The judges at the AHA NSW Awards for Excellence have given their verdict on where to find the best pub food in NSW.

The winners were announced at a gala awards ceremony at Royal Randwick Racecourse this week in front of a crowd of about 1400 industry, political and business leaders.

Best pub food winners

• Best Restaurant – Dry Dock Public House & Dining Room, Balmain (pictured main)
• Best Burger – Robertson Public House and Kitchen
• Best Parmi – Railway Hotel, Temora
• Best Sunday Roast – The Royal Hotel, Paddington (below)
• Best Steak – The Oaks Hotel, Neutral Bay
• Best Steak Sandwich – Coramba Hotel
• Best Chips – Lakeside Village Tavern, Raymond Terrace
• Best Cheap Eat Meal (under $20) – Great Northern Hotel, Teralba (above)

Best hotels for 2025 revealed

Parc Pavilion Cronulla and The Oxford Bathurst have been named the 2025 Metropolitan and Regional Hotels of the Year at today’s AHA NSW Awards for Excellence.

In an industry first, The Dry Dock, Balmain and The Red Lion Hotel, Rozelle were awarded Distinction Awards as judges determined the quality of venues nominated for Hotel of the Year in 2025 was exceptionally high.

Popular Newcastle hoteliers Rolly and Helen De With received a standing ovation when they were inducted into the AHA NSW Hall of Fame – it’s only the second time in AHA NSW history that a married couple has been inducted.

More than 881 nominations were received for awards across 47 categories and AHA NSW CEO John Whelan said the winners represented the best and brightest in the NSW hotel industry.

“The quality of NSW hotels has never been higher.” Whelan said. “From the mum and dad operations in the most remote parts of the state to multi-level entertainment precincts in Sydney, NSW hotels directly employ 72,000 people, raise millions
of dollars for charity and drive the NSW tourism and hospitality economy.”

2025 winners

Best Family-Friendly – Bellbird Hotel (Regional) The Marsden Brewhouse (Metro)
Best Bush Pub – Balldale Hotel, Riverina.
Best Regional Local – The Blamey Hotel, Wagga Wagga
Best Metropolitan Local – Parc Pavilion, Cronulla
Best Outdoor Experience – Pubic House Petersham
Best Late Night Venue – Universal Sydney
Best Sporting Entertainment Venue – Rocksia Hotel, Banksia
Best Draught Beer Quality – Lake George Hotel, Bungendore and The Nyngan Hotel
(Nyngan) – joint winners
Best Wine List – Shell House Dining Room and Terrace, Sydney
Best Cocktail list – Barangaroo House
Best Unique Bar Experience – Goros, Surry Hills
Industry Rising Star – Zoe Archer, Settlers Inn Hotel, Port Macquarie
Regional Chef of the Year – Stefano Burlando, The Oxford Bathurst
Metropolitan Chef of the Year – Joint winners Han Chen, Cruise Bar and Restaurant and
Kirsten Baker, the General Gordon Hotel, Sydenham

View the full list of winners here.