![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/405A4601.jpg\")
L-R: Hospitality editor Laura Box, Best Chef winner Ben Sitton, The Dry Dock MD James Ingram, and GM Cristian Veterani.<\/p>\nThe inaugural Top 50 Gastropubs Awards have officially taken place, with the ranking of Australia\u2019s best food-led pubs revealed at a ceremony on Monday 13 July at HospoNEXT in Sydney.<\/p>\n
Celebrating elevated yet approachable dining, the awards recognise the venues setting the gastropub standard of excellence across the country. Alongside the Top 50 ranking, category award winners were also announced, following extensive consideration and input from a panel of 17 industry experts.<\/p>\n
Hosted by Australian Hotelier and Hospitality, the ceremony saw Fitzroy landmark The Builders Arms Hotel named the winner of the Top 50 Gastropubs Awards. Established in 1853, the pub is known for delivering quality food consistently and without compromise, from great pub meals at the counter to long lunches in the bistro. Described as a place for all occasions, the pub was also awarded Best Atmosphere.<\/p>\n
Venue Manager Dylan Foley said the team is honoured to be named the best gastropub in Australia.<\/p>\n
\u201cPubs occupy a unique place in Australian life. They bring people together in a way few venues can. At the Builders Arms, we\u2019ve always believed you shouldn\u2019t have to choose between an excellent meal and the comfort of a neighbourhood pub. That\u2019s what we\u2019ve focused on for years, and it\u2019s what we\u2019ll continue to focus on,\u201d said Foley.<\/p>\n
Recognised by one judge as \u201ca true example of being adventurous within a pub framework and not letting \u201chow it\u2019s always been\u2019 set the standard\u201d, The Builders Arms Hotel was also praised for being \u201cthe most consistent pub in Australia, with the best pub snack in Australia \u2013 the whipped cod roe\u201d. Another judge noted \u201cthere is a reason Sydney looks to Melbourne for inspiration\u201d.<\/p>\n
Taking out second place in the Top 50 Gastropubs Awards was The Dry Dock in Balmain \u2013 a timeless venue that combines a stylish public bar, refined dining room, award-winning 500+ bottle wine list and welcoming service. The pub was highly commended in the Best Wine List award category, also taking home the title of Best Fitout and Best Overall Menu.<\/p>\n
James Ingram, co-founder of The Dry Dock, said: \u201cIt\u2019s a privilege and an honour to be recognised in the Top 50 Gastropub Awards. It\u2019s a first for Australia.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat sets The Dry Dock apart is our collective effort. We put a lot of effort into what we do. The venue is highly considered, and we designed every detail of its look and feel around the customer experience. Every day we are just trying to be better and better and it wouldn\u2019t be possible without the incredible group of people involved in the business.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Dry Dock\u2019s head chef Ben Sitton received individual recognition for his commitment to delivering a sophisticated pub dining experience, accepting the award for Best Chef.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very special to receive this award, but it\u2019s a lot of team effort. I\u2019m very proud of the team and what we\u2019ve created \u2013 I think we\u2019ve created a menu that people are just loving and enjoying so much,\u201d he told Australian Hotelier.<\/p>\n
L-R: Hospitality editor Laura Box, Best Chef winner Ben Sitton, The Dry Dock MD James Ingram, and GM Cristian Veterani.<\/p>\n
Offering an elevated take on classic pub fare, Redfern local the Bat & Ball Hotel claimed third place in the ranking while scooping the award for Best Classic Menu. For co-owner Zac Godbolt, the award is meaningful recognition of not only the team\u2019s hard work, but also the community that has embraced the venue.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s fabulous to be recognised among this cohort and it\u2019s a true testament to our wonderful kitchen team, our front of house and the community that supports us and dines with us. We couldn\u2019t be happier,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
The pub was highly commended in the Best Atmosphere award category, with Bat & Ball Hotel sous chef Tommy Taylor also highly commended for Best Chef Under 30.<\/p>\n
Taylor added: \u201cIt feels so good to be recognised. A lot of hard work goes into our menu from every single person in our kitchen team, not just me. It\u2019s an honour for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rounding out the top 10 was The Lincoln in Carlton, The Cricketers Arms in Surry Hills, Marquis of Lorne in Fitzroy, Watervale Hotel, The Scenic Hotel in Eltham and the Royal Mail Hotel in Dunkeld.<\/p>\n
Of those pubs, two were recognised with category awards \u2013 with the Royal Mail Hotel accepting the Sustainability Award and The Cricketers Arms Hotel claiming the title of Best Specialty Cuisine for its French-leaning bistro Chez Crix.<\/p>\n
On winning the Sustainability Award, the Royal Mail Hotel\u2019s managing director John Jerome Myers commented: \u201cThe entire world has to start becoming more sustainable. You only have to look at what\u2019s happening to the environment around the world, even with the fires that we\u2019re having in Europe at the moment. I think everybody\u2019s got to do their little bit, and that\u2019s why we\u2019ve made it central to what we do at the Royal Mail.\u201d<\/p>\n
While Wesley Cooper Jones, head chef at Chez Crix, said: \u201cWe all put our whole back into this. We try our hardest and it truly pays off. We\u2019ve pushed something that is not conventional in pubs, but it just works for us, and we\u2019re really happy and proud. We love each other and love delivering to the community. That\u2019s what we want to do.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think what sets our menu apart is our technique and creativity. We show skill and techniques traditionally separated from the pub setting.\u201d<\/p>\n
Celebrating the young, up-and-coming chefs shaping the future of Australia\u2019s pub dining landscape, Britania Kirana of Sinclair\u2019s in Penrith was named Best Chef Under 30. Kirana told Australian Hotelier that she hopes the recognition will encourage other young women to pursue a career in the industry.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have been in the industry 11 years, and it\u2019s been very hard for girls in the kitchen. [People] are always underestimating us \u2013 discrimination, sexual harassment, it\u2019s everywhere. But this is proof that girls can do it too.<\/p>\n
\u201cI went to culinary school when I was in Indonesia, and I felt like it was actually very cool that food has something behind it. There is science. There is history. There are a lot of things in every plate, and I want to learn about it. And when people are happy when they eat, it just makes me feel like everything is worth it. All of the hard work is worth it,\u201d she stated.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/405A4590_LR.jpg\")
Britania Kirana, from Sinclair\u2019s at The Log Cabin, was named Best Chef Under 30.<\/p>\n
Other category award winners included The Scenic Hotel in Norton Summit, which was named Best Regional Gastropub, and the Crafers Hotel which accepted the award for Best Wine List.<\/p>\n
Erica Rushbrook, venue manager at the Crafers Hotel, commented: \u201cThis means a great deal to our team and our sommeliers Seth Piszczuk and Tony Venn. Our entire wine team put their heart and soul into our wine program and into supporting local producers but also celebrating our connection to French wine regions as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
The full ranking for the Top 50 Gastropubs Awards can be found below:<\/p>\n
Builder\u2019s Arms Hotel, Fitzroy VIC<\/p>\n
The Dry Dock, Balmain NSW<\/p>\n
The Bat & Ball Hotel, Redfern NSW<\/p>\n
The Lincoln, Carlton VIC<\/p>\n
The Cricketers Arms, Surry Hills NSW<\/p>\n
Marquis of Lorne, Fitzroy VIC<\/p>\n
Watervale Hotel, Watervale SA<\/p>\n
The Scenic Hotel, Norton Summit SA<\/p>\n
Eltham Hotel, Eltham NSW<\/p>\n
Royal Mail Hotel, Dunkeld VIC<\/p>\n
Crafers Hotel, Crafers SA<\/p>\n
Mount Erica Hotel, Prahan VIC<\/p>\n
Hotel Sorrento, Sorrento VIC<\/p>\n
The Waterside Hotel, Melbourne VIC<\/p>\n
The Duke of Clarence, Sydney CBD<\/p>\n
The Old Fitzroy Hotel, Woolloomooloo NSW<\/p>\n
The Graham Hotel, Port Melbourne VIC<\/p>\n
Hotel Brunswick, Brunswick Heads NSW<\/p>\n
The Lord Dudley Hotel, Paddington NSW<\/p>\n
Rising Sun Hotel, Richmond VIC<\/p>\n
North Fitzroy Arms, Fitzroy VIC<\/p>\n
Rose and Crown, Brisbane<\/p>\n
Albert Park Hotel, Albert Park VIC<\/p>\n
McLaren Vale Hotel, McLaren Vale SA<\/p>\n
The Sir George, Jugiong NSW<\/p>\n
Punters Club, Fitzroy VIC<\/p>\n
Lamaro\u2019s Hotel, South Melbourne VIC<\/p>\n
Royal Hotel, Perth WA<\/p>\n
The Beehive Hotel, Hawthorn VIC<\/p>\n
Mapleton Pub, Mapleton QLD<\/p>\n
Cremorne Hotel, Adelaide SA<\/p>\n
Farmers Arms, Daylesford VIC<\/p>\n
Sinclair\u2019s at the Log Cabin, Penrith NSW<\/p>\n
Milton Hotel, Milton NSW<\/p>\n
The Glen Hotel, Eight Mile Plains QLD<\/p>\n
The Stanley Bridge Tavern, Verdun SA<\/p>\n
Railway Club, Port Melbourne VIC<\/p>\n
New Ivanhoe, Blackheath NSW<\/p>\n
Sporting Club Hotel, Brunswick VIC<\/p>\n
Mayfair Lane, West Perth WA<\/p>\n
Flying Duck Hotel, Prahan VIC<\/p>\n
Bistro Red Lion, Rozelle NSW<\/p>\n
The Bay, Mornington VIC<\/p>\n
Hotel Canobolas, Orange NSW<\/p>\n
The Victoria, Rutherglen Vic<\/p>\n
The Briars, Burradoo NSW<\/p>\n
The White Horse, Surry Hills NSW<\/p>\n
Edward & Ida\u2019s, Northbridge WA<\/p>\n
Micawber Tavern, Belgrave VIC<\/p>\n
The Stag Public House, Adelaide SA<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The inaugural Top 50 Gastropubs Awards have officially taken place, with the ranking of Australia\u2019s best food-led pubs…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":802868,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[64,63,376214,44,376215],"class_list":["post-802867","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-australia","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-hosponext","tag-news","tag-the-top-50-gastropubs-awards"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/802867","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=802867"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/802867\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/802868"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=802867"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=802867"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=802867"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}