This unique awards program celebrates the very best Australian dining at all levels.

The Hunter Valley’s very own Muse Restaurant, Bistro Molines, Margan and Esca Bimbadgen have made the top 500 distinguished list.

With voting exclusively done by the country’s top chefs and restaurateurs, it gives us a definitive guide to where we should be eating right now.

The top 500 restaurants were nominated by a distinguished national panel of reviewers, restaurant guide editors and industry experts.

It's from this list that the chefs and restaurateurs will now vote for the top 100 restaurants.

Muse placed in the top 100 last year, coming in at number 79.

This year’s results – the industry's highest honours – will be unveiled in late June at a gala event and in the Australian Financial Review.

Australia's Top Restaurants is an awards program presented by the Australian Financial Review, designed to support and celebrate the rising standards of excellence and professionalism in Australian dining.

Uniquely, it is based on peer-voting, with chefs and restaurateurs casting the votes themselves.

Congratulations to our local restaurants and good luck making the Top 100.

See the full Top 500, and last year’s top 100, at www.afr.com/australias-top-restaurants.

Find out more information at winecountry.com.au.