10 October 2024
17 mins Read
Visitors to the nation’s capital are spoilt for choice when it comes to discovering great Canberra restaurants. In fact, it seems the list of new and noteworthy places popping up all over the city is never-ending.
That’s why we’ve narrowed down our guide to include some of the best Canberra restaurants, from those that are longstanding institutions to award-winning newcomers worthy of our attention. Below is our list of favourite Canberra restaurants to try right now.
THE SHORTLIST
Hottest dining gem: Such and Such
Family-friendly spot: Agostinis
Great for Special Occasions: Wilma
Most Instagrammable: Such and Such
Best for business lunches: Louis
Best for late-night dining: Akiba
The search for the most family-friendly Italian restaurant in Canberra is over. Drumroll please: it’s Agostinis at the East Hotel. This inviting Griffith restaurant is known for its menu of freshly made pasta and pizzas curated by executive chef Francesco Balestrieri to please everyone in the family. Yes that includes Nonna.
Agostinis serves up memorable Italian fare.
Add to this eclectic Kelly Ross-designed interiors with leopard-print booths and slogans like ‘You had me at pizza’ in pops of pink neon and you will understand the fun, free-wheeling essence of the space. In a full-circle moment, siblings Dan and Dion Bisa pay homage to their mother Marisa whose family owned a restaurant in northern Italy named Agostinis.
Bar Rochford bills itself as a place to “pull records, sling sharp spirits and love good service”.
Head upstairs to the chic dining space. (Image: VisitCanberra)
That tells you everything you should expect from this hip haven hidden away upstairs in the iconic Melbourne building. This is one of the best Canberra venues – equal parts restaurant and bar – for its fun vibe, elevated food and refined drinks list.
Bar Rochford has elevated its menu. (Image: VisitCanberra)
It’s Canberra venues like Bar Rochford that Good Food Guide editor Callan Boys cites as making Canberra “one of the most exciting cities to eat in Australia”. Like Boys, we’re mad fans of You Am I. And any bar that features a giant portrait of lead singer Tim Rogers feels like it’s part of Canberra’s zeitgeist.
Choose from Bar Rochford’s refined drinks list. (Image: VisitCanberra)
Lazy Su gets top marks for its focused flavours. This neon-lit space is fun and festive like a K-pop speakeasy meets izakaya meets American diner. Chug down a few shots of soju at the Asian eating house which will transport you back to the 90s with its soundtrack of absolute bangers.
Lazy Su is a K-pop speakeasy meets izakaya meets American diner. (Image: Lazy Su)
The common denominator on the menu with Japanese, Korean and American influences is fun. Think wagyu cheesesteak spring rolls with kimchi mayo. Or nori tacos stuffed with sushi rice, salmon and avocado puree. Imagine if you will an eatery with big ambitions and zero pretentions. Oh hey Lazy Su. How do you do?
Nerdy food types be nerding when news broke that Dash Rumble, Ross McQuinn and Mal Hanslow, of two-hatted Pilot in Ainslie were opening a sister venue. That venture is Such And Such, a hole-in-the-wall eatery much more relaxed than Pilot, Canberra’s top fine-dining restaurant, but no less delicious and inventive. You’ll need to book in advance as there are only a handful of tables and a few bar spots.
Such And Such is a hole-in-the-wall eatery more relaxed than Pilot. (Image: Cassie Abraham)
The menu is seasonal. But do order the school prawns in 666 spice if they’re on the menu. You won’t be sorry. The new venue is in Constitution Place, near Canberra Theatre. The interiors were designed by Mark Brook of mymymy and pay homage to the arts precinct with elements of his design adding a touch of theatre.
Enjoy inventive and contemporary dishes. (Image: Cassie Abraham)
Getting around to all the major attractions in Canberra can be a lot as there are so many great things to see and do in Canberra. But you gotta eat, right? We recommend heading to Wilma, a magical spot for a few cocktails and a feed in the heart of Canberra’s CBD.
Wilma’s serves progressive pan-Asian dishes. (Image: Wilma)
A two-tier konro yakitori grill takes pride of place in this stunning two-storey eatery, which is named in honour of the animated character Wilma Flintstone, who also cooks over fire.
Hop over to Wilma’s for a yakitori feed and inventive cocktails. (Image: Wilma)
Asian barbecue with Michael Box at the helm never looked so good. Bookend your evening with cocktails at The Pearl, which occupies the ground floor of the two-storey venue. It’s one of the best bars in Canberra for a tipple or two.
Wilma’s is a sophisticated spot for dinner in the heart of Canberra’s CBD. (Image: Wilma)
Acclaimed chef Sean McConnell is behind ultra-cool Canberra restaurant Rebel Rebel, a glam eatery with lofty ceilings in the hotel hub encompassing QT Canberra and Ovolo Nishi.
Sit down for a meal at Rebel Rebel, a glam eatery with lofty ceilings. (Image: VisitCanberra)
McConnell held the reins at Monster Bar & Kitchen at Hotel-Hotel (now Ovolo Nishi) for four years. And his love of shared dining continues here with dishes such as kingfish in a burnt mandarin vinaigrette or fried quail with harissa and lemon.
Rebel Rebel serves up modern Australian cuisine. (Image: VisitCanberra)
It’s one of the best destinations for dining in Canberra. Enjoy top drops from a modern list of natural wines, local faves and international gems and take home a bottle at a retail price.
Dine on bold and modern flavours at Rebel Rebel. (Image: VisitCanberra)
Italian & Sons is the more casual offshoot of fine dining restaurant Mezzalira, one of Canberra’s best restaurants. And it has gained its own devoted following in Canberra for its fresh, authentic Italian cuisine.
This casual eatery was awarded a Chef’s Hat in 2024. (Image: VisitCanberra)
Enjoy a range of cicchietti (snack plates) such as salty anchovies and San Daniele prosciutto with a glass of vino. Or go all out with the tasting menu, which includes shared antipasti and three individual courses.
Italian & Sons is renowned for serving fresh, authentic Italian cuisine. (Image: VisitCanberra)
Note: Italian & Sons does one of the best negronis in all the land.
Matt Moran’s first Canberra venue, Compa, is designed to showcase produce from the Moran Family Farm and local produce that changes with the seasons. The atmospheric Italian steakhouse has exposed wooden beams, white stucco walls and a long kitchen leaving plenty of room for the chefs to exercise their talents.
Compa features a moody interior. (Image: Buffet Digital / Compa)
The dark, moody space was reimagined by Studio A-N and features wicker shades, cosy booths and softly blended tones and textures. The meaty menu showcases different steaks as well as Snowy River trout and Abrolhos Island scallops served on the shell.
The menu showcases produce from the Moran Family Farm. (Image: Buffet Digital / Compa)
Can’t get a booking? Head next door to & Sando, one of the best cafes in Canberra.
Dig into a satisfying dessert at Compa. (Image: Buffet Digital / Compa)
Vincent is all about pairing great food with great wine. The name is an amalgam of ‘vino’ which is wine and ‘cent’ which is 100 (the number of bottles the bar aims to have on offer).
The dimly lit dining room at Vincent feels laid-back and relaxed. (Image: VisitCanberra)
Expect unconventional drops from around the globe ready for teaming with small plates such as hiramasa kingfish or beef tartare.
Expect unconventional drops from around the globe. (Image: VisitCanberra)
Although dining at Vincent is a serious culinary experience, the dimly lit dining room feels laid-back and relaxed. Canberra has a list of great restaurants to choose from. But Vincent is truly one of Canberra’s best places to eat. Sit at the lengthy communal bar to enjoy the conviviality of sharing a meal together.
Vincent is all about pairing great food with great wine. (Image: VisitCanberra)
This hatted restaurant is considered one of the best Canberra restaurants for its nose-to-tail approach and hyper-focus on seasonal ingredients.
Onzieme Restaurant evokes a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. (Image: Lean Timms)
The menu at Onzieme also shifts according to what local makers and growers bring to the restaurant. Leave it to the chef to find inspiration from a bag of potatoes. Or a tray of pomegranates.
The seasonal menu s on seasonal ingredients at Onzieme Restaurant. (Image: Megann Evans)
It’s not hard to find locals who dine at Onzieme on a regular basis as the atmosphere at the waterfront restaurant could not be more welcoming. In short, Onzieme is one of the best restaurants in Canberra to book if you’ve only got a limited time in Australia’s capital of cool.
Onzieme prides itself on serving contemporary cuisine. (Image: Megann Evans)
Mu Omakase is where Canberrans head for modern Japanese. And the scene here on a weekend speaks volumes about the intimate omakase eatery as the chatter of happy diners fills the 10-seater space.
This intimate omakase eatery is a best-kept secret. (Image: VisitCanberra)
The modern Japanese diner, which is part of the Chairman Group, serves a set 12-course omakase menu.
Each item on the menu at Mu Omakase is meticulously prepared. (Image: VisitCanberra)
Access to the eatery is through the swanky Cicada Bar, which is one of the best places in Canberra for a tipple or two. Omakase means ‘to entrust’.
Drink up sake at Mu Omakase. (Image: VisitCanberra)
Trust the chef to deliver dishes with artistry and plating precision such as swordfish sashimi or drunken king prawn swimming in a rich lobster bisque.
You can also try their sophisticated cocktails. (Image: VisitCanberra)
Miss Van’s doesn’t disappoint those after pan-Asian flavours in Canberra. The restaurant serves up modern Asian-Australian fare that celebrates founder Andrew Duong’s Laos-Vietnamese roots.
Miss Van’s restaurant blends indoor/outdoor dining. (Image: Pew Pew Studio)
The menu honours decades of old ways and marries them with new traditions.
Enjoy popular Asian dishes at Miss Van’s. (Image: Pew Pew Studio)
Try popular dishes such as the banh mi, which has been on offer since Miss Van’s beginnings as a shipping container food outlet, through to the spicy, sour seafood tom yum filled with black mussels, squid and prawns.
Soak up the bright and colourful ambience at Miss Van’s. (Image: Pew Pew Studio)
For a restaurant to stand out in the crowded Canberra landscape it has to be special. With not one but two venues (in Braddon and Woden), eightysix should be on your list of eateries to try when visiting Canberra for a long weekend.
Pop by eightysix north for an unforgettable dining experience. (Image: Pew Pew Studio)
There are subtle differences between the two – eightysix Braddon is all about experimentation, with quirky menu items like raw kingfish with pickled cumquats, jalapenos and eschalots. But the restaurant’s southern venue tilts towards Italian fare with dishes such as pork Milanese and ricotta gnocchi in fennel sugo.
The restaurant’s southern venue tilts towards Italian fare. (Image: Pew Pew Studio)
Terra means earth and this dining room is a mix of stone and wood and textures that resemble Canberra’s natural surrounds. The set-up at Terra is canteen-style. Choose from a protein and various sides or one of its massive burgers. The crispy hot chips have a cult following here for the miso gravy that brings an unexpected flash of tanginess. The vibe at dinner is a tad more refined. But it’s still Terra’s chargrilled, smoked and woodfired meats that take centre stage. And the sides are not to be outdone, particularly the iceberg salad with sesame praline and cucumber pickles.
Canberra has long had its fair share of great places for brunch. And Edgar’s is up there with the best of them. This farm-to-table Ainslie eatery has been going strong for more than two decades and the food is exceptional. There will always be certain standbys on the menu no matter the month – such as the brioche cinnamon toast or brekky burger.
Edgar’s is a vibrant, multi-venue destination. (Image: The Inn at Edgar’s)
When your food is ready, take it to an outdoor table outside where you can make friends with some local MAMILs. Edgar’s is our pick for a low-key Canberra brunch.
Don’t miss out on the exceptional menu at Edgar’s. (Image: The Inn at Edgar’s)
What makes Edgar’s Inn so enticing is the fact you can go from breakfast to lunch and dinner within the multi-venue space, which includes Wakefield’s Bar & Wine, Mama Dough, Edgar’s and Edgar’s Inn.
Edgar’s is a top spot for brunch. (Image: The Inn at Edgar’s)
The fact you’re likely to see high-profile politicians or diplomats from the Japanese Embassy here hints at the fact you’ll be richly rewarded with dinner at Raku.
Pull up a seat at the ultra-chic Raku. (Image: VisitCanberra)
The restaurant also draws international students keen to explore beyond their own neighbourhood. The raw bar in the centre of the dining room at Raku tells you all about the quality of the sushi and sashimi on offer.
Dine authentic Japanese at Raku. (Image: VisitCanberra)
Take a seat at the counter in this elegant space with blond timber tones and moody lighting and you’ll feel like you’ve tumbled down an alleyway in Tokyo. Recommended is the express lunch.
Be transported to Tokyo in this sleek Japanese eatery. (Image: VisitCanberra)
This dimly lit restaurant is a Canberra institution that has been going strong for almost three decades. While it’s moved from its original spot in Civic to Barton, Chairman & Yip remains vamped up, all dark slatted woods and stacked stones that demarcate the dining room.
The interior at Chairman & Yip is elevated with dark slatted woods and stacked stones. (Image: Stuart Miller)
Solve the dilemma of what to order and opt for the tasting menu, which includes duck pancakes, crispy pork belly with pineapple compote and binchotan-grilled wagyu steak paired with wines from nearby wineries. The Chairman Group also has Lanterne Rooms, Mu, Cicada Bar and the Karl Bar.
Dine on modern Cantonese dishes at Chairman & Yip. (Image: Stuart Miller)
This modern hawker-style food hall is popular with Canberra’s university students who converge here to meet new friends. The showy Asian diner is all neon nights, exposed brickwork and long communal tables that run the length of the colourful corner eatery.
Gather your tribe to enjoy a mix of street-food-style snacks at Akiba such as Japanese fried chicken and kimchi and stacked steamers of dumplings.
Akiba champions Pan Asian cuisine. (Image: VisitCanberra)
Order a few ‘akipops’ (boozy juices) from Thursdays to Sundays when DJs transform the dining room into a dance floor. Weekend arvos equal yum cha. Akiba is a sibling to Liquita, Wilma and The Pearl, all restaurants to have on your radar in Canberra.
Come Thursday nights, Akiba transforms into a dance floor.
The city of Canberra was in mourning when one of its most acclaimed restaurants, Aubergine, was shuttered in 2022. But chef Ben Willis is back, as culinary director at Louis Dining.
Dine at the dimly lit Louis, a Euro-style bistro in Canberra. (Image: Dexter Kim)
The Euro-style bistro was designed by award-winning Sydney-based design firm Luchetti Krelle and is popular with political heavyweights due to its proximity to the Parliamentary Triangle.
Settle into the moody dining room for Gallic fare.
The French fine diner at Hotel Realm is as dreamy for a business lunch as it is for dinner. Sit at one of the tan banquettes around the high tables in the bar section. Or settle into the midnight blue dining room for Gallic fare such as potato and leek pithivier with broccolini and parsley puree.
Louis is designed by award-winning Sydney-based design firm Luchetti Krelle.
Ondine reads like a love letter to Europe. And while its laid-back bistro ambience and moody blue hues beckon, it’s the gastronomic experience that will make this your favourite new casual place to eat out in Canberra. Exchange smug glances with some of the other savvy diners who are also here to enjoy a leisurely afternoon meal with a glass of wine. The menu at this Canberra restaurant includes a prix fixe option for three courses from $67, surely one of the best-value meals in Canberra. Flag down your waiter to request the herbed pork rillettes, chicken liver pate and traditional French onion soup.
The menu skews towards French cuisine. (Image: Ondine / Pew Pew Studios)
Pilot certainly found an audience when it descended on the suburb of Airlie. The acclaimed restaurant in the middle of this hip strip has made a big impact on the city’s dining scene since opening in 2019. In fact, it’s fair to say it prompted a raft of restaurateurs to seek opportunities in the suburbs.
Pilot has elevated the city’s dining scene. (Image: VisitCanberra)
The two-hatted restaurant offers tasting menus for lunch and dinner. Check @pilotrestaurant on Instagram to see what the chefs are cooking up on any given day. Elevated bites may include the blue mackerel cracker served in a potato dip with herbs and lemon described as ‘fish and chips but kinda backwards’. Or the broad-bean minestrone that is as wholesome as it is pretty.
The two-hatted restaurant offers tasting menus for lunch and dinner. (Image: VisitCanberra)
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