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Michelin Guide arrives in South Australia in Australian first
South Australia will become the first state in Australia to feature in the world-renowned Michelin Guide.
South Australia has officially joined the MICHELIN Guide, marking the Guide's first-ever expansion into Australia.
Following months of anonymous inspections, the MICHELIN Guide South Australia 2027 selection includes 77 restaurants. Magill Estate Restaurant was awarded Two MICHELIN Stars, 10 restaurants received One MICHELIN Star, 16 were recognised with a Bib Gourmand, and a further 50 were included in the MICHELIN Selected category.
Travel and food writer Ben Groundwater said receiving a Michelin Star would put local restaurants alongside the best in the world. Speaking ahead of the announcement, he said:
“Michelin is the Olympics, it's a worldwide standard. You're not competing with people around the world, but it is a global benchmark. It is a way of holding yourself up against those legends.”
How the Michelin Guide Came to Australia
The guide was developed by the Michelin brothers in the late 1800s, intended as a boost to their business in France's nascent automotive industry.
It was originally designed as a driving guide, with maps and tips for drivers including places to eat and stay.
While the guide has been seen as a benchmark for diners in France and elsewhere in Europe for over a century, it only expanded to Asia and the Americas in the 2000s. Some destinations have entered into paid partnerships with Michelin to bring the guide to their regions.
In June 2026, New Zealand became the first country in Oceania to have Michelin-starred restaurants, following a reported $6.3 million agreement over three years.
Michelin has long been attempting to make a similar foray into the Australian market, first approaching Tourism Australia in 2016. The national authority decided against it, but South Australia has since entered into its own agreement with Michelin, funded by the state government.
The SA government said the price it paid was confidential for commercial reasons, and had not revealed any ongoing costs from the deal, but Tourism Minister Emily Bourke said it was worth it. Ms Bourke said:
“It goes beyond the benefits of the plate, it goes beyond the benefits of a restaurant, it is enabling us to create a tourism destination and put us on the world map. It's going to get people coming to South Australia. They're already coming here for our food and wine, but this really re-enforces that story that we stand amongst the best in the world.”
How are Michelin Stars awarded?
While some tourism authorities around the world have paid for the guide to cover their regions, Michelin inspectors independently decide which restaurants to visit.
The inspection process is anonymous, and the guide says inspectors assess the food only; the restaurant's decor, ambience and service are not factors.
Restaurants are assessed against five universal criteria: the quality of ingredients, mastery of cooking techniques, harmony of flavours, the personality of the cuisine and consistency across the menu and over time.
Duncan Welgemoed was head chef at UK restaurant the Goose when it won a star, and has worked at other Michelin-starred kitchens in Europe.
He now owns Adelaide restaurant Africola and said the Michelin Guide would be a game changer for the local industry. He said:
"Overnight your bookings will increase significantly. That's what I found. You know the gastronomic tourist is hugely important … particularly the Chinese market and the American market, they travel to Michelin stars. They plan their entire trips around visiting these restaurants."
South Australia's Inaugural Michelin Selection
The inaugural selection highlights the diversity of South Australia's culinary scene, including European, Southeast Asian and Japanese influences, alongside native Australian ingredients such as quandong, lemon myrtle and native Australian meats.
The selection spans Adelaide and regional destinations, including the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Clare Valley and Adelaide Hills. Michelin inspectors also highlighted the use of wood and charcoal cooking techniques across the region.
Among the 16 restaurants awarded a Bib Gourmand was Duncan Welgemoed's Africola in Adelaide, recognised for offering good food at great value.
The inaugural selection also featured three MICHELIN Guide Special Awards.
The Sommelier Award was presented to Maxime Martin, originally from France, who leads the wine program at Hardy's Verandah, showcasing South Australian wines and producers.
Melissa Pisanelli, from Allegra Dining Room, received the Service Award, while Shakaan Abillion, from Shōbōsho, received the Young Chef Award.
The Michelin Guide has faced criticism in the past
While the Michelin Guide is internationally recognised, it has also faced criticism, particularly as it has expanded into other parts of the world.
Catheryn Khoo, Professor of Hospitality and Tourism at Torrens University, has examined examples such as China. She said:
"Michelin came from France and they would send experts from this culture. So they would be assessing the way food was made and they were assessing it against their standards instead of more contemporary and international cultural standards."
Professor Khoo said while many chefs coveted a Michelin star, some had rejected it. She said:
“Some chefs have returned the stars because they no longer want to be involved because of how much, I don't want to use the word toxic, but it can be very unhealthy for the culture of the restaurants and the teams that are in the restaurants.”
Speaking before the results were announced, Professor Khoo said South Australian chefs should remain focused on what they did best.
"Be mindful of this space, now that it's going to be ramping up. To hold their ground, to hold their peace and do what they do best instead of focusing on the Michelin Guide. It's sometimes easy to lose our sight on the things we love the most and why we came into the business in the first place."
