The Age Good Food Guide 2026 Launches, Celebrating Victoria’s Culinary Excellence

The 45th edition of The Age Good Food Guide was launched today, celebrating Victoria’s vibrant dining scene with nearly 500 reviews of restaurants, cafes, pubs, and bars across the state.

Among the highlights is a new list of 123 essential restaurants that define dining in Victoria right now — a diverse mix of fine-dining institutions, casual eateries, and beloved neighbourhood gems that reflect the state’s evolving food culture.

One of the most celebrated figures this year is Caterina Borsato, who recently marked 30 years of her iconic Queen Street restaurant, Caterina’s. Despite challenges including a global pandemic and flooding, Borsato’s establishment continues to thrive. Earlier this year, Caterina’s was awarded a second chef’s hat, a milestone she is expected to retain at today’s event.

More than 500 industry leaders attended the launch at Timber Yard in Port Melbourne, including Jason Lui of Flower Drum, the team from Kolkata Cricket Club, and the chefs behind Sogumm in Cremorne.

The ceremony also announced major awards such as Restaurant of the Year, Chef of the Year, New Restaurant of the Year, and Café of the Year, alongside the prestigious Good Food Hats, ranging from one to three.

Co-editors Emma Breheny and Frank Sweet said the 2026 edition celebrates diversity in cuisine, geography, and dining style — from food courts and takeaways to high-end dining. Sweet noted, “If the conversation is about deliciousness, shouldn’t a shawarma shop be part of that conversation? We think yes.”

The Critics’ Picks list and all reviews are available digitally via the Good Food app, which allows users to explore venues by cuisine, region, and dietary preference — complete with map-based navigation and updated hours.

The 2026 Age Good Food Guide Awards were live-blogged via The Age, and the full guide is now accessible online and through an 80-page magazine insert available in tomorrow’s edition.