DICKSON Dickson offers a small flourishing Chinatown and much more. Share platters at Fekerte’s Ethiopian Cuisine or great value Asian food at Jimmy’s Place, Asian Noodle House, the Scholar and Ruby Chinese. There’s a great vibe, not to mention terrific dumplings, at Dickson Dumpling House. You’ll also find Korean, Malaysian, Turkish, Italian, Indian and Thai food all within a short walk.
‘ With two newly hatted restaurants, one of only four two-hatters outside Sydney and a bunch of interesting eateries (old and new), Canberra, frankly, is killing it.’ Joanna Savill, Sydney Morning Herald, Good Food Guide editor
TOP RATING CUISINE
DINE WITH A VIEW
GREAT COFFEE
REGIONAL PRODUCE
Savour the region’s best cuisine at one of the eateries rated by the ‘bible’ of good food, The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2014. Topping the list is Aubergine, also named the ACT’s top restaurant in the Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide and the Restaurant & Catering Awards for Excellence. Aubergine rated two hats in the SMH Guide, while Ottoman Cuisine, Courgette, Italian and Sons, Pulp Kitchen and Waters Edge each rated a hat. Other venues receiving rave reviews from many quarters include Eightysix, Artisan and Rubicon.
For spectacular views over Canberra, Onred has fine views from Red Hill Lookout and lures diners with creative dishes highlighting fresh seasonal produce. Sophisticated Waters Edge has views across the lake and up Anzac Parade to the Australian War Memorial, while the Boat House by the Lake is cosy in winter and hard to beat on sunny days. For a more casual lakeside experience, settle into bookplate at the National Library of Australia or grab some fish and chips from the Canberra Yacht Club in Yarralumla.
Canberra abounds with outdoor cafes to get your caffeine fix. Try Gus’, Tosolini’s and Two Before Ten in the city; Idelic Cafe and Silo Bakery in Kingston; Ona Coffee, Public or Urban Pantry in Manuka; or Farmers Daughter and Beess & Co at Yarralumla. Lonsdale Street Roasters roast their beans onsite in one of their two Braddon locations and recently set up shop on the Kingston Foreshore as well.
Canberra has a thriving Slow Food movement and many outlets for people interested in buying direct from small local producers. The Choku Bai Jo shops in North Lyneham and Curtin stock almost exclusively local produce, while the Saturday morning Capital Region Farmers Market at Exhibition Park is one of Australia’s largest and most authentic farmers markets. For locally produced olives, olive oil and home-style dishes, visit Grandma’s Little Bakery overlooking picturesque Fedra Olive Grove on the Federal Highway at Collector, 40 minutes from Canberra. In the Murrumbateman region, pop into Gallagher Wines for locally produced cheeses and Chocolate d’Or for exquisite Robyn Rowe chocolates. Poachers Pantry produces wonderful smoked foods and is one of the stops on the Poachers Way, a self-guided drive of boutique food, wine and accommodation.
FAMILY DINING
1. The Boat House by the Lake, Barton
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For authentic tapas, try the extensive menu at Legends Spanish Restaurant in Manuka. In nearby Barton, indulge in the rich melange of flavours at Hotel Realm’s Ostani Lounge Bar Restaurant. Honkytonks in the city is a cool venue serving tacos, salsa and hot dogs. For a touch of style, try the shared tasting plates at Tongue & Groove in the heart of the city, Soju Girl on Northbourne Avenue. Playground Bar in Garema Place, or Muddle Bar on West Row. Canberra has many pubs serving hearty, inexpensive food. In the city, head to King O’Malley’s, PJ O’Reilly’s, the Wig & Pen Tavern and Brewery and in early 2014 the BentSpoke Brewing Company in Braddon. Cook your own steak at the Uni Pub in the city or the Kingston Hotel. Zierholz Premium Brewery has two outlets, in Fyshwick and at the University of Canberra in Bruce, where you can enjoy a wide variety of food with locally crafted beers. Canberra’s many licensed clubs also offer good value meals.
Nestled in the suburbs you’ll find casual yet stylish eateries that are worth a detour. At Lyneham in the inner north, head to Tilley’s Devine Cafe Gallery, a Canberra institution or Ellacure for modern Australian cuisine in Bruce. Try European bistro-style dishes with a twist at Pulp Kitchen in Ainslie or creative Asian cuisine at the Lanterne Rooms in Campbell. Enjoy Fijian-Indian specialties at Rama’s, a neighbourhood favourite in Pearce, or relax and enjoy the eclectic surrounds of A Bite to Eat in Chifley. Some of Canberra’s best fine dining can be found at the Artisan in Narrabundah and Pistachio Dining at Torrens.
COOKING CLASSES Learn from the best and test your culinary skills at a great line-up of cooking classes. Try 3seeds at the Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets or Cooking Coordinates at the Belconnen Fresh Food Markets. Kids aged 2 to 16 will be inspired at Kid’s Pantry in Garran.
INDULGENT TREATS Dream Cuisine is a hidden gem tucked away in the industrial suburb of Fyshwick with macarons to die for including the hugely popular salted caramel and an award-winning pistachio and lime macaron. The kitchen can be seen through a window of the cafe, where you can enjoy pizza and patisserie items. Indulge in delicious breads and pastries from Silo Bakery in Kingston, or Autolyse bakery located on the popular Lonsdale Street in Braddon. Experience a ‘chocolate mood’ at Max Brenner in Westfield Belconnen or visit Koko Black in the city for truffles, pralines and divine hot chocolate drinks. Pick up Lindsay & Edmunds’s fine handmade organic chocolate at various outlets around town including its Canberra Centre Store. Enjoy a sumptuous traditional high tea at the historic Hyatt Hotel Canberra or afternoon tea treats at Cafe Societea in Griffith, Benedict House in nearby Queanbeyan and at Adore Tea House, Gold Creek in Nicholls.
WINTER FEASTS Indulge in midwinter celebrations with a delicious line-up of events and experiences. Celebrate the magic of truffles with cooking classes, truffle hunts, presentations and truffle-inspired menus during the Canberra & Capital Region Truffle Festival, from June to August. Throughout August, visit the venues holding special events as part of the Fireside Festival, an initiative of the Poachers Way group. One of the most popular events is Grazing at Gundaroo’s duck and pinot dinners. It’s all about curling up by a crackling fire, tasting the best winter cuisine, enjoying quality cool climate wine and immersing yourself in winter.
GRANDMA’S LITTLE BAKERY Visit the award-winning bakery, cafe/ restaurant and shop nestled between Canberra and Goulburn in the heart of the Fedra Olive Grove. Inspired by our real grandma’s recipes from all over the world. Enjoy freshly baked sweet and savoury pastries, gourmet pies, homestyle meals and barista -brewed coffee while taking in the spectacular view over the olive grove. Browse Grandma’s shop for a variety of homemade produce and local produce. OPEN ADDRESS
PHONE WEB
9am–4pm daily Inside Fedra Olive Grove, 5796 Federal Highway, Collector NSW 02 4848 0240 grandmasbakery.com.au
1. Urban Food Store + Café, NewActon | 2. Shorty’s, Civic | 3. Canberra & Capital Region Truffle Festival hunt
1300 554 114 31
FOOD
FOOD
Wagamama in the North Quarter of the Canberra Centre caters for ‘mini noodlers’ with Asian-inspired kids’ meals and as a bonus your child can eat free when any main meal is purchased. Enjoy Chinese/ Malaysian at Timmy’s Kitchen in Manuka or Turkish fare at the Turkish Pide House in Woden and the city. For pizzas and other Italian fare, Bicicletta in the NewActon precinct is a popular choice. La Cantina, in Narrabundah, also offers family-friendly Italian dining. For budget dining, try the Food Court Family Restaurant in Dickson, where the buffet features seafood, pasta, Chinese, salads and dessert, along with free soft drink refills.
TAPAS AND PUB FOOD
HOT SPOTS IN THE SUBURBS