Akiba will feed you for free, a new artisan bakery in the city, and the southside now has a gluten-free café: here’s the latest Foodie News
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Hungry for the latest on Canberra’s food scene? This month’s serving of foodie news is packed with more flavour than a Lunetta antipasto board.
From mocktail masterclasses and Middle Eastern feasts to farewell tours for beloved institutions (save us some banoffee pie!), we’ve rounded up everything worth knowing – and tasting – across the capital this month. Loosen your belts, foodies, and dive in.
We uncover a hidden gem at Dairy Road
Meet Elfii, a tiny food trailer tucked away on Dairy Road in Fyshwick. Here, the menu is small but mighty, bringing a fresh twist to classic comfort favorites and ever-evolving to focus on fresh ingredients. An example of what you’ll find on the menu? Poke bowls, chunky sandwiches, burgers, loaded fries and more.
Get excited! Champi Express to open in Phillip
You know (and love) Champi in Kingston, but they’ve started a new chapter with a new express restaurant – and you can find it in Phillip. Serving South East Asian breakfast and lunch, we’re calling it now: Champi Express is Canberra’s coolest new meeting spot.
Bar Lola is bringing some Mambo Italiano to Verity Lane
Promising fresh, daily-made pasta from a bespoke Italian menu, a kitchen open til 10 pm, an aperitivo list to drool over, and a dark and moody vibe inspired by former Italian model and 1950s film star Gina Lollobrigida, Bar Lola looks likely to be Canberra’s next hot spot as the weather cools down. Now open, read more here.
Akiba is willing to feed you for free…
The only catch? You have to roll a six before 6 pm. That’s right – inviting people to dine and pay for dinner before 6 pm, if you roll a six on the first go, Akiba will give you your money back for the whole bill. Ending on 30 June, this is a game of chance worth playing.
Southsiders now have their very own gluten-free café
We broke the internet in 2023 when we announced the opening of Gluten Free Cafe & Shoppe in Belconnen – and now it’s coming to Woden. A collaboration between popular wholefood café Eighty/Twenty and Gluten Free 4 U, here, everything on the menu is gluten-free. Yes, including the pastries. With more information to come (including the exact location), keep an eye out!
Skip the sad juice mixes with a mocktail workshop at Volstead
This workshop will shake up your drink game faster than a bartender with a Friday night queue. Volstead Repeal is hosting a hands-on workshop where you’ll learn how to build non-alcoholic drinks that are complex, balanced, and anything but boring. Taking place on Saturday 24 May, for $49 per person, you’ll pick up real cocktail techniques – shaking, stirring, building, batching – so you’ll have the skills (and recipes) to make drinks you’ll actually want to drink.
A new artisan bakery in the city is here to sweeten your day
French Egg Tarts, Fruit Danishes and classic croissants crafted French Lescure butter…sweet dreams are coming true at Bite & Savor. Now open in the Sydney Building, they’re baking buttery croissants, fresh sourdough, and decadent desserts six days a week. Make sure to keep an eye on their specials though, because from Melting Choc Brown Sugar Mochi to Charcoal Pistachio Cream Croissant, there will always be something new to try.
eightysix south is closing its doors, and you only have weeks left to get your hands on banoffee pie
It’s sad news for southside foodies with the announcement that eightysix south is closing its doors. Announced on Instagram, the popular mod Italian restaurant will cease service on Monday 30 June, giving you only six weeks to make the most of their banoffee pie, house-rolled pastas and other cult favourites.
With seats sure to book out fast, plan ahead so the blackboard menu isn’t wiped clean when you get there. Read more here.
Snapper and Co is turning up the heat on its winter menu
It might be getting cold outside, but Snapper and Co is combating the Canberra chill with a new menu of cold weather comfort dishes that will have you braving the chill. From their rotating hearty red meat options (served indoors with full table service), to their mouth-watering May Brisket & Beer special – tender Texan-style pulled brisket nestled in a bun with zingy slaw and pickles – there’s plenty to warm you from the inside out. Plus, the Yacht Club Balcony has transformed into a heated dining sanctuary, so there’s no need to miss out on the lakeside views while you hibernate inside.
Hello, afternoon drinks – Aperitivo Hour is now at Lunetta Trattoria
Looking for the perfect pre-dinner drinks location? Aperitivo Hour is now at Lunetta Trattoria to make those early afternoon finishes even better. Running from 3 pm until 6 pm, it’s inspired by the Italian tradition of unwinding with drinks and small bites, and is elevated by the presence of Arathorn Grey, guest bartender in residence until August. And with a menu curated by Lunetta Trattoria Head Chef Will Moyle, head along to relax, unwind and enjoy.
Peonee goes fully à la carte
If you’ve been to Peonee, you know how good it is. But now the Mod Oz restaurant is changing things up with the announcement from Wednesday 4 June, they will be offering an à la carte menu only. And while they won’t be serving the set menu, you can expect the same flavoursome dishes but in a sharing-style setting.
Calling all vegans! This is a Middle Eastern night you won’t want to miss
With a full night of plant-based offerings planned for Wednesday 28 May, The Inn is the place to be. Inspired by the flavours of the Middle East, Chef Elliot has been refining a mouthwatering menu that even the most dedicated carnivore will enjoy. From silky dips to slow-roasted veg (including red cabbage shawarma) and baklava with orange bloom and olive oil gelato, for $89 per person, this is one meal you won’t want to miss.
Feature image: Akiba. Credit: Ben Calvert Photo.
