Muse Restaurant has retained its two-hatted status for the 10th consecutive year.
The Pokolbin restaurant, owned and operated by chef Troy Rhoades-Brown, was praised by judges in this year's Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide who described it as "top-tier wine country fine dining".
"Ten consecutive years retaining two hats is a wonderful achievement for our team and region to be recognised for such a consistent high level of hospitality," Rhoades-Brown told the Newcastle Herald.
"We have a team and culture that love and believe in Muse, and no one more than my incredible management team.
"Big congratulations to the other talented, deserving Hunter restaurants recognised last night. Family owned and operated is the foundation of our region's hospitality, and something we should be very proud of."
Margan Restaurant, Humbug, Flotilla, Bistro Molines and EXP. restaurant all retained their one-hat status.
"I couldn't be prouder of our team for retaining our Good Food Guide chef hat for the third year in a row," Flotilla co-owner Eduardo Molina said.
"This award is recognition of the countless hours of hard work, and to the passionate team behind Flotilla.
"Congratulations to all the other amazing restaurants in the region that were also recognised last night."
Lisa Margan had this to say: "It's always an honour and a privilege to be recognised in the Good Food Guide. To be awarded a 'hat' is something that makes me feel immensely proud and something I never take for granted. Hats are hard to achieve and hard to maintain and so I recognise the efforts of our entire team. It's great to see the Hunter region performing so strongly once again. "
Former Maitland chef Josh Niland's Paddington restaurant, Saint Peter, was awarded three hats and took the coveted Restaurant of the Year title.
