From a new wine bar in Kingston to BBQ meat mania in Canberra, here’s even more Foodie News
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From the goss on a new wine bar in Kingston to Canberra’s BBQ meat mania, this edition of Foodie News is serving up all the hottest culinary happenings.
Read on for all the delicious details and thank us later.
A new wine bar is launching in Kingston
We don’t know much about Tintino, but what we DO know is it’s a specialty wine shop and kitchen in Kingston serving “great juice, small plates, smooth vibes.” With more information to come, keep an eye out for all the details.
The team behind Terra and Recess have something new in the works
And that’s Outro, a new lounge bar. Set to open soon on Lonsdale Street, we’re very excited to see what they have planned for the space. Keep an eye out, because as soon as we know more, you’ll be the first to know.
Fresca crosses the border
Speaking of Terra, it looks like its old digs in No Name Lane will soon be home to Fresca’s second outlet (the first opened in Queanbeyan earlier this year). Serving the traditional sandwich from Tuscany (which is made with a range of local and imported Italian ingredients), it looks like City West is shaping up as a sandwich battleground, with Sandoochie just doors away.
The Fireside Festival is back — alpacas and truffles, anyone?
Cosy winter experiences, cool climate wines, and local food and produce…the Canberra Wine District Fireside Festival is back for another year! Running from Monday 21 July until Sunday 3 August, the Canberra Wine District will play host to a series of warming events across the region’s wineries. Think: an Alpaca and Truffle experience, a pop-up evening wine bar at Majura, and a special hot honey pizza at Four Winds!
Your mouth will be watering after reading about this steak and truffle night
Beef sausage roll with truffle ketchup, braised oxtail ragu with gnocchi and truffle pecorino and Chauvel citrus-fed Wagyu MBS 7 T-bone served with truffle butter and jus…these are just some of the items on a very special menu at The Inn at Edgar’s.
This Wednesday 23 July, Chef Elliot Gotovac is hosting a one-off truffle and steak night, going full nose-to-tail (pun intended), building an entire menu around beef and layering it with truffle in unexpected ways. Priced at $139 per person, meat lovers can’t go past this unique winter feast.
The ultimate flavour face-off is happening at Verity Lane
It’s a question that has always divided foodies: does meat or veg pack more flavour? Now, the question will finally be answered at Verity Lane as five vendors go head-to-head for the ultimate face-off. Three carnivore dishes are going up against two herbivore creations (plus two themed cocktails) and YOU get to decide who wins. After trying the dishes, just head to Verity Lane’s Instagram Story Highlights from Thursday 24 July to cast your vote. Let the battle begin!
Have you ever experienced a real Italian happy hour?
Now you can you can. Enoteca DeVINO’s is hosting an aperitivo evening on Thursday 24 July to bring a taste of Italy to Phillip. You’ll enjoy a glass of wine alongside a buffet of authentic Italian cicchetti and warm Italian hospitality, perfect for a cold night.
You’d better be quick to get tickets to Rizla’s Riesling Vintage Party
It’s one of the best wine events of the year, so you know tickets will be selling fast for Rizla’s Vintage Party on Sunday 27 July. Bringing you the top newly released Rieslings from the vintage that was, you’ll get to try six of the best local Rieslings from the 2025 Canberra region vintage as they look to find the top drops for their spring wine list. Along with the wine tasting, your ticket includes cheese boards and parmesan fries to cleanse all that racy young Riz.
We’ve found a truffle dinner worth hitting the road for
Local favourite Poachers Pantry is hosting its annual Winter Truffle Dinner on Tuesday 29 July, and it’s definitely worth a road trip. The menu features seven seasonal dishes, using award-winning Terra Preta black truffles from Braidwood, and includes dishes such as a scotch egg with curried truffle sauce, and braised beef cheek with truffle and cabbage carbonara. An optional Poachers Vineyard wine pairing is also available for those who want to add to the experience.
One night, two sittings, all you can eat. Get ready for Thali Night at Café Stepping Stone
Café Stepping Stone in Dickson is hosting its first Thali Night on Thursday 31 July, and this is one event you won’t leave hungry. Go along to enjoy a banana leaf filled with different types of dals, curries, pickles, sweets, and more, perfect for warming you up on a cold night. They’ll be walking around keeping your plate full until you can’t eat anymore, so be ready to eat!
This Four Pillars x Shaw Estate Dinner is a gin-lovers dream
Shaw Estate might be a well-known and loved winery, but for one special night they’re hosting an exclusive evening with Four Pillars Gin – and it sounds like a gin lover’s dream. On Friday 1 August, for $125 per person, you’ll be taken through a guided tasting, and a three-course dinner pairing dishes with thoughtfully crafted Four Pillars cocktails and a glass of the Canberra region’s iconic cool climate Shiraz.
The best part? For an additional $35 per person, they’ve even organised transport for you, with a bus from Hotel Realm taking you and from the stunning Murrumbateman location.
Don’t know your Rosé from your Riesling? Wine for Gen Z is what you need
Love wine but get intimidated by the fancy jargon and the different varieties out there? Wine educator Emma Shaw of Canberra Cellar Door is hosting Wine for Gen Z on Sunday 10 August to help you decode wine, without the stuffiness.
Covering everything from learning to identify acid, sugar, tannin and alcohol to why sustainability matters and how to find incredible wines without breaking the bank, she’ll also take you through a tasting of local Canberra wines as an introduction to the region. Breaking down the fundamentals of wine in a way that makes sense, grab a friend and book some seats!
Australia’s Chef of the Year is coming to Canberra for one night only
This is your chance to experience the Middle Eastern cuisine that’s been earning acclaim across Australia’s dining scene – all without leaving the capital. Paul Farag, recently crowned Chef of the Year by the Good Food Guide 2025, is bringing his two-hatted restaurant AALIA to Canberra for a one-night collaboration with Med.
Taking place on Thursday 14 August, guests will be treated to an eight-course menu featuring signature dishes from AALIA, paired with a complimentary cocktail on arrival. Read all about it here.
Canberrans love the taste of Texas
How do we know? Well, from the lines around the block during the launch of Big Box Barbeque. That’s right, Essex-born Americanophile chef Michael Box has officially “smoked” the corner of Iluka and Kootara Crescent in Narrabundah, which saw people start queuing an hour before Big Box Barbeque officially opened its doors. Wondering what the fuss is about? Read all about it (and find out what’s on the menu) here.
Yoga and Laksa offers the perfect soul-nourishing Saturday
The end of winter is (finally) in sight, but that doesn’t mean cosy evenings are off the cards. Back for another session, @asanabycharlie and @dumplinlins are hosting a soul-nourishing evening filled with good movement, good food and good vibe on Saturday 16 August with their Yoga & Laksa event.
Helping you feel full in every way, Charlie will guide you through an all-level one-hour vinyasa flow, followed by LinLin serving up her signature northern Thai chicken laksa followed by matcha mochi and tea for dessert. Priced at $60 per person, book your tickets now so you don’t miss out.
Manuka welcomes a new café
Since 2016, Manuka Steakhouse has been serving Canberrans mouthwatering grass-fed Angus beef – but now the team has branched out into a new venture: Brew & Crust. Located just around the corner from Manuka Steakhouse, here you’ll find handmade wood fire pizza, locally sourced cakes and pastry, ceremonial grade Japanese matcha and – of course – quality coffee.
This is your sign to get Nepalese momos at the Old Bus Depot Markets
Looking for the perfect winter warmer? Nepalese momos from The Dumpling Diplomat at the Old Bus Depot Markets is just what you need.
On the menu, you’ll find juicy pork, chicken, beef and vegetable momos, each hand-folded and seasoned with generous amounts of aromatics and a signature spice blend that they keep under lock and key. And make sure to try their Winter Dumpling Soup Special: dumplings floating in a rich, soul-warming bone broth, slow-cooked overnight. There are only limited portions available, so you better be quick!
The Meat Wizard is bringing his magic to a new location
It seems winter is the season for low and slow barbeque in the ACT with the announcement that the Meat Wizard has put down roots in Queanbeyan. Serving succulent meats since 2017 in Googong, you can now find him at 26 Sunnybar Parade, Queanbeyan on Saturdays – but you’ve got to get there early. Serving limited “til-only” specials menu, you can also pre-order a platter and either hang around to eat it fresh or take it to go.
Studying or working in the ANU precinct? Leap and Latte is your new local
They had us at a mango and passionfruit matcha. Leap and Latte has just opened on University Avenue, becoming a new local haunt for those studying and working in the ANU precinct. Serving all day breakfast, toasties and Asian-inspired dishes, go for the matcha and stay for the Katsu curry.
Pulp Book Café is now open for dinner
Bookworms don’t have an excuse to stay home on Friday and Saturday nights anymore with the launch of Pulp Book Café’s new fully licensed dinner service. Choose from options like Confit Duck Leg Cassoulet, Seafood Gnocchi, Chicken Tartine and curl up in front of the open fireplace with a new cosy read for the perfect night out. Plus there’ll be plenty of outdoor seating for when the weather warms up.
BBQ Town brings Korean BBQ buffet to Belconnen
There’s something about Korean BBQ on a cold day, and those in Belconnen don’t have far to go with the opening of BBQ Town in Westfield Belconnen. Find it on Level 3, near Macpac and enjoy grilling your own meats.
CUPBAP is the winter comfort dish you need to try
Consider this your sign to visit Japanese restaurant Kan Sushi & Poké. Located in the city, this hidden gem has just announced a new winter dish: CUPBAP. A comforting bowl of rice, your favourite mains, tasty sides, and a selection of 10 unique sauces, it’s fresh, flavoursome and comforting. Go along to try it for yourself.
You can try all of the trending street eats at this food festival
The Canberra Viral Food Festival will have the camera rolls of foodies fully loaded after it brings over 50 of the most unreal foods to one massive food festival. Running across three days (Friday 8 until Sunday 10 August), they’ll be serving up the trending street eats that have been all over your social media feeds, including the Raisin Canes chicken dupe, Big Mac tacos dripping with cheese, the viral Dubai bubble waffle loaded with Kataifi and Pistachio cream and more. Plus, there will be DJs, a live band playing each night, roving entertainment, and even wrestling. Book your tickets here.
Feature image: Shaw Estate. Credit: Pew Pew Studio.
