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NSW Hospitality Excellence Celebrated at Sold-Out Gala

25 Sep 2025

NSW Hospitality Excellence Celebrated at Sold-Out Gala

Restaurants, cafés, and caterers from across New South Wales gathered tonight at Doltone House, Sydney, to celebrate the 2025 Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence. This year’s event drew a record crowd of more than 600 attendees, making it the largest gathering in the program’s history in New South Wales.

The Awards are the hospitality industry’s premier program, recognising exceptional service, food quality, and venue standards across the state. 


Major Award Winners 
• Restaurant of the Year – Sydney: The Restaurant Pendolino, Sydney
• Restaurant of the Year – Regional NSW: Arrana, Springwood
• Caterer of the Year – Sydney: Doltone House Sydney Town Hall, Sydney
• Caterer of the Year – Regional NSW: Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle
• Casual Dining of the Year – Sydney: Forum Restaurant – University of Sydney, Camperdown
• Casual Dining of the Year – Regional NSW: 8 at Trinity, Morriset Park
 

Other Category Winners Included
• China Lane, Sydney – Asian Restaurant
• Bowery Lane, Sydney – Breakfast Restaurant
• Strangers’ Restaurant, Sydney – Contemporary Australian (Formal)
• The Wine Room – Balgowlah RSL, Seaforth – Contemporary Australian (Informal)
• Olympus Dining, Redfern – Greek Restaurant
• Kazan, Sydney – Japanese Restaurant
• Motza Pizza, Castlecrag – Pizza Restaurant
• Fish at the Rocks, Millers Point – Seafood Restaurant
• Porteño, Surry Hills – Steak Restaurant (Formal)
• The Meat and Wine Co, Sydney – Steak Restaurant (Informal)
• Midden by Mark Olive, Sydney – Tourism Restaurant
• Botanic House, Sydney – Vietnamese Restaurant
• TWG – Singapore Airlines Sydney Lounge, Sydney – Corporate & Airline Lounge Caterer
• Oatlands Estate by Navarra, Oatlands – Event/Convention Centre Caterer (Over 200 Guests)
• Parliamentary Catering, Sydney – Events Caterer (Under 200 Guests)
• Australian Turf Club – Randwick Racecourse, Randwick – Venue Caterer
• Doltone House Sydney Town Hall, Sydney – Wedding Caterer (Over 200Guests)
• Urban Tadka, Terrey Hills – Wedding Caterer (Under 200 Guests)
• Beleaf Table, Nowra – Regional Asian Restaurant
• The Cottage, Scone – Regional Breakfast & Steak Restaurant
• Arrana, Springwood – Regional Contemporary Australian (Formal)
• Echoes Restaurant – Echoes Boutique Hotel, Katoomba – Regional
 

Contemporary Australian (Informal)
• Vines Restaurant at Hollydene Estate, Jerrys Plains – Restaurant in a Winery
• Tidal Restaurant & Wine Bar, Merimbula – Regional Seafood Restaurant
(Full list of winners available at www.rca.asn.au)


Industry Recognition
R&CA CEO Suresh Manickam said: “Every business recognised tonight should be proud of their commitment to excellence. These awards shine a light on the talent, hard work, and dedication that keep New South Wales at the forefront of Australia’s hospitality industry.” 

Restaurants were judged on the entire dining experience including food, beverage, service, and presentation, while caterers were assessed on operations, service delivery, and event outcomes.

Program Partners
R&CA proudly acknowledges the support of the 2025 sponsors:
Hostplus, American Express, Uber Eats, Gallagher, OnTheMonee, Alsco Uniforms, Bidfood Australia, Bulla, Coopers, Entertainment, OneMusic Australia, Destination NSW, Menulog, Alseasons, Troys Hospitality Staff, Doltone House, Twin Social, Dandelion Vineyards

About Restaurant & Catering Australia (R&CA)
Established in 1922, R&CA is the national industry association representing over 57,000 restaurants, cafés, and catering businesses across Australia.

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