How we review

The Age Good Food Guide is an independent publication produced annually by The Age. This is its 32nd edition. Each restaurant is visited anonymously by at least one of our experienced reviewers. Most hatted restaurants and award winners are visited several times by different reviewers. We pay for all meals in full. We do not reveal our identity as reviewers to restaurants before or during our visit. The Guide accepts advertising, but this does not influence whether a restaurant is included. The editorial team’s decisions are independent of commercial considerations.

New

We welcome readers’ suggestions of restaurants for review. We’re also happy to hear from restaurateurs who would like to be considered for review in future editions.
Contact us at: goodfoodguide@theage.com.au

Opening hours

In most cases, we have given the time the kitchen accepts last orders, rather than the restaurant’s closing time.

Prices

Typical prices are listed for each course, representing the most common prices charged in each category of the restaurant’s menu. Prices change frequently, so these are intended as a guide only.

Wine

Because wine is an increasingly important part of the dining experience, we include brief comments on the restaurant’s wine list. Where applicable, we also detail the cost of BYO. Most restaurants with a BYO policy allow diners to bring bottled wine only – no beer or spirits. Bear in mind also that an increasing number of restaurants have an unstated BYO policy allowing you to bring a 'special' bottle, so it may pay to ring first. You’ll find restaurants with noteworthy wine lists in the Good Wine filter.

Rating the restaurants

Restaurants are given a score out of 20 and the best are awarded chefs' hats – from one to three. The scores are nominated by reviewers and finalised by the editor and editorial panel. Under a rigorous system introduced for the 2010 Guide, the score comprises a maximum of 8 for food, 3 for wine and wine service, 4 for overall service, 3 for atmosphere, personality and comfort levels and 2 for value. If there is contention over the score, restaurants are revisited. In finalising the score, we also consider whether the restaurant has achieved what it sets out to achieve, whether it be smart bistro, rustic cucina or fine diner. We visited many more restaurants than appear in this guide to provide a list of the best. Places that score 11 out of 20 or less are not included. The restaurants in the Guide are diverse, and those with a similar rating may be quite different in style. A score of 13 for a neighbourhood cafe is excellent but disappointing for a more ambitious and expensive place.

Five of the best

This feature aims to give readers guidance in choosing a restaurant in a particular category, for example Vegetarian Degustation.

Wheelchair friendly

Using information supplied by restaurants and reviewers, a list of restaurants that offer both wheelchair access and disabled toilet facilities have been included in the wheelchair friendly filter

Accuracy

This Guide undergoes a rigorous fact-checking procedure. However, our best efforts can come unstuck if a chef leaves, the restaurant closes, or their menu alters after publication. This is, unfortunately, beyond our control, and we apologise for any inconvenience caused. In these cases, please do get in touch and every effort will be made to update the app and website.

App sample reviews

Launching for the 2012 edition, we've also implented a new Apple in-app subscription. Lots of benefits including seeing the sample before you buy as well as the app being yours for the entire subscription period - including edition and content updates.

Score

The score out of 20 is our assessment of the total restaurant experience. It comprises 10 points for food, 5 for service, 3 for ambience, with an extra 2 points possible for something special – be it location, service, attitude, commitment or wow factor. Places scoring less than 12/20 are not included.

What it means

12	Good
13	Quality
14	Very good
15	Consistently notable
16	Excellent: worth seeking out
17	Outstanding: one of the best
18	Brilliant: consistently outstanding
19	Approaching perfection
20	The restaurant pinnacle
	5 of the Best
	Good vegetarian options
	Dine & Stay

Thank you

Our gratitude to Vittoria Coffee and Citibank, whose generous support ensures The Age Good Food Guide continues to be authoritative and independent, visiting over 500 restaurants anonymously every year.