Revealed: The Victorian venues officially named the best pubs in Australia

From a tiny country pub to Melbourne’s glitziest five-star hotels, Victorian venues have dominated Australia’s hospitality awards. Find out if your local is among the winners.

Victoria’s pub are — not surprisingly — among some of the best in the country.

From country watering holes to Melbourne’s flashiest hotels — Victorian venues and people behind them have cemented themselves at the heart of Australian hospitality after sweeping up top honours.

Victoria’s hospitality sector was honoured at the 2025 AHA National Awards for Excellence last week, revealing the best pubs and hotels in the country.

Victoria scored several major wins, with the St Andrews Hotel in Fitzroy named Best Restaurant – Metropolitan, while Hotel Sorrento took home the coveted Best Hotel Accommodation in the general division.

Hotel Sorrento has been named of the best pubs in the country. Picture: Supplied.

The Royce Hotel’s Pawan Dutta claimed Chef of the Year in the accommodation division.

The Lockington Community Hotel was crowned Overall Hotel of the Year (Remote), and The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne won Best Deluxe Accommodation in the country.

Morgan Gall from Sawyers Arms Tavern in Newtown received the national honour for Employee Excellence in Service.

AHA national president David Basheer said hotels across the country were at the centre of community life and the awards highlighted the contributions the hospitality sector made.

“Hotels are more than venues, they are the beating hearts of their communities,” he said.

“From the smallest regional pub to the largest city property, our hotels bring people together in good times and tough times. The winners show why Australian hospitality is the

benchmark: welcoming, hardworking and deeply community-minded venues.”

SEE ALL VICTORIAN WINNERS BELOW

MAJOR AWARDS

Overall Hotel of the Year (Remote) — Lockington Community Hotel

Lockington Community Hotel in Lockington named Overall Hotel (Remote) of 2025.

Lockington Community Hotel in Lockington has been named Overall Hotel (Remote) of 2025. Picture: Supplied.

The crew from the Lockington Community Hotel.

Overall Hotel of the Year (Accommodation Division) — The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne

The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne won the coveted Overall Hotel of 2025 in the accommodation division.

The Ritz-Carlton in Melbourne. Picture: Supplied.

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT

Employee Excellence in Service (General Division) — Morgan Gall

Morgan Gall from Sawyers Arms Tavern in Newtown won the title of Employee Excellence in Service in the general division.

Morgan Gall from Sawyers Arms Tavern. Picture: Supplied.

Employee Excellence in Service (Operations & Support Services) — Louise Nicdao

Louise Nicdao from Batman’s Hill on Collins in Melbourne took the title of Employee Excellence in Service in operations and support services.

Louise Nicdao. Picture: Supplied.

Johnnie Walker Hall of Fame — Paul O’Brien

Paul O’Brien from Red Rock Leisure takes the coveted title of Johnnie Walker Hall of Fame.

Paul O’Brien from Red Rock Leisure. Picture: Supplied.

FOOD, BEVERAGE & DINING EXCELLENCE

Best Bar Presentation & Service (metro) — Belgian Beer Cafe Melbourne

Belgian Beer Cafe Melbourne in Southbank wins Best Bar Presentation and Service in the metro category.

Belgian Beer Cafe Melbourne in Southbank. Picture: Belgian Beer Cafe

The crew from the Belgian Beer Cafe Melbourne. Picture: Supplied.

Best Restaurant (metro) — St Andrews Hotel

St Andrews Hotel in Fitzroy won Best Restaurant in the metropolitan category.

St Andrews Hotel in Fitzroy. Picture: St Andrews Hotel

The team from St Andrews Hotel. Picture: Supplied.

Draught Beer Quality Award (metro) — Bridie O’Reilly’s

South Yarra’s Bridie O’Reilly’s won the Draught Beer Quality Award.

The team from South Yarra’s Bridie O’Reilly’s. Picture: Supplied.

Chef of the Year (accommodation division) — Pawan Dutta

Pawan Dutta from The Royce Melbourne has been named Chef of the Year.

The Royce Hotel lobby. Picture: Supplied.

The Royce Hotel’s Pawan Dutta claimed Chef of the Year in the accommodation division. Picture: Supplied.

ACCOMMODATION EXCELLENCE

Best Deluxe Accommodation — The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne

The crew from The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne. Picture: Supplied.

The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne crowned Best Deluxe Accommodation 2025

Best Lifestyle/Resort Style Accommodation — Mitchelton Hotel

Mitchelton Hotel in Nagambie named Best Lifestyle/Resort Style Accommodation 2025.

The Mitchelton Hotel in Nagambie. Picture: Supplied.

Staff from the Mitchelton Hotel in Nagambie. Picture: Supplied.

Best Hotel Accommodation (general division) — Hotel Sorrento

Hotel Sorrento in Sorrento named Best Hotel Accommodation in the general division.

Hotel Sorrento’s crew. Picture: Supplied.

ENTERTAINMENT, TOURISM & FACILITIES

Best Outdoor/Non-Enclosed Facility — American Hotel Echuca

American Hotel Echuca in Echuca has been named the Best Outdoor/Non-Enclosed Facility of 2025.

The American Hotel Echuca. Picture: American Hotel

American Hotel Echuca’s team behind the scenes. Picture: Supplied.

GAMING, TAB & WAGERING

Best Gaming Venue (metro) — Mail Exchange Hotel

The team from Melbourne’s Mail Exchange Hotel. Picture: Supplied.

Melbourne’s Mail Exchange Hotel has won the Best Gaming Venue in the metropolitan category.