The Hunter’s hatted restaurants for 2025

Six hunter establishments awarded chef’s hats at the Good Food Guide Awards

The Hunter has always been known as a destination for great wines and fine dining and year by year the region’s reputation continues to flourish. In November, six of the best local restaurants were recognised for their excellence at the 40^th annual Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Awards and awarded coveted chef’s hats.

Held at the Sydney Opera House and hosted by cook and TV personality Adam Liaw, the 2025 winners were announced to a packed crowd of hospitality professionals. A raft of the best eateries and wine bars throughout NSW received special awards including ‘Bar of the Year’ and ‘Café of the Year’.

Newcastle’s centrally located restaurant Humbug, that specialises in pasta, wine and beautiful interiors, received a hat for the second year in a row, while the small yet dynamic Flotilla in Wickham retained its hat for a third year, both solidifying their status in Newcastle’s buzzing foodie scene.

In the heart of the Hunter Valley, Muse Restaurant and chef Troy Rhoades-Brown celebrated being the only local restaurant to receive two hats in their 10^th consecutive year of Good Food Guide recognition.

Established regional eateries EXP. Restaurant in Pokolbin, Bistro Molines in Mount View and Margan Restaurant in Broke were all awarded one hat.

Thermidor Brasserie and Jana Restaurant and Bar in Newcastle were both recommended as ‘favourites’ in the Good Food Guide, a sign they are on track for more awards and a coveted hat for 2026.

While there were no Hunter based recipients in the major Good Food Guide Award categories, the Restaurant of the Year Award went to the three-hatted Saint Peter in Paddington, owned by chef Josh Niland who was born and raised in Maitland.

Story by Laura Jackel | Photography by Daina Marie Photography