The Best Braddon Restaurants, ACT

The best Braddon restaurants sit at the heart of Canberra’s food scene, both literally and figuratively.

Braddon is far removed from its industrial past, but you won’t have to squint to see the distinct edge still wrapping around the inner-city suburb’s best restaurants. It is to Canberra what Fitzroy is to Melbourne or Surry Hills to Sydney, pushed as the capital’s centre of cool with a healthy mix of vintage stores standing next to studious bakeries and agenda-setting restaurants.

If you’ve ever wondered why Canberra’s restaurant scene is constantly praised, just walk down Lonsdale Street and walk into any one of the best Braddon restaurants. You’ll walk out with a sharp understanding of why locals are so fiercely proud of their dining scene, and why visitors can’t seem to get enough.

Below, we’ve listed 10 of the best restaurants in Braddon to help give you a roadmap of Canberra’s culinary pocket.

The Shortlist

Best for Business Lunches: Corrella Restaurant & Bar
Best for Vegan / Vegetarian: EightySix North
Great for Special Occasions: Italian and Sons
Hidden Gem: White Chaco
Best Date Spot: Lazy Su

1. Italian and Sons

Italian and Sons is a fast and fun trattoria leading Canberra’s dynamic food scene since opening in 2010. The simple, unadorned dining room has that arrestingly casual, almost bistro-like familiarity, focusing purely on authentic pasta and proteins on a menu that switches daily and rests on seasonality.

the dining interior of Italian and Sons, Braddon — This fun trattoria leads Canberra’s dynamic food scene.

Minimal is always the best way to tackle the Italian and Sons menu. This could mean anything from texturally perfect pappardelle with wagyu short rib ragu or a pumpkin and leek tortelli with ricotta and burnt sage butter, to a lightly spiced 300g wood-fired pork cutlet with prosciutto.

people dining at the dimly lit interior of Italian and Sons, Braddon — Head to Italian and Sons for a casual bistro-like dinner. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Cuisine: Italian
Price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Casual, noisy and theatrical with an open kitchen
Location: 7 Lonsdale St

2. Corrella Restaurant & Bar

Corella Restaurant & Bar opened in April 2021, immediately setting a new agenda for Canberra foodies with its effortlessly chic interior and highly snackable share plates. Native flowers frame a Euro-styled space splashed with elegant terrazzo floors while grand arched windows pull in just the right amount of outside.

the dining interior of Corella Restaurant in Braddon — Corella Restaurant serves up Modern Australian fare in a moody, intimate setting.

The kitchen’s deep reverence for native ingredients can be found all over the menu, from simple house focaccia with saltbush and buttermite to a fan-favourite wagyu tartare casualised with salt and vinegar onion rings. There’s an irrepressible sense of creativity strung throughout, keeping Corrella front of mind in any discussion on where to eat in Braddon.

pouring sauce on top of a dish at Corella Restaurant in Braddon — The diverse and innovative menu is worth a taste. (Image: OhBoi Creative and Umami Creations)

Cuisine: Modern Australian
Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Fun and intimate with a strong sense of community.
Location: 14 Lonsdale St

3. Zaab Street Food

The top Braddon restaurants maintain a grungy backbone while offering something modern and visually impactful. That’s Zaab Street Food in a nutshell, translating moreish Lao and Thai food for Canberrans with stellar cocktails and an approachable, graffiti-laden atmosphere.

Pick anything on the menu and you’re guaranteed a good time. Classics like crispy pork belly and massamun curry are staples, but the share-style menu rewards exploration so venture outside your comfort zone. The flamed cauliflower, beautifully spiced with a mix of paprika, ginger, garlic, pomegranate, and sweet potato curry blend, caramelised corn puree and roast chilli oil, is the subversive showstopper you never knew you needed. Pair it with a snicker’s old fashioned—fortune favours the bold

Cuisine: South-East Asian
Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Trendy and upbeat with a loud, clangy kitchen
Location: 2/9 Lonsdale St

4. Rizla

You’ll find Rizla on the corner of Lonsdale and Eloura, billed as Braddon’s best wine bar with a menu that mostly dances around the ACT to keep things intimate to the region and support Canberra’s best wineries.

the restaurant exterior of Rizla, Braddon — Rizla reels you in with its inviting atmosphere. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Riesling is always the answer at Rizla, pulled in many different directions with a diverse selection of bar snacks to pair. Try the biji chicken skewers with banana ketchup or roast pork loin with almond romesco and eggplant caponata or grab a highlight reel with the $80 feed me menu.

a close-up of a dish at Rizla, Braddon — Every dish is prepared to perfection. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Cuisine: Modern Australian
Price: $$
Atmosphere: Intimate with a fine-casual ambience.
Location: 24 Lonsdale St

5. Lazy Su

Bright, buzzy and big (notice a theme here?). Lazy Su is another strong reason to eat your way up and down Londsale Street with Mod-Asian picked cobbled from different countries around the continent.

people dining at the neon-lit space of Lazy Su — The neon-lit Lazy Su pops with its retro-chic decor.

On paper, the menu is overwhelmingly diverse, but what you actually get are big, focused flavours fused by a constant need to experiment. Speedy service means you’ll get those wagyu cheesesteak spring rolls piping hot, but your feast should also include the fun jalapeno noodle poppers, maybe some Japanese roast chicken, and definitely the spicy prawn and bacon wontons.

a restaurant staff serving cocktails for guests at Lazy Su, Braddon — The buzzy K-pop speakeasy is a magical spot for cocktails. (Image: Lazy Su)

Cuisine: Modern Asian
Price: $$$
Atmosphere: A lively atmosphere perfect for date night or an after-work meal with friends
Location: 1/9 Lonsdale St

6. EightySix North

Crowd as close to the furiously busy open kitchen as possible and enjoy the drama at EightySix . The raw industrial interior might seem rather blunt and impersonal on first impression, but the simplicity mirrors the produce-forward dishes like a lovely prawn and saffron risotto flecked with tomatoes and drizzled with light crispy chilli oil, or the fragrant crispy eggplant with Sichuan chilli caramel.

a look inside the dining interior of Eightysix North — EightySix North has a cosy dining setting with a casual atmosphere.

Playful desserts like a banoffee pie with pretzels and strawberry cheesecake are also included in the $100pp vegetarian tasting menu that’s always in such high demand at this fun and approachable fine-casual diner. There’s no obvious style or technique, just great food and good times.

peach and fig dish at EightySix, Braddon — The popular diner offers modern Australian cuisine. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Cuisine: Modern Australia
Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Low-key and approachable with a beautiful sense of theatre
Location: Corner of Eloura & Mode3, Lonsdale St

7. WineRoom

As per the name, WineRoom slots in as Braddon’s favourite neighbourhood vino-slinger and pitch-perfect snacks, wrapped with a transportive atmosphere that’ll place you anywhere from the tight laneways of Spain to the cobblestone street of Florence.

Seasonality is key, so work through the enthusiastic list of worldly snacks like charred king prawn with roasted tomato puree and broccolini with an onsen egg and soy mirin. That or you can grab four courses for $109, giving you plenty of ways to bring the most out of the lovingly curated wine list that’s always pushing you to try something new and exciting.

the elegant dining interior of WineRoom, Braddon — WineRoom boasts the ambience of a European wine bar.

Cuisine: European
Price: $$$
Atmosphere: A neighbourhood wine bar imported bar channelling your favourite European summer holiday
Location: 24 Mort St

8. White Chaco

Taking up just a tiny part of the Nibu Building on Lonsdale Street, White Chaco gives off that if-you-know-you-know vibe, billing itself as a hidden gem. Most visitors brush over this Asian fusion restaurant, but the quality is unquestionable.

two plates of food at White Chaco, Braddon — The menu is a fusion of Japanese and Taiwanese flavours. (Image: Tourism Australia)

There are only two sittings per night for the space, which sits around 20 people and presents delicate, beautifully executed dishes typically marrying Japanese and Taiwanese flavours.

a bowl of ramen at White Chaco, Braddon — White Chaco dishes up excellent Japanese fare. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Take whatever plum wine the highly knowledgeable staff suggest (trust us) and then see what’s new and interesting on the menu, with previous dishes like warm scallop sashimi with butter soy, smoked nuts and pecorino cheese showing the kitchen’s creativity.

Sichuan Beef Bao at White Chaco — The meaty Sichuan Beef Bao is a must-try. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Cuisine: Japanese (predominantly)
Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Secretive, intimate space with a smart use of light and shadow
Location: g10/27 Lonsdale St

9. Braddon Merchant

Braddon Merchant is that tireless Lonsdale Street favourite that has consistency down to fine art. Head along for breakfast, dinner or weekend brunch and you’ll find Canberra’s most discerning foodies fooling around with fresh, light and simple Mediterranean dishes done well and kept affordable.

the Braddon Merchant restaurant and bar at Midnight Hotel — Braddon Merchant is housed within the light-filled Midnight Hotel. (Image: Ryan Linnegar)

The award-winning drinks menu of over 150 local and international wines is most valuable, paired with simple fare like meatballs with smoked mozzarella, cod with coconut and chilli, and a fan-favourite steak ciabatta with caramelised onion and sundried tomato. Yes, it’s really that simple. And the results are effortlessly excellent.

a Mediterranean food on a plate at the Braddon Merchant restaurant and bar, Midnight Hotel — Dine on simple Mediterranean fare. (Image: Iconic Hotels by Geocon)

Cuisine: European
Price: $$
Atmosphere: Simple and bright with all attention given to top-shelf produce
Location: 1 Elouera St

10. Grease Monkey

Each city’s hip and happening foodie strip needs at least one reliable burger joint. For Lonsdale Street, that prerequisite is filled by the bare-bones Grease Monkey . American-style burgers with an Australian twist is the pitch, dialled in with a hard-won consistency that regularly places these as some of the best burgers in Canberra. Maybe even Australia.

a hand holding a burger at Grease Monkey, Braddon — Grease Monkey slings massive and loaded burgers.

You’ll always find a queue pouring out of this former mechanic’s garage, which has kept the industrial vibe and even brings on DJs on weekends. Forget the coke; wash that burger down with a shake or local craft beer.

clinking beer glasses on top of a food spread at Grease Monkey, Braddon — Enjoy refreshing beers at this reliable burger joint.

Cuisine: American
Price: $
Atmosphere: Grungy and industrial with DJs on weekends
Location: 19 Lonsdale St

Discover the best cafes in Canberra.

No one does road trips like Australians. Make your journey perfect.

The humble road trip is a way of life in Australia, and it’s not the same here as it is anywhere else. Sure, you could fly, but then you’re missing out on the bonding time and priceless memories that get made along the way (good or bad, you’ll be sharing them for years to come). Not to mention, some of Australia’s most worthwhile and untouched places can only be accessed by road .

But how to ensure your road trip is quintessentially perfect? Why use this checklist, of course.

1. Start with the perfect vehicle

A woman sitting while reading inside Star RV Motorhomes spacious Polaris 6. — Relax with stunning views in a spacious motorhome. (Image: Demi Gavin)

I can tell you from experience, nothing will push even the most tight-knit group to devolve into chaos and fighting faster than a vehicle that isn’t up to the task of a proper road trip. Enter the premium options of Star RV Motorhomes.

They have a range of sizes to suit any group, from solo travellers and couples to families. And they’re designed to be easy to drive.

Take the Polaris 6 , for example. This light-filled sanctuary of comfort has plenty of space for bigger groups. Three double beds, a shower and toilet, and an extendable awning (with room to move between them all) make it perfect for exploring Australia.

Couples might prefer the Polaris 2 with a fully self-contained bathroom, kitchen and a bed for two that transforms into comfortable seating during the day. Both models are pet-friendly.

2. Pack the tastiest snacks

A couple having a picnic beside Star RV Motorhomes. — Make use of the spacious storage in your Star RV.

Road trip snacks are an Australian art. Some, you’ll need to pick up along the way. We’re talking the iconic Chico Roll, choccie milk and maybe a sneaky potato scallop (or several).

Others, you can pack ahead of time to save on time and, usually, money. Thankfully, Star RV Motorhomes all come with plenty of storage space, so your snacks can last as long as your road trip. Think fresh fruit and other supplies to cook lunch and dinner along the way. Plenty of lollies and maybe even some soft drinks and Red Bulls for the road.

Not to mention, many Star RV motorhomes have a kitchen onboard, complete with a full-size kitchen, so you won’t need to lug an esky around.

3. Bring your pet for the ride

A child and its pet inside Star RV Motorhomes. — Travel Australia with your four-legged co-pilot. (Image: Erin Bacchi)

Man’s best friend is essential for a truly Aussie road trip. Pet-friendly Star RV Motorhomes not only mean your dog (or cat, if they enjoy the open road more than mine do) can experience Australia with you, but that you save a small fortune on pet sitters or dog hotels.

4. Prepare the perfect soundtrack

Two people having coffee with a view. — Chase the journey and the destination.

No ifs, ands or buts, the perfect soundtrack can make or break a road trip. It’s really up to you, but we recommend plenty of Australian classics. Cold Chisel never hits quite the same as when you’re listening to it with only gumtrees and kangaroos for company.

Of course, this means you’ll also need a good sound system to listen to your carefully curated tunes on. Star RV motorhome sound systems allow you to connect your device and play your own music. Goodbye, spotty radio reception.

5. A spacious tent and camping gear

A woman sitting inside Star RV Motorhomes with a view of the lake in the background. — Enjoy soft linens and space to stretch. (Image: Cariund Hannes)

If there’s one thing that a road trip can guarantee, it’s a campsite or several. So you’d better source a good sturdy tent, sleeping back, and a camping mattress that probably won’t help much – but it’s better than the ground.

Or, just hire a motorhome so your vehicle is also your bed, and comfort is a priority (goodbye foam camp mattresses) with linens provided. And you’ll have room to unpack and move around. Heaven.

6. Plan your toilet breaks

Typically, an Aussie road trip means pulling over at a good bushy area or finding a horrific pit toilet on the side of the road – the smell of which will stay with you forevermore. If you’re planning to camp, better pack that handy shovel and find a good, bug-free place to dig your own loo hole.

To avoid that hassle (and smell), forgo the shovel and hire a motorhome with an onboard toilet. When the toilet comes with you, there are no emergency roadside stops. Plus, it’s a whole lot fresher.

7. Pick the ultimate destination

Aerial view of the Polaris 6 cruising along a coastal road with sweeping beach views. — Hit the road, Aussie-style. (Image: Matt Finch)

Of course, the journey is half the fun. But the other half is an incredible destination. With accommodation and transportation sorted out with one motorhome, you have the flexibility to choose a gorgeous view for the night (or several).

There are endless views to choose from, like the rugged cliff faces of Queensland’s Carnarvon Gorge National Park. Carnarvon Gorge camping area (near the visitor area) and the Big Bend walkers’ camp both have bushy surrounds and a trail to the gorge itself.

Or Lake Argyle, Western Australia‘s largest man-made freshwater reservoir. Find the only dedicated camping and caravan park at Lake Argyle Resort.

Meanwhile, Mount Buffalo National Park in Victoria is prolific for its wildlife. Wander through snow gum forests and keep an eye out for wombats, Australian kestrels and more. There are several camp options here.

Start planning your Australian road trip adventure (and get 15 per cent off on any Star RV motorhome rental in Australia) at starrv.com/au .

10 best Braddon restaurants for your next Canberra visit