Michelin awards Australia's first stars to 11 South Australian restaurants

Centre · 1The Michelin Guide awarded its first stars in Australia on Wednesday 14 October 2026, with 11 restaurants in South Australia recognised. 1 Mixed · 2Magill Estate Restaurant, which overlooks Penfolds winery in Adelaide, received the only two-star rating, and ten restaurants received one star each. 2 1 Left · 1ABC News named the one-star winners as Anvers Restaurant, Maxwell Restaurant, Botanic, Arkhe, Esmay, Aurora at Ila, Hentley Farm, LVN Restaurant at Bird In Hand, Aptos and Skillogalee Barrel House. 2

Left · 1The stars were handed out at a red-carpet ceremony at the Adelaide Convention Centre. Michelin Guide international director Gwendal Poullennec called it "an historic milestone", the first time the guide had recognised restaurants in Australia. 2 Centre · 1BBC News reported that the wider guide also lists more than 70 other South Australian restaurants, some in the Bib Gourmand category for good food at more moderate prices. 1 Mixed · 2All the awards went to one state because the South Australian government paid for anonymous inspectors to visit, according to ABC reporting cited by the BBC. Michelin had approached Tourism Australia, the national authority, in 2016, and the authority declined. Michelin approached the national tourism board several times without success. 1 3

Mixed · 2The South Australian government said the price is confidential for commercial reasons, and it has not revealed any ongoing costs. Tourism Minister Emily Bourke defended the spending, saying it would help put the state "on the world map" and bring visitors. 3 1 Mixed · 2New Zealand became the first place in Oceania to feature in the guide in July, reportedly agreeing to pay NZ$6.3m over three years. 1 3 Left · 1ABC News said that although tourism bodies sometimes pay to bring the guide to a region, Michelin's inspectors choose the restaurants, judging the food only and not decor, ambience or service. 3

Left · 1Before the announcement, Adelaide chef Duncan Welgemoed of Africola, who previously worked in Michelin-starred kitchens, predicted bookings would rise "overnight". Torrens University's Professor Catheryn Khoo noted criticism that the guide applies French standards abroad and that some chefs have returned stars over the pressure. 3