Dreaming of a luxurious weekend away to the Victorian countryside?
We’re giving one lucky reader the chance to enjoy a gourmet getaway at Lancemore Lindenderry in Red Hill, on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. Think sweeping countryside views paired with delicious local wines and premium local dining — the perfect luxury escape for two. To enter, vote below for the Readers’ Choice Enduring Excellence winner in the Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards, tell us why your pick deserves to win, and make sure you’re signed up to the Gourmet Traveller newsletter.
The Readers’ Choice Enduring Excellence award (formerly called the Readers’ Choice Icon Award, and awarded to the Hawkesbury River’s Berowra Waters Inn in 2025) acknowledges venues with a long-running reputation for outstanding food, service and impact on Australia’s dining landscape. As the only award in the Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards program decided by popular vote, it’s your chance to champion local heroes and deserving institutions.
All winners for the 2026 Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards will be revealed in our September issue.
The prize
- Two-night weekend stay in a Garden Room Suite at Lancemore Lindenderry Red Hill
- • Welcome bottle of Lindenderry Estate wine and artisan cheese platter
- • Private cellar door tasting experience for two
- • Premium tasting menu with matched wines in The Dining Room
- • Additional à la carte dining experience with bottle of wine
- • Daily breakfast
- • Curated local produce hamper
The finalists
Balthazar
Perth, WAÂ
In an era when diners are easily dazzled by shiny new things, Balthazar has remained at the top of its game, enduring as a CBD go-to since opening in 1998. Their easy, assured service continues to draw a crowd, as does the seafood spaghetti, glistening with an egg-emulsified sauce and topped with prawn oil.
Beccofino
Teneriffe, QLD
Famous for its wood-fired pizzas, Beccofino’s thin bases and topping restraint are key. For more than 20 years, they’ve been serving a crowd-pleasing menu of Italian classics with easy elegance. Revered by locals (and attracting a waitlist most nights of the week), Beccofino is a Brisbane stalwart.
Beppi’s
Darlinghurst, NSW
Since opening in 1956, Beppi’s has charmed every tier of society, making it the longest-running family-owned Italian restaurant in Sydney – now operated by Beppi’s son, Marc. In a city obsessed with the next big thing, this restaurant hums with old-school romance, remaining defiantly timeless.
Chianti
Adelaide, SA
Having turned 40 last year with the next generation of Favaros at the helm, Chianti seems to have always been part of the city. Expect Italian tradition served with a twist – the beef carpaccio comes with an ‘everything bagel’ crumb. Lunch on the verandah is more quintessentially Adelaide than a ride on the Popeye.
Marios
Fitzroy, Vic
This year marks the Melbourne institution’s 40th anniversary. Originally opened as a place for the burgeoning hub of local artists, musicians, uni students and shift workers to drop in for an all-day breakfast or a simple bowl of spaghetti, not much has changed since then, beyond Marios‘ evolution to icon status.
Mures Upper Deck
Hobart, Tas
Their ‘hook-to-plate’ philosophy has been in practice since the Mure family established Mures Fish House in 1973 and today much of the menu at Mures Upper Deck still comes straight off the family fishing boats. Enjoying a Tassie southern rock lobster on the waterfront at Victoria Dock is a Hobart bucket list experience.
Vote now
*Conditions apply, see aremedia.com.au/competitions. Commences 01/06/26. Ends 11:59pm AEDST on 01/07/26. To be eligible for entry the participant must be signed up to the Gourmet Traveller email database. AU residents 18+. This is a game of skill, not a game of chance. Only one entry per person. Drawn at 54 Park St, Sydney, NSW, 2000 at 9:30am AEST/AEDST on 02/17/26. The Promoter is Are Media Pty Limited (ABN 18 053 273 546) of 54 Park Street, Sydney, NSW 2000.
