Gourmet Traveller has unveiled the finalists for its highly-anticipated Gourmet Traveller 2025 Restaurant Awards, and one of our favourite local spots is up for a gong – Pokolbin’s EXP. Restaurant.

The fine dining restaurant, owned and run by Hunter Valley born-and-raised chef Frank Fawkner, is a finalist in the Best Destination Dining category.

It’s a testament to the restaurant’s long-standing commitment to excellence, innovation, and creativity. To dine at EXP. Restaurant is to experience a meal like no other – everything down to the serving ware has been meticulously thought out.

Driven by the use of local Hunter produce and native ingredients, you can expect an ever-changing menu at EXP. Restaurant. All the more reason to go back more than once.

The Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards have been running since 1985, making them the longest-running hospitality awards in the country. The winners are determined by a panel of independent reviewers, who arrive at each restaurant unannounced, and pay their own way.

The finalists alongside EXP. Restaurant this year in the Best Destination Dining category are:

- EXP. Restaurant, Hunter Valley, NSW 

- Chauncy, Heathcote, Vic 

- Elementary by Soul Co, Mt Gambier, SA 

- Nunu, Palm Cove, Qld 

- Wills Domain, Margaret River, WA 

Gourmet Traveller editor Joanna Hunkin says the awards are more important than ever this year as the hospitality industry navigates intersecting challenges.

“It’s important we continue to lift up the industry and take time to celebrate these milestones and achievements,” she said.

“There is no question 2024 is proving a tough year for hospitality, with many restaurateurs forced to make difficult decisions. At the same time, there are still plenty of success stories and new experiences to discover; the awards are here to remind Australians of the exceptional dining on offer across the country and to celebrate the joy of dining out.”

The winners will be announced on Monday August 19 at an exclusive ceremony at Sydney’s waterfront restaurant Catalina. All of the winners will be profiled in the September issue of Gourmet Traveller, on sale Monday August 26, which will also include the annual Restaurant Guide, featuring Australia’s Top 95 restaurants.