The Fleurieu Peninsula Takes Its Seat at the MICHELIN Table

The inaugural MICHELIN Guide South Australia 2027 selection was revealed tonight, the 14th October 2026, placing the state’s restaurants, chefs and regional food culture firmly in the international spotlight.

The Fleurieu Peninsula has much to celebrate, with eight restaurants recognised, including two awarded One MICHELIN Star.

For a region already known for its vineyards, spectacular coastline, exceptional local produce and unhurried hospitality, the announcement reinforces what locals and returning visitors have long understood: the Fleurieu is a destination worth travelling for, and lingering in.

South Australia is the first Australian destination to receive its own MICHELIN Guide selection, introducing an international audience to the people, places and produce behind our state’s food and wine culture.

Eight Fleurieu Peninsula Restaurants Recognised

The inaugural selection includes two restaurants awarded One MICHELIN Star, one Bib Gourmand and five MICHELIN Selected restaurants.

One MICHELIN Star

Anvers Restaurant | Kangarilla

Set among the rolling hills of Kangarilla, Anvers Restaurant has been awarded One MICHELIN Star. The distinction recognises high-quality cooking and is a significant achievement for the restaurant and its team.

Maxwell Restaurant | McLaren Vale

Located within the Maxwell Wines estate, Maxwell Restaurant has also received One MICHELIN Star. Its recognition further strengthens McLaren Vale’s reputation as a destination for exceptional dining, alongside its internationally celebrated wines.

Bib Gourmand

The Salopian Inn | McLaren Vale

The Salopian Inn has received a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand, recognising good-quality cooking at good value. A familiar name in McLaren Vale hospitality, the restaurant’s inclusion reflects the diversity of dining experiences available across the region.

A special mention also to The Salopian Inn, recognised among the MICHELIN Guide’s Mindful Voices, alongside Penobscot Farm, Allegra Dining Room and Hentley Farm. Wonderful recognition of the care, commitment and thoughtful practices shaping South Australia’s dining culture.

MICHELIN Selected

Five additional Fleurieu Peninsula restaurants have been included in the MICHELIN Selected category:

• Coriole Vineyards, McLaren Vale

• d’Arry’s Verandah, McLaren Vale

• Pearl, Aldinga Beach

• Star of Greece, Port Willunga

• Little Wolf Osteria, Mitolo Wines

Together, these eight restaurants showcase the Fleurieu’s remarkable variety, from vineyard dining and intimate regional kitchens to restaurants overlooking the Southern Ocean.

Their inclusion brings well-deserved recognition to the chefs and hospitality teams behind them, alongside the farmers, growers, fishers, winemakers and producers whose work helps shape the region’s menus.

Kangaroo Island Joins the MICHELIN Conversation

The recognition extends beyond the mainland Fleurieu, with two Kangaroo Island restaurants also featured in the inaugural Guide.

Tirage has received a Bib Gourmand, while Sunset Food and Wine has been included in the MICHELIN Selected category.

For visitors travelling through the Fleurieu Peninsula, Kangaroo Island is a natural continuation of a South Australian food and wine journey.

From Merilli1885 at Currency Creek, the Cape Jervis ferry terminal is approximately 45 to 50 minutes away by car, with private helicopter transfers to Kangaroo Island also available by arrangement.

Guests can enjoy the vineyards and coastal towns of the Fleurieu before continuing to Kangaroo Island to discover its restaurants, producers, wildlife and distinctive landscapes.

It is another reason to allow more time when exploring South Australia.

A Historic Moment for South Australian Dining

The inaugural selection reaches well beyond the Fleurieu.

Magill Estate Restaurant has received Two MICHELIN Stars, the highest distinction awarded in South Australia’s first selection.

Other One MICHELIN Star recipients include Botanic, Arkhe, Esmay, Aurora at ILA, Hentley Farm, LVN Restaurant at Bird in Hand, Aptos and Skillogalee Barrel House, alongside Anvers Restaurant and Maxwell Restaurant.

The Guide also recognises a broad range of MICHELIN Selected and Bib Gourmand restaurants across the state.

For regional South Australia, this recognition presents an extraordinary opportunity. International visitors drawn by acclaimed dining experiences can also discover our wine regions, coastlines, farms, small towns and the people who make them memorable.

A restaurant reservation may inspire the journey, but the wider experience is what encourages visitors to stay longer.

From the Vineyard to the Farmhouse Table

At Merilli1885, we have always believed that some of the most memorable experiences begin with a sense of place.

Our exclusive-use luxury cottage sits on a private 90-acre working Angus farm at Currency Creek, surrounded by ancient gums, open paddocks and the quiet rhythms of country life.

We are approximately 30 minutes from McLaren Vale, 35 minutes from Langhorne Creek and within easy reach of Goolwa, Middleton and Port Elliot.

This central location offers guests the freedom to explore the region’s restaurants, wineries and coastal towns before returning to the privacy and comfort of the cottage.

For those who prefer an evening at home, private in-house dining is another way to experience the region’s food.

MICHELIN-trained chef Luca Guiotto of Aromi Dining creates beautifully considered dining experiences at Merilli1885, with menus tailored to each occasion.

We also work with chef Sarah Savage, who is part of the team at MICHELIN Selected Coriole Vineyards, bringing another valuable connection to the region’s recognised dining community.

Together with our own grass-fed and finished Merilli Angus beef and relationships with local producers and winemakers, these experiences reflect something particularly special about regional hospitality: the opportunity to enjoy excellent food in the place where so much of its story begins.

More Than a Meal. More Than a Weekend.

The Fleurieu has always offered an appealing balance of country and coast.

A morning coffee in Port Elliot, a leisurely lunch overlooking the vineyards, an afternoon tasting in McLaren Vale or Langhorne Creek, and an evening beside the fire at Merilli1885.

Perhaps the following day brings an encounter with the remarkable waterways and wildlife of the Coorong, a walk along the coast or a journey onwards to Kangaroo Island.

The arrival of the MICHELIN Guide gives visitors another reason to discover these experiences, but there is no need to rush between them.

At Merilli1885, we welcome just one booking at a time. With two king suites, private bathrooms and exclusive use of the cottage, up to four adults can enjoy the luxury of slowing down.

Sometimes the greatest pleasure is having nowhere else you need to be.

Celebrating the Fleurieu, Together

To mark the arrival of the MICHELIN Guide in South Australia, Merilli1885 has partnered with Fleurieu Hampers to celebrate the local makers and producers who contribute so much to our region.

Guests who book a qualifying two-night stay directly with Merilli1885 between 14 October 2026 and 30 January 2027 can enjoy a complimentary Fleurieu hamper using the booking code FLEURIEU.

It is a small way of sharing the flavours of the Fleurieu and recognising the many businesses whose work contributes to the region’s character.

The arrival of the MICHELIN Guide is a milestone for South Australia, and an exciting opportunity for our regional communities.

Congratulations to every restaurant, chef and hospitality team recognised in this inaugural selection.

We hope the international spotlight inspires travellers to explore further, discover the people and places behind the food, and experience more of our beautiful part of the world.

Stay longer. Unwind deeper.

Discover exclusive-use luxury accommodation, private dining and personalised Fleurieu experiences at Merilli1885.