A Filipino feast, Pialligo Estate’s next chapter and a laneway party firing up Canberra City
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From Italian spirit to Filipino hospitality, this edition of Foodie News will take you around the world.
We’ve rounded up all the recent openings, closures and food-focused events worth knowing about in Canberra. With no plane ticket required, read on to discover how you can take your taste buds around the world this spring.
DISCOVERIES, OPENINGS, CLOSINGS AND MOVES
Taste a summer afternoon on the Amalfi Coast (within 8km radius of the CBD)
We knew it was coming but now we have the name: Pravino Estate and Cucina kitchen and bar. The team from Armada Collective have finally unveiled their vision for Pialligo Estate, bringing a new Italian spirit to weddings and events as well as a new place to gather for those who love a long lunch and a lively dinner.
They’re set to open in February and are taking bookings now. Read the story here!
18 Kallaroo Road, Pialligo | pravinoestate.com.au
Exclusive Noodle Room coming to Dairy Road
Fire-cooked dishes, dry-aged duck and beef, and the freshest of raw seafood is on the menu in a new chef-centred dining experience coming to Fyshwick.
The team behind Ramen Daddy and Canteen, John Leverink and Eddie Tsai, are bringing to life a tiny but lofty dream of a 10-seater omakase-style dining room which promises to be inventive, intimate and seriously high-end.
Read all about it here.
Manila comes alive after dark
This event is so special it deserves a spot high on this list. On Thursday 26 November, Manila in Canberra is hosting Manila After Dark: A Filipino Feast. Bringing the generous hotel-style buffet experiences of Manila to Canberra, for $79 per person, you’ll enjoy a drink upon arrival, starters, a buffet experience, a special feature dish, Filipino desserts and a Halo-Halo bar!
Showcasing familiar favourites, vibrant flavours and the warmth of Filipino hospitality, places are limited to make sure to book your spot here.
190/260 City Walk, City | manilaincanberra.au
Forget Canberra’s clean-cut image, the Squeak Out Laneway Festival is coming
For one special night, Verity Lane will be awash with counter-culture grunge. The Squeak Out Laneway Festival is coming on Saturday 21 November, converting Sydney Building’s Laneway into a giant beer garden to celebrate the city’s counter-culture communities.
Organised by Squeaky Clean, the festival will bring local and interstate live music, visual art, skate, and tattoo artists together with great food and drinks for an all-day party. Read all about the free event here.
Verity Lane, Canberra City | inthecity.com.au
Does Googong have Canberra’s largest and most luxe pub?
At $25 million, we’d suggest yes. Googong’s long-awaited local pub is here, with The Glenrock Hotel has opened its doors.
Overlooking Bunyip Park and the lake of Googong, the $25 million, two-storey development boasts sweeping views across the township’s picturesque parklands, with a 400-seat family bistro, sports bar, beer garden, children’s play area and dedicated Asian restaurant. Overall, the venue can accommodate 800 patrons. Find out more here.
Glenrock Drive, Googong | theglenrock.com.au
Criniti’s begins a new chapter in Canberra
Authentic Southern Italian flavours and warm hospitality is coming to Woden with the opening of Criniti’s.
Originally established in 2003 in Parramatta by the by Criniti family, Criniti’s combines traditional Southern Italian and contemporary Australian cuisine. The menu is overflowing with pasta, pizza, burgers, risotto, calzone, BBQ and even breakfast dishes – perfect for all-day dining.
Stay tuned for the official launch!
Westfield Woden, Bradley Street, Phillip | crinitis.com.au
Colombian-inspired street food comes to the city
Cundo Latino has officially opened at Verity Lane, bringing Colombian-inspired street food and seeing a decade-old dream come to life. The opening marks a meaningful milestone for chef Christian Alvarez and his family.
Cundo Latino is named after his grandfather Segundo, who inspired him to become a chef. Beginning as a market stall in 2025, the business has flourished, bringing together Colombian favourites and flavours from across Latin America.
On the menu you’ll find Colombian empanadas, twice-fried green plantain, grilled meat, a Cuban sandwich, bandeja paisa, and a hearty Colombian platter, with rotating specials exploring more flavours from across Latin America.
Verity Lane Market, 50 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra City | instagram.com/cundo_latino
Au Lac Woden closes its doors
We have some sad news for fans of Au Lac’s vegan cuisine – the Woden location has closed its doors.
Recently sharing a post on Instagram, the team wrote “While this chapter at Au Lac Woden may be coming to an end, this is not the end of Au Lac. It is simply the start of a new chapter.” The post also highlights that they have some “exciting ideas and plans for the future”.
And don’t worry about the Dickson location – they’ll be opening seven days a week for both lunch and dinner.
Smoke Masters set to fire up Majura Park
If you saw what looked like a four-tonne barbecue smoker being craned into Majura Park Shopping Centre, you’re not imagining things – Smoke Masters, the award-winning barbecue destination, is moving in.
Owned and operated by well-known Canberra personality Scotty Masters, Smoke Masters will trade Wednesday through to Sunday, serving its signature low-and-slow barbecue and American-style favourites.
With the opening date yet to be announced, keep an eye out!
18/26 Spitfire Ave, Majura Park | majuraparkshopping.com.au
Craving Bibimbap? Arirang Korean is the place to go
Gungahlin’s Arirang Korean Restaurant has had a refresh, reopening on Hibberson Street under new ownership with a new menu to match.
Open for lunch and dinner, you can try Korean classics including yukhoe, crispy whole squid, garlic bossam, jokbal and gamjatang. Don’t worry – they also have all your favourites like fried chicken, kimchi pancake, bulgogi, bibimbap and more.
Shop 111/43 Hibberson Street, Gungahlin | @arirang.cbr
C9 Chocolate & Gelato has opened its first store in Canberra
Westfield Belconnen is now home to some delicious sweet treats. Located near Subway,C9 Chocolate & Gelato is serving up traditional Italian gelato with a twist.
Made with natural ingredients (including real milk, fruits, nuts, and premium cocoa), you can indulge in more than 30 gelato flavours, plus shakes, sundaes, and more.
192 Benjamin Way, Belconnen | c9gelato.com.au
1980 Chinese Restaurant will close its doors
After 14 years in business, 1980 Chinese Restaurant (near the ANU) has announced it is closing.
Previously known as Spicy Ginger, it was loved for its Sichuan specialities. The restaurant will be trading until Christmas Eve, so if you’re thinking about visiting, don’t leave it too late.
Shop 2/25 Childers Street, City | 1980chineserestaurant.com.au
FEASTS, FESTIVALS AND MORE: DELICIOUS FOODIE EXPERIENCES
Your lunchtime prayers have been answered thanks to eightysix
Looking for a perfectly good excuse to ignore your inbox? eightysix is here to help. In the lead-up to silly season, they’re opening their doors every Friday and Saturday for lunch – perfect for escaping the office on a sunny day.
Ideal for business lunches, long lunches or lunches that accidentally turn into dinner. Go hungry and say yes to that extra glass.
Corner of Elouera and Lonsdale Streets, Braddon | eightysix.com.au
Save the date: Selecta is taking over Bar Nova
Pop Sunday 15 November into your calendar, because Selecta Wines are taking over Bar Nova in Kingston for a special event.
Pouring their new wines before they go on sale, the drinks will be paired with good music and “other goodies by friends”. Book your seat while you can!
5 Eyre Street, Kingston | barnova.com.au
Penny Pinchers are back by popular demand
We first wrote about Penny University in 2013 when it opened to bring to life the idea of “a cafe as a place for a community to come together”. Inspired by the coffeehouses that originated in London in the 17th century, 13 years later it’s still all about simple, homestyle, honest food inspired by different cultures.
And because people love their homestyle food so much, they’re bringing back their Penny Pinchers so you can pop in for a meal that won’t break the bank. Think: $11 rolls, $19 burgers, an $11 cookie-and-coffee combo, $25 pasta or salad, and a $2 small batchy!
15 Kennedy Street, Kingston | pennyscbr.com.au
UNDER turns seven!
It’s time to wish a big ‘Happy birthday’ to one of your favourite suburban bakeries. On Sunday 22 November, UNDER Bakery is inviting people to their Dairy Road location for an afternoon full of BBQ, salads, sweet treats and beverages.
It’s happening from 2 pm until 8 pm. Make sure to leave room for cake!
The Stream, Dairy Road, Fyshwick | under-bakery.com
Smoked BBQ, drinks and sunshine – your Saturdays are sorted
The Truffle Farm is shaking things up with their Smokeshow event series, and it looks like your Saturdays are booked from now until Christmas.
Running from 12 pm until 7 pm in Majura, they’re teaming up with local suppliers to deliver the ultimate BBQ platter experience. Pre-purchase your shared platter, enjoy live music and lawn games!
Book your spot here.
23 Mount Majura Road, Yaouk | thetrufflefarm.com.au
Laidback Fridays are now a thing
This new collaboration between Canberra’s original microbrewery and The Street Theatre is bringing a fresh Friday-night vibe to Childers Street.
Fusing live music, the Zierholz Pop-Up Bar and tasty food in the outdoor precinct at The Street, you can enjoy a locally brewed Zierholz beer, catch some live music and soak up the atmosphere, all while supporting the arts and the local businesses.
Taking place every Friday until 18 December, it’s a fun alternative to the traditional Friday night out.
The Street Theatre, 15 Childers Street, Canberra City | zierholz.com.au
Mexican and margs take over an unexpected location
Name a better way to spend a Friday evening? On Friday 20 November, A Bite To Eat in Chifley is bringing back their Mexican & Margs night from 5 pm.
Serving up share plates (which include crispy cauliflower frito, grilled halloumi, guacamole and kingfish), they’ll also have carne asada, chicken tinga and sweet potato tacos.
As for dessert? Make sure to save room for the churro donut. Book your spot here.
8 Chifley Place, Chifley | abitetoeat.com.au
Here’s a Thanksgiving feast you can sink your teeth into
Slow-roasted turkey, buttery mash, roasted veggies, and house-made pies…Catbird is bringing back its Thanksgiving Buffet.
A homestyle feast with all-you-can-eat goodness, it’s priced at $85 per person with the option to BYO drinks ($12 corkage per bottle). Taking place from Thursday 26 to Saturday 28 November, bookings are available for two hours, so bring your appetite and your gratitude.
44 Constitution Avenue, City | catbirdcanberra.com.au
It’s bubbles first, responsibilities later at the Spritz Club
Fridays and Saturdays are looking a whole lot more fun. QT Canberra has launched the Spritz Club – their own invitation to escape to the sun-drenched deck for a glass of something cold. Priced at $20 per person, you get your choice of an Aperol or Hugo spritz as well as nibbles (a crisp chicken tender and molten mozzarella stick).
They call it “a high-low aperitivo.” We call it our new Friday afternoon ritual. Book your spot here.
QT Canberra, 6 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra City | qthotels.com
CAFÉ MAMÉ is getting into the Christmas spirit
This will jingle your bells! CAFÉ MAMÉ is hosting a seasonal pop-up this December to help you get into the Christmas spirit.
Happening over three nights (17, 18 and 19 December) and priced at $130 per person, you’ll be treated to a Vietnamese feast. While we don’t know what will be on the menu, it promises to be fresh, bold and vibrant! Book your spot here.
Shop 2/4-6 Melba Circuit, Melba | cafemame.com.au
