From gloriously fresh seafood to traditional Australian “bush tucker,” you’ll find Australia’s culinary offerings are as diverse as the landscape. Waves of immigration have brought tastes from around the world into the native cuisine, and you’ll find ethnic restaurants all over. Don’t forget to try the world-class wines, and hoist a brew or two!
- Spirit House (Yandina, Queensland): Walk along the jungle paths to the hidden building and you’ll start to get an idea of what’s in store at this amazing restaurant on the Sunshine Coast. Tables are set around a lagoon and among the trees, with massive statues and other artworks scattered throughout. The flavors that come out of this kitchen are mainly Thai but with other Asian influences.
- Tetsuya’s (Sydney, New South Wales): Tetsuya’s was named the fifth best restaurant in the world in Restaurant Magazine’s annual list of the world’s 50 best eateries in 2007. So what makes Tetsuya’s so good? On a recent visit, we secured a table next to the ceiling-to- floor windows and had an intimate view across a Japanese-inspired courtyard with maples and waterfall. The service is impeccable; the food, truly inspired.
- e’cco bistro (Brisbane, Queensland): Simple food, done exceptionally well and with passion. That’s the winning philosophy behind the food at e’cco, one of Australia’s top restaurants. Housed in a former tea warehouse on the city fringe, the bistro has large windows, bold colors, and modern furniture. Dishes include such delights as duck breast with Peking duck consomme, wombok, broccolini, chilli, and ginger; or grilled white fish with a cassoulet of white beans, clams, mussels, parsley, and peppers.
- Mures Upper Deck (Hobart, Tasmania): This large and bustling waterfront restaurant offers great views of bobbing yachts as well as very fine seafood caught on the owner’s own fishing boats. I recommend starting with a bowl of the signature Mures Smokey Chowder or some local oysters. A real treat is the seafood platter. The best summer dessert is the restaurant’s famous summer pudding, which almost bursts with berries.
