The Good Food Guide Awards 2017: Regional Restaurant of the Year Finalists - the Santa Vittoria Award

The best outside Sydney. The winning establishment must provide a restaurant experience comparable to anything in the city but remain uniquely regional.

And the finalists are...

Bistro Molines
A special place where knockout views are just a small part of the joy. The food does justice to the setting, with a menu and full specials page that spoil you for choice. Hare, pig's trotter pie, it's all here. And Robert and Sally Molines are on hand to bring you all their experience and joie de vivre. 749 Mount View Rd, Mount View. 02 4990 9553. bistromolines.com.au

Fleet
The little restaurant with big ideas. Chef Josh Lewis and co-owner Astrid McCormack bring revelatory food and gentle warmth to this daring little diner and its sophisticated small-plate menu. If this is where modern dining is going, we're coming, too. 2/16 The Terrace, Brunswick Heads. 02 6685 1363

Temporada
An all-day celebration of local produce cooked with skill, smarts and alacrity. Two things you should know about chef/restaurateur Ben Willis's slick, pared back all-day city digs. One: this is hands down one of the best spots to dine solo in the area. And two: the soundtrack is as spicy and kick-arse as the wood-fired shishito peppers dusted in chilli salt. 15 Moore St, Canberra. 02 6249 6683. www.temporada.com.au

Still hungry? Have you tried all 17 of these dishes?

The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide award night, presented by Citi and Vittoria, is on September 5. The Guide will be on sale in newsagents and bookstores from September 6, with all book purchases receiving free access to the new Good Food app.