Square and Broadsheet release new dining ‘Hot List’
Broadsheet and Square have released a new offering – the Broadsheet Hot List – that is designed to help people find their next memorable dining experience.
The announcement:
In a world brimming with dining guides, Broadsheet is redefining the way we discover restaurants with the launch of the Broadsheet Hot List. This new, dynamic approach offers an unranked, ever-evolving selection of the places worth your time, attention, and appetite – right now.
Proudly sponsored by Square, the Hot List pairs Broadsheet’s editorial expertise with Square’s deep knowledge and innovation within the hospo industry, continuing a partnership which began in 2023.
The Hot List is a dynamic weekly updated guide that highlights the most exciting places most worth your time and money right now, regardless of price point or style.
Reinventing the Dining Guide
Since 2009, Broadsheet has unabashedly celebrated the best operators and venues across Australian cities and regions. Eschewing any kind of traditional rating system, Broadsheet knows that a well made toastie or a $20 bowl of noodles can be as memorable as a 10-course degustation.
The Broadsheet editors, led by Callum McDermott, the new incoming Hot List editor, hand pick the list and update it weekly, evolving it alongside the dining landscape. It will include:
- Icons like Sean’s Panorama in Sydney or France-Soir in Melbourne, which remain at the top of their game.
- Newcomers, offering the first word on venues that have earned the coveted Broadsheet tick of approval.
- Suburban cafes, noodle joints, bakeries and delis that are quintessential local experiences.
A Guide Without Rankings
The Hot List is unranked, reflecting the diversity of moods, budgets, and occasions that shape dining choices. It recognises that a pub can be as worthy as fine dining, depending on the context. As platforms like Tiktok and Instagram flood diners with unverified recommendations, the Hot List stands apart.
Broadsheet editors curate the list using internal search data, insider industry insights and their own dining experiences. This expertise makes the guide indispensable for locals and tourists alike, offering a trusted cheat sheet for experiencing the best of Australia’s dynamic hospitality.
Broadsheet founder and publisher, Nick Shelton said, “I am very excited about the Broadsheet Hot List. We have always sought to shine a light on the people, operators and venues that make our cities such wonderful places to live. After 15 years our hand curated directory now counts nearly 6,000 venues – its an exhaustive list of all the best venues in Australia. With the launch of the Hot List, which updates weekly, we showcase the hundred or so places we are MOST excited about at any point in time. “If someone is visiting Melbourne or Sydney and asks me where I think they should eat or drink, I’m not going to send them 6,000 suggestions. I’m going to send them the Hot List.”
The Hot List is proudly sponsored by Square, whose year-long partnership with Broadsheet supports the launch of its Service Still Matters campaign. This initiative emphasises the human side of hospitality and demonstrates how Square’s technology enhances meaningful interactions between diners and service teams.
“The technology we build at Square helps hospo operators focus their time and effort on service,” said Colin Birney, head of business development at Square. “Our new Service Still Matters campaign brings that premise to life, and is perfectly aligned to what Broadsheet is trying to accomplish with The Hot List.”
The Broadsheet Hot List, proudly sponsored by Square, is live now. Whether you’re a food-loving local or a first-time visitor, it’s your essential guide to Australia’s best dining experiences, updated in real time.
CREDITS
BROADSHEET
Erin Butler – Senior Campaign Manager
Nicole Martin – Campaign Manager
Chrissy Voss – Studio & Strategy Director
Camille Repellin – Senior Sales & Partnerships Manager
Claire Booth – National Sales & Partnerships Director
Ben Siero – Design Lead
Rory McKenna – Senior Product Manager
Simone Crick – Director of Operations
Nick Connellan – Australia Editor
Dan Cunningham – Acting features editor (Food & Drink)
Callum McDermott – Hot List editor
SQUARE
Stacey Lowther – Head of Integrated Marketing Australia
Jessica Parker – Senior Integrated Marketing Manager
Remy Hayes-Webb – Associate Brand Manager
ALCHEMY ONE
Huong Nguyen: Managing Partner
Paul Scarf: Group Strategy Director
Cara Sayer-Bourne: Business Director
Source: Broadsheet
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