Top NSW pubs awarded coveted "Three Schooner" rating

City or the bush, the hotels included in this year's guide represent the best the industry has to offer – with more than two million meals a week now served up at the local.

The title of "Best Country Pub" for 2014 was won by the Willow Tree Inn, Willow Tree while "Best Family-friendly Hotel" went to the Belrose Hotel, Belrose.

Marrickville's The Henson was awarded "Best Newcomer", "Best Service" went to Joe Van Der Heide of the Hunters Hill Hotel, Hunters Hill while Scott Webster of Carrington Place, Carrington won the hotly-contested "Best Pub Chef" award.

The Plantation Hotel, Coffs Harbour won "Best Value for Money", The Oaks Hotel, Neutral Bay won "Best Steak" and the Beach Palace Hotel, Coogee won "Best Pizza".

"Best Burger" was won by The Commercial Hotel (Gerry's), Milthorpe, the Settlers Arms Inn, St Albans won "Best Beer Garden" while the Royal Oak Hotel, Cessnock won "Best NSW Wine List".

About 400 of the state's 1800 hotels are listed in this year's Sydney Morning Herald Pub Food Guide after almost 100 judges reviewed venues on food, service, ambiance and 'feel-good factors.

The top-rating pubs (scores of 18, 19 or 20 points) were awarded the coveted "Three Schooner" rating.

This year's "Three Schooner" hotels are:

Burrawang Village Hotel, Burrawang
The Burwood Inn, Merewether
Carrington Place, Carrington
East Village Hotel, Balmain East
Elanora Hotel, East Gosford
Gol Gol Hotel on the Murray, Gol Gol
The Golden Sheaf Hotel, Double Bay
Junction Hotel, The Junction
Le Pub, Sydney
The London Hotel, Balmain
The Palace Hotel, Broken Hill
Rocksia Hotel, Arncliffe
Royal Oak Hotel, Cessnock
Willow Tree Hotel, Willow Tree
Woolwich Pier Hotel, Woolwich

AHA NSW President Scott Leach encouraged everyone to grab a copy of the pub food guide and enjoy some of the best food experiences Sydney and regional NSW have to offer.

"I remember growing up in hotels which only served hot pies and toasted sandwiches in plastic bags – how far we have come in one generation," he said.

"It's a credit to innovative hotels, their passionate chefs and dedicated front of house teams to creating the magic that keeps people coming back."

*A full-list of the schooner winners is available on the AHA website.