Canberra, the nations capital. Your reason to visit may be to lobby politicians, do some business or take in the sights, galleries and museums. However important the reason for your visit, there is a vibrancy and excitement in the restaurant and bar scenes waiting to be experienced.
Here’s your ultimate guide to Canberra, where to eat, where to drink and where to stay. Click on the names of the venues for full reviews.
Where to Eat in Canberra
Akiba serves great inventive food from their Josper charcoal oven, from snacks to larger plates, all delivered sitting amid a friendly, pulsing vibe. Pair this with creative cocktails and drinks and a good night is guaranteed.
Akiba, 40 Bunda St, Canberra
Lilo Tang brings creative Japanese cooking that combines flavours, from delicate to the robust, with artful presentation. Tie this in with an impressive sake list and this is one to keep on your radar.
LiloTang, The Burbury Hotel, Burbury Close, Barton
Joe’s Bar is where to head if you are missing Italy. Wonderful modern Italian dishes to be shared with friends. There is creativity from the kitchen that needs to be savoured and all served with that warm Italian hospitality.
Joe’s Bar, At East Hotel, 69 Canberra Avenue, Kingston
Hopscotch has an Argentinian wood-fired grill that produces the most tender of meats with a light touch of smoke. Try the Burnt Brisket Ends. Enjoy a spit roast every Sunday at a relaxed spot for some tasty food served up with great drinks.
Hopscotch, 5 Lonsdale St, Braddon
Canberra Cafes
Mocan and Green Grout is well known for its breakfasts and for its impressive coffee as well it should be. Interesting takes as well as the usual suspects are served in a relaxed space with lunch and dinner menus delivering a variety of dishes from around the globe.
Močan & Green Grout, 1/19 Marcus Clarke St, NewActon South, Canberra
A. Baker brings together fresh regional produce for breakfast, lunch and dinner in its historic location as well as having a bakery and a bar under its roof. The food is flavoursome and make sure to check out the distressed interior.
A. Baker, New Acton Pavilion, Unit 2, 15 Edinburgh Ave, Canberra
Maple & Clove Wholefood Cafe serves up wholefood dishes with no preservatives or artificial additives for breakfast and lunch with a selection of take home dinners available. The space is bright and the food generous.
Maple + Clove Wholefood Café, Burbury Hotel, Burbury Close Barton
Best Canberra Bars
Molly is a subterranean speakeasy that when you search for the address on the phone, it will give you map coordinates. Perfect classic cocktails, barrel aged cocktails and a solid back bar make this a definite visit.
Molly, -35° 16′ 46.45″ S – 149° 7′ 35.23″ E, i.e. Hobart Pl, Canberra, ACT
The Highball Express is Havana come to town with this new rum bar. With over 350 rums and a selection of barrel aged cocktails, relax, take in the view from the balcony and enjoy drinks and Cuban food.
The Highball Express, Melbourne Building, Level 1, 82 Alinga Street, Civic, Canberra
Hippo Co. delivers classic and modern cocktails in a prohibition-inspired bar as well as having a whisky selection with some rare finds that you can check out on their whisky board.
Hippo Co., 1/17 Garema Pl, Canberra
Polit Bar has a list of 30 classic cocktails plus their selection of signature cocktails to enjoy accompanied by nights of burlesque, cabaret and music for entertainment.
Polit Bar, Level 1, 8 Franklin Street, Manuka Canberra
A. Baker (the bar) has a strong focus on Australian spirits in its underground liar beneath its restaurant and bakery. So try the classic cocktails with a local flavour and taste what this country has on offer.
A. Baker, New Acton Pavilion, Unit 2, 15 Edinburgh Ave, Canberra
Ostani Bar & Restaurant thoughtfully serves Martinis throughout the day from The Breakfast Martini through to your evening Espresso Martini in addition to the concise cocktail list to accompany the variety of share plates.
Ostani Bar & Restaurant, 18 National Circuit, Barton Canberra
Hopscotch is a casual bar that makes impressive drinks and has a whisky collection that has come about by the bartenders love of it. Then there are the Poptails. Alcoholic ice pops served in a glass of wine, very refreshing in the summer months.
Hopscotch, 5 Lonsdale St, Braddon
Akiba brings a cocktail list that will take you from a light welcoming drink through to something a bit more serious. There is plenty of buzz and energy here with a DJ spinning discs after 10 once the restaurant kitchen closes.
Akiba, 40 Bunda St, Canberra
54 Benjamin is a friendly neighbourhood bar a little way out from the CBD and well worth a visit for its cocktails, boilermakers and whiskies from around the globe.
54 Benjamin, 54 Benjamin Way, Belconnen, Canberra
Lucky’s Speakeasy has a buzz about it with well-made cocktails to be enjoyed inside under the cabinets of vintage barware or outside on a balmy afternoon.
Lucky’s Speakeasy, 1 London Circuit, Canberra (inside the QT Hotel)
Monster serves up seasonal cocktails that take a lead from the food in its restaurant. With comfortable lounges making for a relaxed setting to start the evening or to come back for that post dinner cocktail, or two.
Monster, Hotel Hotel, NewActon Nishi, 25 Edinburgh Avenue, Canberra
Joe’s Bar brings an Italian sensibility to its cocktail list which is divided between Classic Italiano – think Negroni, Americano and Aperol Spritz – and Joe’s Take on Modern Classics which allows the creativity to shine.
Joe’s Bar, At East Hotel, 69 Canberra Avenue, Kingston
Where to Stay in Canberra
QT Hotel Canberra is fun with its custom room fitouts and pop art decorating the shared spaces. Its central location to the CBD makes for a great position when in town. There is even a cocktail bar in your room with with everything you need to make your own.
QT Hotel, 1 London Circuit, Canberra
Burbury Apartments make for a wonderful base with generous combined living space and kitchen, comfortable bedroom with all the comforts of home. There are restaurants and bars to enjoy close by as well.
Burbury Apartments, 1-3 Macquarie Street, Barton
Gourmantic travelled to Canberra in 2015 on two occasions as guests of Lilo Tang then VisitCanberra.
