Leslie Massey
Canberra, Australia's capital, is a foodie paradise, with an eclectic mix of dining styles, cuisines, and experiences. The city's food scene rivals even Sydney and Melbourne, with award-winning restaurants, vineyards, baristas, and legendary dishes. Whether you're looking for family-friendly spots, sweet delights, cosy cafes, exceptional coffee, or fine dining, Canberra has something for everyone. The city boasts fresh produce, award-winning coffee roasters, cool-climate winemakers, and a vibrant, creative dining culture. From elegant sushi counters to fire-powered bistros, Canberra's culinary landscape is diverse and exciting.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dining Styles | Modern Australian, Parisian, Pan-Asian, Italian, Lebanese, Peruvian, Japanese, Peruvian, Mexican |
| Produce | Truffles, cool-climate wines, handcrafted beers, smoked meats, fresh seafood, plant-based options, dumplings, beef, prawns, pumpkin, tofu, ginger, wagyu, lamb, chocolate, hazelnut, ribeye, seaweed butter, coffee, burgers, Indian pale ales, alcoholic lemonade, vintage furniture, live music, kids' play area, cocktails |
| Eateries | Brodburger, Two Before Ten, Dumpling House, Lazy Su, Rebel Rebel, Bar Rochford, Such and Such, Onzieme, Ramas, Raku, Tilley's, Verity Lane Market, Old Canberra Inn, Edgars Inn, Compa, Jarocos, Goodberries, Kingsleys, Scholar, Sandoochie, Intra, B-Side, Lamshed's, Miss Van's, Canteen, Table by Gourmet, Pilot, Wilma's, Bar Beirut, Mezzalira |
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Canberra's cheap eats
Canberra has a well-earned reputation as a foodie haven, with fresh produce, award-winning coffee roasters, and cool-climate winemakers. Here are some of the best cheap eats in the city:
Brodburger
Transport yourself to an American-style diner at Brodburger, a hip and hugely popular casual eatery in Canberra's old-meets-new Kingston Foreshore area. This institution started as a single food truck parked by Lake Burley Griffin and now boasts long queues and word-of-mouth hype. Try their namesake burger, the Brodburger, a flame-grilled beef patty topped with tomato, Spanish onion, and homemade aioli, with a choice of blue, brie, Swiss, or cheddar cheese.
Old Canberra Inn
Built in 1857, the Old Canberra Inn is a rustic gem. Originally a private home, it's now a top spot for sampling gourmet burgers and beers from Canberra's rising microbrewery scene. The inn has vintage furniture, live music, a kids' play area, and a dining room adorned with kookaburra wallpaper.
Lazy Su
Lazy Su is a fast and loud Asian eatery in Canberra's inner north, decked out with neon signs and funky wallpaper. The menu introduces out-of-the-ordinary Asian flavours while staying true to the cuisine. Try the Wagyu cheesesteak spring rolls, nori tacos, and "bao-gers" (fresh and fluffy bao buns). Lazy Su also offers a vegan banquet.
Tilley's
Tilley's, named after an English-Australian gangster and madame from Sydney, started as a women-only venue. It's known for its unique atmosphere, reminiscent of an older-style piano bar with wooden booths, staff dressed in suspenders, and Ella Fitzgerald playing in the background.
CBD Dumpling House
The Dumpling House is a popular spot, with sizzling sounds and steam rising from its open kitchen. The service is fast, and the food is fresh and simple. Choose from a variety of dumplings like crispy chilli beef or prawn and pumpkin, and finish with silken tofu with ginger for dessert.
Other Recommendations
Canberra offers a range of cheap eats, including Al Manoosh in Mawson for breakfast, Anatolia in Erindale for weekend breakfast, Little Theo's in Kambah, and Pizza Gusto in Braddon for great pizza. For kebabs, try the Turkish Halal Pide House, and for Vietnamese food, there's a small but excellent restaurant in the Dickson shopping strip. For a peaceful tea break, head to the lake Ginninderra.
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Fine dining
Canberra has become a haven for food lovers, with a thriving dining scene that rivals Sydney and Melbourne. The city offers a diverse range of dining experiences, from intimate boutiques to award-winning restaurants and sleek, modern eateries. Here are some of the top fine dining spots in Canberra:
Corella
Named one of the Top 82 restaurants by Gourmet Traveller, Corella is renowned for its modern Australian cuisine with a focus on native ingredients. The restaurant offers a cosy ambiance, excellent service, and an extensive wine and cocktail list. With a set menu, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy a delightful dining experience.
Mu/Mu Omakase
Mu is an authentic Japanese restaurant that offers a unique Omakase dining experience, where chefs create 11-course menus inspired by the freshest produce of the day. The restaurant has been awarded a Chef's Hat, and each dish is skillfully paired with Japanese sake.
Raku
Raku is another exceptional Japanese restaurant in Canberra, known for its sushi and sashimi. You can watch the chefs prepare your dish at the central workspace. Raku offers tasting menus, a dedicated gluten-free menu, and a wine and dessert list.
Pilot
Pilot is a sophisticated dégustation restaurant with a subtle, quiet suburban location. It impresses with its original food, warm and careful service, and a wine list showcasing the best of Australian winemaking. The eight-course degustation menu is perfect for a special occasion.
Rebel Rebel
Inspired by David Bowie's song, Rebel Rebel offers a groovy, all-day dining experience with a polished yet bare dining room adorned with bold graphics and bright wall prints. The menu features a range of options, from light lunches of Sydney Rock oysters and grilled prawns to heartier dinners of wagyu tongue and lamb neck.
The Italian Place
Owned and run by two Italian masters, The Italian Place combines fresh Australian produce with authentic Italian flavours. The menu includes handmade ravioli, squid ink pasta, and homemade gelato.
Monster Kitchen and Bar
Monster Kitchen and Bar, located within the Ovolo Nishi hotel, is known for its contemporary Australian fare that changes with the seasons. The artistic Mosaic room and the historical Salon and Dining rooms add to the unique dining experience.
Onzieme
Onzieme, with its bentwood furniture and glass partitions, evokes a Parisian bistro vibe. However, the menu showcases modern Australian cuisine with global influences, featuring dishes like mutton kibbeh nayeh, kingfish skewers, and potato galette.
Vincent
Tucked away in the leafy suburb of Barton, Vincent brings a unique, laid-back dining experience to Canberra. Indulge in decadent dishes like red snapper with Jerusalem artichoke and Bailey's dark chocolate mousse, perfectly paired with wines from around the world.
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Cafes and coffee
Canberra has a vibrant café culture, with plenty of spots to grab a coffee and a bite to eat. If you're looking for a quintessential Canberra experience, head to Barrio Collective Coffee in Braddon, a local favourite known for its community spirit and excellent coffee. For a more educational experience, The Cupping Room in the city centre offers immersive cupping sessions where you can learn about the nuances of coffee beans. If you're a coffee connoisseur, this is the place to go for expertly crafted espressos and pour-overs, along with a warm and inviting atmosphere.
For a unique setting, Margot, a stylish wine and espresso bar, offers a sun-drenched outdoor area with views of Lake Burley Griffin. It's the perfect spot to sip your coffee and enjoy the ambience. If you're after a serene waterside setting, Local Press Café in Kingston Foreshore pairs excellent coffee with stunning views, making it an ideal choice for a peaceful morning brew.
Canberra also has a range of cafes serving up delicious food alongside your coffee. EightyTwenty Food in Braddon is a locally loved café, serving clean, natural, and unprocessed wholefoods. For a vegan-friendly option, Sweet Bones in Scullin offers a fully plant-based menu with a punk rock vibe, including cakes, 'sinnerbuns', and Mexican-inspired brunch items. If you're looking for a cosy retreat, Café De Sareen in Narrabundah is nestled in the heart of the city, providing an inviting ambience for coffee lovers and food enthusiasts alike.
For a café with a difference, Recess Coffee takes its caffeine seriously, sourcing beans from small-scale farmers and roasting them locally. You'll find vinyl records spinning laid-back tunes and a cosy heated courtyard, making it a cool spot for brunch. If you want to try a range of house blends and single-origin coffees, ONA Coffee House in Fyshwick is a must-visit, helmed by World Barista Champion Sasa Sestic.
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Bars and pubs
Canberra, the capital of Australia, is known for its buzzing food and drinks scene, which rivals the ranks of Sydney and Melbourne. From swanky cocktail bars to cosy gastropubs, here are some of the best bars and pubs in the city:
The Old Canberra Inn
This atmospheric, low-ceilinged pub in Lyneham is a fun, family-friendly flophouse with a leafy beer garden. It has a more sophisticated take on pub food and offers a range of new craft beers from independent Australian breweries.
Highball Express
Known for its cocktails, punches, and exotic rums, Highball Express is a buzzing bar that pays homage to the Americans who travelled to Cuba in the 1960s. With pops of watermelon pink and mint green, this bar is perfect for a night out in pretend Havana.
Such and Such
Located in the cultural precinct near Canberra Theatre, this bar and eatery is a lesson in colour. The striking artworks on display pair seamlessly with a calming muted colour palette. Designed by Mark Brook of mymymy interiors, the space is divided into a bar, main dining room, and private space defined by dramatic green velvet drapery.
Inari
This restaurant and bar are part of Canberra's cool Tiger Lane precinct, one of the hottest places to wine and dine in the city. The restaurant has a 1960s Japanese retro-futuristic theme and offers cult dishes like popcorn shrimp and miso eggplant, with killer cocktails to match.
Public
A modern pub located in the happening precinct of Manuka, Public has a sprawling beer garden and an extensive selection of spirits, liqueurs, cocktails, and wines. The chic upstairs bar offers drinks with a view, while the downstairs area is perfect for taking advantage of happy hour specials from Monday to Thursday.
Assembly, The People's Pub
Located on Lonsdale St in Braddon, Assembly has a fantastic courtyard and an indoor area, making it a perfect spot for a Sunday session. In addition to classic pub dishes, they offer a delicious selection of wood-fire-grilled bites, including tiger prawns and jerk chicken.
Edgars Inn
A local hangout, Edgars Inn is the spot for an after-work drink, mid-week pub dinner, Friday night pizzas, and weekend boozy brunches. Its dark wood and cosy-style pub are especially adorable during the colder months, and its outdoor terrace can be fully enclosed.
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International cuisine
Canberra is a foodie paradise, with an eclectic mix of dining styles, cuisines and experiences. The city's international food scene includes:
Pan-Asian cuisine
For pan-Asian cuisine, there's the popular Lazy Su, a fast and loud Asian eatery in Canberra's inner north. The menu introduces out-of-the-ordinary Asian flavours while staying true to the cuisine. For example, you can find retro Japanese and Korean pop culture references on the menu. Another option is Wilma's, which offers progressive pan-Asian dishes with native Australian ingredients. The menu includes raw, wok-fried and barbequed hits inspired by Southeast Asia and coastal China.
Italian cuisine
Canberra has a variety of Italian restaurants, including one in Braddon that was recommended by Time Out Australia’s Travel & News Editor. There is also a relaxed, no-tablecloths trattoria serving house-cut pasta, woodfired focaccia and antipasti from the family behind Canberra favourite Mezzalira.
Lebanese cuisine
For a taste of Lebanon, try Bar Beirut, which offers meze such as smoky baba ganoush and flatbread, as well as larger dishes to share.
Japanese cuisine
Canberra has a variety of Japanese restaurants, including Raku, which was recommended by a Reddit user for its high-end Japanese cuisine. There are also elegant sushi counters and a no-rules bistro that combines the pace of modern Australian dining with the precision of Japanese cuisine. This bistro offers a seafood-heavy menu with Japanese-influenced cocktails and a wide range of European and Australian wines.
American cuisine
For American-style cuisine, Brodburger is a popular casual eatery in Canberra's old-meets-new Kingston Foreshore area. The restaurant started as a food truck and has since become a well-loved institution. Their namesake burger, the Brodburger, is a flame-grilled beef patty topped with tomato, Spanish onion, and homemade aioli, with a choice of several cheeses.
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Frequently asked questions
Canberra has a variety of cheap places to eat, including the Dumpling House, Lazy Su, Brodburger, and the Verity Lane Market.
Some popular restaurants in Canberra include Pilot, Bar Rochford, Rebel Rebel, Raku, and Bar Beirut.
For a unique dining experience, try Edgars Inn at Ainslie, where you can choose the "Just Feed Me" option and let the chefs surprise you with a custom menu based on your tastes.
Canberra is known for its truffles, cool-climate wines, handcrafted beers, and smoked meats. The city also has a thriving coffee culture, with many award-winning coffee roasters.
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