Foodie News: Easter eats, new openings and the events every Canberra foodie needs to know about
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That’s right, we’re already serving up another edition of Foodie News – and it’s juicy.
From what’s hot and happening around town to the new openings you need to know about and the events to plan for, you’ll want to sink your teeth into this.
WHAT’S HOT AND HAPPENING
They had us at a ‘Easter Hot Cross Bun French Toast Platter’
Easter lovers better hold onto their bunny ears because this might just be the most indulgent experience of the season. The Bakehouse Mitchell is making our sweet dreams a reality this Easter with the launch of their Easter Hot Cross Bun French Toast Platter – a sweet, salty, creamy and crunchy combination of everything you love.
Loaded with eight pieces of classic and double-chocolate hot-cross-bun French toast, sticky maple mustard bacon, orange cream, Milo custard, golden syrup ganache, chai-spiced ice cream, maple syrup, fresh fruit, AND topped with Easter eggs, you’ll want to bring some friends along to help you eat this one. Available for the Easter weekend only, pre-bookings are essential.
Hop to it!
Looking for more Easter food egg-excitement?
We’ll just leave this list here. Whether you’re planning a family outing or a long lunch with friends, we’ve hunted down some of the tastiest foodie events to add to your Easter calendar.
The Wonderful World Festival promises fun for foodies
From Tuesday 7 until Sunday 12 April, the Wonderful World Festival will be transforming the city into a playground for all ages – and foodies can get in on the fun.
What can you look forward to? Across the festival, Bloom Room will present “Bloom Stack Wonderland” – an immersive, family-friendly pancake experience designed to celebrate creativity, connection, and the joy of discovery.
For any budding chefs out there, Ramen O will be hosting an interactive Japanese food workshop for children aged 5 to 12. Taking place on Sunday 12 April, they’ll learn to roll their own sushi and create a traditional Japanese dessert (Anmitsu), guided by Japanese chef Mamoru Aizawa with over 40 years of experience. Spots are limited so make sure to book ahead!
Sandoochie reimagines the classic school fete
Complete with blue-and-white checkered tablecloths, towering displays of cakes and sweets, apple bobbing, and lively oompah band music, you’ll feel transported back to your childhood.
Taking place on Saturday 11 April from 12 pm until 5 pm, we don’t know much, but we do know that it will be a feast for the senses. Keep an eye on @sandoochie to find out more.
Compa partners with Quealy Winemakers for a delicious dinner
You won’t want to miss this – on Thursday 16 April, Compa is presenting a four-course Italian dinner in partnership with Mornington Peninsula’s Quealy Winemakers.
Pairing food with six wines from the Quealy range, they will be showcasing the versatility of Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir across a thoughtfully designed seasonal menu. Think: scallops with anchovy butter, duck lasagna and Angus striploin, finishing with Basque cheesecake and a late harvest Pinot Gris.
Get your tickets here.
Calling all young chefs – entries for the Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award are now open
Does your child have culinary talent? The Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award is back for another year.
Launching over 60 years ago, the program has helped more than 8,000 emerging chefs build the skills required to thrive in modern foodservice. Known as Australia’s longest-running culinary competition, entry is free and open to apprentice and junior chefs aged 18 to 24 across Australia and New Zealand.
Regional cook-offs will take place from June to July, with finalists progressing to the Grand Final at Fine Food Australia in Melbourne this September. And with competitors vying for a share of $28,000 AUD in prizes (including an incredible international culinary trip to Singapore), it’s worth looking into.
Find out more here.
A fondue cruise is hitting the lake this autumn
Because nothing goes better together than creamy fondue au fromage and autumn leaves.
Setting sail on Sunday 12 April, The Sweet & Savoury Fondue Cruise is bringing a delicious two-hour experience to Lake Burley Griffin. Including fondue au fromage, a decadent chocolate fondue fountain and the choice of one of two drinks on arrival – an Irish Hot Chocky or Vin Chaud Merlot – it sounds like the perfect autumnal experience.
Spots are limited, so book your seat here.
Grease Monkey is changing things up a bit
Before you panic, you’ll still be able to get your hands on the old favourites, but Grease Monkey is mixing it up a bit with some brand new burgers.
Think: The Pile Up (six smashed patties with cheese, onion, relish and Greasy’s sauce), the Firebird (a hot chicken burger) and a classic cheeseburger for the purists. The Hawaii 5-0 is also making its debut in the pizza section (a throwback to Ham and Pineapple pizza), but that’s not all. They’re also now serving a GF Caesar Salad (made with their famous Greasy fried chicken) and the Super Bowl with quinoa, cowboy caviar and your choice of haloumi or marinated salmon.
But wait, there’s even more. They’re also mixing it up with the snacks and introducing the Chimp Change menu. That’s right – Greasys favourites at “tight-arse prices”.
Learn how to turn a good drink into a great one at this interactive tasting
Join Alex Moncrieff (Such and Such) and Lucy Mannix (Volstead Repeal and Rizla) at Such and Such on Sunday 12 April to learn the impressive art of cocktail making.
For $15 per person in the interactive tasting, you’ll explore classic cocktails both with and without modifiers to reveal the dramatic impact these ingredients have on balance, aroma, and flavour.
Perfect for cocktail lovers, who doesn’t want to learn how to turn a good drink into a great one? Book your seat here.
Margot calls ‘last drinks’
Don’t worry – they’re not closing. But Margot is calling “last drinks” for their PM sessions (yes, including the pizzas and fromage).
Your morning espresso isn’t going anywhere, and they’ve announced that something new is taking shape, so keep an eye out to see what they have planned next.
A lasagne bonanza is coming to Tintino
And it’s all for a good cause. Raising money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF), on Wednesday 15 April Tintino is hosting a very special Lasagne Day dinner.
Serving all things lasagne, all proceeds from lasagne sales will go to the NBCF. Add in raffle prizes and an auction for a special Tintino experience, and you are guaranteed a great night. Book your table now so you don’t miss out!
The Yacht Club is hosting a cocktail night
A four-course dinner and paired with bespoke cocktails from Never Never Distilling Co is on the menu at the Yacht Club on Friday 17 April.
Crafted by Executive Chef Bradley Howden, each course will be matched to highlight Never Never’s bold botanicals – think: Hiramasa Kingfish with oyster mayo, dill oil and mandarin paired with an Oyster Shell Gin Martini and Riverina lamb with their signature vodka and StrangeLove jalapeño and lime soda. Yum.
Book your seat here.
Lunch amongst the truffle trees? Say no more
Beltana Farm is hosting Lunch in the Leaves on Sunday 19 April, and it sounds like a beautiful way to spend an afternoon. Set among the rows of their truffle trees, this long-table lunch will highlight a special version of their Unearthed Tasting Menu, including an outdoor BBQ.
Make sure to take a hat and wear sun protection as you soak in the autumn afternoon.
Whisky lovers, this one is for you
Molly is hosting whisky-themed mini masterclasses this April, and you’re invited. Taking place every Wednesday, each evening will explore a different corner of the whisky world – from Japanese malts to maritime scotches.
Priced at $55 per person, book your ticket here.
Cartel tacos and Pilates? We’ll be there
Because life is all about balance, Cartel and Sol Pilates Co have joined forces for the ultimate event. With more details to come, put Sunday 19 April in your diary and keep an eye out for the ticket drop. Spots are limited, so you’ll want to be fast.
NEW OPENINGS
Capital Brewing Co.’s Lager House finally opens!
Cue the excitement of those who love Canberra’s craft beer scene.
Located within the newly launched East Traders Hall in Campbell, Lager House is a purpose-built destination dedicated to the art of (you guessed it) lager. Bringing together precision brewing and elevated yet approachable food in a space that’s been designed to feel like a ‘local’, it’s promising to bring good food, good beer, and good company to the area.
Get the full story here.
Canberra’s food and drink scene is getting a shake-up this April
We’re talking about the launch of East Traders Hall, a vibrant new food and lifestyle destination at ANZAC Park East.
Bringing together leading local provedores and makers under the one roof, the space will feature a curated collection of popular hospitality names, including Capital Brewing Co., Chairman Group, Sliceria and Lava Coffee. With additional venues remaining under wraps (for now), find out everything we currently know here.
Cheers! Canberra has a new winery
Opening on the site that formerly housed Contentious Character (just 30 minutes outside of Canberra in Wamboin), Aranya Acres is all about focusing on “quintessential native flavours”, exploring the intersection between Australian native ingredients and the country’s multicultural heritage.
Also featuring a range of local, national and international wines and champagnes, we haven’t even mentioned the champagne, martini and oyster trolley. Read all about it here.
L’Orange Patisserie announces a new location
One of our favourites places to get a taste of Europe in Canberra is moving. Now, we finally know where.
L’Orange Patisserie will soon be opening at the iconic location of “The Lawns” in Manuka. With plans to welcome back customers shortly after Easter, the French-inspired location will get a fresh look.
A new neighbourhood wine bar opens in Moruya
Planning a trip to the coast? Add Bar Something to your itinerary. Brought to life by three friends who have all worked in the hospitality industry, it officially opens on Thursday 2 April to serve good food and wine Tuesday to Saturday.
Pop in for a drink at 60 Vulcan Street, Moruya.
PLAN AHEAD FOR…
Sip and explore with the Urban Wine Walk
The Urban Wine Walk is back this May to take you on the ultimate self-guided tour of some of Canberra’s coolest venues as you taste some amazing local wine.
Taking place on Saturday 2 May, you’ll start your afternoon at your chosen venue with a delicious bite, before wandering at your own pace on your tasting tour. Featuring Bar Outro, COMPA, Paloma’s, Wilma and more, get your tickets here before they sell out.
Scones and tea at Dainere’s Rainbow High Tea
Plan ahead for an enchanting and whimsical afternoon eating scones and sipping tea for a good cause. Raising money for children battling brain cancer, Dainere’s Rainbow Book Character High Tea is inviting people to attend a elegant high tea on Saturday 13 June.
Priced at $100 per adult and $50 per child (12 and under), your ticket will include a selection of sweets and savouries, tea, coffee and a glass of sparkling wine on arrival, with every dollar raised going towards vital research programs. As for the dress code? You can either bring a beloved storybook character to life or take cues from classic tea party elegance.
Get your tickets here.
