Readers’ Choice Awards 2025: 5 of Australia’s Favourite Cafés & Restaurants

From coastal cafés to city laneways, the Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 celebrate Australia’s most-loved dining destinations - places where flavour, atmosphere and heart come together in unforgettable ways.

This year’s winners capture the spirit of their regions: from tropical mornings by the sea to vibrant evenings filled with spice and song. Whether it’s the breezy charm of Airlie Beach, the sun-soaked sophistication of Broome, or the soulful buzz of Melbourne’s hidden gems, each venue tells a story through taste and texture.

Discover the cafés and restaurants our readers can’t stop talking about — and start planning your next delicious escape.

Sidewalk Café on Airlie Esplanade captures the essence of relaxed coastal charm. Nestled along the waterfront, it offers sweeping views of turquoise waters framed by palm trees swaying in the ocean breeze. The café exudes a casual elegance, with open-air seating that invites guests to linger over a morning coffee or a leisurely lunch.

 

Aromas of freshly brewed espresso and baked goods mingle with the salty air, while the hum of conversation drifts softly beneath the tropical sun. With its easy-going atmosphere and breezy aesthetic, Sidewalk Café is the perfect spot to soak in the rhythm of Airlie Beach life.

Cichetti on Cable Beach Road captures the spirit of Broome’s coastal charm with a refined yet relaxed ambience. Warm timber tones, gentle lighting and lush greenery create a space that feels both contemporary and deeply connected to the tropics. The scent of wood-fired cooking mingles with sea breezes drifting in from nearby Cable Beach.

 

Each dish reflects a Mediterranean influence, celebrating fresh local produce and bold, sun-soaked flavours. Guests linger over shared plates and handcrafted cocktails, surrounded by an easy elegance that mirrors Broome’s unique rhythm - unhurried, welcoming and effortlessly sophisticated beneath the golden glow of the Kimberley sunset.

Tadka Club Mornington brings a vibrant taste of India to Main Street, where colour, aroma and flavour collide in perfect harmony. The atmosphere is alive with warm hospitality and the hum of conversation, set against a backdrop of modern Indian décor and glowing copper accents. From the open kitchen drifts the irresistible scent of roasted spices and smoky tandoor, promising a feast for the senses.

 

Each dish bursts with authenticity and creativity, crafted with care to balance tradition and flair. Whether dining indoors or alfresco, guests are invited to savour the spirit of India in the heart of Mornington.

Nestled right along the Great Ocean Road in Anglesea, Akuna Restaurant Pizza, Bar & Café exudes a warm coastal charm. Its interiors blend rustic wood tones with soft lighting, while windows frame glimpses of sea salt breezes beyond. The air hums with laughter, clinking glasses and the scent of dough baking. Behind the counter, Chefs toss dough aloft, crafting bespoke pizzas and comforting pastas.

 

Outside, casual tables spill onto the footpath, perfect for lingering. Whether you're seeking a relaxed lunch or an intimate dinner under the stars, Akuna balances laid-back seaside vibes with rich, soulful flavours.

Hidden behind an unassuming façade on Bourke Street, ShanDong MaMa hums with the energy of a Melbourne institution. Inside, the scent of sizzling mackerel dumplings and hand-pulled noodles fills the narrow, lively room. The open kitchen is a stage of precision and rhythm - dough being rolled, fillings folded, steam rising in soft clouds.

 

 

Every plate feels rooted in coastal Shandong tradition, yet alive with Melbourne’s modern pulse. Lanterns cast a warm glow on chatter and clinking chopsticks, as locals and travellers alike lean in for another bite - simple, soulful and perfectly imperfect, just the way dumplings should be.