The sophisticated French restaurant is the only one in the Illawarra to be given a hat.

“We’re like a veteran,” Nicola Sheppard said, who co-owns the business with her chef Peter.

Restaurants all over the country are reviewed by a panel of professional critics and rated on their food, service, ambiance and x-factor to be included in the most coveted foodie guide in the country.

This year the competition got tougher with a new minimum rating of 14 out of 20, with any establishments who had previously got a mention now booted.

The Guide’s editor Myffy Rigby said the extra space would allows for more coverage of cafes, cheap eats and unsung areas in the book while there where also more hats given out in regional areas.

"For a restaurant to even survive 12 years is amazing milestone in today's market, so for Caveau to maintain a hat for 12 years in a row is something really special,” Ms Rigby said.

“Nowhere else in the Illawarra has the same level of informed service, carefully chosen wines and en pointe classic French cooking.

“We also love how chef Peter Sheppard is not afraid to put offal on the plate in the most delicious way."

This time around Caveau was scored 15 out of 20 and also made the Good Wine List.

“It’s a badge of honour and lets people know we’ve been consistently awesome and never let our standards drop,” Mrs Sheppard said.

Unlike other restaurants who typically change their menus with the season, Caveau is constantly changing one dish at a time to keep the menu fresh.

“There’s an evolution and a flow rather than a complete stop and change,” Mrs Sheppard said.

“Peter’s in touch with the suppliers at lot, so often it’s what’s seasonal, whats new and what’s great that drives a menu change.

“Other times it’s inspired something by something he’s seen or something he’s read.”

There are some other highly rated restaurants on the South Coast and Southern Highlands.

Mount Kembla’s historic post office-turned-restaurant and function house, Ruby’s, was recommended in the guide scoring 14 out of 20.

Biota Dining in Bowral held on to its two-hat rating.

Zanzibar Cafe in Merimbula, Eschalot in Berrima retained its hat, St Isidore in Milton and Rick Stein at Bannisters in Mollymook all hung onto one hat.

There were no three-hat restaurants in the area and only three in NSW.

2017 – 15/20 – One Hat (also Good Wine List)

2016 – 15/20 – One Hat (also Good Wine List)

2015 – 15.5/20 – One Hat

2014 – 15.5/20  - One Hat

2013 – 15.5/20 – One Hat

15 – Very Good – One Hat

16 – Seriously Good – Two Hats

17 – Great – Two Hats

18- Excellent – Three Hats

19 – Outstanding – Three Hats

20 – The best – Three Hats