Australia's top 100 restaurants revealed

Professional restaurant critics have long made their favourites known, but which restaurants do Australian chefs think are the best in the land?

In a blow to Melbourne's Attica, a seat at Sydney's Sepia restaurant was named Australia's flagship dining experience at Monday night's The Australian Financial Review Australia's Top 100 Restaurants (presented by Qantas and Vittoria Coffee).

Sepia earned the greatest number of votes from 500 local chefs and restaurant owners.

While Sepia, headed by chef Martin Benn, earned the top spot, Attica (in Ripponlea) was declared Australia's second-best restaurant in a list that won't help end any argy-bargy about which state can lay claim to being the country's premier dining destination. Victoria and New South Wales each took out five spots in the top 10, while New South Wales claimed 45 spots in the full list of 100, and Victoria 37.

Benn​ was voted Australia's best chef for his Japanese-influenced menu at Sepia, but Melbourne chef Andrew McConnell had two restaurants (Cutler & Co, and Cumulus Inc) in the top 10.

Elsewhere around the country Aubergine was named the ACT's best place to dine, Esquire (Queensland), Restaurant Amusé (Western Australia), Magill Estate Restaurant (South Australia), Franklin (Tasmania, after Garagistes closed in April) and Yots Greek Taverna​ (Northern Territory).

Australia's Top 100 Restaurants directors Jill Dupleix​ and Terry Durack said it was good to see some of the country's creative regional chefs being recognised by peers.

"It's brilliant that the chefs get out of town and experience places like Provenance in Beechworth (Victoria)", Dupleix said.

"Australia has so many great food events in its calendar now, it means our chefs are flying across the country to Margaret River or to Noosa for food festivals, they're eating out more broadly and cross-fertilising ideas."

Dupleix​ said there weren't many surprises at the top. "We suspected it would be a battle to the finish between Quay (Sydney), Sepia and Attica and Brae (Birregurra, Victoria), and it was."

Sepia might best be recognised outside Sydney for its stunning golden egg dessert. The restaurant is described as having a moody, New York-style vibe. The restaurant has long been a favourite among local critics who have put it on the "ones-to-watch" lists. In a 2010 review Fairfax's Terry Durack said a fledgling Sepia "just gets better with every visit".

However, it wasn't just fine diners given the thumbs up, with late-night, finger-lickin' joints like Fitzroy's Belle's Diner among chefs' favourites.

Australia's top 10 restaurants

1. Sepia NSW

2. Attica VIC

3. Quay NSW

4. Brae, Birregurra VIC

5. Cutler & Co VIC

6. Vue de Monde VIC

7. Cumulus Inc VIC

8. Sixpenny NSW

9. Mr Wong NSW

10. Tetsuya's​ NSW

For the full list go to goodfood.com.au

Source: The Australian Financial Review Australia's Top Restaurants 2015 presented by Qantas and Vittoria Coffee