In a massive move for the Australian culinary landscape, the Michelin Guide has announced it is arriving down under, with the inaugural Michelin Guide South Australia 2027 selection set to be revealed in October 2026. While the guide will take root in South Australia first, the Michelin’s arrival has been a long time coming. This is a significant moment not only for the state but for Australia. 10 years in the making Michelin first approached Tourism Australia back in 2016, but decisions kept stalling. As recently as last year, federal talks over bringing Michelin to Australia were still unresolved, with reports putting the cost of a national guide at roughly $40 million over five years. According to an article in the Australian Financial Review, Tourism Australia had responded to the prospect with a “not yet” rather than a flat no. New Zealand moved faster, announcing its own inaugural guide in late 2025, backed by an NZ$2.5 million investment from Tourism New Zealand. Ten years on, South Australia has now effectively broken ranks, with the state government stepping in to back the guide independently. South Australia: Culinary diversity Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guide, said inspectors were struck by what they found. “South Australia offers an impressive diversity of culinary expressions within a single destination. The strength of its identity lies in the freedom chefs enjoy defining their own voice, guided by outstanding produce, a strong relationship to the land and a confident openness to global influences. “Our Inspectors were struck by the authenticity and personality of the region’s dining culture, and we are delighted to spotlight South Australia on the Michelin Guide stage.” The selection will span the full region, from Adelaide’s restaurants to the state’s celebrated wine-growing areas, reflecting a culinary identity shaped by multicultural influences and an ingredient-led philosophy with close ties to local producers. Inspectors found a region where European traditions and Asian influences sit comfortably alongside native South Australian ingredients being rediscovered in modern kitchens. Wood-fired and charcoal cooking feature heavily, and the culture at the table is warm, generous and unpretentious. South Australia’s Minister for Tourism Emily Bourke said, “Today’s announcement is a fantastic recognition of what we already know: our state sits atop the nation’s foodie must-visit list. With its mix of culture, food, wine, and natural beauty, South Australia offers a vibrant calendar of food festivals and wine events, celebrating culinary excellence, from city dining experiences to regional gourmet celebrations, and we look forward to sharing this with Michelin Guide readers around the world.” How the guide works The Michelin Guide has been running since 1900, when the Michelin tyre company created it to encourage automobile travel. Its anonymous inspectors evaluate restaurants across five criteria: Quality of ingredients Mastery of cooking techniques Harmony of flavours Personality of the cuisine Consistency across the menu and over time Restaurants are recognised through a tiered system, with Michelin Stars awarded in three tiers: one star for high-quality cooking worth a stop, two for excellent cooking worth a detour and three for exceptional cuisine worth a special journey. Alongside the coveted Star ratings, the selection also includes the popular Bib Gourmand category, a distinction awarded to restaurants that provide good quality food at a moderate price. The Michelin Guide says it is committed to maintaining the highest global standards in its restaurant selection process. Their team of anonymous, experienced inspectors conduct continuous and rigorous evaluations of restaurants. The guide claims these evaluations are carried out objectively and independently, ensuring that external factors do not influence the results. The full Michelin Guide South Australia 2027 selection will be unveiled at a special event in October 2026 and will be available digitally across the Guide’s website, apps and social platforms. No details have been revealed about plans for a broader Australian expansion yet. Find more dining out updates on Crumb Wire.