Somewhere a bit special: places to book for special occasions
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Special occasion on the horizon? Canberra’s Inner South boasts more than its fair share of elevated places to eat.
Here are some to get you started.
Barton
THE BOAT HOUSE
A waterfront location and killer views combine with cutting-edge cuisine from one of Canberra’s best chefs at this popular spot for special-occasion dining.
The Boat House is the perfect pick for an intimate dinner or a long family lunch—an inventive menu washed down with a beautifully-curated wine list making it a memorable experience.
BUVETTE
Oh-so-French, Buvette is a little slice of Paris in the Parliamentary Zone. Relax with a glass of wine while sharing charcuterie and cheese, or indulge in the full dining experience.
Love high tea? Every weekend you can indulge in a selection of finely made French cakes and tarts, delicate savouries and traditional scones.
LILOTANG
Lilotang serves up inventive and fun dishes in a bright and buzzy space—there’s a whole wall dedicated to Manga! The menu spans raw bites to the delicious chariness of dishes cooked on a robata grill, and unique desserts.
Wash it all down with something from the extensive wine, sake or whiskey menu.
VINCENT
Expect the unexpected when it comes to wine bar cum restaurant Vincent. Its interior is dark and moody, its table layout unconventional and serpentine.
One wall is devoted to a Scrabble tile menu of eleven dishes: six small plates, five large and three desserts to finish. A carefully curated list of local and international wines is designed to complement each dish.
Kingston Foreshore
MOLTO ITALIAN
Canberra’s answer to a seaside trattoria, Molto is a celebration of Italian food in a sleek modern interior with open kitchen and bar and wood-fired oven. Expect authentic dishes, spanning pasta, pizza and a blackboard menu of daily specials.
WILD DUCK
Wild Duck isn’t your average Chinese restaurant. Its intimate interiors prized by many a politician, this is a destination for elevated dining—think Wagyu Dumplings or Massaman Beef Cheek.
Our recommendation? Gather your friends and indulge in a banquet—it’s a wonderful way to taste your way around the adventurous menu.
Kingston
OTIS
Owned and operated by award-winning chef Damian Brabender, OTIS Dining Hall is an intriguing blend of nostalgia and modernity.
Expect familiar dishes with a fresh twist—all locally sourced and seasonal. If you’re visiting during the winter months, their truffle menu is a must.
POMEGRANATE
An elegant escape for lunch or dinner, Pomegranate delivers simple, tasty food that is Modern Australian with a Mediterranean influence.
Head chef and owner Erkin Esen has helmed some of Canberra’s best restaurants, and serves up dishes packed with flavour and finesse. We can’t recommend the Atlantic Salmon Carpaccio highly enough.
Griffith
RUBICON
A hidden gem at Griffith shops, Rubicon has been a dining destination for nearly 20 years.
The best zucchini flowers in the city, a superior wine list and service that is almost as sparkling as the ceiling of fairy lights— there’s a reason this place has retained its status as a special-night-out venue.
Deakin
ONDINE
An unpretentious Euro-style brasserie dishing up real comfort food—think Gnocchi Parisienne, Beef Bourguignon with French Style Mash or Coq au Vin. Tucked away in an unassuming Deakin laneway, this is a true hidden gem—a cracking wine list and informed service making it a local favourite.
Yarralumla
LAMSHEDS
Tucked away at the Yarralumla shops, Lamsheds is an upmarket neighbourhood eatery where the food is adventurous and the service warm.
Share plates are the order of the day here—Mod Oz in flavour—perfect for a meal with friends or family. A sizeable wine list carrying local and lesser-known international labels boasts some interesting by-the-glass options.
Feature image of Rubicon by Tim Bean.
