Australia’s first Michelin stars awarded to 11 restaurants

Australia has been awarded its first Michelin stars, with 11 restaurants in the state of South Australia receiving the distinction.

Magill Estate Restaurant in Adelaide was the only venue to receive two stars, while 10 others were awarded one star each.

South Australia’s government paid for incognito inspectors to visit the state, according to national broadcaster ABC, which is why no spots have been recognised in other parts of the country.

The announcement comes more than a century after the Michelin Guide was first published in France and years of unsuccessful attempts to bring it to Australia.

Over the past decade, Michelin has approached the national tourism board several times about bringing the guide to the country, but without success.

South Australia decided to go it alone and pursue its own deal. The state government has not disclosed how much it paid, but Tourism Minister Emily Bourke defended the investment in an interview with the broadcaster.

“It is enabling us to create a tourism destination and put us on the world map,” she said.

The move follows Michelin’s expansion into New Zealand, which became the first destination in Oceania to feature in the guide in July, agreeing to pay NZ$6.3m (£2.7m; $3.5m) over three years for its inclusion.

Created by brothers Andre and Edouard Michelin in 1900, the guide was originally designed to encourage motorists to travel – ultimately boosting their core business of selling tyres. It offered drivers maps and recommendations for places to eat and stay, before evolving into one of the best-known names in restaurant recognition.

Michelin stars were introduced in 1926 and have since become a major distinction for chefs and restaurants around the world.

One star recognises high-quality cooking, two stars indicate excellent cooking worth a detour, while three stars are reserved for exceptional cuisine worth a special journey.

Among the one-star recipients is Arkhé in Norwood, which specialises in open-fire cooking, while Aptos in Adelaide serves a tasting menu focused on native Australian ingredients. Here is the full list:

Two Michelin stars

One Michelin star

The wider guide includes more than 70 other South Australian restaurants, with some recognised through the Bib Gourmand category, which highlights restaurants offering good food at more moderate prices.