Australia’s dining scene has earned global recognition once again, with a Sydney favourite making the world’s top 10.
Food & Wine has released its 2026 Tastemaker Awards, naming the world’s top international restaurants, and Paddington seafood institution Saint Peter has cracked the top 10, coming in at number 10 globally.
Not too shabby for a city better known (at least internationally) for its harbour views than its fish butchery.
A Global List With Serious Credentials
The annual list stands as a considered, authoritative selection. More than 400 chefs, travel writers and hospitality experts nominate standout culinary experiences from around the world, before Food & Wine’s Global Advisory Board ranks the final cut.
Consequently, this year’s results favour restaurants with a strong point of view over white-tablecloth tradition, spotlighting places where culture, memory, and a deep connection to place shape the menu.
London’s Ikoyi tops the list, building its reputation on boundary-pushing cooking that blends West African flavours with British ingredients and global technique. Lima’s Maido, a leader in Nikkei (Peruvian-Japanese) cuisine, follows in second place, while Ho Chi Minh City’s CieL Dining rounds out the top three.
Sydney’s Makes The Top 10
Saint Peter’s place on the list puts Sydney squarely in the conversation. Led by chef Josh Niland and co-owner Julie Niland, Saint Peter has spent the past decade redefining how Australians think about seafood.
Also, the restaurant follows a “scale-to-tail” philosophy, using every part of the fish in ways that are often inventive and unexpected.
Generally, on any given menu, that might look like yellowfin tuna bone marrow turned into fudge, or fish bones repurposed into pasta dough. Even fish eyes—typically discarded—are reimagined into ice creams and custards. It’s a style of cooking that’s as much about sustainability as it is about creativity.
Moreover, the storytelling extends beyond the plate: the restaurant highlights where it sources its seafood and who catches it with every dish, reinforcing the tight, traceable supply chain at the heart of its identity.
From Neighbourhood Restaurant to Global Destination
Saint Peter’s recent move into the heritage-listed Grand National Hotel has only elevated the experience, pairing its ambitious menu with boutique accommodation upstairs—effectively turning dinner into a destination.
Australian dining, long celebrated locally, continues to resonate globally—especially when it leans into what makes it distinct. For travellers planning their next trip around what’s on the plate, this list is a roadmap.
Saint Peter is located at 161 Underwood Street, Paddington. For the full rankings, visit Food & Wine’s Tastemaker Awards.
