Australia's diverse and vibrant food scene has captured the attention of food lovers worldwide, with its wide array of culinary influences and exciting dining destinations.
As the interest in exploring the best foodie neighbourhoods continues to grow, Morella Grove undertook a comprehensive study to uncover Australia's top foodie suburbs in each capital city, shedding light on the country's culinary city hotspots, ranking the suburbs with the highest number of top-rated restaurants.
Top Foodie Suburbs In Each Capital City
Sydney
Suburban Strength Rivals the CBD
Sydney's suburban areas collectively feature nearly as many top-rated restaurants as its CBD, emphasising the spread of quality dining across the city.
Sydney CBD stands as the epicentre of Sydney, boasting an impressive 256 restaurants rated 4.5 stars or higher.
Darlinghurst follows closely, known for its eclectic mix of cuisines and vibrant dining culture, with 74 highly rated spots. Surry Hills is another hotspot, offering 67 top-rated restaurants, celebrated for its trendy cafes and diverse food options.
Newtown has 52 highly rated establishments, renowned for its alternative and laid-back vibe that attracts food lovers seeking something unique, while the Lower North Shore impresses with 48 highly rated spots.
Other top suburbs include Pyrmont (43), Potts Point (42), Manly (40), Haymarket (38), and Glebe (37), each contributing to Sydney's reputation as a top culinary destination.
Melbourne
Suburbs Pack a Punch with More Top-Rated Restaurants Than Many CBDs
Melbourne’s suburbs alone boast more highly rated restaurants than the entire dining scenes of other major cities, showing their culinary dominance.
Melbourne CBD is boasts a staggering 501 restaurants rated 4.5 stars or higher. This makes it a go-to destination for anyone seeking top-tier culinary experiences.
Beyond the CBD, Richmond stands out with 83 highly rated restaurants, known for its vibrant mix of modern and traditional cuisines. Fitzroy follows with 77 top-rated spots, celebrated for its bohemian vibe and diverse food culture.
St Kilda also shines with 60 highly rated restaurants, offering everything from beachside cafes to fine dining.
Brunswick (57) and South Yarra (53) continue the trend with their diverse food offerings. Carlton (51) and Hawthorn (46) are also notable, providing a mix of casual and fine dining options. Preston (41) and Footscray (40) round out the top 10, showcasing Melbourne’s wide-ranging culinary landscape.
Perth
Suburban Dining Pushes Perth Ahead of Adelaide
Perth’s suburbs surpass Adelaide's in the rankings, highlighting the strength and growth of quality dining options outside the city centre.
Perth CBD boasts 171 top-rated restaurants but beyond the CBD, Fremantle stands out with 36 highly rated restaurants, known for its vibrant atmosphere and diverse food offerings. Subiaco also makes the list, with 19 top-rated spots that cater to a variety of tastes, adding to Perth’s rich culinary landscape.
Mount Lawley (18) has a strong reputation for casual yet top-quality dining. Victoria Park (17) and Joondalup (16) add to Perth’s culinary diversity with their highly rated establishments.
Northbridge (16) is a vibrant area known for its nightlife and food scene, while East Perth (15) and East Victoria Park (15) offer a quieter but equally appealing selection of restaurants. Rockingham rounds out the list with 15 highly rated spots, contributing to Perth’s growing reputation as a food destination.
Brisbane
Suburbs Propel Brisbane Up the Ranks
Excluding the CBD, Brisbane’s suburbs outshine Perth and Adelaide, demonstrating the city’s rapidly growing suburban food culture.
Brisbane City comes in at 101 top-rated restaurants, establishing itself as the heart of the city's food scene. Just outside the city centre, Fortitude Valley is an emerging hotspot with 56 highly rated venues, known for its lively and eclectic dining options. South Brisbane follows with 37 top-rated restaurants, offering a mix of traditional and contemporary flavours that appeal to food enthusiasts.
West End (37) is next, offering a mix of cultural and culinary diversity. Paddington (28) adds charm with its boutique eateries, while Newstead (22) offers a trendy dining experience.
Woolloongabba (20), Milton (17), Clayfield (12), Coorparoo (12), New Farm (12), and Wynnum (12) all contribute to Brisbane’s dynamic food landscape, showcasing a wide range of culinary styles across the city.
Adelaide
Suburbs Contribute Heavily to Adelaide's Culinary Reputation
Adelaide’s suburban dining scene is a major player, with its top-rated restaurants making a significant impact on the city’s overall food quality.
Adelaide City Centre is a culinary hub, boasting 238 highly rated restaurants. This central area is complemented by Glenelg, a coastal suburb with 23 well-reviewed dining spots, perfect for those seeking a mix of beachside charm and quality food.
North Adelaide (20) combines historic charm with quality food. Hahndorf (15) brings a touch of German heritage to the mix, and Norwood (15) is known for its vibrant dining scene.
Salisbury (14) and Prospect (13) provide well-rated options in the northern suburbs, while Henley Beach (12) adds coastal dining to the list.
Port Adelaide (12) and Goodwood (11) round out the top 10, highlighting the diversity of Adelaide’s food offerings across its suburbs.
Canberra
Smaller Scale, Big Impact
Canberra’s suburbs are packed with top-rated restaurants, making the capital's food scene competitive despite its smaller size.
Canberra City is the capital's dining epicentre, with 56 top-rated restaurants offering a variety of culinary experiences. Braddon is gaining recognition with 18 highly rated food spots, known for its trendy cafes and modern dining options. Kingston also emerges as a popular area, with 18 top-rated restaurants contributing to its growing reputation as a dining destination.
Fyshwick (13) adds an industrial edge to Canberra’s food scene, while Dickson (12) is known for its multicultural offerings. Belconnen (11) and Griffith (8) continue the trend with well-rated local favourites.
Barton (7), Gungahlin (7), and Phillip (6) complete the top 10, demonstrating the city’s growing food culture across a range of neighbourhoods.
Darwin
Small Suburbs, Strong Food Scene
Darwin’s suburban food scene, while limited in size, features a notable number of top-rated restaurants, underscoring its emerging culinary potential.
Darwin City leads the way with 39 highly rated restaurants, making it the primary destination for food in the city. Beyond the city centre, Parap offers 7 top-rated restaurants, known for its market-fresh produce and local flavours. Larrakeyah follows with 4 highly rated spots, adding to the diverse food scene in Darwin, while Fannie Bay (3) offers a more relaxed dining experience.
Millner (3), Nightcliff (3), Casuarina (2), Eaton (2), Stuart Park (2), and Winnellie (2) round out the list, highlighting the smaller yet significant contributions these suburbs make to Darwin’s food scene.
Hobart
Suburbs Punching Above Their Weight
Hobart’s suburban restaurants, though fewer in number, boast a high concentration of top-rated spots, reflecting quality over quantity.
Hobart City Centre features 100 top-rated restaurants that showcase the best of local and international flavours. Nearby, Battery Point is known for its charming, well-rated restaurants, with 18 top spots that offer a mix of history and great food. North Hobart also stands out, with 14 highly rated venues that contribute to its reputation as a key culinary suburb in Hobart.
Moonah (13) and Sandy Bay (12) add to the list with their popular local favourites. Bellerive (8), Glenorchy (7), New Town (7), South Hobart (5), and Lauderdale (4) complete the top 10, showcasing Hobart’s rich and diverse food offerings across its suburbs.
Australia’s Best Capital City CBDs for Highly Rated Restaurants
When it comes to top-rated restaurants, Australia’s CBDs showcase high concentrations of top rated eats.
Leading the list is Melbourne CBD, boasting 501 highly rated restaurants, making it the premier CBD for foodies out of all the capital cities. Sydney CBD follows with 256 top-rated restaurants, offering a diverse and rich dining experience.
Adelaide City Centre ranks third with 238 highly rated spots, while Perth CBD comes next with 171 top-rated restaurants.
Brisbane City holds its own with 101 highly rated restaurants, making it a significant player in the national food scene.
The smaller capital cities also make their mark: Hobart City Centre has 100 top-rated venues, Canberra City offers 56, and Darwin City rounds out the list with 39 highly rated restaurants.
Each of these CBDs plays a vital role in defining the food culture of their respective cities, attracting food enthusiasts with a wide range of quality dining options.
Where Suburbs Shine: Top Foodie Capital City Rankings Without the CBDs
Excluding the CBDs from the rankings reveals interesting shifts in Australia’s top foodie suburbs.
Melbourne maintains its lead with 508 highly rated restaurants, followed by Sydney with 441 top-rated venues.
Notably, Brisbane climbs up the rankings, boasting 241 highly rated spots, surpassing both Perth (167) and Adelaide (135).
Perth also overtakes Adelaide when CBDs are excluded, indicating the strength of Perth's suburban dining scene.
Canberra (100), Hobart (88), and Darwin (28) highlight that quality food experiences extend well beyond the city centres.
These shifts underscore the rich and diverse culinary offerings found throughout Australia’s suburbs.
Top 10 Capital City Suburbs for Food Lovers: Beyond the City Centres
When it comes to the best foodie suburbs across all capital cities (outside the CBDs), Richmond in Melbourne leads the way with 83 top-rated restaurants, making it the ultimate destination for food lovers looking for quality dining.
Fitzroy (Melbourne) follows with 77 highly rated spots, celebrated for its vibrant food culture.
Darlinghurst (Sydney) and Surry Hills (Sydney) offer 74 and 67 top-rated restaurants respectively, showcasing Sydney’s diverse culinary offerings.
Other standout suburbs include St Kilda (60) and Brunswick (57) in Melbourne, Fortitude Valley (Brisbane) with 56 highly rated spots, South Yarra (53) and Carlton (51) in Melbourne, and Newtown (Sydney) with 52 top-rated establishments.
Analysis and Trends
Australia's suburban food scenes are experiencing significant growth, with many areas seeing a rise in the number of highly rated restaurants.
Suburbs like Richmond in Melbourne and Darlinghurst in Sydney have transformed into thriving food hubs, drawing attention for their diversity and quality.
This trend reflects a broader shift, where diners are increasingly seeking unique, high-quality experiences outside traditional CBD areas, turning these suburbs into culinary destinations in their own right.
This growth could be attributed to a combination of factors, including innovative chefs opening new venues, the increasing demand for diverse dining options, and a local emphasis on quality and fresh ingredients.
For example, Sydney suburbs like Surry Hills and Newtown are no longer just residential areas—they're becoming culinary hotspots where creativity in the kitchen meets community vibe.
This shift not only diversifies the local food culture but also enhances the reputation of these suburbs as must-visit destinations for food lovers.
Conclusion
Australia’s cities and their foodie suburbs are evolving rapidly, with certain areas now standing out as prime destinations for top-rated restaurants. From the bustling streets of Melbourne’s Richmond to the eclectic vibes of Sydney’s Darlinghurst, these suburbs showcase a growing trend where quality and variety are increasingly found beyond the city centres.
As these neighbourhoods continue to attract both food lovers and culinary innovators, they solidify their reputations as essential stops on any food enthusiast’s journey.
Our data highlights the city suburbs leading this trend with the highest number of top rated restaurants, offering a glimpse into the future of Australia’s vibrant food scene across our cities and their suburbs.
---
Methodology
To determine the ultimate city-based foodie suburbs, we searched each suburb on TripAdvisor across Australia's capital cities and counted the number of restaurants with 4.5+ star reviews or higher.
The aim is to bring you the most highly-rated culinary neighbourhoods the cities have to offer (including the CBDs) and also showcase the overall top city suburbs out of all the capital cities nationwide (excluding CBDs).
To visually represent these findings, we have created map graphics for an engaging and shareable resource that you are free to use as long as you credit Morella Grove as the source with a reference link back to the Morella Grove website.
Important to note: TripAdvisor is not associated with this research or content piece and have no connection to this study. We ourselves, simply used their search engine on the website to count and rank the suburbs with the highest number of top rated restaurants.
---
Cumulative Ranking Table
| Rank | City | Suburb | No. restaurants with 4.5+ stars |
| 1 | Melbourne | Melbourne CBD | 501 |
| 2 | Sydney | Sydney CBD | 256 |
| 3 | Adelaide | Adelaide City Centre | 238 |
| 4 | Perth | Perth CBD | 171 |
| 5 | Brisbane | Brisbane City | 101 |
| 6 | Hobart | Hobart City Centre | 100 |
| 7 | Melbourne | Richmond | 83 |
| 8 | Melbourne | Fitzroy | 77 |
| 9 | Sydney | Darlinghurst | 74 |
| 10 | Sydney | Surry Hills | 67 |
| 11 | Melbourne | St Kilda | 60 |
| 12 | Melbourne | Brunswick | 57 |
| 13 | Brisbane | Fortitude Valley | 56 |
| 14 | Canberra | Canberra City | 56 |
| 15 | Melbourne | South Yarra | 53 |
| 16 | Sydney | Newtown | 52 |
| 17 | Melbourne | Carlton | 51 |
| 18 | Sydney | Lower North Shore | 48 |
| 19 | Melbourne | Hawthorn | 46 |
| 20 | Sydney | Pyrmont | 43 |
| 21 | Sydney | Potts Point | 42 |
| 22 | Melbourne | Preston | 41 |
| 23 | Sydney | Manly | 40 |
| 24 | Melbourne | Footscray | 40 |
| 25 | Darwin | Darwin City | 39 |
| 26 | Sydney | Haymarket | 38 |
| 27 | Sydney | Glebe | 37 |
| 28 | Brisbane | South Brisbane | 37 |
| 29 | Brisbane | West End | 37 |
| 30 | Perth | Fremantle | 36 |
| 31 | Brisbane | Paddington | 28 |
| 32 | Adelaide | Glenelg | 23 |
| 33 | Brisbane | Newstead | 22 |
| 34 | Brisbane | Woolloongabba | 20 |
| 35 | Adelaide | North Adelaide | 20 |
| 36 | Perth | Subiaco | 19 |
| 37 | Perth | Mount Lawley | 18 |
| 38 | Canberra | Braddon | 18 |
| 39 | Canberra | Kingston | 18 |
| 40 | Hobart | Battery Point | 18 |
| 41 | Perth | Victoria Park | 17 |
| 42 | Brisbane | Milton | 17 |
| 43 | Perth | Joondalup | 16 |
| 44 | Perth | Northbridge | 16 |
| 45 | Perth | East Perth | 15 |
| 46 | Perth | East Victoria Park | 15 |
| 47 | Perth | Rockingham | 15 |
| 48 | Adelaide | Hahndorf | 15 |
| 49 | Adelaide | Norwood | 15 |
| 50 | Adelaide | Salisbury | 14 |
| 51 | Hobart | North Hobart | 14 |
| 52 | Adelaide | Prospect | 13 |
| 53 | Canberra | Fyshwick | 13 |
| 54 | Hobart | Moonah | 13 |
| 55 | Brisbane | Clayfield | 12 |
| 56 | Brisbane | Coorparoo | 12 |
| 57 | Brisbane | New Farm | 12 |
| 58 | Brisbane | Wynnum | 12 |
| 59 | Adelaide | Henley Beach | 12 |
| 60 | Adelaide | Port Adelaide | 12 |
| 61 | Canberra | Dickson | 12 |
| 62 | Hobart | Sandy Bay | 12 |
| 63 | Adelaide | Goodwood | 11 |
| 64 | Canberra | Belconnen | 11 |
| 65 | Canberra | Griffith | 8 |
| 66 | Hobart | Bellerive | 8 |
| 67 | Canberra | Barton | 7 |
| 68 | Canberra | Gungahlin | 7 |
| 69 | Darwin | Parap | 7 |
| 70 | Hobart | Glenorchy | 7 |
| 71 | Hobart | New Town | 7 |
| 72 | Canberra | Phillip | 6 |
| 73 | Hobart | South Hobart | 5 |
| 74 | Darwin | Larrakeyah | 4 |
| 75 | Hobart | Lauderdale | 4 |
| 76 | Darwin | Fannie Bay | 3 |
| 77 | Darwin | Millner | 3 |
| 78 | Darwin | Nightcliff | 3 |
| 79 | Darwin | Casuarina | 2 |
| 80 | Darwin | Eaton | 2 |
| 81 | Darwin | Stuart Park | 2 |
| 82 | Darwin | Winnellie | 2 |
