Three Limestone Coast eateries in the running

THREE Limestone Coast eateries have been named as finalists in the 2026 Restaurant & Catering Australia (R&CA) Hostplus Awards for Excellence for South Australia, recognising outstanding restaurants, cafés, and catering businesses across the state.

Mount Gambier fine dining experience Elementary by Soul Co, Naracoorte’s The Avenue Inn and multiple award winning Mayura Wagyu Steakhouse are all in the running for top gongs at the awards gala dinner, which will be held at Adelaide Convention Centre on August 24.

The gala presentation brings together operators, their teams, government representatives, and industry professionals to celebrate the outstanding contributions these businesses make to their communities.

Elementary by Soul Co is a finalist in the Contemporary Australian restaurant – Formal category, The Avenue Inn is in the running for the Contemporary Australian Restaurant – Informal title and Mayura Wagyu Steakhouse is up for two gongs – Premium Dining and Steak Restaurant.

R&CA national president John Hart OAM congratulated all finalists on their achievement.

“Being named a finalist in the Awards for Excellence is a real achievement,” he said. “Every business on this list has been independently assessed against rigorous criteria, and their inclusion reflects the dedication, passion, and hard work they bring to their industry every single day.

“South Australia has a food and hospitality culture unlike anywhere else in the country, shaped by world-class wine regions, a deep European heritage, and operators who take extraordinary pride in what they put on the plate.

“This year’s SA finalists represent the very best of what our industry has to offer. Every business on this list should be enormously proud of what they have achieved.”

The Awards for Excellence is the industry’s leading awards program, judged by independent professionals against defined operational criteria.

Restaurants are evaluated on food, service, and presentation, while caterers are assessed on operations, staffing, event execution, and client delivery.