Six delicious getaways and food events worth travelling for

From Michelin-starred chef dining hitting Europe’s picturesque waterways to a new hotel high tea celebrating the city’s Italian heritage, here is all the news travellers and foodies will want to savour this month and beyond.

Belmond’s new era of floating fine dining

European luxury river cruising just got a culinary glow-up. Les Bateaux Belmond’s newly appointed culinary director Dominique Crenn – the first woman in the US to earn three Michelin stars – has unveiled a sneak peek of the regional specialties awaiting guests of Belmond’s South of France, Burgundy and Champagne itineraries. Think Mediterranean riffs off roasted sea bream and soupe au pistou in the south, and braised leeks and poached chicken alongside a classic Kugelhopf dessert in the north – all made with market-fresh produce sourced along the boats’ routes. See belmond.com

Ex-Comedor chef makes a Blue Mountains tree-change

There were collective sighs across Sydney when trendy Mexican-fusion diner Comedor abruptly closed following controversy between its owner and staff. But Sydney’s loss is Blackheath’s gain, it seems, as Comedor’s acclaimed chef Alejandro Huerta begins a new chapter at Blaq Restaurant at Kyah Hotel in the Blue Mountains. The chef brings his experience at world-class restaurants including Noma and Pujol, and while Blaq is not explicitly a Mexican restaurant, expect subtle, delicious nods to his home country across the menu. See thekyah.com.au/blaq

Aster bar’s star-studded astro hour

Perched 32 levels above the city, The InterContinental Sydney’s rooftop bar Aster is looking to the stars this August for a unique cocktail and dining experience. In collaboration with Byron Bay astrologer Grace Tebble, Aster’s “astrology hour” series will take guests on a journey through the zodiac every Thursday night. The four-part experience celebrates the four elements (air, water, fire, and earth) with bespoke cocktails and snacks. The $120 price tag gets you a personalised birth chart reading from Grace, along with drinks and small plates tailored to your star sign. See asterbar.com.au/astrology-at-aster

Jervis Bay’s progressive beach feast returns

One of New South Wales’ most distinctive food events, Coastal Forage, returns this spring. Taking place on September 13-14, the progressive degustation ($225pp) combines a six-kilometre coastal beach and bush trail. Ten curated food and beverage stations – helmed by local culinary stars including Bangalay Dining, Paperbark Camp and Appellation Oysters – are on hand to fuel your trek. Expect sea-foraged delicacies and fire-powered native ingredients. Tickets are $225 per person and include all food, drink and a return boat transfer. See experiencenature.com.au

Dine like royalty with Holland America

Carnival Corporation’s cruise brands have long championed the “Chef’s Table”; an intimate, multi-course dining experience, often hosted by the ship’s executive chef. Now Carnival’s Holland America line is upping the ante with the launch of the Koningstafel, or “King’s Table”. Starting with a cocktail reception, the experience combines a behind-the-scenes galley tour with a wine-matched feast, with dishes including butter-poached lobster and herb-roasted lamb loin – all for a supplementary fee of $149 per person. Available on select ships, with a full-fleet rollout slated for 2026. See hollandamerica.com

A taste of Italo-Australian history at the Finger Wharf

Ovolo Woolloomooloo is honouring the area’s heritage with a new Italian-inspired high tea, Dolce & Mare (sweet and sea). The menu pays homage to the Italian immigrants who settled in and around the suburb after World War I, with many turning to the maritime industry for work, so expect savoury bites like mini-lobster rolls and nonna-approved desserts including limoncello ricotta cake. The high tea runs Thursday to Saturday, with a choice of bottomless tea ($89pp), a glass of prosecco ($99pp) or a glass of champagne ($118pp). The menu marks a quiet shift away from Ovolo Hotels’ plant-based “Veg Pledge” across Australian properties, with the exception of Lona Misa restaurant at Ovolo South Yarra, helmed by pioneering vegan chef Shannon Martinez. See ovolohotels.com