Pictured: London’s Michelin-starred Galvin La Chapelle via Galvin La Chapelle
South Australia’s food scene is today in the global spotlight, with confirmation that the state will officially feature in the world-famous Michelin Guide for the very first time.
In a huge moment for Australian hospitality, South Australia will become the first destination in the country to be included in the globally recognised dining guide, often considered the ultimate authority in food and restaurant culture.
Anonymous Michelin inspectors are already on the ground, quietly dining their way through restaurants across Adelaide and regions including the Barossa, Clare Valley, McLaren Vale and Kangaroo Island ahead of the inaugural Michelin Guide South Australia 2027 release, expected in October 2026.
Restaurants are assessed against five universal criteria: quality of ingredients, mastery of cooking techniques, harmony of flavours, personality of the cuisine, and consistency. Importantly, venues cannot pay to be included, and inspectors judge everything from casual eateries to high-end degustation restaurants.
That means South Australia’s next Michelin-recognised venue could be a sleek city dining room, a regional winery restaurant, or even a tiny neighbourhood spot serving unforgettable food.
“This is about growing tourism and hospitality in South Australia and bringing dollars in from interstate and overseas,” shared Minister for Tourism Emily Bourke. “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.”
Michelin Guide International Director Gwendal Poullennec added, “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.”
Globally, the Michelin Guide already features more than 18,000 restaurants, with its digital platforms reaching millions of food lovers every year. The Michelin Guide website attracts more than 62 million visitors annually, alongside millions more through its app and social channels.
For South Australia’s hospitality industry, this is more than just international recognition. It’s a sign the rest of the world is officially paying attention to this state that seriously knows how to eat and drink well.
