AUSTRALIAN GOOD FOOD GUIDE - Home of the Chef Hat Awards

Where to Book for a Memorable First Visit


Whether it’s a long-awaited catch-up, a special date, or simply your first time exploring somewhere new, your inaugural visit to a venue should be unforgettable. These standout spots deliver more than just delicious food - they offer atmosphere, stories and a lasting impression. If you're wondering where to make your next reservation, start here.

Harry’s Deli – McLaren Vale, SA

Overlooking the vine-laced estate of Wirra Wirra Winery, Harry’s Deli in McLaren Vale invites guests to slow down and indulge in an elevated yet approachable take on local dining. Set against a backdrop of native gum trees and immaculately tended lawns, this Modern Australian eatery makes an impression from the first sip of wine to the final bite of dessert.

Where to Book for a Memorable First Visit

Start your journey with crisp fried chicken drizzled with honey chilli dressing, or delicate kingfish sashimi laced with a tangy soy and ginger sauce. Signature plates like the Son of Trott pie - stuffed with lamb, Shiraz and olives - speak to the region’s generous spirit, especially when paired with crispy potatoes and Harry’s own tomato sauce. Save room for the decadent chocolate fondant with pistachio ice cream.

Make your first visit count - reserve your table today. Mark your visit by leaving a review.

Perspective Dining – Brisbane CBD, Qld

For a truly singular introduction to fine dining, Perspective Dining offers more than a meal - it’s a narrative told across multiple courses. Tucked within a 12-seat space on Brunswick Street, this closed-door Brisbane venue curates tasting menus that push the boundaries of Modern Australian cuisine, with every dish a meticulous study in flavour, texture and local provenance.

Where to Book for a Memorable First Visit

Each menu reflects seasonality and innovation, featuring combinations like preserved emu with black sapote yolk and monkey apple, or ‘swimmers’ and consommé accompanied by root vegetables and cured ham. With options ranging from five to nine courses, both plant- and protein-led paths, it’s a sensory voyage that deserves your full attention.

Make your reservation and prepare to be amazed; show your appreciation with a review.

Beverly Rooftop – South Yarra, Vic

Take things to new heights at Beverly Rooftop, perched above Chapel Street with panoramic views and an effortless sense of cool. This South Yarra gem feels like an escape - light-filled by day, glittering by night - delivering the kind of transformative ambience that turns an ordinary dinner into an unforgettable outing.

Where to Book for a Memorable First Visit

Sip a signature cocktail as you tuck into lobster cannoli dressed with mascarpone and Parmesan, or a fiery duck slider laced with jalapeño on sesame brioche. Mains from the grill elevate comfort classics - charcoal chicken arrives with miso cauliflower and wood-roasted pumpkin, while nori-spiked angel hair pasta dazzles with spanner crab and caviar.

Perfect for a first date or just a first visit, book now and bask in the rooftop magic. Don't forget to leave a review.

Froggies Rest – Logan Village, Qld

Not all first visits need grandeur - sometimes it’s about comfort, community and genuine country hospitality. Froggies Rest, nestled in leafy Logan Village, is that kind of place. This local favourite welcomes you with timber-lined interiors, vintage details and a leafy outdoor verandah perfect for slow mornings and relaxed lunches.

Where to Book for a Memorable First Visit

The food leans classic and comforting, from the stacked Froggies big breakfast to a chicken schnitzel burger served with crispy golden chips. Those in the know go for Grandma’s rissoles - hearty, handmade and brimming with nostalgia. Whether you're passing through or staying local, make your first visit to Froggies one to remember.

Book your table and enjoy the country calm; don't forget to leave a review.

Whether it's a rooftop rendezvous, an immersive degustation or a rustic brunch among the gum trees, these venues offer more than just food - they deliver a memory in the making. So go ahead, book that table and make it a first visit worth repeating.

Featured Locations

Modern Australian    $$$$$

Beverly Rooftop

Discover a serene oasis where your feet are on the ground and your head is in the sky at Beverly Rooftop on Chapel Street in South Yarra. Epitomising genuine hospitality, escape from the day-to-day...

Modern Australian    $$$$$

Perspective Dining

Perspective Dining on Brunswick Street in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD is a modern gastronomic experience taking you on an unforgettable culinary journey. This closed-door 12-seat Chef dining venue ...

Cafe    $$$$$

Froggies Rest

Tucked away in the heart of Logan Village, Froggies Rest is a charming countryside café where rustic charm meets laid-back hospitality. Surrounded by leafy greenery and vintage décor, the ambience ...

Modern Australian    $$$$$

Harry's Deli

With views over manicured lawns, native gum trees and organically grown vineyards, Harry’s Deli on Strout Road offers full-service dining at iconic Wirra Wirra Winery in the heart of the McLaren Va...

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