The 100 most delicious restaurants in Victoria for 2018
With sweeping views across a modern sculpture park, an extensive cellar door and multiple menus, this Mornington Peninsula winery restaurant is unlike any other — and it’s just been named the most delicious restaurant in Victoria. SEE THE FULL LIST, CAST YOUR VOTE HERE
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With sweeping views across a modern sculpture park, an extensive cellar door and multiple menus showcasing the best of the Mornington Peninsula, Pt Leo Estate is a winery restaurant unlike any other.
And it’s just been named the most delicious restaurant in Victoria.
Opening one year ago with a multimillion-dollar bang and the goal of being a world-class destination for food, wine and art, Pt Leo Estate has been awarded the number 1 spot in the Sunday Herald Sun’s third annual delicious.100, the only food guide to rank Victoria’s top 100 restaurants.
Chef Phil Wood moved to the peninsula from Sydney to lead the kitchen team at the complex that features two dining options – the bustling Pt Leo restaurant and a refined 45-seat fine diner called Laura.
It’s a gamble that’s paid off for the chef who was Neil Perry’s longtime right-hand man in the kitchen.
“We’ve been overwhelmed with the support we’ve had. We couldn’t be happier with the response,” he said.
“Victorians are such a wonderful dining crowd. They appreciate honest, tasty food.”
A focus on produce of the Mornington Peninsula has paid off for the restaurant, with people travelling from around the state to eat wallaby pies and fried Flinders mussel sandwiches and local mushrooms “glazed like a chicken wing”.
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“It was always my intention to make the most of the region and it’s been great to know the farmers. If you’re in a regional area you should promote that area. I’m lucky this is such a wonderful area,” he said.
The list was compiled by the Sunday Herald Sun’s three food reviewers — Dan Stock, Megan Miller and Simon Plant — who travelled more than 11,000km to eat hundreds of dishes at almost 200 venues across the state.
Each restaurant was judged on its food, drinks and service, as well as value for money, fun factor and the all-important “would you recommend it to a friend” test.
Last year’s number 1, Aaron Turner’s Igni in Geelong took out the list’s second spot, making it a one-two win for regional Victoria, proving that in 2018, excellent dining is increasingly found outside the CBD.
More than a quarter of this year’s list is found in regional Victoria, while suburban superstars such as Greasy Zoes in Hurstbridge, Altair in Warrandyte and Navi in Yarraville are putting their postcodes on the dining map of Melbourne.
With a menu that melds the cuisines of Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia with native Australian ingredients, Sunda in the CBD was named best new restaurant.
Dishes such as the buttermilk roti served with Vegemite curry and beef rendang buns with fermented sambal are crowds to the CBD diner chef Khanh Nguyen said he was inspired by chefs such as Kylie Kwong in incorporating Australian ingredients into Asian cuisine.
“The native ingredients can be sharp and bitter, so they work really well with the sweet, salty and sour flavours of South East Asian cooking,” he said.
The delicious. 100 not only celebrates the best premium experiences but those that offer bang for your buck and are perfect for less formal occasions.
Frank Camorra’s Spanish wine bar on Hosier Lane, Bar Tini took out the award for best value, Thi Le’s modern Vietnamese restaurant Anchovy was named best Asian restaurant, while the best service award went to the team at Andrew McConnell’s flagship Fitzroy restaurant, Cutler&Co.
With 24 new entries, competition for inclusion on this year’s list was fierce. Some restaurants made big strides, including modern Vietnamese restaurant Annam which rose 30 spots to No. 66, and the biggest mover Park St Pasta in South Melbourne, which rocketed 69 places to 26.
Kerrie McCallum, delicious. editor-in-chief, said the list would satisfy those hungry to seek out the state’s tastiest dining spots.
“The delicious.100 is not the oldest guide to restaurants, but it is the freshest. We believe every Australian should be able to experience our thriving restaurant scene and celebrate our incredible Australian produce and producers,” she said.
TOP 10
1. Pt Leo Estate, Merricks
2. Igni, Geelong
3. Amaru, Armadale
4. Attica, Ripponlea
5. Brae, Birregurra
6. Dinner by Heston, Southbank
7. Oakridge, Coldstream
8. Anchovy, Richmond
9. Lake House, Daylesford
10. Vue de monde, CBD
THE BEST
Best new restaurant: Sunda CBD
Best service: Cutler & Co, Fitzroy
Best drinks list: Carlton Wine Room
Best French: Philippe, CBD
Best Italian: Lello, CBD
Best date night: Ramblr, Prahran
Biggest improver: Park St Pasta, South Melbourne (from #95 to #26)
Best vegetarian option: Amaru, Armadale
Best value: Bar Tini, CBD
Best desserts: Cape, Cape Schanck
Best Sunday lunch: Hogget, Warragul
Best view: Captain Moonlite, Anglesea
Best family friendly: Ilona Staller, Balaclava
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