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Australia's Hottest Hotel Dining Rooms Revealed

Sleep, eat and play! We explore the coolest culinary concepts worth staying in for.

There are some seriously awesome new dining concepts popping up in Australian hotels.

In fact, the entire topic has had us question if a modern boutique hotel is up to par if it doesn't boast a rockstar chef, mouthwatering bar snacks, and a mind-blowing cocktail selection that'll blow your mind. How crucial are hotel dining concepts for booking our stay? Locay embraces the notion that the accommodation experience goes beyond mere bed linens and lighting setup. It's not just a place to crash. When boutique hotels fully capitalise on their in-house dining scene, the overall package becomes incredibly appealing.

Whether you're craving a mind-blowingly unique and thrilling culinary adventure or just want to chill and indulge in locally sourced delicacies, then this article is totally for you!

We'll be unveiling the most innovative and cutting-edge culinary concepts found in Australia's neighbourhood hotels right now. From picturesque country getaways to a trendy Australian-style pub, a hip city restaurant, to the ultimate rooftop dining experience, there are a multitude of fresh ways to savour local cuisine right within the comfort of your hotel.

We're here to guide you and ignite your culinary passion with some of the hottest dining concepts found in Australian boutique accommodations.

Ace Hotel Sydney

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Kiln | Ace Hotel Sydney | Surry Hills NSW

The beautiful dining room Kiln is located on the 18th floor on the rooftop of the Ace Hotel in Surry Hills, with expansive views of the Sydney skyline. The culinary innovation of Kiln is led by chef Mitch Orr and is an exciting blend of modern Australian cuisine, a little Italian-ish with hints of south-east Asia, and Japanese flavours. For a taste of nostalgia with a fancy twist, don't miss the irresistible jatz, smoked butter, and anchovy snack.

"My most memorable meals come with good people, good music, and good moods; Kiln is about recreating that experience nightly. We’re here to buck the status quo and encourage everyone who passes through our doors to get comfortable, have fun, and enjoy Kiln the way you want. We deliver the goods; you eat right and do your thing." Chef Mitch Orr

Kiln won New Restaurant of the Year in 2022 at the Good Food Guide Awards.

Capella Hotel

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Brasserie 1930 | Capella Sydney | Sydney NSW

Brasserie 1930 is a one-of-a-kind dining destination found in the heart of Sydney at the luxurious Capella Hotel. Imbued with a sense of grandeur and sophistication, this ground-floor restaurant is a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds.

Stepping inside, you'll be immediately struck by the stunning architecture and flawless design. Recently awarded two hats by the Australian Good Food Guide, Brasserie 1930 takes great pride in showcasing the very best of modern brasserie classics with a menu that draws inspiration from Australian produce and incorporates age-old cooking techniques such as curing, smoking, fermenting, preserving, and pickling.

A truly elevated and elegant experience, perfect for a local staycation hidden in Sydney's Historic Sandstone Precinct.

The Old Clare

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Longshore | The Old Clare | Chippendale NSW

Found in the historic art deco-style quarters of The Old Clare Hotel, Longshore emerges as a beacon of sustainable gastronomy, artfully showcasing the bounty of the sea. Within what was once an industrial warehouse, Longshore has been ingeniously transformed into an enclave of coastal cool, where the essence of the ocean is celebrated in both design and dish.

Be welcomed with soft linens, terrazzo tiles, and accents of rope that pay homage to the craftsmanship of seafaring vessels. Indeed, Longshore is a sanctuary crafted for the epicurean, a dining room designed to transport its visitors to a serene coastal realm.

At Longshore, the sea's treasures take centre stage, each dish woven into a narrative of sustainability. Diners are treated to an à la carte selection of seafood and not one, but two impeccably curated tasting menus—one tailored for the sun-kissed midday feast, the other for a twilight soiree beneath a nautical canvas. For the casual diner in transit, the snack menu presents a collection of oceanic delights, perfect for a swift yet invigorating indulgence.

Longshore's cellar is flush with a thoughtful curation of white wines, each bottle an ideal accompaniment to the delicate flavours of the deep. Whether by the glass or shared among diners in a generous carafe, the wine selection at Longshore is a purposeful pairing with the marine fare.

Open for lunch from Friday through Sunday and for dinner from Thursday to Saturday, including Monday evenings, Longshore invites guests to navigate through a sea of flavours, embark on a voyage of culinary discovery, and anchor themselves in a dining experience that enhances any local vacation at The Old Clare.

Sea Sea

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Kitchen & Bar | Sea Sea | Crescent Head NSW

Live by the Sea, Dine by the Sea. 

What a better dynamic trio than Dan Medcalf behind the food at Kitchen and Bar, sourcing an abundance of Macleay Valley produce right on their doorstep and providing endless inspiration for the Sea Sea menu, which is unpretentious and easy-going. With Lello (Antonello) Arzedi on drinks, he dives deep, taking inspiration from the world’s top 10 best places to surf. Each drink has its own story to tell, and Lello uses ingredients related to each destination.

Last but not least, the drinks collection is driven by our favourite natural wine merchants, P&V Wine + Liquor Merchants. The collection is all about local, artisanal, organic, sustainable, and natural producers who have meaningful connections within the land they come from.

Goonoo Goonoo Station

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Glasshouse | Goonoo Goonoo Station NSW

Indulge in breathtaking panoramas of the rolling hills of Goonoo Goonoo Station and the distant Liverpool Range while immersing yourself in modern elegance at the Glasshouse Restaurant.

Situated on the New England Highway in Tamworth, this establishment was completed in 2016 and combines two heritage buildings with expansive floor-to-ceiling glass windows. With a multitude of awards under its belt, this contemporary dining experience serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day, showcasing the finest locally sourced ingredients for a truly memorable culinary experience.

Brae

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Brae | Birregurra Victoria

Brae Restaurant, located in Birregurra, Victoria, has become a destination for food lovers, attracting guests from far and wide. Helmed by award-winning chef Dan Hunter, Brae has a unique dining experience that interweaves luxury and sustainability. The restaurant offers an organic farm-to-table concept, with 90% of the vegetables used in the dishes harvested from the on-site 30-acre farm.

Dan's culinary journey began in Australia, but it was his years spent in Spain that inspired his passion for farm-to-table cooking. Hunter saw how fresh and simply prepared ingredients could be elevated to create an unforgettable dining experience. At Brae, he has brought this philosophy to life. The dishes are crafted to highlight the natural flavours of the ingredients and the seasons, with each dish telling its own story from garden to plate. The result is a menu that is incredibly unique, using locally sourced and sustainable ingredients as the foundation of every dish.

However, Brae is more than just a restaurant. It's a place where guests can disconnect from their busy lives and reconnect with nature and where their food comes from. The restaurant offers a truly immersive experience, allowing guests to explore the farm and its gardens. There's also the option of staying at Brae's luxurious guest suites, ensuring visitors can experience everything the restaurant and nearby countryside have to offer. With sustainability at its core, Brae strives to create the most sustainable and eco-friendly dining experience possible. From the food to the venue, Brae has set itself apart as a truly unique and inviting destination where guests can indulge in exceptional cuisine while reconnecting with nature.

Osborn House

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George's & Dinah's or Fire Feast | Osborne House | Bowral NSW

A place to make memories with the people you love in your life. The Osborn House in the Southern Highlands is something truly special and renowned for its dining scene. The restaurant is housed in a Georgian-style mansion with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. One of the most notable aspects of the dining experience is the focus on locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, with ever-changing menus to reflect the best produce available.

There are three dining concepts, so there is something for everyone. You can kick back at George's, a more relaxed style of dining open for lunch and dinner with afternoon drinks from 3pm to 6pm daily. It offers indoor and outdoor seating with uninterrupted views over Morton National Park and is all about the hotel classics with the Osborn twist.

If you are wanting to step it up and move into something a little more elevated, then Dinah’s is the perfect choice for a formal dining experience where the executive chef turns rustic dishes into finesse and sophistication. The Snowy Mountains rainbow trout is a local must.

The standout for me here is the Fire Feast, available only on Sundays. It's not your average BBQ; it’s all about the culinary art of Asado, a traditional Argentinian barbecue. You and your guests can enjoy an immersive food extravaganza where chefs cook over open flames right in front of you. And all you have to do is slow down, unwind, reconnect with loved ones, and make new memories.

Piermont Retreat

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Homestead Restaurant | Piermont Retreat | Swansea Tasmania

The Homestead at Piermont Retreat is casual yet refined. The team works closely with local farmers, fishermen, and wineries to bring you the very best collaborative menu, showcasing the area's diversity and utilising the freshest ingredients and produce.

Located on the East Coast of Tasmania, providing a serene and breathtaking view of Great Oyster Bay, the restaurant is only a few metres away from the water, allowing guests to enjoy their dining experience while immersing themselves in the calming sound of waves crashing onto the shore.

The restaurant is a well-kept secret amongst locals who enjoy the privacy offered by this elegant, beautifully designed venue.

Stillwater, Launceston

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Stillwater Restaurant | Launceston Tasmania

Stillwater Restaurant in Launceston, Tasmania, is a culinary destination that takes pride in sourcing the freshest ingredients from local and sustainable producers. Their philosophy revolves around showcasing the best of Tasmania's natural bounties, paired perfectly with locally sourced wines. Chef Craig Will and his team demonstrate their passion for regional produce by creating a menu that is innovative, creative, and layered with distinct flavours. What sets Stillwater apart is its unwavering dedication to environmental sustainability. The restaurant sources its water from Cape Grim, located on Tasmania's North West Coast, renowned as home to the cleanest air on the planet.

Apart from their exceptional culinary offerings, Stillwater offers tailor-made packages for a staycation, combining luxury accommodation with exquisite dining experiences. They have meticulously designed their packages to cater to every guest's taste and preferences, making the experience memorable and unforgettable.

The Mitchelton Hotel

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Muse Restaurant | The Mitchelton Hotel | Nagambie Victoria

Tucked away in the serene countryside of the Nagambie Lakes district, The Muse restaurant offers a truly unique dining experience that combines rustic charm with refined elegance. With a firm commitment to local, sustainable, and ethical farming methods, Executive Chef Nigel Brown creates dishes that speak to the heart of the region and are bursting with flavour. From juicy heirloom tomatoes to fresh herbs plucked from the garden to succulent meats sourced from local farms, every ingredient in every dish is carefully selected to provide a truly authentic taste of the area.

The Muse is more than just a restaurant; it's a hub of culinary creativity that embraces the natural beauty and bounty of its surroundings. Not many people know that The Muse also offers cooking classes and food workshops where guests can learn new techniques and recipes from Chef Nigel himself. Whether it's mastering the art of sourdough bread-making or creating the perfect seasonal salad, these hands-on experiences bring the joy and satisfaction of true farm-to-table cuisine to life. And of course, no visit to The Muse would be complete without sampling some of the exceptional wines from Mitchelton's cellar, which perfectly complement the bold flavours and textures of the menu.

With its warm hospitality, stunning views, and unparalleled commitment to sustainability, The Muse is a restaurant that truly embodies the local spirit of Nagambie Lakes with any stay at its resident hotel, The Mitchelton Hotel Nagambie.

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