Where to Find Canberra's Best Eats

Whether you’re looking for great coffee, award winning wines, exotic street food or a silver service dining experience, Canberra is a foodies paradise boasting an eclectic mix of cuisines from every corner of the globe.
We’ve put together a selection of some of the best on offer in our nation’s capital, both north and south of Lake Burley Griffin as well as right in the heart of Canberra’s CBD.

There’s sure to be something here to tempt every taste and palate, from family-friendly eateries to gourmet fine dining. So whether you’re a student on a budget, a travelling gourmand or a local Canberran seeking new tastes and experiences, here are some of what we think are Canberra’s best eats.          

Around the Civic & Acton area
Civic is Canberra’s thriving CBD, where you’ll find a plethora of shops, restaurants and bars. Great eateries in the Civic area include Korbq in Petrie Plaza with its fusion of Korean, Japanese and Western cuisine and the iconic Italian and Sons in Lonsdale Street, featuring classic Italian food and décor.
Other great CBD offerings include Les Bistronomes in Elouera Street serving classic French food with a twist and Ottoman in Broughton Street, specialising in traditional Turkish cuisine.
West of Civic, Acton is home to the Australian National University and the hip NewActon arts area, which boasts a number of cool bars and eateries.
One of these is Monster Kitchen and Bar, a trendy spot in the Ovolo Nishi hotel that serves modern Australian cuisine. Močan & Green Grout in Marcus Clarke Street is also a popular destination; a retro-chic restaurant where all meals are cooked before you in an open kitchen and Bicicletta in Peppers Gallery Hotel, where they specialise in fresh locally sourced dishes with an Italian flavour.

Exploring Southside
South of the CBD lies Canberra’s aptly named Southside, which includes areas such as Kingston and Griffith. Here you’ll find a wide range of eating choices, with everything from Asian and Italian to traditional American-style burgers.
Great Southside eateries include Trecento on Manuka Terrace, serving authentic Italian pizza and pasta and with a great selection of wines and Brodburger on the Kingston foreshore, a highly popular casual diner serving up the best flame grilled American-style burgers in town,
Other culinary contenders include the fabulous 5 Senses restaurant at the Tuggeranong Hyperdome, appealing to all 5 senses every day with its mouth-watering breakfast, brunch and lunch selections. Another is Au Nguyen Vegan in Giles Street Kingston, where the menu is exclusively vegan Vietnamese, along with Circula in Eastlake Parade, serving dishes made from fresh locally sourced produce by day, along with cool cocktails and warm jazz by night.

The Best of Belconnen 
West of the CBD is the Belconnen area and although it is primarily suburban residential, it also contains a surprising number of great places to eat.
These include DL Collective in Westfield Belconnen, serving up fresh and flavourful meals with plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options. Another great taste sensation is Turkish Delight in Weedon Close, Canberra’s first Turkish restaurant. With a classic Turkish décor, they specialise in fresh, healthy traditional Turkish cuisine.
Also in Weedon Close is Malaysian Chapter, serving traditional halal Malaysian dishes from curries to stir fries and offering an excellent vegan and vegetarian menu. The Hungry Buddha in Luxton Street Belconnen is another popular eatery, with a relaxing ambience and a full menu of delicious Nepalese/Asian dishes. Or if you’d prefer to visit the source of fresh local food, try Market Street Eats in Belconnen Markets, serving Lonsdale St Roasters coffee, a full breakfast and lunch menu plus lots of goodies to grab and go.

North of Lake Burley Griffin
North Canberra is also a foodies paradise, with lots of excellent eateries dotted north of Canberra’s iconic Lake Burley Griffin. Lola and Lola for instance in Watson Place Watson, specialises in mouth-watering Filipino cuisine and offers a menu that changes weekly, $10 lunch specials and some amazing Filipino desserts.
Or if you’d like a drink with your meal, try the Tipsy Bull in Lonsdale Street Braddon, with its affordable menu, choice of indoor or al fresco seating, great range of wine and cocktails and extensive list of gins.
Braddon is the hipster heart of Canberra and here you’ll also find Sweet Bones bakery & café in Lonsdale Street, serving some of the city’s best vegan food and Tallow and Thyme in Mort Street, offering healthy  gluten and dairy free meals.

Head further north from Braddon to Lyneham and you’ll find more great dining options to try including Tilley's Devine Cafè Gallery on the corner of Brigalow & Wattle Streets, serving the best English breakfast in town and the Old Canberra Inn in Mouat Street Lyneham, a top spot for gourmet burgers and boutique beers.
Or if you’re keen to try Canberra’s favourite food for the last 5 years, head north from Braddon to Gungahlin, where the Grease Monkey team has opened its newest restaurant at Marketplace Gungahlin. A Canberra institution, Grease Monkey serves up the tastiest burgers in the region. 

Marketplace Gungahlin has a great mix of dining options to suit all your tastes, whether it be a grab & go lunch option like Oporto's, Guzman Y Gomez, Subway, Crust Pizza through to your dinner and drinks at somewhere like Greasy Monkeys, Young & Frisky, Zehni's Turkish Kitchen to name just a few.