Top Family Restaurants in Canberra - Australian Traveller

Your go-to guide to Canberra’s best family restaurants, no matter the age of your kids.

After a long day seeing the sights, sit down for dinner at one of Canberra’s many family restaurants.

The nation’s capital is known for its dining scene and it’s good to know you can find a whole range of restaurants, cafes and food experiences that welcome little ones, tweens and teens to the table.

1. Wildflour Bakery

Canberrans take their leisure time seriously, and you will find many of them starting their weekend right by sitting down to breakfast at Wildflour Bakery . Expect a beguiling cast of locals consuming their body weight in artisan baked goods at this family-friendly Canberra institute, which has an undercover courtyard overlooking play equipment. This will keep the kids happy until their French toast and chocolate croissants arrive.

Take your pick between classic options like smashed avo on sourdough and more intriguing dishes such as ube pancakes. If you’re on the move, get caffeinated with a cup of ONA coffee and pick up paninis to go.

pastries and coffee at Wildflour Bakery, Canberra — Pick indulgent pastries and treats at Wildflour Bakery. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Address: 8 Townsville Crescent, Fyshwick ACT

2. Edgar’s Inn

While Ainslie locals love waking up with a coffee at Edgar’s Inn , they can also be found lingering at The Inn and Wakefield’s Bar & Wine. The two reimagined venues regularly rank on guides to the best places to have a drink in Canberra.

Edgar’s has been drawing families for decades thanks to crowd-pleasing options breakfast burgers and French toast. Order well off the lengthy menu; little ones will love the bite-sized kids pancakes, which come with either bacon or fruit and always topped with a generous dollop of maple syrup.

a table-top view of food, The Inn at Edgar's, Canberra — Dine flavourful meals at Edgar’s. (Image: The Inn at Edgar’s)

Address: 1 Edgar Street, Ainslie ACT

3. Agostinis

There’s a lot to take in at Agostinis , located on the ground floor of Canberra’s East Hotel. This family-run restaurant is always full of all ages due to its friendly waiters, and serious dedication to serving great Italian pizzas and pastas that will suit even the pickiest eaters.

It’s airy, light-filled dining room becomes moodily lit after dark, transporting you to Italy via delicious menu staples. Delight in polpette al sugo, slow-cooked Waygu beef mince and Italian pork sausage meatballs. Or try the capricciosa pizza with rosciutto cotto, mushrooms, artichokes and olives – it’s a crowd pleaser.

slices of pizza at Agostini’s, Canberra — Grab a slice of pizza at Agostini’s.

Address: 69 Canberra Avenue, Kingston ACT

4. Tiger Lane

The neon-bright signs pointing toward the Tiger Lane precinct in Canberra’s heart are hard to miss. Or simply follow the crowds of families and friends meeting up for shabu-shabu (Japanese-style hot pot) at Taki. Kids will love the interactive element of cooking food in the simmering hot pot.

Those with teens in tow can also head next door to Inari, which is a wonderland of fun led by so-called sushi shaman and Tiger Lane executive chef Shaun Presland. Also onsite is Mrs Wang, a contemporary take on traditional Chinese food, and Thai powerhouse, Supalove – as well as numerous take-away stalls for dinner on the go.

Inari, Tiger Lane, Canberra — Drop by Inari to meet sushi shaman, Shaun Presland.

Address: 148 Bunda Street, Canberra City ACT

5. East Row

Bring your Instagram-obsessed teenagers to East Row so they can refresh their social feed at this delightful Canberra cafe. With an ever-changing seasonal menu, you’ll be treated to the best produce the state has to offer. Choose from the all-day breakfast menu or opt for something from the lunch list.

Kids can choose from sweet and savoury dishes, including waffles, fish and chips and croissants. The contemporary cafe is housed in the revitalised Sydney Building and is full of hip locals who arrange themselves artistically on the apple-green banquettes.

Address: 101-103 London Circuit, Canberra ACT

6. CBD Dumpling House

You will get dinner and a show at CBD Dumpling House, as the chefs prepare thousands of dumplings a day in full view of their customers and passers-by.

This noted dumpling den – the go-to choice for everyone from fat-cat politicians to students – is a decidedly fun place to enjoy xiao long bao (Shanghai soup dumplings) until you pop. Kids love the ice cream with waffles, which arrive with a snowfall of sprinkles.

empty chairs inside CBD Dumpling House, Canberra — Pull up a chair at CBD Dumpling House. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Address: 148 Bunda Street, Canberra ACT

7. Verity Lane Market

In suitable weather, the laneway tables within the iconic Sydney Building maximise Canberra’s chilled hipster vibe. But, like most places in the country’s capital, Verity Lane Market is not too cool for school and you’ll get a warm welcome when it’s cold outside.

The street-food market has a convenient CBD location, where families can choose between vendors like Seoul Chicken, Rasa Rosa, Pizza Artigiana, Petite Saigon and La Cocina Pura.

Verity Lane Market in Canberra — Sit outside and enjoy a family meal. (Image: Verity Lane Market)

Address: 50 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra ACT

8. Brodburger at Capital Brewing

The original red caravan where Brodburger began is now housed in the family-friendly courtyard at Capital Brewing Co. It’s a wonderful place to stop in, as kids can run around outside while mum and dad watch on, sipping an on-tap brew.

The flame-grilled burgers are beyond brilliant. Grown-ups should get the bigger-than-your-head Deluxe stuffed with eggs, bacon, lettuce and onion. Over 10 of the caravan’s burgers come in a ‘Baby Size’ option, making it the perfect pit stop for hungry tummies.

Brodburger in Canberra — Many Brodburger bites come kid-sized, too. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Address: 3/1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick ACT

9. Snapper & Co

Sit outside at the Southern Cross Yacht Club in Yarralumla and enjoy the crisp Canberra air while the kids kick a ball around. As the name suggests, the eatery is right on Lake Burley Griffin and overlooks Black Mountain.

There are multiple venues on site, but Snapper & Co is a must at least once. Sit on the deck or in the courtyard and order some of the best fish and chips in the region, which arrive wrapped in a custom newspaper printed with dad jokes. What’s not to love?

Snapper & Co in Canberra — Sit down for some of the best fish and chips in the city. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Address: Mariner Place, Yarralumla ACT

10. Lazy Su

Teach your children to appreciate good food and retro-chic decor at Lazy Su in Lonsdale Street, where these two components collide to great effect. Watch the chefs cook up a storm, with dishes everyone seems to order like Wagyu beefsteak spring rolls, Japanese roast chicken and miso butter carrots.

Don’t look past the desserts either; the whole family will want seconds of the bubble tea crème brûlée. And at $15 a pop, why not? Families should arrive early for dinner at the Japanese-Korean-Americana eatery, as the place turns up the volume as the night progresses.

Chinese golden cats hanging on the wall at Lazy Su, Canberra — Kids will love the golden cats that adorn the walls. (Image: Lazy Su)

Address: 1/9 Lonsdale Street, Braddon ACT

11. Monster Kitchen & Bar

Have you got a few vegetarians in the family? Monster Kitchen & Bar is the in-house vegetarian restaurant at Ovolo Nishi and will have something to suit, regardless of how rampant a carnivore you are.

Expect generous portions, pretty plating and fantastic service. The restaurant has big windows looking out onto the leafy street, a statement chandelier and clubby panelling. In short, it has a rebellious, fun spirit that will please the pickiest of eaters.

Monster Kitchen at Ovolo Nishi in Canberra — Kids will love the parmesan churros. (Image: Ovolo Nishi)

Address: 25 Edinburgh Avenue, Canberra ACT

From thundering waterfalls to ancient Indigenous art, Kimberley’s raw beauty will take your breath away.

Wild, pristine, and shaped by nature, the Kimberley Coast is one of Australia’s most spectacular landscapes. A remote and rugged frontier that remains a bucket list destination for many travellers. Its most breathtaking attractions – including Montgomery Reef, King George Falls and Horizontal Falls – are accessible only by sea or air, making a guided expedition cruise aboard Silversea’s luxury expedition ship, Silver Cloud, the ideal way to explore it.

From its intricate intertidal zones to ancient rock art, extreme tides and rare wildlife found nowhere else in Australia – or the world – this journey offers an unparalleled exploration of one of Earth’s last true wildernesses.

Why Silversea?

Silversea offers a 10-day expedition departing Broome, or an extended 16-day expedition voyage from Indonesia, including landings on the hidden gems of Palopo Sulawesi and Komodo. Accompanied by expert guides and specialists in marine biology, history and geology, guests gain a deeper understanding of the Kimberley’s dramatic landscapes, rich cultural heritage and extraordinary biodiversity.

Silversea offers one of the experiential travel industry’s leading crew-to-guest ratios. Along with all-suite accommodation (80 per cent with private verandah), 24-hour butler service, a swimming pool and four dining options. Silver Cloud also has an experienced crew of multilingual expedition guides and specialists in marine biology, history and geology to enhance your Kimberley Experience.

silversea cruise ship pool deck — Take a dip in the pool deck.

1. Koolama Bay

Before visitors see King George Falls, they hear them – a growing rumble in the distance, steady and foreboding as the Zodiac glides through the gorge, the sound echoing off sheer rock formations. At 80 meters tall, the twin cascades carve through the red cliffs, churning the waters below in a spectacular finale – but Koolama Bay holds secrets beyond its striking scenery.

Named after a ship that beached here following an aerial attack by Japanese bombers in World War II, the bay may seem desolate, yet it teems with life. With Silversea’s expert guides on their 10-day Kimberley itinerary, guests gain a sharper eye for its hidden wonders – rock wallabies darting across the cliffs, crocodiles lurking among dense green mangroves, and high above, the silhouette of a bird of prey circling the sky.

King George Falls at koolama bay excursion on Silversea Kimberley Cruise — Take a shore excursion to see King George Falls.

2. Freshwater Cove / Wijingarra Butt Butt

Connect with Country on a wet landing at Freshwater Cove, also known as Wijingarra Butt Butt. Considered one of the most special experiences on both the 16-day and 10-day Kimberley cruises, Silversea guests are welcomed by the traditional Indigenous custodians of the land, painted with traditional ochre, and invited to take part in a smoking ceremony.

Located on the mainland near Montgomery Reef, Wijingarra Butt Butt holds deep cultural significance to the local Indigenous community. Here, rock formations along the shore represent spiritual ancestors, and guests are guided to a nearby rock overhang filled with ancient art, where traditional owners share the stories and meaning behind these sacred paintings.

welcome to country on freshwater cove during silversea kimberley cruise — Take part in a smoking ceremony. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

3. Vansittart Bay (Jar Island)

Modern history, ancient culture and mystery converge in Vansittart Bay, which is also known as Jar Island. Here, the first thing to catch the eye is the dented, silver fuselage of a World War II-era C-53 plane – a striking relic of the past. Yet, the true cultural treasures lie just a short hike away where two distinct styles of Indigenous rock art – Gwion Gwion and Wandjina – can be found.

The Wandjina figures, deeply connected to Indigenous traditions, stand in stark contrast to the enigmatic Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) paintings, which date back more than 12,000 years. Significantly different in form and style, the two different styles create a striking juxtaposition, offering a rare glimpse into the region’s rich and complex past.

aerial view of Vansittart Bay, See it in you Silversea Kimberley Cruise. — Explore ancient Gwion Gwion rock art at Vansittart Bay. (Image: Janelle Lugge)

4. Horizontal Falls

Part illusion, part natural phenomenon, the Kimberley’s much-lauded Horizontal Falls aren’t a waterfall, but a tidal and geographic spectacle that visitors have to see to comprehend. Known as Garaanngaddim, the phenomenon occurs when seawater rushes through two narrow gaps- one just twenty metres wide, and the other seven metres in width, between the escarpments of Talbot Bay.

With each tidal shift, the force of the water creates whirlpools, furious currents and the illusion of a horizontal cascade as thousands of gallons of water are pushed and pulled in through the gap every six hours with relentless movement, making this one of the Kimberley ’s most mesmerising natural wonders.

Horizontal Falls are described as "One of the greatest wonders of the natural world". They are formed from a break in-between the McLarty Ranges reaching up to 25m in width. The natural phenomenon is created as seawater builds up faster on one side of the gaps than the other, creating a waterfall up to 5m high on a King tide. — Watch whirlpools and furious currents collide. (Image: Janelle Lugge)

5. Montgomery Reef

As the tide turns in Montgomery Reef, magic happens. With the Kimberley’s legendary tides varying up to ten metres, at low tide the submerged reef almost appears to rise from the depths: exposing up to four metres of the sandstone reef.

The impact is otherworldly: as the water drains, waterfalls cascade on either side of the channel, turtles left exposed scramble and dive, and fish leap in search of sanctuary in shallow pools. Meanwhile, the dinner bell rings for the migratory seabirds dugongs, reef sharks and dolphins that scavenge and feast in the area.

Using zodiacs, guests cruise through one of the world’s most significant inshore reef systems navigated by experienced guides, exploring the most intricate and fascinating parts of a 300-square-kilometre-wide biodiversity hotspot.

aerial view of boat going along Montgomery Reef — Witness seabirds, dolphins and reef sharks on the hunt.

6. Mitchell Falls by Helicopter

Experiencing the Kimberley by sea allows you to feel the power of the tides, but travelling by helicopter reveals the sandstone tapestry of the Kimberley, a landscape geologists believe is over 1.8 billion years old.

One of Silversea’s most popular optional excursions , guests who opt to fly into the interior from the onboard helipad soar up above the rust-coloured landscape of the Mitchell plateau, taking in one of Australia’s most scenic waterfalls: Mitchell Falls, a series of four emerald-coloured pools gently cascades into each other, before plunging down to the river below.

Seeing the landscape from above reveals a landscape weaved and shaped by the power of the freshwater wet season, juxtaposed to the constant lapping of the relentless and powerful tide on the coast.

aerial view of mitchell falls on silversea helicopter excursion — See emerald pools cascade into the river below. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

7. Indigenous Art Caves, Wandjina Art

The Kimberley Region of Western Australia is home to some of the most striking and significant

Indigenous rock art in Australia. Dotted throughout the landscape are caves, cliffs and rock overhangs depicting the striking, ethereal image of Wandjina, the rainmaker spirit and creation being central to many of the Dreamtime stories in this region.

Some of the paintings are regularly repainted by traditional custodians, while others are believed to be over 4,000 years old. Each artwork serves as both a cultural record and a living connection to the past, offering a rare opportunity to engage with the enduring traditions of the Kimberley’s Indigenous communities.

Freshwater Cover Rock Art the kimberleys — Walk among cultural records preserved in stone. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

See the best of this incredible part of the world on a Silversea Kimberley cruise. Book your 10- or extended 16-day expedition voyage at silversea.com

The top 11 family restaurants in Canberra