Are Media has announced the finalists for the annual Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards, ahead of a ceremony at Sydney waterfront restaurant Catalina on Monday, 19 August.

The awards, presented by S.Pellegrino, are the longest-running restaurant awards in Australia, celebrating the country's leading hospitality talent and innovative culinary experiences. The winners will be announced at an exclusive ceremony

The awards span six categories, including Best New Talent, Best New Restaurant, Best Destination Dining, Restaurant Personality of the Year, Wine Bar of the Year, and the Readers' Choice Icon Award. Finalists hail from all six states across Australia, showcasing the breadth and diversity of the country's dining scene.

"It's important we continue to lift up the industry and take time to celebrate these milestones and achievements," said Gourmet Traveller Editor, Joanna Hunkin. "There is no question 2024 is proving a tough year for hospitality, with many restaurateurs forced to make difficult decisions. At the same time, there are still plenty of success stories and new experiences to discover; the awards are here to remind Australians of the exceptional dining on offer across the country and to celebrate the joy of dining out."

The awards are supported by a range of brands including Devil's Corner Wines, Lexus, Lurpak, Mutti, Pork Star and Riedel. The return of the Readers' Choice Icon Award sees some of Australia's longest-standing institutions nominated, including Alla Wolf-Tasker's Lake House in Daylesford, Attica in Melbourne, Quay and Sean's in Sydney, Rick Shore's in Queensland, and Vasse Felix in Western Australia.

"Our Icon Award pays tribute to those institutions that have stood the test of time and keep our readers coming back again and again. They are names that are globally recognised, with reputations built on excellence and consistency - as judged by our readers," Hunkin said."Together, these finalists represent an exciting and diverse line up of talent from across the country that reflects the deep creativity that exists within the Australian hospitality industry. A huge congratulations to all our finalists and the teams behind these restaurants."

Details of all the finalists are featured in the August issue of Gourmet Traveller. The winners will be profiled in the September issue, on sale Monday, 26 August, which will also include the annual Restaurant Guide, featuring Australia's top 95 restaurants.

The finalists for the Readers' Choice Icon Award include: Attica, Melbourne, Vic; Lake House, Daylesford, Vic; Quay, Sydney, NSW; Rick Shores, Burleigh Heads, Old; Sean's, Sydney; Vasse Felix, Margaret River, WA.

Best New Restaurant finalists: Gibney, Perth, WA; LVN, Adelaide Hills, SA; Maria, Hobart, Tas; Kafeneion, Melbourne, Vic; King Clarence, Sydney, NSW; Pneuma, Brisbane, Qld/

Best New Talent finalists: Sofika Boulton, Sonny's, WA; Jun Hwang, White Horse, NSW; Simon Ming, Ode, SA; Mischa Tropp, Toddy Shop, Vic; Pietro Segalini, Pilloni, Qld.

Wine Bar of the Year finalists: Bar Olo, Melbourne, Vic; Havilah, Launceston, Tas; Poly, Sydney, NSW; Otherness, Barossa Valley, SA; South West Wine Shop, Busselton, WA; 11e Cave, Canberra, ACT.

Best Destination Dining finalists: Chauncy, Heathcote, Vic; Elementary by Soul Co, Mt Gambier, SA; EXP., Hunter Valley, NSW; Nunu, Palm Cove, Qld; Wills Domain, Margaret River, WA.

Restaurant Personality of the Year finalists: Sarah Baldwin, Joy, Qld; Lachlan Colwall and Sophie Pope, Omotenashi, Tas; Mel Hamilton, Temperance, SA; Dot Lee, Longshore, NSW; Tess Murray, Chauncy, Vic; Jae Woods, Le Rebelle, WA.