10 casual restaurants worth travelling for in Canberra

Walk into the second iteration of this local favourite, speciality coffee house and be blown away by the sleek Japanese minimalist style. The clean philosophy at B-side on Lonsdale Street does not only apply to the café decor, but also to the food as well, as the focus here is simple, uncomplicated food with classic flavour combinations that work so well together. Try their highly-sought-after breakfast roll with your coffee, for an unbeatable start to your morning.

For a laid back, modern pub experience in the heart of Braddon: Assembly is the spot for you. You can enjoy a delicious breakfast or an elevated pub dinner, catch up with friends over a coffee or cocktail, watch the footy or have a late-night celebration. With a bistro area, sports bar, leather booths, high tables and of course one of Canberra’s best beer gardens, there’s something for every mood at Assembly.

A crowd-pleasing, often thumping burger joint with a Brooklyn-style bar and massive beer-garden, Grease Monkey has a very loyal clientele and it’s not hard to see why. But if burgers aren’t your thing, there’s always a deep-pan Detroit pizza and frothy beers-on-tap to keep you satisfied.

One of Canberra’s most popular restaurants, Lazy Su melds the best tastes of Japan, Korea and America in a fast-paced and delightfully kitsch setting. If you are in the market for fusion food like Wagyu Cheesesteak Springrolls or Fried Chicken Ramen, they have you covered. Nearby in the City Centre, you can find the even-more-casual baby sister, Baby Su, for a lunch time feast.

Since arriving in Canberra in 2018, this ice-cream pitstop on Lonsdale Street has become a go-to additive for evening strolls and a jewel in the Gelato Messina empire’s crown. Promising outstanding flavour combinations and a gourmet approach to the humble two scoops on a cone, it’s always a fun end to a meal.

Japanese snacks never looked so good. But while the food looks artful, Chop Chop  is a casual place, prices are surprisingly low and conversations with friends over chicken yakitori and an Asahi Superdry (one of the eight beers on tap) are encouraged.

Lao-Thai Street Food served up in what is designed to look and feel like a tin shack, Zaab is low on formality and big on energy and flavour, with a menu designed to be shared. Before ordering, take a seat at the long bar to order a cocktail from their inventive list.

The crowd-favourite bakery has found a third home in the heart of the City Centre. Three Mills Bakery specialises in artisan sourdough using house-milled flour, traditional long fermentation techniques and local ingredients to create an incredible range of sourdough loaves for you to enjoy. They also offer a delicious selection of hand-rolled pastries from flaky, buttery croissants, Danishes and escargots to a variety of quiches, sausage rolls and pies, alongside excellent coffee.