Two top local restaurants in the running for Gourmet Traveller’s Restaurant Awards
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Lunetta in Red Hill and Minima at Yarralumla Shops have won coveted spots in this year’s Gourmet Traveller shortlist of the nation’s best eateries.
Marking 45 years of the country’s longest-running restaurant awards, The Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Award winners will be announced in Tasmania on 18 August.
The 2025 finalists showcase the diversity of Australia’s dining scene, spanning all six states across six categories: Best New Talent, Best New Restaurant, Best Bar, Best Destination Dining, Restaurant Personality of the Year, and the Readers’ Choice Icon award. Additional awards presented on the evening will include the peer-voted Chef of the Year, Outstanding Contribution to Hospitality, and the night’s highest honour, Restaurant of the Year.
Lunetta. Photo by Lillie Thompson
In choosing the ACT’s landmark restaurant Lunetta for inclusion in the Best New Restaurant shortlist, the magazine says, “Canberra’s dining scene just keeps getting better and it now has a glamorous occasion restaurant worthy of the city’s power brokers.
Lunetta – Italian for ‘little moon’ – is housed in a modernist landmark that opened on Red Hill in 1963. Under new owners Tracy Keeley and sons, Matthew and Nick, it dazzles with a meticulous renovation by design firm ACME and a polished menu by executive chef Tristan Rebbettes (ex Café Paci and Saint Peter).
“A casual trattoria slings excellent pizza and pasta on the ground floor, while upstairs offers caviar, oysters and premium cuts cooked on a wood-fired grill fit for a celebration. In short: A star is born in a modernist landmark building.”
Photo of Benn and Mork Ratanakosol by Ash St George, Pew Pew Studio
Meanwhile, Mínima’s popular brothers Benn and Mork Ratanakosol have been recognised for their commitment to the industry through the Restaurant Personality of the Year category.
Their citation as finalists includes: “Brothers Benn and Mork Ratanakosol grew up in the restaurant trade, with their parents running successful Thai diner Sukothai in Yarralumla for almost 20 years. They branched out with Kingston venue Morks – Mork in the kitchen and Benn on the floor – before opening sleek pan-Asian wine bar Mínima in 2024.
“Riffing on ‘third culture’ cuisine balancing Thai and Chinese flavours with Euro techniques, they bring passion and experience to Canberra’s food scene. Beloved by the local hospo community, a visit to their 22-seater is like dropping into a friend’s place, warm and welcoming.”
Minima. Photo by Ash St George of Pew Pew Studio
Nicky Briger, Head of Luxury, Are Media, says the awards continue to showcase the very best in Australian dining:
“For over four decades, these awards have celebrated the innovation and excellence that define Australia’s world-class dining scene – and this year’s 45th anniversary makes it even more special as we gather in Hobart for the first time to honour the chefs and restaurants that continue to shape our dining culture.”
The finalists are published in the August issue of Gourmet Traveller, on sale from today.
RESTAURANT PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
- Alice Tremayne, Corner 75, NSW
- Angie Giannakodakis, Taverna, VIC
- Benn And Mork Ratanakosol, Mínima, ACT
- Sarah Holloway, Salopian Inn SA
- Ryan De Villiers, Wildflower WA
BEST NEW RESTAURANT
- August, Brisbane QLD
- Lunetta, Red Hill ACT
- Maison Bâtard, Melbourne VIC
- Olympus Dining, Sydney NSW
- Ondeen, Verdun SA
- Scholé, Hobart TAS
BEST NEW TALENT
- Audrey Shaw, Carnation Canteen VIC
- Ozge Kalvo, Olympus Dining NSW
- Rodolfo Malinverni, Norté QLD
- Tom Campbell, Thelma SA
BEST DESTINATION DINING
- Tedesca Osteria, Red Hill VIC
- The Agrarian Kitchen Restaurant, New Norfolk TAS
- Staġuni, Barossa, SA
- De’sendent, Margaret River WA
BAR OF THE YEAR
- +81 Aizome Bar, Brisbane QLD
- Gigi, Melbourne VIC
- Institut Polaire, Hobart TAS
- The Wine Bar At The International, Sydney NSW
READERS CHOICE ICON AWARD
- Berowra Waters Inn, Berowra NSW
- Du Fermier, Trentham VIC
- E’cco Bistro, Brisbane QLD
- Stillwater Restaurant, Launceston TAS
- Vintners Bar & Grill, Angaston SA
The Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards are supported by presenting partner, Lexus, alongside Scanpan, Wedgwood, Porkstar, Tourism Tasmania and Petaluma Wines.The winners will be profiled in the September issue, on sale Monday 25 August which will also include the annual Restaurant Guide, featuring Australia’s top 100 restaurants.
