Todd
New hands and old in $20m deal at Hugo’s Manly
Artemus Group has bought the Manly institution while also entering into a joint venture with Hugo’s Group to open more hospitality projects together.
- Campbell Kwan
Australian Open takes premium packages to another level
In January, fine dining comes to the tennis when Martin Benn and Vicki Wild serve guests in a new purpose-built pavilion called Club 1905.
- Jill Dupleix
November 2024
How Chris Lucas came to know the secrets of the rich and powerful
One of Melbourne’s top restaurateurs, Chris Lucas, is expanding across the country, but he is keeping old-fashioned values at the heart of his operations.
- Patrick Durkin
How to make perfect barbecue ribs – no restaurant required
Duncan Welgemoed, of Adelaide’s cult diner Africola, loves the thrill of the grill.
- Jill Dupleix