Where to eat in Canberra
Jac and I are off to Canberra for 5 nights in early November. It will be a combined work trip and mini holiday. I haven’t taken a holiday since my short trip to Sydney in March, so I’m really looking forward to it.
Jac lived in Canberra briefly many years ago, but I’ve never been there before.
What should we get up to while we’re there?
And most importantly, where should we eat?
I'm TFP, a food blogger from Perth, Western Australia.
{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
In terms of places to eat, you can’t go too far wrong with the restaurants in Manuka and Kingston.
Additionally, there are some excellent restaurants in Civic (the city).
I’m not sure where you’re staying but there is usually a small hardcover book listing a number of top quality restaurants around Canberra for you to check out
Asian noodle house in Dickson is definitely the place for the best laksa in town and cheap too! I’m originally from Canberra and am yet to come across somewhere here in Perth that can match it! And iori in the city bus interchange do amazing sushi sashimi platters for two or more! Yum your making me miss the place now!
Last year in October, we stayed with friends in Canberra for a week.
We wanted to eat at Wasabi in Manuka but they were booked out for a function so we went across the road to a Thai place, Baan Latsamy, and that was quite good.
On another night, our friends took us to their favourite restaurant, Sanurs in Belconnen. It’s Balinese food, and it was really really good.
Thanks guys!
Chris, I think our plan is to have a few places on our list to check out before we actually get there, but also have some free slots in the eating schedule for places we discover as we’re out and about. :)
Majki – best laksa in town sounds GREAT! :D
Caroline, I haven’t had Balinese food before (seems hilarious that I would go to Canberra to eat Balinese food :D)
Hey TFP,
I would recommend:
Asian Noodle House in Dickson – they make awesome laksa (I agree with Majki).
Dobinson’s cafe in Civic – for breakfast and also for their delicious range of cakes/pastries.
Zambrero Tex Mex Grill – for THE most deeeelicious/filling/tasty burritos for only $9.90 (but I think they also have a store in Perth).
The Burmese Curry House in Civic – $8 for two types of curries (eg fish and lamb) + rice. Nothing fantastic but great value for money.
thanks, uni student! :) All sounds great!
Asian Noodle House has been mentioned a couple of times, I think we’ll HAVE to check our their laksa. Like the sound of a Tex Mex grill. Apparently Zambrero is coming to Perth (not here yet).
Iori Japanese in the city does the best japanese, it is awesome!
Cheers! We love Japanese food so always on the lookout for some wherever we go.
Urban Food in New Acton, Pizzazz in Kingston, Satis in Watson, Essen in Civiv for great breakfasts.
Asian Noodle House in Dickson & Civic, yes yes!
Au Lac and Kimchi Korean in Dickson.
Shanghai Dumplings, Blu Ginger and Alice Thai in Civic.
Give Sammy’s, Cream, Milk & Honey and Barbars in Civic a miss, despite what the web will tell you.
Thanks Ashley,
Asian Noodle House is definitely on the list! :D
I am really looking forward to this trip. It will be short, but I reckon we can fit in lots of yummy eating.
Def, the Noodle House!
And try A Bite to Eat at Chifley Chops for breakfast – but you will need to book!
Thanks, Lisa!
Oh my you def must try Ottoman Cuisine in Barton !
Its like fine dining turkish and absolutely amazing both taste and presentation wise – you would LOVE the desserts there! they would make excellent photos haha
If your in canberra thats the one place i would reccomend!
http://www.ottomancuisine.com.au/Canberra/Canberra.html
Thanks Stephaniee,
I haven’t eaten much Turkish other than kebabs, so fine dining Turkish sounds rather interesting! Just read the menus – looks really good!
Hi!
I’ve just stumbled onto your blog, and is actually looking to see if you have any good place to recommend in Canberra.
Anyway, here’s my little piece of input, regarding the place to eat in Canberra.
Personally, I’d prefer the laksa at Belconnon Fresh Food Market (Located at a small takeaway shop), than at Asian Noodle house. (no offence to the people who favourite the place) If you are from Singapore/Malaysia, you’ll know what I meant when you try it. The serving at Asian Noodle House is great, big portion and full of ingredients, but the Laksa soup taste like a milky curry for our taste (me and my visiting cousins from Singapore). And my cousins living in Sydney always goes to the one at Belconnon markets for Laksa when ever they come down for a visit. If you like the laksa hot, can ask them for extra chilli to add in.
Another good place to introduce, is Taj Agra, indian cuisine. They have a restaurant both in Belconnon and in Dickson. Highly recommending their Nasi Briyani and curries.
Enjoy your trip here! And hope you enjoy the food here as much as the sightseeing! =)
Thanks, kcan.
Will keep your advice in mind.
I’m sure the trip will be fun. I always enjoy visiting new towns/cities, lots to see and do (which includes lots of eating, of course :)).
I’m not that impressed with the Noodle House, to be honest, but by all means check it out!
Second Dobinson’s for their pastries! Definitely my favourite Civic cafe. Koko Black in Civic is also worth a visit (presuming there isn’t one in Perth?)
Au Lac’s a nice simple vegetarian (read: fake meat, but in a pretty impressive way!) restaurant in Dickson. The Korean place in Dickson’s also got pretty yummy and authentic food. If you’re after pizza, Debacle in Braddon and Firestone in Dickson are both great (and do 2-for-1 deals on Mondays and Tuesdays!); I like the pizza at Debacle a tad more but Firestone has better atmosphere (more restaurant, less pub).
And there’s a plethora of choices in Manuka and Kingston which I haven’t had the chance to sample yet! Have fun in Canberra!
bonnie,
No Koko Black in Perth as far as I know. Mmm, all your suggestions sound good. It’s going to be the age-old problem, I think, as we’ll only be there for 5 days – so much food, so little time… :)
you should make monte cristos!!!!!!!
I also agree with those who aren’t impressed with Noodle House (sorry guys no offence at all!). Being Asian, and having lived in Asia till my adulthood, I have to say their noodles are abit Westernised and not authentic enough…Not really sure why it’s the favourite for everyone, but by all means, do check it out!
Quite like the new group of restaurants opened near Uni Lodge (in Civic), Shanghai dumpling house, Ginger spice, and the Japanese hotpot restaurant there. Also, best Turkisk in town is at Yarralumla shop: Pide house.
:)
Also give Kokoblack a visit, just for the novelty factor, and really good chocolate (if you are a chocoholic).
Thank you so much everyone, for your suggestions. We’ll be flying out Monday and I am compiling a list over the weekend. We’ll plan/book ahead a few places but will also leave a few meals for discovery/spontaneity. :)
Hi TFP, very excited when you posted this having lived in Canberra for nearly 10 years!
Au Lac: excellent veggie asian food
Sammys: chinese food, fried ice cream to die for
Debacle: unique and fresh take on pizzas
and if you wanna check out the famous food vans, Dolly’s on the ANU campus is legendary
have a great trip, cant wait for the posts
Hi TFC, in Canberra there are some real treasures: if you are in town on a saturday morning you must check out the Farmers Market at EPIC (show grounds). Between 7 and 11am, all great local produce, cakes, chocolates, coffee etc. Best bakery is Silo in Kingston. Weekday klunch catch at Phat Duck in the city mall, an offshoot of Chairman and Yip, which is a great Honk Kong cuisine restaurant. But for a special night out I’d recommend Lantern Room in Campbell. The Kitchen Cabinet in Old Parliament House has a local produce section too. Happy eating!
i know it is all a bit late, but i can’t believe no-one had recommended you eat at ‘rubicon’ (griffith shops) while in canberra. i’d also highly recommend ‘the lanterne rooms’ (campbell shops) for some of canberra’s best eating… the food is exquisite.
though very glad you enjoyed the chairman and yip.