The job of securing a seat with a view at the Scarborough Hotel just got harder after the breathtaking beer garden was named the best in NSW.The award, announced at last night's launch of the Sydney Morning Herald Good Pub Food Guide, could lead to an influx of inquisitive sightseers and beer connoisseurs.Judges also named Burrawang Village Hotel the state's best pub, while a number of other venues in the Illawarra were given solid ratings.The guide's editor, Keith Austin, said Scarborough Hotel's cliff-side location was unmatched."When I was down there three or four weeks ago everyone was out enjoying the views in the beer garden and very few people in the pub itself, so I think its identity is absolutely defined by that amazing garden," he said."If the beer garden wasn't there, would as many people stop and go in? I don't know."Burrawang Village Hotel was one of just eight NSW venues to be awarded "three schooners".Corrimal's Palm Court Hotel's score of 17/20 made it one of 23 hotels to be awarded two schooners.Mt Kembla Village Hotel and Jamberoo Pub scored 15/20, Towradgi Beach Hotel 14.5/20, Scarborough Hotel 14/20 and Gilmore's Hotel Coniston 12.5/20.Mr Austin said food was critical to a pub's success."I think a lot of pubs, especially the ones outside the middle of Sydney, are really jumping on this movement towards having good food as an essential part of what makes an essential pub."It's no longer enough to just offer some horrible old pie from the pie warmer."

Tell us about your best pub experience in the comments below