10 fine dining restaurants in Canberra worth splurging on

Canberra is fast becoming one of the top foodie destinations in Australia, with a wealth of fine-dining restaurants to choose from.

Once known as an Australian city with little personality, Canberra has proven critics wrong over the past decade, fast becoming known for its thrumming hive of creative, unique restaurants and, in particular, a fine dining scene to rival that of Sydney and Melbourne.

A visit to Canberra would not be complete without splurging on one of the many luxury dining experiences the city has to offer. From South Asian cuisine to modern Australian, these are the best fine dining restaurants in Canberra.

1. Mu

Using the Japanese dining experience of Omakase (which translates to ‘leave it up to you’), at Mu you won’t be selecting your dishes – rather, the chefs create menus inspired by what produce and ingredients are best on the day.

Mu offers a Japanese dining experience unlike any other. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Dining is tasting style, with plates delivered beginning with lighter fare and moving on to heavier courses. Wine pairing is available to really make a night of it, too.

Pair your wine with a plate of seafood. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Bookings go fast, so it’s worth locking down a spot in advance – there is just one sitting Tuesday to Thursday at 7pm, with Friday and Saturday sittings at 6pm and 8pm.

Dine authentic Japanese cuisine at Mu. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Address: 1 Constitution Ave, Canberra, ACT

2. Corella Restaurant & Bar

Named as one of the Top 80 restaurants by Gourmet Traveller two years in a row, Corella Restaurant & Bar may only be a few years old, but it’s already renowned as one of Canberra’s best fine dining restaurants. Inspired by native Australian flavours and ingredients, expect fresh fare like Appellation oysters with finger lime and lemon myrtle vinegar, kingfish collar with desert lime, red curry and coriander, and lilly pilly granita for dessert.

Indulge yourself at Corella Restaurant & Bar. (Image: Kara Rosenlund for VisitCanberra)

Address: 14 Lonsdale St, Braddon, ACT

Phone Number: (02) 6189 0757

3. Pilot

Arguably the best fine dining restaurant in Canberra is Pilot. At the very least, it’s the most famous – a small, refined establishment in the suburb of Ainslie, Pilot runs a tight ship – all guests are required to dine via its $140 per head set menu (including children), and you will never find the menu online – as they say, it changes regularly and they also “like surprises”.

Snag a spot at Pilot, Canberra. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Their Instagram gives a hint as to what you can expect, however – dishes are impeccably presented and always intriguing, like thyme apricots with toasted almond and white chocolate olive oil cream.⁠

Take delight in Pilot’s gastronomic menu. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Address: 1 Wakefield Gardens, Ainslie, ACT

Phone Number: (02) 6257 4334

4. Capitol Bar & Grill

Many of Canberra’s best hotels also house some of its best fine dining restaurants, like the QT Canberra, where you’ll find Capitol Bar & Grill.

Book a table at Capitol Bar & Grill.

Local ACT and NSW produce is the hero on its extensive menu, which favours wood-fired grills and accompanying sides.

Crab and caviar make the ultimate pairing.

The steak is to die for, arriving cooked to your liking and perfectly juicy – but the snapper is a must-try, crumbed with fennel and coriander seed in a light tomato dashi.

There’s just plenty of indulgent meals to die for.

Address: 1 London Cct, Canberra, ACT

Phone Number: (02) 6267 1261

5. Monster

Chances are, if you’re relatively across Canberra’s fine dining restaurants, you’ve heard of Monster. A cavernous, moody space underneath Ovolo Nishi in central Canberra, Monster has long been known for its intriguing dishes and creativity but more recently gained a new fanbase by going 100 per cent plant based.

Pick your spot at Monster.

Carnivores shouldn’t be put off by this news, though – you won’t miss your steak amidst punchy plates like char-grilled padron peppers with whipped ricotta and parsley oil (careful, they’re spicy even for fans of chilli) and ‘pork’ stuffed cabbage drizzled with a sriracha butter emulsion.

Enjoy a full vegetarian menu at Monster, Canberra. (Image: Zachary Griffith Photographer)

Address: 25 Edinburgh Ave, Canberra, ACT

Phone Number: (02) 6287 6192

6. Courgette

Fine dining at its most classic is found at Canberra institution Courgette. Think opulent dining rooms, crisp white tablecloths, and an intimate, unhurried experience, with dishes like grass-fed beef fillet with Paris mash and seared Hervey Bay scallops on the menu. You can dine via a three-course a la carte menu or the five-course degustation, which you can pair with wine from the restaurant’s exhaustive list.

Address: 54 Marcus Clarke St, Canberra, ACT

Phone Number: (02) 6247 4042

7. Raku

If you’re looking for the best Japanese in Canberra, head to Raku. Known for its sushi and sashimi dishes (you can sit around the central workspace and watch chefs deftly slice your fish before it reaches your plate), you can order individually or choose the $100 per head tasting menu, which features dishes like Merimbula rock oysters with cucumber and tosazu, wagyu gyoza with truffle oil and toasted sesame ice cream.

Spend a night of opulence at Raku. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Address: 148 Bunda St, Civic, ACT

Phone Number: 0481 758 687

8. OTIS

Awarded two hats by the Australian Good Food Guide in 2021, OTIS technically aligns itself with ‘fine-casual’ dining. Still, with head chef Damian Brabender’s stellar CV filled with Michelin-starred London restaurants and acclaimed Australian resorts and a menu of fresh, creative and seasonally-led dishes, OTIS will definitely give you the fine dining experience you’re seeking.

Experience fine-casual dining at OTIS.

The degustation menu ($135 per head) can’t be missed – level up with the local wine pairings, with drops sourced from Canberra’s up-and-coming wine regions.

The dishes are prepared by head chef Damian Brabender himself.

Address: 29 Jardine St, Kingston, ACT

Phone Number: (02) 6260 0666

9. Temporada

Temporada’s menu is designed around its charcoal grill, with dishes like grilled rainbow trout fillets accompanied by charred kale and bbq marinated spatchcock sure to appeal to those who love the rich, bold flavours chargrilling can bring.

Dine specialty grilled dishes at Temporada. (Image: VisitCanberra)

This is our pick for Canberra restaurants to visit in winter – the space is warm and inviting, and the menu is just what you crave on a chilly mid-year evening.

Temporada has a dimly lit fine dining interior. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Address: 15 Moore St, Canberra, ACT

Phone Number: (02) 6249 6683

10. XO

Share plates are the ethos of XO, inspired by the culture of communal dining. Food here is a modern take on Southeast Asian, like ox tongue massaman and octopus asam pedas.

Step into the elegant dining space at XO.

Visit with friends and order a selection of small and large plates that will more than satisfy hungry stomachs, or experience XO’s tasting menu, a seven-course journey for $95 per head.

Swing by XO for a drink.

Address: 16 Iluka St, Narrabundah, ACT

Phone Number: (02) 6295 9696

For more tried and tested eating-out options in Canberra, read our round-up of family-friendly restaurants, or our hit list of breakfast and brunch spots in Canberra.