Copyright theage
In the city, two Italian institutions were recognised for levelling up. After a flood-induced closure and refit that excluded it from review last year, power-lunch hotspot Caterina’s Cucina e Bar jumped from one hat to two, and Di Stasio Citta is dual-hatted once more (although its future is uncertain due to tax debts). But with the wins came the losses. Mildura mainstay Stefano’s slipped from two hats to one, and a variety of single-hatted restaurants lost their accolades this reviewing season. In the CBD, Filipino diner Askal, the Gippsland-centric Farmer’s Daughters and Mulberry Group frontrunner Hazel were all de-hatted. Elsewhere, solitary hats took a tumble at all-vegan hotel restaurant Lona Misa in South Yarra, Babaji’s Kerala Kitchen in the Yarra Valley and Pt. Leo Restaurant on the Mornington Peninsula. “A shift in hats is normal, as longer-running restaurants perhaps see a turnover in key staff and a slip in standards, while those that are freshly opened throw everything into their new business,” said Emma Breheny, who co-edited the 2026 Guide with Frank Sweet.
