Little Sutton Bakehouse opens, food royalty comes to Kingston and we may have found Braddon’s best-value set menu
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This edition of Foodie News is sure to put a spring into your step.
From fresh-baked sourdough and country-style cakes to an absolute flood of spring wine events, Canberra’s food scene is officially in full bloom. Grab a fork (or a glass) – here’s everything you need to eat, sip, and experience this month.
DISCOVERIES, OPENINGS, CLOSINGS AND MOVES
Romanée has a seriously good-value set menu (and it’s GF-friendly!)
Braddon hidden gem Romanée’s $65 set menu may be one of the best-value nights out we’ve seen in a long time – especially when you can add optional wine matching for $60 per person.
It’s serving up seven courses, including beetroot with herbed goat’s cheese, tempura prawns with kaffir lime chilli mayo, pepper berry-cured kingfish, seared duck breast with blood orange jus and a trio of chocolate for dessert. The menu changes regularly, with owner Chester Mok sourcing fresh produce from the EPIC Farmers Market each Saturday. Most of the menu is gluten-free, too, with coeliac-safe mixers and fryers.
Romanée’s excellent wine list (it scored a three-goblet rating in Australia’s Wine List of The Year) is worth the trip alone – there’s a huge range of by-the-glass options. Add a sunny courtyard, and we’re sold.
Little Sutton Bakehouse finally opens in Deakin
That’s right – you can get Little Sutton’s signature sourdough, gourmet pies, baked goods and country-style cakes from Saturday 12 September.
Taking over the spot that previously housed Locale Pizzeria, opening day will feature plenty of fresh goodies, coffee, live music, giveaways, and more. With many hungry locals counting down the days, all we can say is – see you there!
Canberra is named a ‘gastronomic wonderland’ by Australian Gourmet Traveller
Tell us something we didn’t know. But in all seriousness, one of the country’s most iconic voices in food and travel has named three Canberra restaurants as part of the 2026 Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide, and we couldn’t be prouder.
Minima, Bar Rochford and Such & Such have all received much-deserved acclaim (which you can read about here). It’s a massive moment for Canberra, and we send our heartfelt congratulations to all three venues.
The Berry Donut Van is rolling into Canberra
A South Coast institution for more than five decades, the Berry Donut Van is coming to Canberra to serve its legendary hot cinnamon donuts to crowds at Commonwealth Park.
Stopping at Floriade for the entirety of the flower festival, the van will also serve a selection of much-loved favourites including Nutella donuts, coffee, hotdogs, smoothies and milkshakes. Spring flowers, a ferris wheel, and hot cinnamon donuts – does it get any better than this?
Is Braddon becoming Canberra’s very own pizza precinct?
It looks like it, because Lonsdale Street is getting another pizza place! Sal’s Pizza has now been spotted on the strip, and – if it’s the business we think it is – it will be serving up slices of authentic New York pizza.
With locations already open across Sydney, Sal’s Pizza uses using genuine New York milled hard spring wheat flour, and 100 per cent NYC blend mozzarella to make their 18-inch pies. Hungry? You should be.
This is the ACT’s Restaurant of the Year
Lunetta has been named 2026 Australian Capital Territory Restaurant of the Year, while also taking home the award for Premium Dining, at the Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence.
Spanning 17 categories, other highlights include Petrichor Farm in Gundaroo named Caterer of the Year, Highroad taking home Cafe Dining of the Year, and Shaw Estate Restaurant dubbed Best New Restaurant.
ACT Winner for Indian Restaurant/Catering at the 2026 ACT Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence.
Congratulations to all the nominees and winners!
Googong now has a small-batch microbakery
Cinnamon rolls, chocolate chip cookies and scones are just some of the sweet treats being baked at the Googong Microbakery.
Expect handcrafted, slow-fermented sourdough bread, cookies, cinnamon scrolls and more – keep an eye out for when they launch their website!
Australia’s food royalty is coming to Floriade
Australian food royalty is coming to Canberra, with Floriade announcing five of the country’s best-known chefs, food personalities and authors as part of the Feast of Flowers program.
Karen Martini, Mindy Woods, Justine Schofield, Stephanie Alexander and Simon Bryant will appear in the month-long celebration of food, flowers and seasonal produce running throughout Floriade from 12 September to 11 October.
Read all about it here.
All-you-can-eat Korean BBQ makes its way to Dickson
The K-wave continues with the opening of BBQ Town in Dickson. Spreading from Westfield Belconnen to take over Challis Street, the all-you-can-eat experience ranges from $55 to $65 per person, depending on the day and meal you book.
Offering all your favourites – from hot mains to fresh sides – you can fill up on as much delicious Korean food as you can stomach for 90 minutes.
FEASTS, FESTIVALS AND MORE: DELICIOUS FOODIE EXPERIENCES
Sip under the stars with this wine stargazing experience
Name a better way to spend a spring night? On Friday 18 September, Mount Majura Vineyard is hosting an evening of wine tasting and constellation storytelling with Wine Tasting Stargazing.
Featuring an hour of sampling six handpicked wines – including regional heroes like Riesling and Shiraz – as well as a gourmet Australian cheese and charcuterie platter, your evening will include an hour of laser-guided naked-eye astronomy and telescope viewing with an expert astronomer. Secure your spot here.
Pizzeria Officina fires up for lunch
They had us at house-made sandwiches and weekend bake sales. Known for its 48-hour fermented sourdough pizzas, unconventional flavour combinations and 80s car-culture aesthetic, Braddon’s Pizzeria Officina has launched a new daytime offering of house-made sandwiches, freshly baked bread and weekend bake sales.
Putting the woodfired pizza oven to work on baguettes, focaccia, subs and panuozzo, the grab-and-go selection will rotate regularly, alongside a small selection of premium sandwiches made to order. As for the weekends? They’ll roll up the garage door from 9 am to serve fresh focaccia, cakes, cookies and coffee.
Pasta and wine for $30? We’re serious
City wine bar Curiosa has just launched a delicious deal you need to know about: Corks & Carbs. Every Thursday from 6 pm, they’re serving up the chef’s rotating Pasta of the Day,
served alongside a carefully selected glass of wine for just $30. You read that right.
And if you’re looking for an excuse to leave work a little bit early, head along for Curiosa Hour from 4 pm to 6 pm (Wednesday to Sunday), to make the most of 50 per cent off the By The Glass menu, complimentary aperitivo snacks, Aperol Spritz from $8, beers from $6 and wines from $5.50.
CBR Gals hosts a lakeside wine tasting
The CBR Gals Network is teaming up with Kingston’s Contentious Character to host an evening of wine, food and connection – and you’re invited.
Taking place on Thursday 17 September from 6.30 pm, the event will include a guided tasting of Contentious Character’s wines paired with nibbles. Priced at $50 per person, you’ll also have the chance to meet some like-minded women, making it a great night out.
Canberra Wine Day Out comes to the Fyshwick Markets because wine not?
Taste your way through the Canberra Wine Region without having to hit the road – Canberra Wine Day Out is taking over the Fyshwick Markets this September.
On Saturday 27 September, 15 wineries will gather at the markets to offer free tastings to guests over the age of 18. Featuring local favourites like Nick O’Leary, Clonakilla, Mt Majura, and Sapling Yard, the event will also have cheese and charcuterie platters from Deli Planet (available for pre-purchase). Registrations are essential – find out more here.
INKA takes up lunch a level with Signature Gozen
A traditional Japanese set meal where everything is served together on a tray, INKA is now offering the Signature Gozen as a new lunch option, bringing together some fan-favourite dishes in one experience.
For just $49 per person, diners will receive seasonal sashimi, miso soup, daikon and lettuce salad, along with miso eggplant, Japanese pickles, steamed rice, and their choice of main. Think: MB4+ Wagyu Striploin, Saikyo Miso Barramundi, Karaage Chicken, Wagyu Gyoza, Yakitori Chicken, or a vegetarian option with seasonal vegetables and fried tofu. Let’s just say that lunch in the city just got a whole lot better.
Your favourite wine party is back this October
Put Sunday 4 October in your diary, because Venus Vinifera is hosting Frenzy – a day filled with local art, live music and (of course) wine.
Featuring Babce, Allevare, Bobar, Vino Friendo and more, your ticket includes entry along with unlimited tasting of wines. The best part? It’s also dog-friendly, so you can take your four-legged friend along! Find out more here.
Fromage, Fizz & Floral Feast is the freshest spring event
A parmesan pasta wheel, live jazz, cheese-inspired dessert canapés and a special appearance from Will Studd – this is one event you won’t want to miss.
On Saturday 10 October, Grainger Gallery and Le Cheeserie is inviting people to attend an intimate cocktail event held amidst the Spring Salon exhibition. Starting with sparkling wine and canapés, you’ll enjoy a selection of cheese experiences, including a Selected by Will Studd Grazing Station. Book your ticket here.
Tiny sandwiches and bubbles take over Canberra
Spring in Canberra always means one thing for foodies – high tea season. Running alongside Floriade, whether you’re planning a long-overdue catch-up or looking for the perfect excuse to treat yourself, here are seven seasonal high teas to book now. Go on, consider it seasonal maintenance.
This might sound cheesy, but we’re so down for this course
Ready to take your cheese addiction to the next level? Designed for beginners and food lovers, you need to know about this hands-on, full day cheesemaking workshop. Running on Saturday 24 October from 8 am until 4.30 pm, you’ll learn how to confidently culture, press, and age your own gourmet cheeses.
From creamy Brie to buttermilk ricotta, farmhouse cheddar and Persian feta, it promises to be a delicious experience. With only 12 seats available, book your spot here.
Grab your partner in wine for the Urban Wine Walk
Can’t resist a glass of wine? The Urban Wine Walk is back for another wine-derful tasting experience.
Transforming the city on Saturday 7 November into the ultimate wine-tasting experience, you’ll be able to walk between an amazing line-up of venues and taste wines from featured winemakers in one amazing afternoon. With tickets currently on sale, grab one now so you don’t miss out.
The Canberra Region and Wine Show is back for a pour-fect time
As if you didn’t have enough excuses for a glass of wine this spring, the Canberra Region and Wine Show is back this November.
Running for one day only at the Terrace Restaurant in Exhibition Park, the event will have over 300 wines available for tasting, including just-announced award winners. Book your ticket here so you can go along to sniff, swirl and savour some award-winning wines.
Feature image: Little Sutton. Credit: Ben Calvert.
