Every year, our content become a memory bank of everywhere we’ve eaten. With what feels like a record-breaking amount of new venues opening, we’ve pretty much tried them all and have compiled a list of our favourites!
Carlotta
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.
What we loved: The handmade pasta is a must! Especially the crab spaghettini. If you’re dining with a group, the Bistecca is possibly the best steak in Canberra!
Mínima
Brother duo of former Thai restaurant Morks have begun their next chapter Mínima Southside in Yarralumla. Departing from their Thai roots, the restaurant explores the concept of ‘Third Culture Cuisine’, a combination of first culture cuisine – the culture you were born into, and second culture – the culture you arrived into. On the dinner menu, expect a la carte dining and a generous tasting menu, featuring share-style dishes such as duck mince roti, potato dumplings with mushroom, and Murry cod with sambal. For lunch, snatch up takeaway boxes inspired by childhood street food favourites.
What we loved: Whether you’re dining for the first or fifth time, the set menu is the best way to taste the menu.
Good Neighbour
Dirty eggs, strawberry matcha and New York-style chunky cookies, Kingston has a new café from the owner of local institution, Gus’ Place. Good Neighbour features a mix of staples and more elevated dishes such as chilli crab folded eggs and crispy fish tacos. While, if you’re on the run, choose from rotating sandwiches and baked goods made in-house including a Reuben Toastie and burnt Basque cheesecake.
What we loved: Strawberry matcha and the choc chip cookie! They’re still all over our social media.
Paloma’s
A vibrant Mexican-inspired bar and restaurant with relaxed Latin-style share plates, authentic Mexico City style tacos, and plenty of tequila, Paloma’s is perfect for effortless unwinding and easy drinking for casual catchups. Following in the style of its namesake cocktail, being 3 parts grapefruit, 1 part tequila; Paloma’s is 3 parts bar, 1 part restaurant. Just looking for an after-work or weekend drink? Trying one of their flavoured margaritas or frozen daiquiris is a must, or their Mexican Larger in collaboration with Capital Brewing Co. For food, pair your drinks with fresh ingredients that pack a punch, including oysters with a Mexican mignonette, tuna tostadas, kingfish sashimi and tacos.
What we loved: The strawberry and coconut frozen daiquiri is possibly the best summer drink ever.
Recess Coffee
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.
What we loved: The pancakes duh! They are simple but done so well.
Bada Bing Dining Club
An Italian dining club taking us back to the impeccable style, class and food of old-school Italian culture, Bada Bing promises an entertaining blend of retro Italian and light-hearted fun. Embracing the culture through house-made pasta, wood-fired pizza, booth seating, private dining, vintage aesthetics and of course, plenty of aperitivos making the rounds, the restaurant is committed to the finest produce and most beloved classics. Designed to be shared with family and friends, a mix of antipasto, pasta and pizza is a must.
What we loved: All the pastas are great, but if you really want to treat yourself to something decadent, order the lobster pasta.
Wonderburger
Bringing back retro diners with burgers, dogs, shakes and soft serves, Wonderburger is making family mealtimes greater. A menu where everything on the menu is wonderful, from the signature Wonder beef burger, Wonderbird, Wondersmash and Wonderdog, finish it off with crinkle-cut chips and your favourite soft-serve, and you’ll be golden!
What we loved: Make it a complete meal and add a thick shake.
Ak’s Diner
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.
What we loved: Mum’s Famous Chicken Curry hands down, with lots of pickles and chilli oil.
Beltana Farm
Experience Beltana Farm’s modern Australian cuisine. A testament to the Australian landscape and culture, the menu focuses on fresh and honest food that is designed to be shared. Guided by the seasons, diners can anticipate thoughtful, farm-to-table dishes that are complemented by an exclusively Australian wine list.
What we loved: Our team is obsessed with the potato damper. It seems so simple but trust us, it’s good.
Rosa’s
With the National Rose Gardens as its playground, Rosa’s kicks off the day with morning coffees, pastries and brekky rolls before lunch rolls around, offering a range of paninis and share plates, through to the evening when the kitchen fires up with pizzas and wine. Inviting casual mornings with space for the kids to run around, cheese and wine on the deck with the girls, and that last-minute pizza takeaway, Rosa’s blooms all year round.
What we loved: A cross between a pizza and a sandwich, the Panouzzos are epic.
For more venues to put on your radar, check out these new places to eat in Canberra.
