Building their own culture of excellence across Australia, an impressive number of Greek (or Greek-owned) restaurants have been voted among the best 500 restaurants in Australia according to the 2016 list of Australia’s Top Restaurants, compiled by Qantas and AFR (Australian Financial Review) earlier this month. Interestingly, no Greek restaurants were nominated from the ACT.

With 113 new entries from all over the country, this year’s competition was high; nevertheless, in consultation with a distinguished Australia-wide panel of Good Food Guide editors, reviewers and industry experts, Qantas and AFR shortlisted those restaurants that displayed a high level of quality and consistency across the whole gamut of the dining experience – ranging from the fresh produce on their seasonal menus to the selection of their wines and beverages.

According to the AFR announcement, the renowned food and restaurant writers Terry Durack and Jill Dupleix returned as the 2016 Australia’s Top Restaurants’ directors to put together the prestigious list covering every level of dining.

“What’s great about so many of the new entries is that they are fiercely independent, small-business operators with passionate conviction about their offering, and ‘diffusion label’ second openings by restaurateurs with one successful restaurant under their belts, rather than the traditional expansion of large restaurant groups,” Terry Durack added.

But that’s not all for the Greek restaurants that have made the cut. They will now be asked to compete against some iconic and innovative venues all over the country for their ability to consistently deliver world class standards across every aspect of the dining experience.

Those successful will be included in the list of Australia’s Top 100 Restaurants, which will be announced on 2 May, 2016 at a gala award ceremony in Sydney showcasing the very best of Australia on a world stage.

Here are some of the 500 nominated restaurants that feature Greek-influenced menues and/or stock a variety of Greek wine selections, in no particular order:

A La Grecque
Aireys Inlet (VIC)
www.alagrecque.com.au
Alpha
Sydney CBD (NSW) www.alpharestaurant.com.au
The Apollo
Pott’s Point, Sydney (NSW)
www.theapollo.com.au
Brika
Northbridge, Perth (WA)
www.brika.com.au
Chloe’s Restaurant
Adelaide (SA)
www.chloes.com.au
Chris’s Beacon Point
Apollo Bay (VIC) www.chriss.com.au/home.html
Elyros
Camberwell, Melbourne (VIC) www.elyros.com.au
Epocha
Carlton, Melbourne (VIC) www.epocha.com.au
The European
Melbourne CBD (VIC)
www.theeuropean.com.au
Gazi
Melbourne CBD (VIC)
gazirestaurant.com.au
Georges on Waymouth
Adelaide CBD (SA)
www.georgesonwaymouth.com.au
Hellenika
Nobby Beach, Gold Coast (QLD) www.hellenika.com.au
Ipsos
Lorne (VIC) www.ipsosrestaurant.com.au
Lady of Ro
Subiaco (WA)
www.facebook.com/pages/Lady-of-Ro/757382367691724
The Press Club
Melbourne CBD (VIC)
www.thepressclub.com.au
Yots Greek Taverna
Cullen Bay, Darwin (NT)
www.yots.com.au