Our fave Canberra restaurants!

Courgette

Offering French-inspired Australian cuisine, the philosophy of Courgette is rooted in the combination of simplicity and freshness of the basic elements, with adventurous complexity of sauces and dressings. While the emphasis is undeniably upon seafood, great effort is made to source excellent meats from around the country.

54 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra City

Open Monday to Saturday from 6.30pm

Telephone: (02) 6247 4042

Rubicon

Rubicon has a loyal following for its fine food, comprehensive wine list and friendly, knowledgeable service.

Rubicon presents a contemporary European menu that is rich in flavour and technique. The bourbon oysters are a house specialty, and diners can choose their own combination of cheese on the cheese platter.

6A Barker Street, Griffith

Open Monday to Saturday from 6pm

Telephone: (02) 6295 9199

Aubergine

Aubergine is the gastronomic gem of suburban Canberra, its beautifully presented food and attractive interior making it an elegant spot to dine. Enjoy seasonal dishes made with creativity and technical skill.

Located on Barker Street in Griffith, Aubergine is open for Lunch Tuesday to Saturday from 12pm, and Dinner Monday to Saturday from 6pm.

Telephone: (02) 6260 8666

Water’s Edge

Eat a la carte or try a six course degustation menu at Water’s Edge. Enjoy cool white decor and panoramic windows with sweeping views across Lake Burley Griffin and down Anzac Parade.

40 Parkes Place, Parkes

Open for Lunch Wednesday to Saturday and Dinner Tuesday to Saturday

Telephone: (02) 6273 5066

Lemon Grass Thai

Lemon Grass Thai offers the opportunity to experience some of the most authentic traditional Thai cuisine available in Canberra. In fact, it is often said that the dishes are better than those found in Thailand simply because the fresh ingredients found here are of such high quality and traditional methods and recipes are retained.

Melbourne Building, 65 London Circuit, Canberra City

Open Monday to Saturday from 6pm

Telephone: (02) 6247 2779

Sammy’s Kitchen

A long time Canberra favourite, Sammy’s kitchen is now located in a larger premises on Bunda Street, including a relaxed outdoor seating area. The team pride themselves on the quality of their food, cooked and served fresh by fantastic staff. Sammy’s has developed many specialty dishes with their own tantalising sauces. You can BYO bottled wine or choose from the expanded selection of reasonably priced, good quality wines and beers.

North Quarter, Bunda Street, Canberra Centre

Open Daily from 5pm

Telephone: (02) 6247 1464

Ellacure

Canberra’s northern suburbs have a great new dining venue in Ellacure, a stylish yet casual restaurant serving modern Australian food with an Italian twist. The wine list draws heavily on Canberra District wines and there is an outdoor terrace for alfresco dining.

2/21 Beattie Street, Bruce

Open Daily for Lunch and Dinner

Telephone: (02) 6251 0990

The Chairman and Yip

Try the well established Chairman and Yip and discover a special brand of Asian cuisine.

Seafood is a speciality, with exotic ingredients like sea snails and sea cucumber regularly on offer. Choose from an a la carte menu, or range of banquet and degustation menus.

108 Bunda Street, Canberra City

Open Monday to Saturday from 6pm

Telephone: (02) 6248 7109

Iori

An enjoyable and relaxing dining atmosphere, you will feel as if you are dining at a restaurant in Japan. Iori offer a range of menu options, from traditional Japanese dishes, hot pot courses, sushi and sashimi to modern Japanese cuisine.

41 East Row, Canberra City

Open Daily from 6pm

Telephone: (02) 6257 2334

Jewel of India

Feast on a predominantly North Indian cuisine based menu at The Jewel of India. Care has been taken to provide authentic dishes. Exotic Indian spices are used for their special flavour and aroma.

24 West Row, Canberra City

Open Daily from 6pm

Telephone: (02) 6162 1845

Italian and Sons

Celebrate Italian food on the fringe of the city centre. Italian and Sons is the destination to choose for ‘old school’ Italian.

Choose from wood fired pizzas and organic cured meats made from strict Tuscan specifications. The piatti del giorno changes daily. Try dishes like braised lamb shoulder and roast pork alla romana; served seasonally using the region’s many local and organic farmers.

7 Lonsdale Street, Braddon

Open Monday to Saturday 6pm – Late

Telephone: (02) 6162 4888

Mecca Bah

A cosy Moroccan eating house with a contemporary twist – Mecca Bah takes communal dining to a new level. A feast for the senses, fragrant spices like cumin, cardamom and cinnamon from the open kitchen blend with the delicious aroma of freshly baked Turkish pizzas.

25-29 Manuka Terrace, Flinders Way, Manuka

Open Daily from 11.30am – 10pm

Telephone: (02) 6260 6700

Malamay

Here, the quintessential Sichuan spices, chillies and peppers are intelligently and creatively crafted to create a modern interpretation of the traditional culinary style of China’s West. Be delightfully surprised by the exquisite yet playful presentation and the unique combinations of textures and flavours. Malamay is your total dining experience, with private dining rooms and wedding facilities available as well as a large, fully shaded outdoor area.

1 Burbury Close, Barton

Open Tuesday to Saturday from 6pm – Late

Telephone: (02) 6173 2700

Mezzalira 

Mezzalira is one of Canberra’s best kept secrets, an intimate space, with an extraordinary wine list, including many locally produced wines.

The cuisine is best described as Modern Italian, based on the southern Italian ‘Cucina Rustica’, a culinary philosophy of marrying simple flavours with the best Australian produce available, which is what makes Mezzalira an outstanding dining experience.

Melbourne Building, Corner of London Circuit and West Row, Canberra City

Open Monday to Saturday from 6pm

Telephone: (02) 6230 0025

Ottoman

The Ottoman is a Canberra icon that is a must for any gourmet visiting the city. It is the most consistently awarded restaurant in Canberra. Nothing that is on offer on this modern Turkish inspired menu will disappoint. The Ottoman is known for its great selection and use of fresh local produce, exciting use of seafood and gourmet degustation menu.

Corner of Broughton and Blackall Streets, Barton

Open Tuesday to Saturday from 6pm.

Telephone: (02) 6271 6111

Sage

Sage is an exciting and innovative restaurant focusing on cutting edge cuisine in an intimate dining room. The food has been described as ‘whimsical pieces of art’ and is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the palate. The centrepiece of Sage dining is the seven course degustation, with offerings such as Seared Scallops with chestnut cream, chorizo, celery tips & px molasses and the Caramelized Riverina Lamb Rump with grilled baby eggplant, zucchini puree & pepperonata. Finishing with a cheese course or the heavenly Chocolate Trilogy, the Sage degustation is an experience to remember.

Gorman House Arts Centre, Ainslie Avenue, Braddon

Open Tuesday to Saturday from 5.30pm

Telephone: (02) 6249 6050

Soju Girl

Soju Girl, in the historic Melbourne building, offers fun cocktails, a comprehensive wine list and a menu of Asian fusion dishes designed for sharing. The large lounge area has leather furniture, reclining chairs, graffiti art and vases of hot pink bamboo. The bistro offers stunning orchids; the dining room, striking black and white stencil art.

Melbourne Building, 41/43-45 Northbourne Ave, Canberra City

Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11.30am – Late, Saturday and Sunday from 2pm – Late

Telephone: (02) 6257 5328

Blu Ginger

Opening in Canberra in 2009, Blu Ginger offers high standards of service, atmosphere and authentic Indian flavour. Drawing upon many culinary regions of India to create a truly modern and authentic menu, Blu Ginger reflects the cosmopolitan of India today.

5 Genge Street, Canberra City

Open Daily from 5pm

Telephone: (02) 6247 2228

Charcoal

The Charcoal Restaurant is one of Australia’s best known Steakhouses. Since opening their doors in 1962 they have entertained important international, interstate, business and government guests who enjoy the experience of savouring the mouth watering steaks and premium wines.

61 London Circuit, Canberra City

Open Monday to Saturday from 6pm

Telephone: (02) 6248 8015