Looking for a new local? If you love trying new places to eat around the capital, make this your ultimate hit list! Plus keep your eyes out for news of the opening of any ‘coming soon’ venues.
Andre’s Osteria – Weston
Weston’s new Mediterranean dining room and bar, Andre’s Osteria has that cosy neighbourhood charm backed by delicious, seasonal dishes. For lovers of pasta, you’re in luck with standouts including wagyu short rib lasagne, lamb shoulder ragu mafaldine and frutti di mare linguine. Meanwhile, also find plates like carbonara arancini, chicken piccata and Mum’s chocolate mousse.
Shaw Estate Restaurant – Murrumbateman
Murrumbateman’s Shaw Estate has finally reopened with a new Mediterranean-inspired restaurant. Bringing a refined yet relaxed dining experience to the winery, the menu is deeply rooted in Italian tradition while celebrating local and seasonal ingredients. From handmade pasta to wood-fired seafood and rustic shared plates, perfectly pair it with Shaw’s wine list or a curated list of national and international drops.
Fresca – Queanbeyan
Bringing the traditional Tuscan schiacciata bread and authentic Italian ingredients to the heart of Queanbeyan, Fresca is your new hole-in-the-wall sandwich spot. With what took two research trips to Italy to perfect, Fresca’s schiacciata dough recipe takes about 24 hours to make and is much more complex than a pizza or focaccia dough. Once the bread is baked to golden perfection, it is stuffed with delicious Italian meats, cheese, vegetables and sauces. The menu includes flavours like the Mortadella Schiacciata, which is filled with crema di pistachio, mortadella, stracciatella, and crushed pistachio.
Monster Kitchen & Bar – City
At the end of last year, formerly vegetarian restaurant Monster Kitchen & Bar announced they were introducing meat back to the menu. A space where herbivores and carnivores alike can share a meal together without compromise, the new menu showcases the best of locally sourced produce alongside years of plant-based expertise. Meat highlights include a Gundagai lamb shoulder served with house-made mint jelly and braised peas, and a mb4+ sirloin accompanied with bordelaise sauce and creamy potato gratin. While must-try vegetarian dishes include the house-made ricotta scarpinocc – bonbon shaped ravioli finished with beurre noisette, golden raisins and pecorino pepato.
Carlotta – City
Restaurateur Chris Lucas’ first restaurant in the capital, Carlotta’s opening has already drawn a large crowd of Canberrans eager to try its Mediterranean cuisine. Complimented by seasonal local produce and traditional methods of cooking, expect simple yet abundant dishes designed for feasting and sharing. Kicking off with small plates, including octopus carpaccio, before migrating to larger dishes like handmade pasta with crab spaghettini with lobster oil and chilli, shared mains then boast dishes such as a whole lamb shoulder and Bistecca alla Fiorentina. His first, but not his last restaurant in Canberra, Lucas has already announced plans for a second venue in the city, expected to open in 2025.
Lunetta – Red Hill
Reopening as an elevated dining destination, the iconic Red Hill Lookout now boasts two venues – Lunetta, a refined restaurant occupying the first floor and Lunetta Trattoria, a relaxed neighbourhood bar located on the ground floor. A fresh, local and considered Italian-inspired menu cooked with fire, Lunetta leans into elevated dishes like Tathra duck with morcilla, beetroot, currents, radicchio and hazelnut, while Lunetta Trattoria keeps things a little more casual, where spritzes in the sun are encouraged over antipasto and freshly made pasta.
Ak’s Diner – New Acton
An authentic Malaysian takeaway-style restaurant in NewActon that serves simple, humble and affordable curries. Taking over from Fekerte’s Ethiopian in the Nishi Building, AK’s Diner steps away from the traditional restaurant scene, letting the food speak for itself. Predominately curries, the menu rotates and changes regularly, including flavours like his signature ‘Mum’s Famous Chicken Curry and beef rendang, as well as two veggie options including one vegan.
On Lonsdale – Braddon
Lonsdale Street’s newest café, On Lonsdale specialises in Korean-inspired cuisine, particularly sandos. Blending both traditional and innovative flavours with soft shokupan milk bread, the sandos are packed with locally sourced ingredients and include fillings like ‘Nanban Chicken’ with soft-fried sweet soy chicken, chunky tartare and yuzu aioli, and ‘Sando-O-Fish’ with a house-made fish patty, American cheddar, chunky tartare, lettuce, dill pickle and yuzu aioli. Aside from sandos, get your morning coffee or matcha, as well as rice bowls and poke bowls.
The Denman Kitchen + Wine Bar – Denman Prospect
A family-friendly gastro pub, The Denman Kitchen + Wine Bar is focused on delivering a nose-to-tail dining experience. Approachable, sustainable and most importantly, delicious, the menu does of course have a selection of pub classics, but also takes another direction with dishes such as goat rendang curry, miso red cabbage with sea-spiced eggplant and whipped tofu, and house-made mushroom gnocchi. Like any good pub, great value specials are running five nights a week, from Sunday ‘Family Day’ where children eat half price, to $25 Schnitty, Steak and Burger Nights including a drink.
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