It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Step aside Christmas, it’s truffle season! Between June and August every year, Canberra’s doorstep turns into a foodie haven of rare and aromatic black truffles, and we want everyone to get their taste. These mysterious buried treasures are jam-packed with flavour and are taking over the capital one restaurant at a time.

CONTENTIOUS CHARACTER

Contentious Character is holding not just another truffle dinner, but their favourite night of the year, the Annual Winemaker Truffle Gala. On Saturday 27 July, experience a five-course truffle degustation carefully crafted by the head chef, Andy Park. The menu gives you a chance to enjoy the earthy richness of truffles with the option to pair it with their finest matching wines.

BELTANA FARM

If you’re after that immersive farm-to-table experience, Beltana Farm will tick all the boxes for you. Embrace winter amidst the trufferie of over 800 trees and participate in a late-morning truffle hunt leading you into a long lunch. Over July and August, explore how truffles are used with new dishes added to the menu or even request fresh truffle shaved onto your favourite dishes over a glorious lunch in the restaurant. On Wednesday 31 July, Beltana will also be hosting a truffle tasting dinner.

DAIRY ROAD WINTER MARKET

Celebrate seasonal produce of truffles, wine, and artisan goods at the Dairy Road Winter Market. With over 50 sellers of winter goods from regional farms, explore the best of the cold climate produce, specifically get your hands on some truffles, and pick up all the other goodies you can pair with them.

RAKU

If you’re in the city, stop by Raku to enjoy an unforgettable fine-dining experience along with one of their truffle dinners throughout July. Thanks to Terra Preta Truffles, you’ll get the chance to try all new truffle-focused dishes on a 11-course set menu. To make the most of your dinner, there will be options to pair each course with a wine.

THE ITALIAN PLACE

Kick-off truffle season with a night of luxurious local food and wine at The Italian Place for a five-course degustation truffle dinner with Sapling Yards and Blue Frog Truffles. Wayne Haslam, owner of Blue Frog Truffles, will make an appearance to talk you through all things truffle. Carla and Mal from Sapling Yards will also be there to showcase their new winter wines and explain how they’ve been paired with Chef Francesco’s truffle-infused dishes. 

THE TRUFFLE FARM

With Canberra as Australia’s go-to truffle hunting destination, The Truffle Farm is nestled in the Majura Valley and offers the ultimate truffle experience. You’ll get the chance to follow their team and truffle dogs to unearth prized black truffles, as well as enjoy a meal prepared by the executive chef and learn some secrets to using truffles at home.

AGOSTINIS

Join Agositinis for their exclusive Truffle Extravaganza where you can experience a four-course dinner menu of truffle-infused dishes for one night only Friday 28 June. Step into their private dining space, where luxury meets comfort to make the most of the aroma and rich flavour of fresh truffles from across the region.

COMPA

Matt Moran’s newly opened Italian steakhouse restaurant, Compa is doing a truffle menu in collaboration with local producer, The Truffle Farm. You can expect truffle dishes like truffle risotto, truffle polenta and truffle torta della nonna. And if you really love the flavour of truffle, they’ll even have truffle cocktails on offer with both the Truffle Shuffle Negroni and Choco-Truffle Martini.

&SANDO

Like their sister venue Compa, &Sando will have two menu specials throughout truffle season. On offer will be a truffle-loaded grilled cheese, cheekily titled ‘I knew you were truffle when you walked’, and a truffle-infused French onion soup. While you’re there, why not try both and purchase the pair as a combo for $28.

OTIS DINING HALL

Experience truffle at Otis Dining Hall like never before this winter with their monthly changing Chef’s Truffle Menu. Enjoy an elevated tasting menu loaded with everything truffle, with options of premium matching wines. The place to be, book in for dinner from Tuesday to Saturday or treat yourself to a truffle lunch on Saturday.

POACHERS PANTRY

Join Poachers Pantry in their Smokehouse Restaurant to enjoy an amazing four-course menu created by executive chef, Adam Wilson. The menu features Terra Preta Truffles and Blue Frog Truffles, with each course paired with a Poachers Vineyard wine. With bookings essential, be sure to reserve your seat next to the fire for either of the two sittings on Saturday 22 June or Saturday 20 July.

Verity Lane Market

Running from 9-13 July, Verity Lane is celebrating a week of truffles. With some of their vendors getting involved, indulge in truffle through Pizza Artigiana’s funghi truffle or quattro formaggi truffle pizza, Seoul Chicken’s truffle cross cut chips, La Cocina Pura’s Tiger prawn truffle salad, and a truffle espresso martini from the bar.

Braddon Merchant

Throughout July, indulge in Braddon Merchant‘s curated three-course truffle dinner. Including fresh crab spaghetti, beef sirloin and an artisanal cheese selection all married with freshly shaved truffle, truly indulge in the winter season.

Capitol Bar & Grill

Elevating one of their current signature pasta dishes, Capitol Bar & Grill is shaving fresh black truffle from Hidden Valley Farms over their mushroom mafaldine. Made with local mushroom ‘ragu’, crispy sage, pecorino and egg yolk, truffle and pasta has always been the perfect pairing and we can see why!

If you’re visiting Canberra for the truffle season, see our list of best hotels in Canberra for your stay.