South Australia hospitality awards recognize top restaurants

The 2026 Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence have announced winners across 25 categories in South Australia. Hentley Farm Restaurant in Seppeltsfield was named Restaurant of the Year and also won the award for Restaurant in a Winery.

Other notable winners include arkhé, which received the Steak Restaurant of the Year award, and Pony & Cole, which won both Casual Dining Venue of the Year and Cafe Dining. Maison Clément was recognized as the Breakfast Restaurant, while Penobscot Restaurant at The Watervale Hotel won for Restaurant in a Pub/Club.

In a separate recognition, Esmay, located in the Hackney Hotel and led by chef Alanna Sapwell-Stone, was named South Australia’s Restaurant of the Year by Gourmet Traveller for 2026. This follows previous years of excellence in the region, such as Staġuni winning major awards in 2025.