Canberrans go crazy for anything NEW, and here are HerCanberra HQ, we love new too. So with that in mind, we’ve done the hard yards and got the goss on five new places to eat and drink that you should try in May.

Local Press

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As a dedicated clean eater, Local Press couldn’t come at a better time in my journey. Packaged with friendly staff,  guilt free menu and green juices that come in a jar, it’s every clean eater’s dream.

The juices are comprised of various vegetables similar to those you might have found in last night’s salad, and of course fruits to make the kale, celery and cucumber combo palatable. The team at Local Press pre-juice and bottle to ensure your jar is ready to go when you are. The only problem is the price, at $7 for a small (and I mean tiny!) and $9 for a large (not so large!), it’s a shame that healthy always seems to cost more.

My favourite part is their all-day breakfast menu. The green pea pancake with poached eggs, guacamole, crushed feta, mint & chives dressed with house-pomegranate balsamic reduction has literally left me dreaming about it, weeks after my first visit.

So if you’re in search of wholefoods that are kind to the body, this may be the perfect place!

the essentials

Where:  129 Trevellian Quay, Kingston Foreshore
When: All day Breakfast and lunch
Web: www.localpresscafe.com.au

Autolyse Pressed Juice

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The newest addition to the Autolyse bread empire is Autolyse Pressed Juice and let me tell you, it’s a welcome fixture to the Lonsdale Street precinct. Housed three doors down from the main store, it’s an easy mission to acquire your baguette and freshly pressed juice before the infamous Braddon parking inspector comes to get you.

I ducked in to get my sandwich from the main store and then ran to the new premises, a few doors down, to be  greeted by a large fridge full of colourful hand-packed juice bottles. The bright red and green juices were daunting but my insides glowed from just looking at them.

My two picks? “Super C” – Carrots, pineapple, orange, lime and grapefruit and  “Super Green”- Spinach, kale, parsley, apples, mint, cucumber and ginger.

We’ve got more on Autolyse’s new adventures coming soon, so make sure you stay tuned.

the essentials

Where: 21 Lonsdale St, Braddon
When: Breakfast and lunch
Phone: 6262 8819
Web: autolyse.com.au

Dream Cuisine Patisserie & Cafe

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The temptation to skip straight to dessert is constant when I step into Dream Cuisine. With their perfect macarons, strawberry tarts, freshly baked croissants and brownies that potentially have my daily calorie allowance in them, I sometimes wonder how I can be expected to leave without an extra five kilos on my hips.

To the applause of everyone that works in Fyshwick, Dream Cuisine has extended to include a seated cafe with an breakfast and lunch menu. Their menu isn’t extensive,  but it’s wholesome, warm and delicious.

It’s the homemade sausage rolls, gourmet pizza slices, croque Monsieur, croque Madame, Creamy fish pie and the Dream burger make my mouth water just thinking about it. Their breakfast menu includes a quinoa and apple bowl, Gruyere and chive omelette and ricotta hotcakes.

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The menu is a little on the pricey side, but my Dream burger with sweet potato chips was delicious and ticked all my clean eating boxes. What didn’t, were their macarons…but I had one anyway. Lemon, pistachio and lime, cherry and chocolate, chai, strawberry and champagne…the list goes on and I can’t be blamed for not being able to choose!

the essentials

Where: 9/18 Whyalla St, Fyshwick
When: Breakfast and lunch
Phone: 02 6162 2021
Web: www.dreamcuisine.net.au 

Capitol Bar and Grill

We were there for the launch last month and we haven’t been able to resist going back for dinner and breakfast. Capitol Bar and Grill may be a ‘hotel restaurant’ but this is not your typical hotel dining experience.

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There’s an almost intimidating choice, plus an amazing antipasto bar lets you select from an array of cured meets and other goodies. At breakfast time you can watch the chefs make your own customised omelette and choose from gorgeously presented fresh juices and smoothies.

Our picks? The Pollies Pie: Dry Aged Beef, Braised in Barolo Wine, Tiny Champignons, Pea & Mint Mash Floater, Wine Gravy ($32); Coal Grilled Sicilian Style Tuna “Mercato del Tonno” Crusted in Fennel, Capers, Fresh Tomato, Green Olives, Lemon, Shallots, Garlic, Tuscan Dwarf Peaches, Parsley ($44); “Peach Melba”: Vanilla Creamed Arborio Rice, Raspberry Swirl Gelato, Last Season’s Sweet n Sour Pickled Spiced Peaches, Raspberry Everything ($16) and the “Ciambelle Bambino”: Baby Doughnuts, Cinnamon Sugar, Vanilla Custard, Strawberry, Lemon Mint, Jam Syringes ($14).

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Yum. Yum. Yum.

the essentials

Where: 1 London Circuit, Canberra, ACT (inside the QT Hotel)
When: Breakfast and dinner
Phone: 02 6247 1488
Web: www.qtcanberra.com.au

Little oink

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The cute name also mirrors a cute place. Nestled in the quiet area of Cook Shops, the new kid on the block is little Oink and they’re ready to play.

As a rare ‘kid friendly cafe’, decked out with a kids play area and some funky decor, little oink has been an instant hit with locals. Serving Two Before Ten coffee from their very own machine, fondly named Dolly, we can’t promise you’ll be able to stay away.

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Little oink has only just recently opened their doors, so if you’re around the neighbourhood, pop in and say hi (or maybe give a polite grunt) to the new little oinks on the block.

the essentials

Where:  22 Cook Place, Cook
When: Coffee and handmade cakes
Phone: 0422 230 827
Web: www.facebook.com/littleoinkcafe