Great Food Molto Italian
Spice route
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JEWEL OF INDIA
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TURKISH HALAL PIDE HOUSE
YARRALUMLA • TURKISH • $
Don’t be fooled by the shopfront – this is a gem of Canberra’s takeaway food scene. All food is made on the premises to adhere to strict halal standards and the pides are worth lining up for. OUT IN CANBERRA SAYS: “Dubbed by many as the ‘best kebabs in town’, Turkish Halal Pide House serves 100 per cent fresh halal dishes. You will love the traditional flavours.”
KEBABA
CANBERRA CITY • TURKISH • $
New on the scene, this family-owned “grill bar” has perfected its succulent meats, rich sauces and desserts bursting with Turkish flavours. They do takeaway options, but the beautiful dining room is worth sticking around for. EAT CANBERRA SAYS: “The künefe (sweet cheese wrapped in kadayıf pastry baked and soaked in sweet syrup) with a glass of hot tea is the best way to finish off a truly unique Turkish dining experience right in the heart of Canberra.” kebaba_cbr
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A trip to the ACT wouldn’t be complete without trying one (or all) of these iconic dishes from Canberra’s dining hotspots
MANUKA • INDIAN • $
Home to some of the best curries in Canberra, Jewel of India prides itself on its traditional, great-tasting meals. Dine in or take away and prepare yourself for a feast of breads from the tandoor, creamy spiced curry and biryani. BESTRESTAURANTS.COM.AU SAYS: “The colourful dining room is well equipped for groups and is complemented by the family-style share menu.” jewelofindiamanuka
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FOODIE BUCKET LIST
THE MANDALAY BUS BRADDON • STREET FOOD • $
An ideal pit stop on the way home – it’s open 6pm until late – this is street food at its best. Be sure to sample the sticky, sweet Mandalay chicken wings as you work your way through the South-East Asian menu. THE CANBERRA TIMES SAYS: “The Bus is serving up an international menu, from coconut chicken noodles, prawn twisters and bacon-and-cheese pies to beef nachos.” themandalaybus
Kebaba
PORK BELLY BUN @ AKIBA (Canberra City)
Italian must-haves
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MOLTO ITALIAN KINGSTON • ITALIAN • $$
Set in the food hub of Kingston, this brightly lit Italian restaurant is where you can try the famed cacio e pepe – a decadent spaghetti dish with cheese and black pepper. LISA SAYS: “I love Molto! The service is always great and who can go past pasta served out of a giant wheel of cheese? Amazing!” molto_italian
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LOCALE PIZZERIA DEAKIN • ITALIAN • $$
Come to Locale for the wood-fired pizzas and stay for the bombolini – warm doughnuts filled with chocolate. The beverages are authentic, too, with beer and wine sourced from Italy, plus some local picks thrown in for good measure. BRIAN SAYS: “Locale really is my local – I love, love their pizzas.” localepizzeriadeakin
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MEZZALIRA RESTAURANT
CANBERRA CITY • ITALIAN • $$$$
This fine-dining restaurant housed in the CBD’s grand Melbourne Building, just a hop away from some of Canberra’s hotspots, has withstood the test of time – it’s been operating for more than 20 years. Its classic Italian menu includes antipasti, pasta and mains made with love. GOODFOOD.COM.AU SAYS: “Mezzalira is not constrained by the divide between refined Italian and country Italian; it does both.” mezzaliracanberra
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Lovers of steamed buns will not be disappointed with Akiba’s iconic bao – a delicious, fluffy steamed pocket filled with sticky slow-cooked char siu pork belly and creamy slaw. It’s well and truly worth the hype. akibacbr
DELUXE BURGER @ BRODBURGER (Kingston) Wrap your mitts around this burger that has double everything! There are two juicy, flame-grilled beef patties, two fried eggs, two strips of crispy bacon and your choice of cheese. While not for the faint-hearted, it’s a definite must-try. brodburger
ASIAN BOLOGNESE @ XO (Narrabundah) This is clever Asian cuisine at its best: wok-fried udon noodles dressed with flavoursome chicken ragù, topped with a gooey egg that’s just waiting to be popped. xorestaurant
TIRAMISÙ @ ITALIAN AND SONS (Braddon) You really can’t go past a classic, and this dreamy dessert of creamy mascarpone and light-as-air coffee-soaked sponge is a total winner. italianandsons
WAGYU CHEESESTEAK SPRING ROLL @ LAZY-SU (Braddon) Worlds collide in the best way possible in this mouth-watering crispy spring roll filled with ground beef and cheese. These bad boys come one per serve, but you’ll want at least three. wholazysu
AGOSTINIS
KINGSTON • ITALIAN • $$
Fitting for both big and little kids, Agostinis feels like home. You’ll be treated with warm hospitality at this family-friendly restaurant in the East Hotel and tempted with piping-hot pizzas and desserts made to order. ANNA SAYS: “I’ve recently discovered Agostinis. I love the fit-out and the food. It’s great for a social catch-up.” agostinisitalian
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