South Australia's international reputation as a world-class food and wine destination will be bolstered with confirmation that the state will feature in the global gastronomic bible, the MICHELIN Guide.
It's the first time any destination in Australia has been included in the world-famous guide.
The guide will shine a spotlight on South Australian restaurants – increasing demand by attracting patrons from new global markets, supporting the state's hospitality and tourism sectors and local jobs.
The guide's inspection team believe "South Australia offers a compelling proposition for gastronomic travellers in search of authenticity, diversity and a strong sense of place" − further adding to SA's outstanding food scene and iconic wines.
Inspectors are on the ground already, visiting restaurants in Adelaide and across regional South Australia for potential inclusion into the MICHELIN Guide South Australia 2027. The full list is expected to be announced in October 2026.
The anonymous MICHELIN Guide Inspectors are evaluating restaurants though five universal criteria, including the quality of the ingredients, the mastery of cooking techniques, the harmony of flavours, the personality of the cuisine and the overall consistency. The selection process is entirely independent, and restaurants cannot pay to be included or awarded distinctions.
While the MICHELIN Guide is often associated with fine dining, the style of a restaurant and its level of comfort or formality have no bearing on the award. MICHELIN Stars have been awarded to a wide range of eateries from street food stalls to gourmet restaurants.
Currently, there are no MICHELIN Guide recommended restaurants in Australia.
Regions such as the Barossa, Clare Valley, McLaren Vale and Kangaroo Island are expected to feature in key international tourism promotional activity to champion Michelin's selections.
More than 18,000 restaurants are so far included in the guide's world-wide network. The MICHELIN Guide website attracts more than 62 million visitors each year, in addition to the organisation's 3.9 million Instagram followers and 3.8 million app users.
Latest data from Tourism Research Australia highlights the value of South Australia's international visitor market, with international tourism spend at a record high $1.8 billion.
Nationally, South Australia is ranked number one out of all Australian states and territories for 'good food and wine' and 'world-class wineries and wine regions', according to the latest visitor research from the South Australian Tourism Commission.
As put by Emily Bourke
This is about growing tourism and hospitality in South Australia and bringing dollars in from interstate and overseas.
This will support our hospitality and tourism sectors which employ thousands of South Australians and give them an advantage over other states.
The guide has a proven track record as a powerful driver of gastronomic tourism and economic development in the region it covers.
By highlighting some of the state's best restaurants on a global platform, it aims to give visitors another reason to book a trip to our state, and once they're here, they'll go onto experience even more of what South Australia has to offer.
As put by Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guide
South Australia offers an impressive diversity of culinary expressions within a single destination.
The strength of its identity lies in the freedom chefs enjoy defining their own voice, guided by outstanding produce, a strong relationship to the land and a confident openness to global influences.
Our Inspectors were struck by the authenticity and personality of the region's dining culture, and we are delighted to spotlight South Australia on the MICHELIN Guide stage.
