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.
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.
Ambrosia Lounge – Fyshwick
Ambrosia Distillery has extended their offering to a moody lounge, where cocktails reign supreme, and the theme of the night is always Greek Mythology. Located just down the road from the distillery, Ambrosia Lounge is Dairy Road’s newest spot for after-work and late-night drinks. Highlighting everything they’ve come to be known for in Canberra, the lounge showcases Ambrosia’s ethos for quality and uniquely flavoured spirits that turn into bespoke cocktails, mixed drinks, and enjoyable shots. Creating a menu that centres around the drinks rather than the food, expect a high-quality snack and share plate menu of charcuterie boards and cheese platters, including a soft burrata and an oven-baked brie.
Ottoman Cuisine – Barton
Announcing a comeback earlier in the year, Canberra’s iconic Turkish fine-dining restaurant Ottoman Cuisine has renovated their original space in Barton and reopened this month. Bringing back many of their signature dishes, including the QLD King Prawns pan sauteed with shitake mushrooms and baby spinach, they have also made room for new dishes.
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.
Recess Coffee – Griffith
A flavour-forward reimagination of all-day breakfast dining with vinyl records spinning throughout the day, Recess Coffee is the latest venture from the team behind hatted restaurant Terra. Simple and moreish, expect old-school classics like eggs Benedict with saffron hollandaise, fluffy pancake stacks topped with butter and maple syrup, and everyone’s favourite hangover cure, a brekky muffin layered with folded egg and a choice of beef sausage or bacon.
Ballyhoo – Parkes
The final venue to open as part of The Lawns of the Lobby dining precinct, Ballyhoo is led by beloved Canberra chef and former owner of Temporada, Dave Young. The menu showcases high-quality produce through a vibrant combination of Mediterranean and South American influence, including dishes like wood grilled spatchcock with kale, garlic and anchovy sauce, and wood grilled wagyu flank with chimi churri and miso.
Check out our dining page for all the latest food news in Canberra.
