Bars, Food & Wine, Out & About

15 Delicious Dinner and Drinks Venues in Canberra

Hey Canberra! Despite being the nation’s capital, the food and drink scene is booming (despite what people may say about this fabulous place). Tried to include plenty of warm venues given it is officially winter (oh hey June, when the hell did you get here?! Slow down mate).

In no particular order of favourites:

1. Eighty Six – Braddon

Sharing is caring in this venue! They serve a new menu regularly and the idea is to share food with your table. They have small, medium and large dishes and you order the quantity based on how many people you’re with! Always delicious. It can get a little expensive if you go too wild though so be careful! I love the lamb leg, cauliflower salad, zucchini flowers or the jerk chicken! I love that you can try at least 5 dishes as opposed to one! http://eightysix.com.au/ 

2. The Elk and Pea – Braddon

While we are at it here is another venue for sharing! Similar concept at Elk and Pea to Eighty Six. The menu is designed to be shared amongst a table however you can still order a main and have it to yourself, but where’s the fun in that? The service and decor is super cute as well. I like the quinoa fritters, roasted sweet potato or the tacos!! Also breakfast is pretty delicious BUT if you go on a Sunday and are watching your pennies there is a Sunday surcharge added to your bill so be mindful of that. http://www.elkandpea.com.au/

3. Joe’s Thai Food – Wanniassa Shops

A relatively new restaurant on the southside with cute and modern decor. Out of all the Asian quizines I do like me some nice Thai and these guys know it well. It has most of your typical Thai dishes and they’re always fresh, tasty and served with a smile! http://www.joesthaifood.com/

4. Bentspoke – Braddon

Okay okay enough with the Braddon options you freakin hipster. IT ISN’T MY FAULT that there are mass amounts of good food here. Anyway this brewery actually made me not think beer is the most disgusting beverage around. The food is delicious and the service is great! They have an upstairs area looking out over Braddon and the outdoor area with heaters is awesome to sit down and chill with your friends at. Also probably one of Canberra’s best microbreweries for the beer lovers out there.  http://www.bentspokebrewing.com.au/

5. Brod Burger – Kingston Foreshore

Oh you haven’t been? Do you even like burgers? Or live in Canberra? Well…the best burgers in town come from these guys! They started off as a wee food truck and now they have an incredibly busy, delicious restaurant on the Kingston Foreshore behind the glass works and if you haven’t eaten a burger here you probs haven’t lived. I like the chicken option but all are wonderful. And the chips are good! Full fat but worth every calorie! http://brodburger.com.au/

6. Turkish Grill – Erindale

Delicious Turkish food and healthy options for y’all south siders. I prefer this Turkish place to the popular Little Istanbul in Tuggeranong as I think the service is better and the food quality is on parr however it’s a touch cheaper here. I love the lamb chops or shaved chicken breast mains and of course the zucchini balls! http://www.turkishgrill.com.au/

7. Hopscotch – Braddon

We all knew this guy would be here. A great place for drinks and mingling. The food is decent pub style food and the souvlaki wrap or hot chips are my fave! Good vibes, good music and generally a good crowd. If it’s busy though be prepared to wait in line for way too fucking long for a bevvy because the bar staff seem to move slow and/or haven’t quite figured out an efficient system. It is worth it though just be aware, tis a local go to! http://www.hopscotchbar.com.au/

8. The Hamlet – Braddon

A variety of food trucks in a large open space that’s BYO with plenty of outdoor seating! I absolutely love this place and attend regularly. The best vibes, the variety of eats, the cheap food and the fact you can bring your own alcohol in if you feel like it (there’s a handy grog shop across the road too!!).  I love the lamb kebabs from Filos Souvlaki, the chicken wings from Mr. Papa or if you’re feeling a bit naughty the churros – so warm and delicious. https://www.facebook.com/The-Hamlet

9. Mees Sushi – Manuka and Canberra City on Marcus Clarke Street

Mee is the cutest lady ever and she makes the best, fattest, warmest, freshest sushi rolls you’ve ever eaten. A small space that has been around for years and is well known and loved by locals. If you head there get a crab ball too they are delicious. Also get the sweet soy sauce – so much better than your regular soy. YUM. https://www.facebook.com/Mees-Sushi

10. Ducks Nuts – Dickson

Dickson got a cool new pub and they’ve done well let me tell you. I went here for dinner and shared a few entrees, all of which were amazing -the chicken wings and the prawn popcorn pieces, get amongst those! The salads looked super delicious and big. Large seating areas plus a live band. Well done. http://ducksnuts.net.au/

11. Blu Ginger – Canberra Centre

This place has the best Indian food I have ever eaten, anywhere. The dishes are plentiful, they have different spicy options and again, service is great. It’s BYO too! I love the Madras, Rogan Josh or a bit of cheeky butter chicken! http://www.bluginger.com.au/

12. A.Baker – New Acton

Admittedly I have only been here for breakfast however it was amazing and I’ve heard many good things about their dinner menu and restaurant as a whole. They have an open kitchen which I really enjoy and they bake their own delicious bread. The venue is large and has some great outdoor seating amongst beautiful trees and scenery. Definitely recommend!  http://abaker.com.au/

13. Grill’d – Woden, Civic and Belconnen

Hmmm an odd choice to put in here? Maybe. I don’t know. However I LOVE Grill’d it is my fave takeway. I’ve never been failed here. They serve healthy burgers with a variety of options and delicious sweet potato chips. You know what else they nailed? Customer service. Whoever started or is managing this company did something right with drilling the good customer service skills. Plus they donate money to a variety of charities each month. Well done you delicious burger making munchkins. http://www.grilld.com.au/

14. Wilbur’s Café Bar – Hackett

This place is a hidden gem in the Hackett shops. They sell local art in their restaurant that you can buy which is also cool. They do delicious pizzas and main meals are amazing! Very cool spot as a café or a bar for dinner! It’s kid friendly too and they show all the sport. https://www.facebook.com/Wilburs-Cafe-Bar

15. Pod Food – Pialligo

I went here for dinner with work and I was blown away by how beautiful the set up was with all the nice plants, outdoor heaters and bird feeders. I pictured people getting married here it was that nice. Anyway the food was even better and is sourced locally, plus the people that work there are so incredibly lovely you’d go back just for them. http://www.podfood.com.au/

A sneaky quick extra – YARRA KEBABS! – Turkish Halal Pide House in Yarralumla. Not exactly a fancy restaurant but my god if  you want a big traditional kebab (or kebab plate) with the juiciest meat jam packed in for approximately $10 you gotta go here. The line is often out the door because they deliver the authentic, delicious goods. http://www.turkishhalalpidehouse.com.au/

These are my go-to’s or the places I went once and fell in love with. Other noteworthy places I haven’t yet been but sound freakin’ awesome include Akiba Canberra Centre, Monster New Acton, Kusina Phillip, The Pedlar Campbell, Pulp Kitchen in Ainslie, The Boathouse Barton. The list goes on and on and on. Unfortunately the zero’s in my bank account do not.

Image Sources: Zenith Interiors, Brod Burger, Canberra100.tumblr, Yellow Trace, InTheTaratory, Hopscotch

Originally published here.

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20-something old girl from Canberra, mostly writing about shit I have opinions on, which is mostly health, fitness and matters of the mind. Gym coach, frequent music festivaler and enjoy the travelling thang.

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