It’s no secret that I love a good fine dining experience. Whether I’m treating myself to my monthly fine dining experience or going all out during my birthday week in Melbourne, sitting down to that beautiful plate of food has never lost its appeal.
After more than a decade of getting to know Sydney and Melbourne’s food scenes, I feel like there’s always something new to discover – not to mention a few old favourites that deserve another visit. My birthday week has become the perfect excuse to explore Melbourne’s dining scene, while the rest of the year is all about making the most of what’s on offer in Sydney.
I don’t necessarily feel the need to try every new opening or every hatted restaurant. Sometimes a restaurant stays on my radar for years before I finally make it there. Other times I find myself thinking about a particular dish months after I’ve eaten it. This list is simply what’s caught my attention for 2026 and places I’m hoping to revisit.
Rather than ranking these, I’ve grouped them by city and whether they’re somewhere I’d like to experience for the first time or revisit. We’ll see how many I manage to tick off by the end of the year.
Sydney
Want to Try
- Chiswick. Chiswick has been on my radar for quite some time, and was moved up to the top of my list because I needed a place for lunch on the final day of my Sydney Marathon Staycation.
Want to Revisit
- Bennelong. Located within one of the sails of the iconic Sydney Opera House, Bennelong has been a go-to for every important occasion. Whether I’m taking in the city after the Sydney Marathon, or letting my hair down at the end of the year, there is always something special about sitting down to lunch insided a Sydney landmark.
- Aria. It’s been a while since my last visit, and I keep finding myself wanting to go back. With its harbour views and consistently gorgeous food, it is the perfect place to celebrate any special occasion.
- Sokyo. One of my favourite Japanese places in Sydney. Going there always feels extra special since it’s not within the CBD limits.
Melbourne
Want to Try
- Coda. This wasn’t originall on my radar, but after researching restaurants for my Birthday Week itinerary it quickly earned a spot. The meny looks right up my alley, making one of the Melbourne restaurants I’m most looking forward to trying.
- Gimlet. Gimlet has been on my Melbourne wishlist for years. Between the beautiful dining room and everything I’ve heard about the food, it feels like one of those restaurants that’s long overdue for a visit.
Want to Revisit
- Maison Batard. This was one of my more recent discoveries and my only regret is that I wish I had tried it sooner. It is one of my favourite places to get caviar at, as they keep the presentation fairly simple and portion generous.
- Nobu. Even though I have been to both the Sydney and Melbourne venues, I much prefer the latter because of how much better their beef tataki is.
- Vue de Monde. I only visited Vue de Monde for the first time during my 2026 Birthday Week, but it left a good enough impression that it was immediately added to the list of restaurants to revisit for the 2027 trip. Even though it is on the more expensive side, it was worth every cent, because a meal there is as much about the quality of the food as it is about the experience.
- Cumulus Inc. I have been coming here since my earliest trips to Melbourne and I will continue coming here as long as they continue to do lunchtime service. It is a Birthday Week tradition to have the final meal of the trip here as it is across the road from the back entrance to Sofitel, allowing me to quickly make my way to the airport after lunch.
That’s the list for 2026. I’ll come back at the end of the year to see how many I manage to tick off – and whether any unexpected restaurants earned a place on next year’s bucket list.
