Warm meals to tick off in Canberra this winter

You can't go wrong with the Classic Daddy Ramen at Canteen, where they specialise in Tori-style ramen (paitan and shoyu) using hand-made noodles. Each noodle is crafted daily from Australian rye in their custom noodle room and grain mill. Rich, comforting, and full of umami – this is a bowl that warms you from the inside out.

A special shoutout to the shiro miso shiru at Raku– a delicate white miso soup with dashi, tofu, wakame, and spring onion – which is a must-add to any dining experience at Raku, especially during winter. But the real star? The king prawns with XO butter + rice wine pickled veg. This dish will melt in your mouth.

Not your everyday dining affair – Beltana Farm beckons a different rhythm. Huddle around the fireplace and overlook the 800-tree truffle orchard while enjoying gourmet farm-to-table dining. Their half roasted truffle chicken with mushrooms, cavolo nero, and truffle butter jus is a winter dream. Truffles in winter? A match made in heaven.

Head to Dairy Road in Fyshwick to find one of Canberra’s best burger joints by the open fire. With front-row seats to the Capital Brewing Co. brew team crafting liquid gold, grab a Brodburger and a fresh pint – it’s the perfect casual winter hangout.

Bring your la squadra  to Campbell’s Department of Pizza for authentic Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizza. Expect a thin base that’s crunchy on the outside and soft and spongy within. They're best seller is the potato and prosciutto featuring a garlic olive oil base, and it’s the kind of pizza that demands sharing – and maybe a cheeky glass of red.

Filipino food is on the rise in Canberra, and Lolo and Lola are leading the charge. The Beef Hinalang is a spicy Filipino beef stew originating from Mindanao, featuring tender beef simmered in a chili-ginger broth with aromatic spices. It’s a bold, comforting dish that appears as a rotating special on their menu. Don’t forget to order a cup of their hot calamansi-honey tea – it’s sweet, citrusy, and perfect for  evenings.

At newly opened Bar Lola in the city centre, the fettuccine with braised beef ragu and crème fraîche is a must-try. The beef is slow-cooked until it melts in your mouth, and the pasta is silky and rich – a dish that feels like a warm hug. The pastas rotate regularly so there's always somehting new to try. 

This after-hours café is the go-to spot for warming up after dark. The Kita rotating curry of the week is always a surprise–from Gulai Ayam (red chicken curry) to Gulai Kambing (slow cooked lamb curry with savoury coconut sauce) and always satisfying. Your classic Indo comfort dishes like nasi goreng and mie goreng are alwyas on their menu, so you wont miss out. A great spot for a late-night bite.

Get cosy at Mocan & Green Grout, an ethical and eco-friendly café nestled in the artsy NewActon precinct. Their baked eggs with chickpeas, tomato, chèvre, and sourdough is a winter staple. Pair it with their house coffee blend or a warming chai from Canberra-based Real Chai for the ultimate comfort brunch. Then tuck into nearby Palace Electric Cinema located in the urban Ovolo Nishi hotel for the best selection of international cinema, arthouse and quality new release films.