10+ places to treat Mum (and yourself by default) this Mother’s Day
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Haven’t booked somewhere to take Mum (or mother figure) for Mother’s Day yet? Here are 10 places to eat in Canberra offering sweet deals for the special lady in your life.
Mothers are some pretty special ladies who deserve to be celebrated all year round. They not only managed to keep you alive but put up with tears and a heck of a lot of dirty laundry along the way. What better way to thank her than with a fancy meal she won’t have to cook herself.
Here are 10 ideas of where to give your Ma some extra loving this Mother’s Day, Sunday 8 May.
Hotel Realm Mother’s Day High Tea
Celebrate mum this Mother’s Day with high tea in the Hotel Realm Ballroom, with live music and a Piper-Heidsieck Pop-up bar. Treat her to a decadent buffet of French cakes and tarts, delicate savouries and traditional scones, accompanied by TWG fine teas and freshly brewed coffee.
Choose from: $95 Traditional Buffet High Tea with complimentary glass of sparkling on arrival or $145 Free-Flowing Champagne High Tea. Special children’s prices available.
Sunday 8 May – 11.00 am and 2.30 pm sittings | Hotel Realm Ballroom, National Circuit, Barton | Tickets from eventbrite.com.au
Mother’s Day High Tea at Australian Parliament House, Members’ Hall
Treat mum like a queen this Mother’s Day with a high tea in Members’ Hall. Indulge in savoury and sweet treats created just for Mum, plus your choice of sparkling wine or tea and coffee. Make a day of it and book a tour of the Australian Parliament House gardens, architecture or exhibitions.
Executive Chef David Learmonth has curated an exquisite high tea offering using flavours of the season and Indigenous ingredients, a mix of savoury and sweet items presented beautifully on a three-tier high tea stand. High tea is served with a welcome cocktail, sparkling wine or non-alcoholic mocktail. Available for purchase at the event are wines by the glass/ bottle, as well as a range of non-alcoholic beverages.
Sunday 8 May – arrivals from 11.30 am for 12 pm service | Australian Parliament House, Members’ Hall | Tickets $80 from events.humanitix.com
A Tuscan Lunch for Mother’s Day
This Mother’s Day, give your mum a taste of la dolce vita and celebrate the art of Jeffrey Smart with a Tuscan-style lunch in the National Gallery’s dining room overlooking the Sculpture Garden.
Inspired by the great Italian trattorias, the seasonal menu showcases locally sourced and fresh produce with Primi, Secondi and Dolce courses. One glass of white or red wine is included in the adult per person price and one glass of juice or soft drink is included in the children per person price.
Adult: $55 per person | National Gallery Members: $49.50. Child (up to 12 years): $25 | National Gallery Member Child: $22.50
A Tuscan Lunch ticket does not include exhibition entry to Jeffrey Smart. If you wish to visit the exhibition, please purchase your exhibition ticket separately.
Sunday 8 May – two sittings: 11.30 am and 1.30 pm | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place, Parkes | Tickets from nga.gov.au
Mother’s Day Lunch at Miss Van’s
Oh, what’s this? A six-course degustation-style long lunch at Miss Van’s for Mother’s Day? Yes, please! Their New South-East Asian cuisine is grounded in family tradition and heart—it’s the perfect way to celebrate this special day.
Bookings are essential—open now on their website. Read more about Miss Van’s here.
Sunday 8 May | Shop 4, 113-119 Marcus Clarke Street, City West | $75 per person, including complimentary glass of sparkling | missvans.com.au
Ondine European Brasserie
Celebrate Mother’s Day à la Française with lunch at Ondine. Think classics like Traditional French Onion Soup, Beef Broth & Gratinated Emmental, Steak Frites, and Parisian Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée. Wash it down with your complimentary glass of NV Veuve Ambal Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Brut.
Sunday 8 May | Ondine, 7 Duff Place, Deakin | $85pp | Book at ondine.com.au
Mother’s Day lunch at The Boat House
You can’t go wrong with treating your Mum at the Boathouse. Dine with a beautiful view of Lake Burley Griffin, while tucking into a three-course menu with bread and side dishes—think Crown roast chicken shiitake, miso cabbage, smoked eel; Harissa lamb rump heirloom carrots, freekeh, sheep’s milk yoghurt; and Honey & ricotta nitro burnt butter genoise, calvados, apple. Gluten-free and vegan requests can be accommodated.
Sunday 8 May – two sittings are available – 11:30 am–2:30 pm | The Boat House, Menindee Drive, Barton | $95pp / $50 kids | theboathouse.restaurant
Mother’s Day High Tea at the QT
If your Mum has been dropping hints for a high tea fit for the Queen herself, well, don’t panic—QT Canberra has you covered.
With unlimited tea and coffee, live music and a mouth-watering menu from Capitol Bar + Grill (not to mention the glass of G.H. Mumm on arrival), your Mum will feel like royalty.
Sunday 8 May – 12:30 pm–4 pm | Capitol Bar & Grill Restaurant, 1 London Circuit, Canberra | Tickets $75pp via eventbrite.com.au
Mother’s Day at XO
Celebrate Mother’s Day at XO with a special six-course lunch service that showcases the best seasonal produce from the Canberra region and beyond. Think Pho dumplings, Spanner Crab Ravioli, Basque Cheesecake and more.
Check out the set menu and book online.
Sunday 8 May | XO, 16 Iluka Street, Narrabundah | $88pp | xo-restaurant.com.au
Mother’s Day Brunch at Rydges Canberra
Can’t decide on whether to take your Mum our for Breakfast or Lunch? Well luckily for you my little indecisive friend, Rydges Canberra has you covered with a delicious Mother’s Day Brunch (shout out to the smart fellow who coined the term many moons ago).
Spoil your mum with an extensive menu of artisan breads and pastries, locally produced meats and cheeses, salads, fish and a dessert bar. Oh, and bubbles on arrival!
Sunday 8 May – 11 am–2 pm | Rydges Canberra, 17 Canberra Avenue, Forrest | Tickets $ 65pp via eventbrite.com.au.
Mother’s Day at the National Arboretum
Ginger Catering has you covered with choice—a special lunch in the restaurant, or if she’s the outdoorsy type, order a picnic hamper and frolic the afternoon away at the Arboretum. If that hasn’t tickled your fancy, a morning or afternoon tea overlooking Canberra in the Village Centre might just do it.
Sunday 8 May | National Arboretum, Forest Drive, Molonglo Valley | Check out the options and book at gingercatering.com.au.
Marble and Grain
Is the way to your Mum’s heart through a good old-fashioned steak? No, just me? Well, Marble and Grain are putting on a three-course meal that every red-meat-loving Mum will love.
Sunday 8 May – 12 pm–3 pm | Marble & Grain, 25 Mort Street, Braddon | $89pp including glass of sparkling | eventbrite.com.au
High Tea at Old Parliament House
If your Mum likes nothing more than a pollical debate over some high tea, well, Old Parliament House has you covered. Located in the newly opened Courtyard Café, enjoy a traditional high tea with finger sandwiches, savoury and sweet pastries and cakes. And yes, a glass of bubbly will be served on arrival.
Sunday 8 May – choose from two sittings: 11.30 am and 1:30 pm | Old Parliament House, 18 King George Terrace, Parkes | $73pp and $32 for younger ones | Tickets from eventbrite.com.au
Feature image: Hotel Realm’s Mother’s Day High Tea. Credit: Pew Pew Studio
