Melbourne’s Armenian-Lebanese eatery Zareh was named Gourmet Traveller’s restaurant of the year on August 18, 2026, marking a landmark win for a venue rooted in cross-cultural storytelling and migrant resilience. The award, part of the magazine’s 60th-anniversary celebrations, highlights a shift in Australia’s dining landscape toward diverse, heritage-informed cuisine.
Zareh, opened in August 2025 by co-owners Tom Sarafian and Jinane Bou-Assi, blends Armenian, Egyptian, and Lebanese flavors, with dishes like aish baladi flatbread and kafta nayyah. Sarafian described the win as a love letter from us to Lebanon,
referencing the Armenian genocide and the country’s historical welcome of Armenian immigrants.
A Cross-Cultural Celebration at Zareh
Beppi’s, a Sydney institution, won the enduring excellence
award, with owner Marc Polese acknowledging the immigrants that work alongside us and make this such a rich industry.
Saavni Krishnan and Aditya Suresh of Melbourne’s Saadi, named best new talent, focused on modern Indian cuisine, aiming to show people Indian food is more than just a bowl of curry.
The 60th Anniversary Milestone
The Gourmet Traveller Restaurant of the Year Awards, now in its 60th year, celebrated its anniversary with a focus on innovation and legacy. Editor David Meagher noted the event’s role in connecting audiences with the restaurants, chefs, and experiences shaping Australia’s dining culture.
The ceremony, hosted at Sydney’s Olympus Dining, featured a bespoke menu by Ozge Kalvo, last year’s best new talent winner.
Partnerships with brands like Lexus Australia and S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy underscored the awards’ prestige. The event’s 160 attendees included chefs, restaurateurs, and industry figures, with finalists spanning categories like best new restaurant
and outstanding contribution to hospitality.
Stephanie Alexander, a pioneer of Australian food education, received a standing ovation for her 30-year legacy, including her 1976 restaurant Stephanie’s and the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation.
Migrant Influence Shaped the Awards
I came to Australia as an immigrant… As a kitchen hand, I was making $10 an hour, and that’s my beginning,
said “Big” Sam Young, named restaurant personality of the year. His speech, like others, countered recent political rhetoric about immigrants, with Beppi’s Polese stating, There’s been a lot of bad words said about immigrants lately… I just want to acknowledge those immigrants that have made our industry possible.
The win for Zareh, a venue with roots in Armenian and Lebanese heritage, reflected a broader trend of underrepresented cuisines gaining recognition. Sarafian noted, there’s a lot of really fantastic Arab restaurants in Australia,
a sentiment echoed by the inclusion of Lebanese-inspired dishes in the restaurant’s menu. The awards also honored Christian Ryan of Tasmania’s Aloft and Restaurant Maria as chef of the year, while Melbourne’s Yiaga won best new restaurant.
What Comes Next for Australia’s Dining Scene?
With Zareh’s win and the recognition of migrant contributions, the event highlighted how cultural narratives are reshaping culinary excellence.
The winners’ profiles will appear in Gourmet Traveller’s September issue, alongside the annual Restaurant Guide. For now, Zareh’s victory stands as a testament to the power of cross-cultural storytelling—and a reminder of the industry’s deep ties to migration and heritage.
