A local's guide to unique foodie experiences in Canberra
Updated 25 Jul 2024
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, graze your way around the city on a local-led tour, and hunt for your own Black Winter Truffle with some of the cutest farmers in Australia… woof. 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.
Hunt for truffles
One of the few places outside of Western Europe to grow the deliciously ugly delicacy, Canberra is truffle country. Join a truffle hunt at The Truffle Farm or Beltana Farm, both located just ten minutes from the city centre, to see how talented canines sniff out the precious ingredient. Get your hands dirty digging it up, and then taste the fruits of your labour with a meal infused with truffle.
Take advantage of the accommodation at Beltana Farm by booking a stay in one of their luxury yurts. Guests can also play a game of tennis, explore the local area by bicycle, and meet Drake the truffle dog.
Time your trip with the truffle season (June - August) when restaurants across Canberra celebrate by putting the tasty morsels front and centre with some creative paddock to plate dishes just waiting to be devoured.
Find your new favourite winery
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 miss the chance to discover your new favourite drop.
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.
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?
To taste one of Australia's favourite beers, the Crankshaft, which took out top spot in the GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers two years in row, head to BentSpoke Brewing Co.
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, or take a short yet scenic drive out of Canberra to Murrumbateman Chocolate Co. where you’ll find 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, or go underground to explore Canberra’s newest hidden bar, 11e Cave.
Image by Ashley St George from Pew Pew Studios.
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 just take our word for it; judge for yourself and tip your hat to our highly coveted restaurants.
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