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Three friends clinking glasses over share platters at a winery.

A local's guide to unique foodie experiences in Canberra

Updated 11 Oct 2023

Sure, Canberra has incredible restaurants in spades, but don’t let these unique foodie experiences pass you by

Take your palate on an adventure beyond white tablecloths and explore Canberra’s boutique wine region and lesser-known foodie experiences that will truly get tastebuds tingling.

Brush up on your (essential) knowledge of fudge and wine pairings during a cellar door visit; graze your way around the city on a local-led tour; and meet the artisans behind some of Canberra’s best beers and bites. All in a day’s work.

Take your time as you taste your way through the city's more than eclectic mix of cuisines, wineries and unique experiences. 

Canberra. There's more than they're telling us. 

Four wine glasses of various types of wines
Four Winds Vineyard
Two visitors being taken on a tour at a winery
Lerida Estate
A selection of various cheeses, cold cut meats, crackers and olives served on a wooden board.
Brindabella Hills Winery

Wineries

From stately cellar doors to tin sheds and dusty bottles, the Canberra District Wine Region champions variety in an impressive array of cool climate wines. With over 140 vineyards and more than 40 wineries all within a 35-minute drive of Canberra, the Canberra Wine District is sure to impress any wine lover. 

Enjoy long lunches, unique wine pairings and meet-the-maker tastings at popular wineries such as Four Winds Vineyard.

Don’t chance your discovery of your new favourite drop.

Canberra District Wine Region

Let a local foodie lead the way

They say to go where the locals go, but that can be tricky when the locals keep their favourite spots hush-hush. Luckily, there are passionate foodie guides who are more than willing to tell all. 

Feast your way around the capital on a tour with the experts who we guarantee will take your taste buds on a thrilling adventure. 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

Patrons eating burgers

Get the best of breweries

Great beer can be found all over Canberra, but there's something special about enjoying it right where it's made. You may even  get the opportunity to taste experimental or exclusive beer releases that are not available elsewhere.

Did you know Capital Brewing Co. has become the first brewery in Australia to achieve a carbon-neutral certification across its entire operations and products?

Melted chocolate being poured in a mould

Indulge in moreish delicacies (we won't tell)

The locals know Canberra is home to several chocolateries offering delicacies to satisfy even the most discerning palate.

Head to Dairy Road Precinct for family-owned Jasper + Myrtle. Just a short yet scenic drive out of Canberra, Murrumbateman Chocolate Co. provides a fine chocolate experience that makes the drive so worth it. 

Have you ever heard of a fudge and wine pairing? Fudgemental works with local distillers to create flavours inspired by the Canberra region's cool climate wines produced by awarded master winemakers.

Image by Martin Ollman. 

Shhh! Check out all the secret bars... if you can find them 

Tucked behind unmarked doors, secret laneways or unassuming locations, Canberra knows how to keep the top bars hidden. 

Get down low to find High Jinks, locate Molly Bar using coordinates, see Alcove hidden in plain sight, or go underground to explore Canberra’s newest hidden bar, 11e Cave

Image by Ashley St George from Pew Pew Studios.

TAKE ME TO HIDDEN BARS 

Various colourful drinks on a table | © Ashley St George from Pew Pew Studios
Food dishes at Aubergine

But before you go, don't forget our award-winning and hatted restaurants 

Canberra is a culinary paradise of chef-hatted and award-winning restaurants and there is a great reason for it. 

But don’t take our word, be the judge yourself to tip your hat to our highly coveted restaurants.

TAKE ME TO AWARD-WINNING RESTAURANTS

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Inka

Molto Spritz

Molto Italian

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Eightysix

Otis Interior

OTIS Dining Hall

Black Rice Pudding w/ coconut cream, poached apple, lychee sorbet & butterscotch

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