Attica (restaurant)

Attica is a fine-dining restaurant in Ripponlea, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia. Owned and operated by Ben Shewry, it specialises in a multi-course tasting menu focused on native Australian ingredients. The restaurant has appeared on The World's 50 Best Restaurants list every year since 2010 and is consistently ranked as the top restaurant in Australia.

History Attica was opened in 2003 by Dr David Maccora, an emergency physician, and his wife Helen, in a converted suburban bank building on Glen Eira Road in Ripponlea.Lewis, Sarina (21 May 2013). "A Doctor's Calling". Good Food Guide. Fairfax Media. After two chefs failed to attract sufficient patronage, the Maccoras appointed Ben Shewry — formerly at Circa in St Kilda — as head chef in 2005, giving him full creative control of the menu.Plant, Simon (1 May 2013). "Restaurant Attica's triumph is a story to dine out on". Herald Sun. In January 2015, the Maccoras sold the restaurant to Shewry, making him the sole owner and operator.McNevin, Hilary (2 July 2015). "Chef Ben Shewry buys top Australian restaurant Attica". Good Food Guide. Fairfax Media.

In 2025, the restaurant marked twenty years since Shewry's appointment as head chef.

Philosophy and cuisine Attica's menu is built around native Australian ingredients, including bunya nuts, finger limes and foraged herbs, many of which are sourced from the neighbouring Rippon Lea Estate. Shewry has described his approach as offering a taste of Australia that cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world. Dishes are often informed by Australian Indigenous knowledge, personal experiences, and local stories, with Shewry seeking cultural permission before incorporating Indigenous narratives into his cooking.Future of Storytelling. "Ben Shewry: Cooking and Creativity at Attica". futureofstorytelling.org.

The restaurant describes its approach as "ambitious dining" rather than fine dining, and places emphasis on warmth and informality in service alongside technical precision in the kitchen.

In 2024, Shewry published a memoir, Uses for Obsession, which examines the culture of professional kitchens, critiques toxic elements of the awards and ranking system in hospitality, and advocates for kindness and transparency in the industry.Shewry, Ben (2024). Uses for Obsession: A Chef's Memoir. Quarto.

In 2025, Shewry publicly announced that he no longer consents to Attica being reviewed by critics, citing his concerns about the impact of the review and awards culture on the restaurant industry and the wellbeing of hospitality workers."Ben Shewry no longer consents to Attica being reviewed". The Age. 2025.

Recognition

The World's 50 Best Restaurants Attica has appeared on The World's 50 Best Restaurants list every year since 2010. The restaurant reached its highest position of 20th in 2018.Broadsheet. "Attica Named 20th Best Restaurant in the World" (2018). It is consistently ranked as the highest-placed Australian restaurant on the list.

Chef's hats Attica held a three-hat rating from the Australian Good Food Guide from 2008. As of 2025, the restaurant holds two hats from the Good Food Guide.

Other awards

Gourmet Traveller Restaurant of the Year: 2015, 2019Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards, 2015 and 2019. The Age Good Food Guide Restaurant of the Year: 2022The Age Good Food Guide Awards, 2022. Wine List of the Year (Gourmet Traveller Wine): 2020

Documentary series Attica was featured in the inaugural season of the Netflix documentary series Chef's Table in 2015, which brought significant international attention to the restaurant and to Shewry's approach to Australian cuisine.Chef's Table, Season 1, Episode [x]. Netflix, 2015.

B Corporation certification In February 2024, Attica became a certified B Corporation, one of approximately 45 food and restaurant businesses globally to hold the certification at that time."Attica achieves B Corp certification". attica.com.au, February 2024. The certification reflects the restaurant's commitments to environmental sustainability, fair labour practices, and social responsibility.

Attica (restaurant)

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