Overview
- The Guide, which published winners on Monday, October 26, 2026, released a full list of one- to three-hat restaurants covering Sydney, regional NSW and selected entries outside the state.
- Each venue is scored out of 20 with 10 points for food, five for hospitality, three for setting and experience and two for value.
- Scores of 15 or above earn one hat, 16–17 earn two hats and 18–20 earn three hats, which is how the Guide allocates its hat ratings.
- Two chefs were jointly named Chef of the Year and an Inner West bistro was singled out as a major winner in this edition.
- The Guide marks recent openings as 'NEW' and makes full reviews and regional lists available through the Good Food app free for SMH premium subscribers or by standalone subscription.