Michelin Guide South Australia 2027: Magill Estate wins Australia's first two Michelin stars
The inaugural Michelin Guide South Australia has been revealed in Adelaide, with Scott Huggins' Magill Estate Restaurant becoming Australia's first two Michelin star restaurant.
Held at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, it marked the first time Michelin had featured in Australia.
The evening was hosted by Australian presenter Jess Adamson, with Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guide, in Adelaide for the ceremony and coming up on stage to announce winners of the stars.
Magill Estate Restaurant, Penfolds' flagship restaurant in the Adelaide foothills, led by director and executive chef Scott Huggins, was the only restaurant awarded two Michelin stars, the highest honour on the night.
In total, the inaugural selection includes one two-star and ten one-star restaurants, alongside 16 Bib Gourmands, 50 Michelin Selected restaurants and three special awards. There were no three-star restaurants in the first selection.
Gwendal said of Michelin heading to South Australia: "What the inspectors found was a dining scene of remarkable diversity. Food is not simply part of your story, it defines your story.
"This is a significant moment for the Michelin Guide and for South Australia, as we launch our restaurant selection in the destination for the first time.
"Our inspectors have discovered in South Australia a culinary scene shaped by outstanding local produce, world-renowned wine regions and chefs with a strong connection to their surroundings.
"We are excited to shine a global spotlight on the talent and dining experiences that make this a compelling gastronomic destination."
In his opening speech on the night, he added: "What the inspectors found was a dining scene of remarkable diversity. Food is not simply part of your story, it defines your story."
Peter Malinauskas, premier of South Australia, said: "Here in South Australia we often take what we have for granted. Because what we have in our immediate touching distance is some of the world's best experiences, world's best produce, world's best wine, and some of the world's best people that put it together. We've got it all right here!"
Magill Estate Restaurant wins Australia's first two Michelin stars
Magill Estate Restaurant, Magill, by Scott Huggins
Magill Estate Restaurant sits above the vineyards at Magill Estate, the spiritual home of Penfolds, where the winemaker was founded in 1844. The restaurant serves food built around local, seasonal produce, and Scott works closely with growers.
Melbourne-born Scott has an international career spanning more than two decades, including time in several Michelin-starred kitchens in Spain, Singapore and Japan, among them Seiji Yamamoto’s Nihonryori RyuGin in Tokyo.
He returned to Australia in 2013 and joined Magill Estate, and was named Best New Talent at the Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards in 2014. In April 2022, he took over the management and lease of the restaurant and its sister venue, Magill Estate Kitchen, from Penfolds, becoming director as well as executive chef.
Upon receiving two Michelin stars. Scott said: "There have been a few sleepless nights (ahead of the ceremony).
"I dreamt of working at Michelin-starred restaurants as a youngster and I did, in Europe and Tokyo. One thing is working for one, one thing is achieving two, so thank you so much."
Ten restaurants awarded one Michelin star
Adelaide
- Botanic, Adelaide Botanic Garden, by Jamie Musgrave
- Esmay, Hackney, by Alanna Sapwell
- Aurora at ILA, Light Square, by Robin Wagner
- arkhé, Norwood, by Jake Kellie
Adelaide Hills
- LVN Restaurant at Bird in Hand, Woodside, by Jacob Davey
- Restaurant Aptos, Stirling, by Justin James
Barossa Valley
- Hentley Farm, Seppeltsfield, by Kyle Johns
McLaren Vale
- Maxwell Restaurant, McLaren Vale, by Fabian Lehmann
- Anvers Restaurant, Kangarilla, by Connor Bishop
Clare Valley
- Skillogalee Barrel House, Sevenhill, by Dan Moss
Botanic, which many had tipped as a potential contender for three stars, takes one star under Jamie.
Jamie said: "It's an awesome feeling. It's been a nerve wracking week, so to get it over with feels good! It's amazing to have the Michelin Guide here in Australia."
At arkhé, Jake said: "I'm pretty flabbergasted to be standing here in front of an audience like this. It's a true honour and privilege to win a Michelin star."
Robin began cooking at 15 in Germany and worked at Michelin-starred restaurants there, including Vendôme in Cologne, before moving to Australia, where he spent four years as sous chef to Scott at Magill Estate before taking over the kitchen at Aurora.
"It's a true honour, especially as some people in the audience are mentors for me since I came to Australia eight years ago," he said.
At Hentley Farm in the Barossa, Kyle said: "It is a really good honour. I moved to South Australia for a quiet life, but it doesn't look like it will be anymore!"
Jacob, of LVN, added: "It's a bit of a dream come true. Nobody expected Michelin to come here, but it's pretty unbelievable."
Chef Dan of Skillogalee Barrel House said: "I'm struggling to put it into words. It's a very proud day as a South Australian and to have Michelin here to shine the light on a hardworking and proud industry."
Bib Gourmands and Michelin Selected restaurants
Sixteen restaurants received a Bib Gourmand in the first selection, Michelin's award for good food at moderate prices:
- Africola
- Antidote Kitchen
- Bar Torino
- Bistro Français
- Fino Seppeltsfield
- Golden Boy
- Gondola Gondola
- La Popular Taqueria
- Noi Vietnamese Eatery
- Pantry on Prospect
- Part Time Lover
- Parwana Afghan Kitchen
- Stamps
- Sunny's Pizza
- The Salopian Inn
- Tirage, Kangaroo Island
A further 50 restaurants were named Michelin Selected, recommended in the Guide without a star.
Special awards
- Young Chef Award: Shakaan Abillion, head chef at Shōbōsho, Adelaide
- Service Award: Melissa Pisanelli, co-owner of Allegra Dining Room, Adelaide
- Sommelier Award: Maxime Martin, sommelier at Hardy's Verandah, Mount Lofty House, Crafers
Shakaan took over as head chef at Shōbōsho in 2025, returning to the kitchen where he started out as an apprentice. In between, he cooked at Moonlight Hibachi in Byron Bay and hatted Brisbane restaurant hôntô.
Shakaan said: "It's a pretty surreal moment for me. I didn't expect to be winning anything tonight."
Melissa runs Allegra Dining Room, a 28-seat plant-based restaurant on Gilles Street in the city, with Federico Pisanelli. The pair also own Etica, a pizzeria on the same street.
Melissa said: "I'm blown away. I wasn't expecting this at all. It gives me immense joy when we open up our doors."
French-born Maxime trained in fine dining restaurants in the south of France before moving into the Australian wine industry, and joined Hardy's Verandah at Mount Lofty House in the Adelaide Hills around two years ago.
Maxime said: "It's such a special honour for me. Being here in South Australia, in the wine state, I am very glad to be part of it. Thank you to all my team."
How did our predictions do?
Our preview called Magill Estate's two stars correctly and had eight of the ten one-star restaurants among its tips, though Michelin proved more conservative at the top than many expected. Botanic, tipped as a three-star contender, and Maxwell and LVN, both tipped for two, each took one star.
The two names few had on their lists were Aurora at ILA in Adelaide and Skillogalee Barrel House in the Clare Valley, while Duncan Welgemoed's Africola, tipped for a star, was named a Bib Gourmand.
Michelin Guide South Australia 2027 at a glance
Three Michelin stars: none
Two Michelin stars: one (Magill Estate Restaurant)
One Michelin star: ten
Bib Gourmands: 16
Michelin Selected: 50
Special awards: Young Chef (Shakaan Abillion, Shōbōsho), Service (Melissa Pisanelli, Allegra Dining Room), Sommelier (Maxime Martin, Hardy's Verandah)
{{user.name}}