Famous Michelin Guide’s Aussie first puts ‘South Australia on the world map’
Updated . First published at
The Michelin Guide is world-renowned for its restaurant recommendations and now, for the first time, it’s expanded to one Australian state.
The country’s first two-starred restaurant was named in a glittering ceremony at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Wednesday night, following a partnership with the South Australian government.
The Michelin Guide is world-famous for its restaurant recommendations and now, for the first time, it’s expanded to one Australian state. Supplied/The Michelin Guide
Another 10 restaurants across the state received one star each, as a total of 77 establishments were added to the 2027 guide.
Adelaide’s Magill Estate Restaurant, led by Chef Scott Huggins, was awarded two Michelin stars for a combination of great, food location and service.
“Boasting an unbeatable location at the base of the Adelaide Hills and overlooking the vineyards of the world-famous Penfolds winery, this restaurant blends Australian products with precise technique in a 10-course tasting menu, which may reveal the likes of sea urchin with snow peas and tarragon or spring lamb Wellington with kohlrabi,” the guide noted.
“With warm, engaging service that makes guests feel right at home, wine is naturally integral to the experience, with the Icon pairing showcasing the full range of what local winemakers have to offer.”
In the past 12 months, the Magill Estate Restaurant has played host to the likes of Oprah Winfrey (left). Instagram/scott_huggins1
Ed Sheeran was also among the celebrity clientele posted to social media. Instagram/scott_huggins1
In the past 12 months, the restaurant has played host to the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Ed Sheeran, with Huggins sharing photos with celebrities on social media.
Nearby, Chef Connor Bishop's Anvers Restaurant got one Michelin star, as did fellow vineyard restaurants LVN Restaurant at Bird in Hand and Maxwell Restaurant, which sits above the family-owned vineyard in McLaren Vale.
Skillogalee Barrel House in the Clare Valley as well as Hentley Farm in the Barossa Valley also make the list.
Chef Justin James got a star for Aptos, his three-plus-hour dining adventure across three different rooms inside a fully renovated former church, with a menu that spotlights native Australian ingredients.
Aurora at ILA, located on the ground floor of the ILA Visual Arts Museum, also scored a star for its open-flame cooking and modern Australian cuisine.
The country’s first two-starred restaurant was named in a glittering ceremony at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Wednesday night. Instagram/@Magill Estate Restaurant
Botanic, Esmay and arkhé all also scored a single star from the famed publication.
Jake Kellie from arkhé said South Australia is now the envy of other states around the country.
“I think it’s massive,” he told 9News inside the ceremony.
“I was in Sydney last night speaking to a lot of industry folk, and I think they’re all very jealous that we’ve got this amazing opportunity to put South Australia on the world map.”
Additionally, 16 restaurants across the state were given the guide’s Bib Gourmand value rating for “high-quality, thoughtful cooking at approachable prices”.
Expansion into Australia
The expansion of the European foodie staple into Australia stems from a partnership with the South Australian government.
Due to commercial reasons it’s keeping the nature of the deal and the amount paid under wraps.
One restaurant scored two stars while another 10 restaurants across the state received one star each, as a total of 77 establishments were added to the 2027 guide. Supplied/The Michelin Guide
But the Australian Financial Review previously reported the pitch to Tourism Australia for each state’s inclusion in a guide was a figure of $40 million over five years, which would have started at $4 million in the first year and scaled to $7.5 million annually.
Tourism New Zealand reportedly paid about $2.5 million in its first year of partnership, while The Tourism Authority of Thailand spent about $6.7 million for its inaugural guide, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
The Michelin Guide was created by the Michelin brothers, of the famous tyre company, who wanted to incentivise people to drive their cars further afield and ultimately need new tyres sooner.
What started as recommended places to stop along your road trip around France in 1900, soon became a list of must-try destinations over the coming decades.
Now, many restaurants live and die by the stars awarded to them following visits from undercover reviewers.
The guidebook expanded beyond France from the early 1900s to the middle of the century but it wasn’t until 2006 that it expanded beyond Europe, with New York City being the first to launch in the US.
It extended across North America and entered Asia in 2009 but the Oceania region was only added in June 2026, when the guide launched New Zealand’s inaugural selection.
Australia has been a long-discussed addition but was delayed due to budget constraints, prompting the South Australian government to make its own deal.
Whether other states will follow suit remains to be seen.
What do Michelin stars actually mean?
Since the system was created as a shorthand for where’s good to stop along the drive, the stars have a simpler meaning than many people realise.
What started as recommended places to stop along your road trip around France in 1900, soon became a list of must-try destinations over the coming decades. SMH Spectrum/Quentin Jones
According to the Michelin Guide, here’s the breakdown of its star rating system:
- One star: High-quality cooking, worth a stop. “It recognises restaurants that use top-quality ingredients and prepare dishes with distinct flavours to a consistently high standard.”
- Two stars: Excellent cooking, worth a detour. “Awarded to restaurants where the team’s personalities and talents shine through in expertly crafted dishes, with food that is both refined and inspired.”
- Three stars: Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey. “Represent our highest honour ... where the cooking elevates the craft to an art form, with some dishes destined to become classics.”
Various inspectors will visit the restaurant to ensure the quality is served up every time. Restaurants don’t know who they are, or, when they’re coming.
Restaurants are then awarded stars in an annual ceremony.
Those establishments who are already featured in the guide are reassessed regularly, which means they can have stars added to their existing lot, or even have them taken away if the quality reduces over the year.
While we often hear of “Michelin-starred chefs” in conversation around dining, the team behind the award system stresses ratings are given to restaurants, not the chef specifically.
