Double Deuce Lounge has taken out Best Bar in NSW in The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2025.

Located in Bridge Street, Sydney, the venue takes its name from a dive bar in the 1989 cult classic Patrick Swayze movie Road House and has a ’70s vibe.

The latest Good Food Guide, which features the best restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs across NSW and ACT, launches today.

An awards ceremony was held last night at Sydney Opera House that saw Saint Peter named Vittoria Coffee Restaurant of the Year.

The Oceania Cruises Service Excellence Award was given Maureen Er from The White Horse, in Surry Hills, while Stonefruit restaurant and wine bar in Tenterfield, in the NSW New England region, was awarded Oceania Cruises Drinks List of the Year.

Sommelier of the Year was awarded to Caitlin Baker from Such and Such in Canberra.

The annual Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide has been recognising the best chefs and restaurants since 1984, and this year’s Guide is a compilation of 500 independent reviews visited by its team of critics over the past eight months.

Good Food is considered Australia’s most respected food and beverage title, and its coveted hats – from one to the pinnacle of three hats – are recognised as the industry gold standard.

This year’s Guide includes 152 restaurants awarded one or more hats: four restaurants received three hats, 36 restaurants received two hats and 113 restaurants received one hat.

As the annual Good Food Guide marks its 40th anniversary it has ushered in a new era with the launch of the Good Food app. 

The subscription-based app features more than 900 reviews from the SMH and Age guides, it will be an interactive digital home for food and drink lovers containing recipes, Critics’ Picks and lists of the best restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs.  

Reviews have been undertaken by a team of esteemed critics including Boys, Terry Durack, Jill Dupleix and Sarah Norris, all of whom review independently and anonymously. 

“While the Good Food Guide is the home of the hats, it continues to evolve across various price points, cuisines, styles and suburbs, offering an annual snapshot of the most exciting, outstanding venues you need to know about,” said Sarah Norris, Head of Food for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Brisbane Times and WAToday.

“With money tighter than ever for most diners, people want to know where they should spend their money, and be able to trust those recommendations. The guide, and the new Good Food app, takes the guesswork out of finding the perfect spot for you to eat, no matter what the occasion.”

The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2025 magazine is available from newsagents, supermarkets and thestore.com.au for $14.95.