Canberra, the capital city of Australia, is not just a hub of politics and bureaucracy, but also a vibrant and eclectic food scene. With its growing population and influx of tourists, the city is home to an impressive array of restaurants and cafes that are worth a visit.
The food scene in Canberra ranges from cozy cafes serving delicious brunch to contemporary fine-dining restaurants. Indeed, many of the city’s top dining establishments have been awarded accolades and have received recognition from food critics and diners alike. Whether you’re in the mood for something traditional or something more exotic, you’ll be able to find it in Canberra.
One of the highlights of dining in Canberra is the farm-to-table movement. With its close proximity to the surrounding rural areas, many restaurants source their ingredients locally, providing diners with a true taste of the region. This emphasis on regional produce not only supports local farmers, but also ensures that food is wonderfully fresh and of the highest quality.
Fine-dining restaurants in Canberra are a must-visit for those who appreciate a more upscale dining experience. These establishments offer expertly crafted menus, attentive service, and elegant decor, creating a truly memorable dining experience. What’s more, many of the city’s top venues feature seasonal menus that change regularly, ensuring that patrons always have something new and exciting to try.
Of course, a look at the best restaurants in Canberra doesn’t just mean high-end dining. The capital boasts a number of eateries where the beauty of the food and warmth of the service far out strip their more modest price tag.
So let us be your guides and lead you on a tour of the some of the top restaurants in Canberra. You might be surprised where we take you.
Location: Canberra Centre, Shop DG36C/148 Bunda St, Canberra ACT 2601 Ph: (02) 6248 6869
We’re opening our recommendations to Canberra’s finest restaurants at the expensive end of the scale. But believe us, dinner at Raku is worth every cent.
We Aussie’s love our Japanese cuisine and sushi is a favourite dish for many of us. However, at Raku, Sushi and Sashimi are elevated to an art form. How serious is the kitchen about their raw fish? Well, the focal point of this refined venue is a stunning raw bar. Here, you can perch counter-side and marvel at knife skills on display.
Sashimi starts at $15 for 3 pieces of Tai/Snapper NZ and peaks at $36 for the prized Japanese Otoro/ Bluefin Tuna Belly. There’s also an extensive array of Nigiri and some of the most luxurious Sushi Maki Rolls you’ll ever find. Our pick is the Truffle Salmon ($23). This is a heady combination of Seared Tasmanian Salmon, Truffle Oil, Cucumber, Avocado, Tenkatsu & Gochijang Mayonnaise.
Aside from a raw selections, Raku also serves Honetsuki Ramu Niku ($38). These are the most divine Slow Cooked Lamb Short Ribs, with Sweet Chilli Garlic, Sweet Soy. Similarly memorable is the Sukotchi Firetto ($43) – a majestic 150-day Grain Fed Scotch Fillet accompanied by Wafu Sauce, Wasabi Sour Cream & an unusual Rhubarb salt.
Of course, no stellar restaurant is complete without a carefully considered Drinks List, and Raku is no exception. Particular attention shows in the Cocktails, which make use of a number of inherently Japanese ingredients to highlight the unique flavours of the food.
All this in a sleek modern dining room and with exemplary service.
Raku is a must-try restaurant if you find yourself in town.
If you think that the Canberra’s top restaurants lack hipster edge, then you clearly haven’t frequented Rebel Rebel.
As the name suggests, this eatery is breaking the rules – in all the best ways.
First up, the restaurant itself has a pretty unique design. Vaulted wooden beams evoke a barn and remind diners that farm to table is very much in vogue in Australia. The result is a light and airy dining room of considerable charm.
And the food. Can we just say “Really very good” and leave it at that? Probably not. So here goes.
Love a Beef Tartare ($26)? This one is a killer. Finely diced Beef melts into Anchovy, Pickles and Hot English Mustard for a sublime mouth-feel and oodles of flavour. Scared of a the very thought of offal? Overcome your prejudice with Rebel Rebel Canberra’s to-die-for Wagyu Tongue, Peppers & PX ($32). You’ll thank us later. And please make sure you order the Sugarloaf Cabbage, Tahini & Harissa Oil ($24). It sounds so simple and tastes so complex.
But then, this is the food-focused baby of Sean McConnell (brother of Melbourne culinary God Andrew) and his wife Jenny Harders. So honestly, dine here and you’re in the hands of people who know what they are doing.
And that knowledge extends to the truly outstanding service.
Lastly, the Drinks List is also above par. In fact, it’s one of the few places where we’ve got genuinely excited about a Mocktail. The tipple is question is the Bang Bang ($15). A beguiling blend of Burnt Lime, Sumac & Honey.
And if you particularly like something on the Wine List – and why wouldn’t you? It’s rather fine – you can take a bottle home with you for retail price. Seriously, don’t you wish all restaurants did this?!
There’s plenty to get excited about at the Ovolo Nishi Hotel in Canberra. 5 Star boutique accommodation is just the start at this stunning hotel, where the interior design is just as striking as the exterior architecture.
And then there’s Monster Kitchen and Bar. Honestly, this incredible eatery offers ‘destination dining’ with bells on.
From the sheer scale of the place to its eye-poppingly eclectic aesthetics – industrial circular fireplace and miss-matched 70s Terrazzo flooring, anyone? To the hip vibe and the beautifully executed food – Monster Kitchen stands out in all the right ways.
So what about the menu? Well, French/Japanese fusion is the focus, with dishes reflecting the changes of the seasons and what’s available locally. Oh. And it’s currently also fully vegetarian.
Kick off with the Corn Ribs ($16), their sweetness enhanced by Shio Kombu & Smoked Paprika. From there, the Sweet Potato Chaat with Mint & Tamarind Chutney, Sweetened Yoghurt & Pomegranate ($18) is a marriage made in heaven. Similarly, the Spinach Gnudi ($28) – Burrata, Brown Butter, Sage & Pine Nuts is a brilliantly balanced main.
Whatever you do, save a space for the Lavender Creme Brulee ($19). Served with Banoffee Foam, Apple Crisp, Shortbread, Cinnamon Ice Cream & Apple Puree, every review that we’ve read of Monster Kitchen and Bar raves about it.
Of course, when the word ‘Bar’ appears in your name, you can expect a decent drinks list. At Monster Kitchen, there is an abundance of choice. Our favourite though, is the ‘Experimental’ Cocktail ($25), which changes by the week.
Sound too good to be true? Then you clearly haven’t visited Wilma.
Seriously, it’s impressive how many boxes this very contemporary restaurant ticks. With – seemingly – very little effort.
Much of the utterly delicious menu takes adored Asian classics and re-imagines them. A great example is the Chinese take-away favourite Prawn Toast. At Wilma Canberra, it’s transformed thanks to juicy Tiger Prawns and a belting Native Plum Sweet & Sour ($9 ea). Similarly, the all too often uninspiring Spring Roll rises to new heights with a totally addictive Shiitake & Cheese filling. Plus a velvety Tofu Mayonnaise ($7 ea).
Still wondering if this is one of the best restaurants in Canberra or not? Let us convince you.
Wilma BBQ also serves a number of knockout ‘Larger’ plates.
The Sweet & Sticky Eggplant + Black Bean + Chilli + Peanut + Lime ($23) is unctuous enough to make even the most hardened carnivore turn veggie. That said, the Wood Roasted John Dory + Charred Lime + Jeow Som + Micro Herbs ($44) demonstrates exactly why this spot bills itself as a BBQ joint. And did we mention the signature rice dish? The Wilma Combination Truffle & Egg Fried Rice ($28) has to be tried at least once in your life.
Alongside Wilma, there’s also The Pearl. This is the perfect place to meet friends for classy cocktails, moreish snacks and a decadent atmosphere.
Finally, Wilma does a comprehensive range of Set Menus to stop any bickering over who has to do the ordering.
Asian-fusion food and BBQ are clearly having a moment in Canberra, as Akiba is an incredibly popular destination which offers both.
The idea behind this vibrant dining spot is the bustling food halls found in so many dynamic Asian cities. The spin, is the introduction of smoky notes by cooking over fire.
But first up, we’re giving special mention to the Drinks Menu – and especially the fabulous Cocktail List. If you’re had a prettier or more refreshing tipple than the lavendar-hued Butterfly Effect ($18), we want to try it. A light, zingy combination of Martin Millers Gin, Fiorente Elderflower Liqueur, Butterfly Pea Syrup and Bitter Lemon, it’s great with the spiced dishes on the menu. And very reasonably priced.
Food-wise, we’re talking a Raw Bar, Snacks And Street Food and a Selection of crowd-friendly Share Plates.
To open, the Ocean Trout Tartare, Chilli Crunch, Hoisin Kewpie, Cassava ($23) is a divine balance of delicate and punch, soft and crunch. If you love a Pork Belly Bun ($9), you’re in for a treat. The ones at Akiba come sticky with Char Siu and matched with a Asian Slaw and Pickles. Another winner is the Miso Dengaku Eggplant ($22), where the silky, savoury Eggplant contrast perfectly with Pepita Seeds, Puffed Rice and Nori.
Of course, you can leave it up to you charmer servers to sort you out. Akiba has 2 comprehensive Feed Me menus for those who like to go with the flow.
All this, and a fun buzz. It’s no wonder that Akiba is one of the top restaurants in Canberra.
Location: Avenue Hotel Canberra, 25 Mort St, Braddon, ACT, 2612 Ph: (02) 6246 9555
Back in the mists of time, if you wanted a decent Steak, you generally headed to your local pub. These days, although a number of pubs still grill a fine slab of Angus, there is very much a new, slicker breed of steak restaurant in vogue. And a fine example of this is expansive, polished, and impressively moody, Marble & Grain.
Whilst starting a meat-based dinner with Oysters seems almost compulsory – and this venue offers both Natural and Kilpatrick – our hearts sing at the sight of a Blooming Onion ($16). Especially as it comes with a Spicy Mayo. However, the Braised Duck Spring Rolls (2pc $20) are also rather exciting with their Spiced Pineapple Chutney.
For Mains, it’s hard to ignore the pull of The Grill. The selection of cuts – Rib Eye Bone In, Scotch Fillet, Wagyu Rump Cap – is temptation itself. Marble and Grain offers 6 Sauces to dress their Beef. We are big fans of the Fermented Chilli Butter ($5). And we appreciate the Meat Temperatures table on the menu, which defines Steak cooking intensities.
If you arrive with a hunger – and possibly a friend or 2 – take a look at the Share The Love part of the menu. At $160, the Butcher’s Board is a Flintstone’s-sized feast. With Grilled Sirloin and Scotch Fillet, Braised Lamb Shoulder, Bone Marrow, Roast Potatoes, Salad and much more, it should keep you quiet for a while.
Incidentally, if you’re not up for a huge chunk of protein, the House Made Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi ($32) is superb.
Lastly, the Drinks List is comprehensive. Wines come both by the glass and the bootle and Marble and Grain has a few more exclusive drops From The Cellar. Plus, you can round off your meal with a Sticky and then roll home to bed.
In our humble opinion, there aren’t enough places in Australia as a whole doing really genuinely excellent BBQ food. Well, Canberra has a great option with Bird’n’BBQ joint, Terra.
Whilst the vibe is relaxed, the team take their food seriously. And it shows.
Be brave and give the BBQ Chicken Heart Skewer ($12ea) with Old Bay Mayo & Eschallot a whirl. Smoky and rich, it’s sure to convert a few doubter to the joys of offal. For Mains, the Rotisserie Lamb Shoulder (Rotisserie) ($47) comes with a punchy Toum and an equally lively Salsa Verde. Add a portion of the Rosemary Salt Chips ($12) and the Fried Cauliflower ($18) with Patis, Almond & Curry Leaves and you’ll be both a full, and happy – camper.
Incidentally, the kitchen also offer both Take Away and a good value Lunch Menu.
So give into your Roast Chook cravings and give Terra a go. It’s one of the finest restaurants in Canberra.
