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Best cafes, new bars, and popular wineries in Canberra

Updated 21 Mar 2024

Feast at Canberra's top restaurants, taste Australia's best craft beer, and local produce.

From coffee and family-friendly meals to long lunches and after-dinner drinks with mates, this is your guide to the best cafes, restaurants, wineries, breweries, and distilleries in Canberra.

Discover Australia's favourite craft beer, a coffee that has won awards around the world, affordable paddock-to-plate experiences, and food tours that your inner-foodie will love.

Hands holding matcha coffee with design of bunny on top

Australia's most awarded coffee

Canberrans love their coffee culture with local roasteries and cafés inspiring each other to experiment with new blends and beans. For award-winning coffee head to ONA Coffee House, founded by a World Barista Champion. ONA's mantlepiece is full of trophies for their ethically-sourced beans, best Australian coffee, and even coffee cocktails. 

One of the best kept secrets of the inner North is Intra Coffee, where locals enjoy deliciously brewed coffee alongside a rotating menu of mouth-watering jaffles. Bario Collective Coffee in Braddon is another cute brew spot loved by locals or enjoy a classic Canberra experience at Lonsdale Street Roasters. For a matcha  and cute coffee art head to Tokyo Canteen in Kingston.

A selection of brunch meals, coffee, fresh juices and smoothies served on a table outdoors at Pollen.

Popular brunch spots

Brunch is serious business in Canberra. Think French toast that melts in your mouth, acai bowls featuring all the colours of the rainbow, and scrambled eggs with a twist. Whether you head to a beloved suburban cafe or to foodie Braddon, make sure you go hungry.

Popular brunch spots include Pollen Café in the Australian National Botanic Gardens and The Cupping Room in NewActon. For artisinal dining with a down to earth feeling, you can't go past Mocan & Green Grout.

Penny University always brings great flavours to brunch with a rotating, creative menu and amazing range of drinks. And nearby, Local Press Cafe is where you'll find fresh greens laiden with perfectly cooked poached eggs, with a view of Lake Burley Griffin from the Kingston Foreshore.

These few are just the beginning of what Canberran's cafe owners bring to the table for breakfast - discover more cafes and restaurants.

Long lunches

Whether you’re looking for a long lunch while out exploring the region or delicious eats in the heart of the city, Canberra’s chefs are already preparing the perfect feast for you. 

Head to Rebel Rebel, famed for its refined seafood dishes and Bowie-inspired tunes. For a light, boozy lunch, Amici provides authentic Italian grazing spreads to indulge in over crisp drinks - keep an eye out for their negroni fountain and wheels of cheese.

For a feed alongside views it's hard to go past Ginger at the Arboretum, with sweeping vistas of the city, lake, and National Arboretum's forests.

Three friends clinking glasses over share platters at a winery.

Wineries near the city

With more than 140 vineyards and 40 wineries within 35 minutes drive of the city, you can linger longer in Canberra's cool-climate wine region. Pair your glass of vino with a charcuterie board at Lerida Estate, wood-fired pizza at Four Winds Vineyard, and delicious views at Brindabella Hills Winery.

A group of friends sitting on a table outside enjoying wine at Lake George Winery.

Local food tours

Feast your way around the captial on a tour with the experts. Hop from one eatery to the next in Braddon with Eat Canberra Tours, tour the wine region in a black London cab with Van Du Vin, and discover local gin and beer makers with Dave's Tours

Hot, new restaurants

Canberra is a quickly growing feast of new restaurants and culinary options to try. Those who flock to Canberra know that they're in for an amazing dining experience.

New to the scene is the Peruvian-infusion Nikkei cuisine at INKA  and refined Aussie food at Corella Bar. And fresh to the Canberra scene, The Alby serves up a playful night out with dining areas, multiple bars, a Chef’s table for private dining, a beer garden, and a games basement with Australia’s first Duckpin Bowling, pinball, and pool tables.

A bowl of food and a glass of wine served up at Chairman and Yip, located inside Hotel Realm in Barton.

Hatted restaurants

Expect fine dining and views across Lake Burley Griffin at The Boat House, a restaurant hidden in an arts precinct at Sage, and tantalising Chinese cuisine at Chairman & Yip.

The awarded team at Mu Omakase bases their daily fare on the best in the market that day, with the chef serving dishes to you directly. Longtime legend Courgette never fails to impress and give you a fine dining ambiance experience to enjoy alongside the incredible food.

Book a table early to visit these popular restaurants that are all dedicated to creating exquisite dining experiences.

A couple enjoying cocktails at Lazy Su in Braddon.

Date night eats and cocktails

Planning a special night out? From intimate small bars to fine dining and ever-reliable food and service, elevate date night with these picks that will leave more than a lasting impression. Enjoy candle-lit cocktails at Bar Rochford, find your new favourite Riesling at a tiny bar dedicated to the variety, and dine in style with the degustation menu at Pilot.

A secret gem of the inner south, Vincent specialises in pairing exquisite food with unconventional, specifically sourced wines from around the world. Continue your fine dining tour at EightySix or pop over to Campbell for a light menu and unbeatable drinks at Paranormal Wines.

Local favourite Lazy Su still provides a retro inspired Japanese dinner that's hard to beat, and recently expanded their greatness to Baby Su for more opportunities to eat cheesburger springrolls.

A woman holding a plate with a pastel purple waffle underneath ice-cream and an upturned ice-cream cone holding fairy floss that looks like a unicorn's horn.

Sweet treats

If you’re not indulging in something sweet and lovingly hand-crafted are you even on holiday? Canberra's dessert specialist turn making ice cream and cakes into an art form. Head to Space Kitchen for cakes that are almost too pretty to eat, Gelato Messina for frozen delights and Jasper and Myrtle for chocolate that matches cocoa beans from around the world to create truly unique chocolate bars. 

Enjoy a treat you wouldn't guess was vegan at Sweet Bones Cafe or dive into the best sausage roll you've ever had at Three Mills Bakery.

A man serving gin

Craft breweries and distilleries

Canberra’s craft brewery and distilling scene packs a punch with their products regularly appearing on award lists across the nation.

Taste Australia's favourite craft beer, a pint of Crankshaft at BentSpoke Brewing Co in Braddon, which took out the top spot two years in a row in the GABS Hottest 100 Beers. For a brewery experience, head to Capital Brewing Co in Fyshwick that also houses an indoor Brodburger food truck. 

Fans of stronger spirits will love Big River Distillery in Fyshwick and The Canberra Distillery in Mitchell, both of which host tasting experiences to help you dive deeper into the anatomy of their tasty gin, whiskey, and more. 

 

Customers enjoying their meal in the outdoor dining area at Verity Lane Market.

Great for groups

Not sure where to eat with a group? Want somewhere cool and casual? Hitting the right note for both flavour and atmosphere is Verity Lane Market - with food court style eating but with upscale dining fare and a bar on site for the perfect drink.

For great Asian eats head to Canberra-favourite Akiba or grab a hearty pub style meal with style at Edgar’s Inn.

Located in Manuka’s trendy shopping and food precinct, Public is warm, social and inviting. It’s where you’ll celebrate good food, good drink, and good company.

A child and his father eating burgers from Brodburger.

Family-friendly meals

Expect more than mac and cheese on the kids menu in Canberra. Enjoy fresh fish outdoors at Snapper by the Lake where there is often live music and kids can share their chips with some seagulls. There are mini burgers overflowing with local produce at Brodburger which which has two locations: one next to the Canberra Glassworks and the other at Capital Brewing Co. (where the drinks menu is sure to appeal to the parents).

Sit back and enjoy your own meal while the kids explore the playground in the Kitchen Garden at Rodneys, before browsing through the beautiful plant nursery. Or take the kids to Wildflour for a play and a sticky cardamom bun.

A Bite to Eat is a south Canberra establishment, serving up hearty meals and conveniently neighbouring a playground. To please a big family gathering, order a Turkish feast that everyone will enjoy.

Discover more

A couple enjoying cocktails at Lazy Su in Braddon.

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A woman in a demin jacket buying fresh radishes.

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Artistically plated dish at Raku restaurant

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Large marquee on green grass near lake

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A male chef holds a pile of truffles in his cupped hands

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Eat and drink experience guide cover

Food and Drink Guide

Discover even more great eats including Canberra’s great vegetarian offering, pub grub, newest bars, foodie festivals, fresh food markets and high teas in our Food and Drink Guide. If you’re a serious foodie visitor, enjoy a food tour with operators like Canberra Eats, Van du Vin and Dave’s Brewery Tours.

Download food and drink guide
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