Subscribe 
The Sitchu Awards: Your Guide to Australia’s Most-Loved Local Venues & Businesses
The Sitchu Awards are our annual, reader-voted celebration of the venues, businesses and destinations that you, our readers, swear by. Held across seven states and territories, the awards run in two public phases: nominations, then voting. Winners are chosen entirely by readers, with no paid placements.
From the bakery that starts your morning just right, to the bar that feels like your local living room, to the spa that restores your glow — these are the places that deserve their moment in the spotlight.
What Are The Sitchu Awards?
The Sitchu Awards are an annual celebration of the small businesses and local favourites that define the way we live, dine and play across Australia. They’re the kind of places locals frequent regularly and that form an intrinsic part of local routines.
The Sitchu Awards are national and run state by state, covering New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania. Categories cover food, drink, wellness, retail, escapes and neighbourhoods. Venues are nominated by readers; Sitchu editors then count the nominations and curate the shortlist, and readers vote again to determine winners.
How Do The Sitchu Awards Work?
- Nominations: The process begins with nominations open to Sitchu readers across Australia, giving each state and territory the chance to put forward the spots, across ten categories, that truly matter to them.
- Finalists: After counting the nominations, Sitchu’s editors will shortlist five finalists per category, per state.
- Voting: Voting will reopen, and readers will vote for a winner from the finalists.
- Winners: The finalist with the most votes wins each category.
Key Dates: The Sitchu Awards Timeline
2026 Dates
Nominations: 4pm AEDT, Sunday 4 October to 11:59pm AEDT, Tuesday 13 October
Finalists announced and voting opens: 10am AEDT, Friday 23 October to 11:59pm AEDT, Wednesday 4 November
Winners announced: Wednesday 25 November
The Sitchu Awards Categories
From indulgent bites to wellness sanctuaries and neighbourhood gems, this is your chance to shine a light on the spots in your state that truly matter.
To be eligible, businesses and venues must have been operating prior to 1 July 2026.
Best Restaurant: The tables worth booking, from buzzy new openings to tried-and-true favourites that never miss.
Best Neighbourhood Bar: A glass of local vino, a crafted cocktail, or the easy hum of your favourite haunt.
Best Deli or Sandwich Spot: Where the sandwiches are stacked high, the flavours bold, and tomorrow’s cravings are guaranteed.
Best Coffee Spot: From perfectly pulled espresso shots to artisan brews, the cafes that get it right every single time.
Best Cafe or Bakery: The spots doing morning rituals right, from flaky pastries and fresh bakes to breakfasts worth lingering over.
Best Small Town for a Weekend Escape: Where country charm, good food and a change of pace make for the perfect weekend away.
(Australian towns with a population under 30,000 that provide distinctive travel experiences such as food, accommodation, activities)
Best Boutique Hotel: Character-filled stays with beautiful details, thoughtful touches and a reason to stay a little longer.
(Boutique hotels under 100 rooms)
Best Small Local Business (Lifestyle & Homewares): Independent names bringing personality to our homes, from considered pieces to those finds you’ll want to keep forever.
(Independently owned businesses, not part of a franchise, chain, or larger corporate group, operating from no more than three physical retail locations.)
Best Small Local Business (Beauty & Fashion): The independent labels, boutiques and beauty businesses putting their own stamp on style.
(Independently owned businesses, not part of a franchise, chain, or larger corporate group, operating from no more than three physical retail locations.)
Best Health & Wellness Business: Fitness studios, treatment and wellness spaces helping us switch off, recharge and feel good in our own skin.
How to Nominate and Vote
Nominate (via the links below) your favourite venues, businesses or destinations in any of the ten categories before 11:59pm AEDT, Tuesday 13 October. Full terms and conditions, including eligibility criteria and prize draw details, are available here.
Finalists will be selected by Sitchu’s editors after nominations are counted (five per category, per state) and announced via Sitchu channels on 10am AEDT, Friday 23 October.
Vote for the winners between 10am AEDT, Friday 23 October to 11:59pm AEDT, Wednesday 4 November. Stay tuned for instructions.
Winners will be announced on Wednesday 25 November.
Nominations can be made here:
New South Wales Nominations
Australian Capital Territory Nominations
*Terms and conditions apply, view them here.
How Are the Winners Chosen
The Sitchu Awards are entirely reader-driven. Sitchu’s community is first invited to nominate their favourite venues and businesses across ten categories. After nominations close, Sitchu’s editors curate five finalists per category. Voting then re-opens, with thousands of reader votes from across Australia determining the final winners. There is no editorial panel involved in the outcome and no paid placements — every winner reflects what locals genuinely love.
Past Years Finalists & Winners
2025 NSW Finalists and Winners
Introducing The Sitchu Awards 2025: Nominate Your Local Legends & Win
The Votes Are In — Meet The Sitchu Awards 2025 Winners!
2025 VIC Finalists & Winners
The Votes Are In — Meet The Sitchu Awards 2025 Finalists!
The Sitchu Awards 2025 Winners: Victoria
2025 QLD Finalists & Winners
The Votes Are In — Meet The Sitchu Awards 2025 Finalists!
The Votes Are In — Meet The Sitchu Awards 2025 Winners!
2025 SA Finalists & Winners
The Votes Are In — Meet The Sitchu Awards 2025 Finalists!
The Votes Are In — Meet The Sitchu Awards 2025 Winners!
2025 WA Finalists & Winners
The Votes Are In — Meet The Sitchu Awards 2025 Finalists!
The Votes Are In — Meet The Sitchu Awards 2025 Winners!
2025 ACT Finalists & Winners
The Votes Are In — Meet The Sitchu Awards 2025 Finalists!
The Votes Are In — Meet The Sitchu Awards 2025 Winners!
2025 TAS Finalists & Winners
The Votes Are In — Meet The Sitchu Awards 2025 Finalists!
The Votes Are In — Meet The Sitchu Awards 2025 Winners!
FAQs About the Sitchu Awards
The Sitchu Awards are an annual, reader-voted celebration of Australia’s best local venues, businesses and destinations. Run separately in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, the ACT and Tasmania, the awards span ten categories covering food, drink, wellness, retail, boutique stays and weekend escapes. Readers nominate their favourites, Sitchu’s editors shortlist five finalists per category in each state and territory, and readers then vote for the winners. Businesses don’t pay to enter, and there are no paid placements. The 2026 awards are presented in partnership with Poco Vino.
Nominate through your state or territory’s nomination form on this page between 4pm AEDT Sunday 4 October and 11:59pm AEDT Tuesday 13 October 2026. Any Australian resident aged 18 or over can nominate, and businesses can nominate themselves. You can put forward venues in one or more of the ten categories. Sitchu’s editorial team and state-based editors review every nomination against the category criteria, and businesses must have been operating before 1 July 2026 (the Best Small Town category is exempt). Nominating and voting with the same email also enters you into a $1,000 cash prize draw.
No. Businesses don’t pay to be nominated, shortlisted or awarded, and there are no paid placements at any stage. Finalists are shortlisted by Sitchu’s editors from public nominations, and winners are decided by reader votes. Sitchu validates all votes before results are confirmed, and duplicate, automated or fraudulent votes are disqualified. Awards partner Poco Vino has no involvement in nominations, finalist selection, voting or the choice of winners. That keeps the results reader-driven: they reflect the places the Sitchu community genuinely rates, not commercial arrangements.
Winners are decided by public vote. Readers first nominate businesses across ten categories, then Sitchu’s editorial team shortlists five finalists per category in each state and territory from all eligible nominations. Voting opens to Australian residents aged 18 and over, with one vote per category per state or territory. The finalist with the most valid votes in each category wins. If there’s a tie, Sitchu decides the winner using editorial discretion and the category criteria. Editors don’t judge the finalists, and no placements are paid for, so the result reflects what locals love.
The 2026 Sitchu Awards winners will be announced on Wednesday 25 November. Before that, nominations open at 4pm AEDT on Sunday 4 October and close at 11:59pm AEDT on Tuesday 13 October. Sitchu’s editors then shortlist five finalists per category in each state and territory, announced at 10am AEDT on Friday 23 October. Public voting opens at the same time and closes at 11:59pm AEDT on Wednesday 4 November. Winners are revealed on sitchu.com.au and Sitchu’s social channels, with the finalist receiving the most valid votes taking out each category.
