SMH Good Food Guide Awards 2026 releases scores for NSW restaurants

Scores for dozens of venues in NSW were posted on 26 Oct 2026, with ratings ranging from 12½ to 17 out of 20.

By Felo News Desk · Published Mon, 26 Oct 2026 14:52:31 GMT

The Sydney Morning Herald released the 2026 Good Food Guide awards scores for restaurants across multiple NSW regions on 26 Oct 2026.

What happened

Each regional list shows venues with a numeric rating out of 20 and the date of publication, 26 Oct 2026. Scores include 13.5/20 for AK’s Diner in Canberra, 15/20 for Red Hill Lunetta, 16/20 for Ainslie Pilot, and 17/20 for Aria in the Sydney CBD. The North Shore list features a 17/20 rating for Mosman Bathers’ Pavilion, while the Inner West and Western Sydney list records a 16/20 for Newtown Cafe Paci. Scores are presented alongside venue names and suburbs.

What the reports add

SMH’s Canberra and ACT page lists 13.5/20 for AK’s Diner, 14/20 for Braddon Bar Outro, 15.5/20 for Bar Rochford and 16/20 for Ainslie Pilot. The East Sydney page records 15/20 for Paddington 10 William St, 14.5/20 for Darlinghurst A. P Bread & Wine and 15.5/20 for Surry Hills Arthur. South Sydney’s list includes 15.5/20 for Redfern Attenzione! Food & Wine and 14/20 for Cronulla Bobbys. The Inner West and Western Sydney list shows 15/20 for Marrickville 20 Chapel, 15.5/20 for Newtown Ante and 16/20 for Newtown Cafe Paci. The Sydney CBD list records 16.5/20 for Aalia, 17/20 for Aria and 16.5/20 for Bennelong. The North Shore and Northern Beaches list includes 14/20 for Chatswood Amah by Ho Jiak, 14.5/20 for Crows Nest Annata and 17/20 for Mosman Bathers’ Pavilion. Each entry notes the venue’s suburb and the publication date.

What was said

How it came about

These scores are part of the annual SMH Good Food Guide awards, which follow the broader Good Food Guide awards cycle that includes other recognitions such as the Legend Award for Joseph Abboud (see Felo coverage) and the Cultural Change Champion award for Safe Staff, Safe Venues (Felo coverage). The guide evaluates venues on criteria such as food quality, service and ambience, assigning a rating out of 20.

Key facts

SMH published the 2026 Good Food Guide scores for NSW restaurants on 26 Oct 2026 (smh.com.au)
Ainslie Pilot in Canberra received the highest score of 16/20 in the Canberra list (smh.com.au)
Mosman Bathers’ Pavilion on the North Shore received a 17/20 rating (smh.com.au)
Aria in Sydney CBD earned a 17/20 rating (smh.com.au)
Newtown Cafe Paci in Inner West received a 16/20 rating (smh.com.au)