Our My Canberra series is about seeing our city with new fresh eyes.  We have sought out well known Canberrans, authors, HerCanberra readers and bloggers to share their favourite parts of Canberra. It has so much to offer, but sometimes it’s hard to find those fantastic places without knowing someone to recommend them.

Today, we get the goss on some of the best places to eat around town from self-confessed ‘bon vivant’ (a person who enjoys the good things in life, especially good food and drink), Rachi Perera. You can follow Rachi’s explorations of Canberra on her blog le-bonvivant.com – I love her gorgeous images! But first, here’s Rachi’s Canberra!

Northside or Southside?

Definitely the Southside! My whole life revolves around the inner south; I live and work here and almost all of my close friends and favourite cafes and restaurants also happen to be in the inner south. It’s my happy little bubble!

Favourite top end restaurant?

The Artisan, closely followed by Sage. The food at both places is just exquisite. While Sage tends to be bit more experimental with their dishes, I love the attention to detail and the big bold flavours at The Artisan (below). Also the service is just top notch and personal at both places.

Favourite cheap eats?

I’d have to say Brodburger! My standard order is beef Brodburger with extra blue cheese and no tomato (I have serious issues with tomato in burgers) and it hits the spot every single time.

Griffith Vietnamese is another great spot for a cheap meal and a Canberra institution. I’ll let you in on a secret; there’s a crispy spicy calamari dish and a sizzling chicken and cashew dish they make but neither are on the menu. Just ask for it and they’ll make it for you. Both are delicious.

Loading Zone is also another favourite of mine. They have a simple and seasonal traditional Italian menu and their pastas are seriously amazing.

Favourite mid-range restaurant?

Morks (below). This might actually fall somewhere between top end and mid range but I have to give Morks a mention because there hasn’t been a single dish that I’ve tried and haven’t liked there. And again, it’s also the great service that keeps me going back and recommending Morks to anyone who asks me what my top three restaurants in Canberra are. (The Artisan and Sage are the other two making up the top three, in case it wasn’t obvious!)

Best coffee?

Ona Coffee. I live so close to both Manuka and Fyshwick cafes so I’m a bit spoiled for choice but since The Cupping Room opened last month I’ve been going out of my way to go to Civic because I love everything about it; from the coffee to the actual cupping sessions and also the food.

Two Before Ten is also a happy little place of mine; great coffee and great service.

Best Breakfast?

Penny University has some lovely and interesting dishes but The Cupping Room is definitely my new favourite breakfast place.

The smashed avocado and mushroom dish at Elk and Pea also deserves a mention as it has been one of my go-to breakfast dishes for some time.

Best place for a drink?

I’m all about classy and more “grown up” places when it comes to bars; I can’t stand loud bars where you have to yell at your friends in order to have a conversation while drinking! Parlour Wine Room has always been my number one choice for a quiet drink so I’m very glad they are back in business.

Mint Garden Bar is a definite summer favourite of mine.

And The Rum Bar, the newcomer to Kingston Foreshore (above), is also turning out to be a great little spot.

Best shopping spot?

I won’t talk about clothes shopping because most of my purchases tend to come from my annual overseas trips or online; Saks Fifth Avenue is practically my home page.

I also love everything about Essential Ingredient in Kingston. I can’t ever go to Kingston and not go in there, and then I can’t walk out without buying something either. That place has magnetic pulling powers over me!

Stephanie’s Boutique Lingerie in Kingston is another place with pulling powers. The ladies who work there are just brilliant at finding you exactly what suits you.

One of my recent discoveries that I’ve fallen in love with is the Choku Bai Jo farmer’s outlet shops for the best and freshest fruit and veg.

And then there’s of course the Old Bus Depot Markets which I frequent practically every Sunday; it’s the one stop shop for everything from a bunch of flowers to a little treat from Frugii ice cream to finding a unique present for that hard to buy person.

(Gosh, can you tell my life revolves around the Kingston/Manuka bubble?)

How to get away from it all?

A yoga class at Bikram Yoga Kingston is always good for the soul.

And I tend to do a lot of weekend trips to Tathra/Merimbula area; it’s my idea of the perfect relaxing weekend away to get away from it all.

On my still to do list?

I’m yet to try ANY of the great walks and hikes around Canberra. I mean, I haven’t even done Mount Ainslie yet! Some of my favourite bloggers in Canberra are always talking, blogging and tweeting about all these great sounding hikes and walks so this is definitely on my to-do list for this year.

And on the food side of things, I’m yet to dine at The Boathouse by the lake. I’ve been there for a couple of work functions and the food has been great but I’d like to go there on a romantic date (that wasn’t a hint for the boyfriend, I promise!)

Best thing about being a Canberran?

I love the gentle pace of living, the constantly evolving food scene, the changes in seasons and the sense of community here. I love showing Canberra off to interstate visitors; especially those who think we are just about roundabouts and politicians. I get a big kick out of changing their minds that Canberra is not the boring, soul-less place that they make it out to be!

the essentials

Blog: www.le-bonvivant.com
Twitter: @rachiperera
Instagram: @rachiperera
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lebonvivantblog

Images of The Artisan and Morks by Rachi – the rest of the crappy ones by me (Amanda)!