Overlooking a billabong about half an hour inland from Torquay is Victoria’s new Restaurant of the Year. Its name is Moonah, it’s a 12-seat fine diner created by ex-Brae chef Tobin Kent, and its star has been steadily rising since it opened in Connewarre in 2020.
The news broke overnight at the 2025 Good Food Guide Awards at a dazzling ceremony at Plaza Ballroom, and marks the first time the restaurant has taken home top honours after being nominated in the same category last year and winning Regional Restaurant of the Year the year prior.
It was a big night for Victoria’s Korean food community, meanwhile, with the recently relocated Moon Mart taking home Café of the Year, and Jung Eun Chae awarded Chef of the Year for her work at singular six-seater, Chae.
The three-hat club grew from three to four this year, with Vue de Monde – which scored a field-high 18.5 points of a possible 20 – returning to the top flight after being ineligible for the 2024 Guide while it underwent major renovations. It joined millimetre-perfect sushi restaurant Minamishima, Amaru and Brae, all of whom retained their three-hat status – Brae for the eleventh consecutive year.
Punter’s Palace took out the inaugural Pub of the Year award, after a tasteful mid-year reboot that returned its focus to live music and great pub food (see: tuna tartare with salt and vinegar chips).
The late Greg Malouf was honoured in a touching tribute that celebrated his contribution to Middle Eastern food in Australia, while Jamie Bucirde won the inaugural Cultural Change Champion for her work tackling systemic assault in the hospitality industry.
The ceremony also launched the Good Food app, a digitised version of the Guide that includes reviews, recipes, and a populated map of the country’s best restaurants, among other features.
Congratulations to the class of 2025 – you’ll find the list of awardees below, and the full list of hat-winners at goodfood.com.au.
By Frank Sweet
Restaurant of the Year – Moonah
Chef of the Year – Jung Eun Chae, Chae
New Restaurant of the Year – Bar Olo
Regional Restaurant of the Year – Messmates
Service Excellence Award – Rajnor Soin, Vue de Monde
Young Chef of the Year – Saavni Krishnan
Katie McCormack Young Service Talent Award – Nicole Sharrad
Sommelier of the Year – Tess Murray, Chauncy
Legend Award – Greg Malouf
Drinks List of the Year – Bar Spontana
Cafe of the Year – Moon Mart
Bar of the Year – Apollo Inn
Pub of the Year – The Punters Club
Critics’ Pick Award – Danny’s Kopitiam
Food for Good – Samesyn
Cultural Change Champion – Jamie Bucirde, Not So Hospitable and On The Cusp