Australia gets first Michelin stars as South Australia claims 11 awards

Australia has received its first Michelin stars, with 11 restaurants across South Australia honoured in the guide's inaugural inspection of the country.

Magill Estate Restaurant, set among the Penfolds vineyards in the Adelaide foothills, emerged as the standalone top winner on Wednesday night, taking two Michelin stars. Ten other venues across Adelaide, the Adelaide Hills, the Barossa Valley, the Clare Valley and McLaren Vale earned one star each.

Scott Huggins, executive chef and owner at Magill Estate, called the double distinction a dream come true after working in starred kitchens in Europe and Japan. The restaurant was praised by inspectors for its multi-course tasting menu, which features dishes such as sea urchin with snow peas and spring lamb wellington.

Ten further restaurants received a single star, spanning city bistros and rural winery dining rooms. Among them are open-fire kitchen Arkhé in Norwood, chef Alanna Sapwell's Esmay in North Adelaide, and Restaurant Botanic inside the Adelaide Botanic Gardens.

South Australia's Michelin-starred restaurants

The distinctions were handed out at the Adelaide Convention Centre during a ceremony unveiling the Michelin Guide South Australia 2027. In total, 77 venues gained entry to the publication: 11 received stars, 16 earned Bib Gourmand honours for moderate pricing, and 50 were recognised as Michelin Selected restaurants.

The guide's arrival ends decades without Michelin recognition in Australia. Tourism Australia had previously declined an offer to back a nationwide edition, which industry sources reported was priced around 40 million Australian dollars over five years. South Australia's government broke away to negotiate its own standalone agreement.

The state has kept the exact fee confidential, but South Australian Tourism Minister Emily Bourke defended the investment, arguing the global profile would draw culinary travellers and lift bookings across regional producers, wineries and accommodation.

Michelin Guide international director Gwendal Poullennec said anonymous inspectors found a dining scene marked by remarkable diversity and freedom from rigid tradition, praising South Australian chefs for combining European craft with an expressive local voice.

Michelin inspectors visited unannounced and booked under pseudonyms throughout the assessment. The state government stressed that while it funded the guide's visit, selection decisions remained strictly independent, with restaurants unable to buy inclusion.

The recognition places Magill Estate among 550 two-star restaurants globally, with venues permitted to mount their official plaques from Thursday.