A guide to the top 12 Canberra restaurants

Dining options are plentiful in Canberra, which is fast becoming a destination known for its cafe and restaurant culture.

Finding great Canberra restaurants isn’t tricky. What can be difficult is discovering the hidden gems and new, noteworthy additions to its dining scene. These days, it feels like a hot new spot opens every week.

While Canberra has its fair share of fine dining establishments, proximity to fresh produce via surrounding lush farmland and a blend of students, politicians and diplomats has spawned a thriving, diverse restaurant scene.

Expect local wines from nearby wineries, every cuisine you can think of (and plenty of fusion restaurants getting creative with menus) and loads of bucket list meals you’ve likely spotted on your favourite foodie Instagram accounts.

Below, find our favourite Canberra restaurants to try.

1. Bar Rochford

As they say, Bar Rochford “ pull records, sling sharp spirits and love good service”.

The food at Bar Rochford is unfussy yet elevated.

That tells you everything to expect from this relaxed Canberra restaurant – the atmosphere is fun, the food unfussy yet elevated, and the wine list refined and enticing.

Step into the classy dining interior of Bar Rochford. (Image: Pew Pew Studio)

Address: 65 London Cct, Canberra, ACT

Phone Number: (02) 6230 6222

2. Such And Such

When the team behind Canberra’s top fine dining restaurant Pilot announce they’re opening a new venture, everyone takes notice. That venture is Such And Such, a hole-in-the-wall eatery far more relaxed than Pilot but no less delicious and inventive.

Try the signature wines at Such And Such. (Image: Cassie Abraham)

You’ll need to book in advance as there are only a handful of tables and a few bar spots. If the school prawns in 666 spice are on the menu, order them. You won’t be sorry.

Order up tasty seafood dishes. (Image: Cassie Abraham)

Address: 220 London Cct, Canberra, ACT

Phone Number: 0426 698 776

3. Rebel Rebel

Acclaimed chef Sean McConnell is behind ultra-cool Canberra restaurant Rebel Rebel, conveniently located in the hotel hub encompassing QT Canberra and Ovolo Nishi.

Acclaimed chef Sean McConnell is behind Rebel Rebel. (Image: VisitCanberra)

McConnell held the reins at Monster for four years, and his love of shared dining continues at Rebel Rebel, where you can split grilled prawn in bay leaf butter, grass-fed rib eye and sugarloaf cabbage with tahini and harissa oil while enjoying the modern wine list, a blend of natural wines, local drops and international gems.

Relish in some good food at Rebel Rebel. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Address: 21-23 Marcus Clarke St, Canberra, ACT

Phone Number: (02) 6248 8548

4. Italian & Sons

The more casual off-shoot of fine dining restaurant Mezzalira, Italian & Sons has gained its own fame in Canberra for fresh, authentic Italian cuisine. Enjoy a range of cicchietti (snack plates) like salty anchovies and San Daniele prosciutto with a glass of vino, or go all out with the tasting menu, which includes shared antipasti and three individual courses.

Raise a glass at Italian & Sons.

Address: 7 Lonsdale St, Braddon, ACT

Phone Number: (02) 6162 4888

5. Lilotang

In the mood for Japanese? Lilotang is a modern Japanese restaurant that describes itself as a ‘sensory experience’ – think fun, date-night interiors with neon lighting and colour pops. Drink-wise, order the ever-changing ‘saketini’, and for $80 per head, you’ll likely be tempted by the eight-course ‘Feed Me’ option, with dishes curated by Lilotang’s head chef.

Have a sensory experience at Lilotang. (Image: Pew Pew Studio)

Address: 1 Burbury Close, Barton, ACT

Phone Number: (02) 6188 3444

6. Vincent

The ethos behind Vincent is all about food and wine pairing – the team have carefully curated unconventional drops from around the globe, ready for teaming with delicate small plates such as kingfish with coconut, coriander and lychee.

Gratify your senses and taste buds at Vincent. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Sound a little fancy? The food and wine may be, but the experience is laid-back and relaxed, with a lengthy communal bar that encourages the intimacy and enjoyment of a meal together.

Enjoy an intimate dining experience. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Address: Corner Macquarie St and Broughton St, Barton, ACT

Phone Number: (02) 6273 7773

7. Onzieme

Another Canberra restaurant focusing on what’s in season, Onzieme’s menu shifts according to what its hand-picked producers (many of which you’ll have spotted at farmer’s markets around town) bring to the restaurant, and inspiration comes from everywhere. The atmosphere could not be more welcoming – another focus for Onzieme is ensuring customers feel like locals, always a welcome ethos when you’re a tourist in town.

Soak up the fancy ambience at Onzieme. (Image: Lean Timms)

Address: 5/39 Kennedy St, Kingston, ACT

Phone Number: 0424 894 763

8. Daana

This is where Canberrans head for comforting, spice-laden Indian fare. Chef duo Sanjay and Sunita Kumar dish up the best curries, biryani and flaky parotta and have done so since 2015, when they began Daana from a humble shipping container. These days, you’ll be dining in Daana’s stylish Curtin restaurant – but the heart of the restaurant remains – family heirlooms adorn the walls, and Sanjay and Sunita are more than happy to share stories and recipes with patrons.

Address: 83 Theodore St, Curtin, ACT

Phone Number: (02) 5105 1048

9. Miss Van’s

If you’re after Vietnamese food in Canberra, Miss Van’s won’t disappoint. Offering up modern Asian-Australian fare that celebrates founder Andrew Duong’s Laos-Vietnamese roots, menu items range from the popular banh mi, which has been on offer since Miss Van’s beginnings as a shipping container food outlet, through to the spicy, sour seafood tom yum filled with black mussels, squid and prawns.

Taste authentic Vietnamese at Miss Van’s.

Address: Shop 4, 113-119 Marcus Clarke St, Canberra, ACT

Phone Number: 0499 560 767

10. Wilma

At Wilma, Asian barbecue never looked so good – because there are some big names in the kitchen. James Viles, the man behind the acclaimed, two-hatted Biota Dining in Bowral (now closed) heads up Wilma’s kitchen, joined by former Aria and 12-Micron chef Brendan Hill.

Enjoy a blast of flavours at Wilma. (Image: Zachary Grifftih)

Ordering from the BBQ menu is a must – wood-grilled wagyu with wasabi leaf chimichurri, anyone?

Asian barbecue has never looked so good. (Image: Zachary Grifftih)

Address: 1 Genge St, Canberra, ACT

Phone Number: (02) 6171 2092

11. eightysix

With not one but two venues in Canberra (northside in Braddon and the recently opened Woden iteration), eightysix should be on your list of restaurants to visit when in town.

Visit one of eightysix’s two venues in Canberra. (Image: VisitCanberra)

There are slight differences between the two – eightysix Braddon is all about experimentation, with quirky menu items like the famous caramel popcorn sundae, but the restaurant’s southern venue focuses on Italian fare like pork Milanese and ricotta gnocchi in fennel sugo.

Try their signature salted caramel popcorn. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Address: 45 Furzer St, Phillip, ACT and corner Elouera St and Lonsdale St, Braddon, ACT

Phone Number: (02) 6161 8686

12. Terra

Terra is our pick for a quick yet delicious Canberra lunch. The setup is canteen-style – choose from a protein and various sides or one of their stacked, juicy burgers and sandwiches. The miso gravy is incredible on some crispy hot chips, by the way. If dinner is more your style, seating becomes more refined, but it’s still Terra’s chargrilled, smoked and woodfired meats that take centre stage.

Terra’s chargrilled, smoked and woodfired meats take centre stage. (Image: Pew Pew Studio)

Address: 40 Marcus Clarke St, Canberra, ACT

Phone Number: (02) 6230 4414