16 new places to eat in Canberra

Posted on 16 November, 2018

We know – it feels like we just wrote the last list.

But since our last round-up, Canberra’s food scene has exploded again and there are even more new places to treat your taste buds.

Check out the new places we promise you won’t regret adding to your (never-ending) list of brunch spots, dinner options, and thirst-quenching bars to try.

ADORE TEA  

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Canberra’s favourite teahouse has returned to Gold Creek, after relocating to Mitchell in early 2017. The teahouse will be reintroducing their famous high teas soon enough, and will stock all of our favourite Adore Tea products for customers to get their hands on.

A perfect spot to meet up with some friends, the teahouse still features a playing area for kids and a variety of tea blends to die for.

Shop 6/18 O’Hanlon Place, Gold Creek | Open Monday-Sunday 10 am-5 pm | 02 6156 9309 | adoretea.com.au

BRADDON BREW

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There haven’t been many details released about the newest coffee and beer spouting addition to Braddon. But for all the secrecy surrounding the café, bar, roaster and brewery, it promises a variety of speciality craft beer and the opportunity to roast your own coffee.

If that means we can get that perfect blend to cure Mondayitis, we’re in.

Coming soon | instagram.com/braddon_brew 

CHANGES

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From the team behind Lyons’ Stand By Me, ch-ch-ch-changes are brewing in Woden Interchange.

Not a lot of information has been released about the new café and roaster, but if Stand By Me’s delicious rotating flavours of French toast are anything to go by, we can expect some amazing fare.

Coming soon | Woden Bus Interchange, Phillip | instagram.com/changeswoden

CHURCH

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Another new eatery keeping its cards close to its chest, Church is tantalisingly teasing coffee, skating, and food.

Take what you will from that, but judging by its hip location in Odgers Lane, this will be one to watch for some neighbourhood goods.

Coming soon | Odgers Lane, Canberra City | churchneighbourhoodgoods.com

Ela Yiro

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Located on Flemington Road in Franklin, Ela Yiro is a takeaway shop which offers a delightful fusion of traditional Greek food and Australian takeaway traditions.

This hidden gem offers a diverse selection of food including burgers, pizzas, fish and chips and most importantly, yiros. A yiro, not to be mistaken for a kebab, is pita bread filled with yoghurt, garlic sauce, onions, tomatoes, chips and your choice of meat.

There’s also a range of options for diverse eaters such as haloumi chips, haloumi yiros, fresh salads and gluten-free pizzas.

Ivy Apartments, 241 Flemington Road, Franklin | Sunday-Tuesday 9.30 am-8 pm, Wednesday 9.30 am- 9 pm, and Thursday-Saturday 9.30 am-9.30 pm | facebook.com/ElaYiro   

FLASH

Image via facebook.com/FlashEats

If you’ve ever hoped for a supernatural ability to heal after a big night out, there’s a new burger joint in town that may have all the answers you’re seeking.

From the brains behind Hopscotch and Young & Frisky comes Flash, a cheeseburger joint within Bible Lane that hopes to give a high kick to those hangovers and fight off those hunger pangs.

The team toured American fast food joints to nail the perfect burger to the tee. Keep a look out for the soon to be spray-painted wall that will nod to the bold colours and graphics of comic book superheros.

Coming soon | Bible Lane, Canberra City | facebook.com/pg/FlashEats

GAMI CHICKEN AND BEER

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Bringing their fried chicken from one capital city to the other, Gami Chicken and Beer has opened a franchise in the city centre following the success of their Melbourne stores.

The menu not only boasts RSPCA approved free-range chicken, but also range of soy alternatives. Accompany your chicken with one of their many Asian beer choices, and a group of friends for the authentic Gami experience.

Level G, Shop FG07, Canberra Centre, 
148 Bunda St, Canberra | facebook.com/GamiChickenAndBeer

KITA

Picture this: it’s 11 pm on a Thursday night, you’re hungry, there’s nothing in the fridge and nowhere is open for a sit-down meal.

Fear the late-night fast food no longer, as Canberra has gotten its own after-hours café. Yes, that’s right: a café open strictly when most other offerings have closed for the night.

Located in a rustically styled spaced in Narrabundah, Kita serves coffee and Indo-fusion cuisine to curb all those late night and very early morning cravings.

50 Boolimba Crescent, Narrabundah | Open Wednesday–Thursday 9 pm–9 am, Friday–Saturday 9 pm–12 pm | instagram.com/kita.cbr

LOLA’S

The bar scene in Canberra has a bit of a rep for speakeasies and underground places you can only find by word of mouth, and that’s exactly how new restaurant and bar Lola’s wants to be known.

All dark corners, graffitied walls and neon lighting, Lola’s boasts local spirits and brews mixed amongst the international set, as well as the Napoli-style pizza of owner Frank Condi’s Ainslie staple Mama Dough. The best part? In a city where most kitchens close around 9.30pm, Lola’s will be serving food until the wee hours Tuesdays to Saturdays.

50 Bunda Street, Canberra | Open Tuesday–Saturday 4pm–late | lolasbar.com.au

Milk Crate Sandwich Bar

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Courtyard by Milk Crate has recently launched a sandwich bar where you can create your own gourmet sandwich with ingredients of your choice.

The sandwich bar features wholesome, fresh bread by Sonoma as well as a selection of fresh meats, cheeses and salads.

 14 Moore St, Canberra City | 10:30 am until 2 pm, Monday-Friday | milkcratecafe.com

NEXT DOOR

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The baby sister of Coffee Lab, this café is anything but the girl next door. Featuring floor-to-ceiling timber panelled walls, hanging ferns and sleek black tiles, Next Door is garnering quite the cult following for its vegan food options (we’re talking superfood salads and vegan brownies) and complete breakfast and lunch menus featuring a brekkie burger, smashed avocado, and a double cheeseburger.

Their milk-based Cypher and black Moneyball coffee blends are mixed by Red Brick Espresso – so you know it’s good.

Shop 40, City Walk, Canberra Centre | Open Monday–Friday 7 am–4 pm | instagram.com/wearenextdoor2018 

PREGO

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The perfect place for fussy eaters, people who like their food a particular way, and everyone in between, Prego Pasta Bar allows you to pick your pasta and your sauce and then sit back and relax while someone else does the work.

There are the usual suspects (spaghetti, gnocchi, Bolognese and carbonara) and a few out of left field picks (black ink spaghetti, gorgonzola cream or fried battered anchovies in olive oil), as well as antipasti, salads, mains and a kid’s menu.

Let’s not forget the dessert menu or Prego’s proximity to the Kingston Foreshore.

17/19 Eastlake Parade, Kingston Foreshore | Open Tuesday–Thursday 5.30 pm–9 pm, Friday 12 pm–3 pm and 5.30 pm–9 pm, Saturday–Sunday 8 am–9 pm | 02 5105 6064 | pregopastabar.com.au

RAIJIN

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From pop-up food vans at events like the Old Bus Depot Markets and the Canberra Moon Festival, Japanese food vendor Raijin now have their very own shopfront in McKellar, Belconnen.

Their expanded menu still includes their famous Okonomiyaki (Japanese savoury pancake) and Karage (Japanese fried chicken) but also includes a range of sushi, sashimi and ramen, as well as gluten-free and vegetarian options.

Dine in for friendly service, or grab some takeaway.

Unit 3, 4-6 Bennetts Close, McKellar | Open Monday-Saturday 11.30 am-2.30 pm and 5 pm-9 pm | 02 6258 9504 | facebook.com/RaijinJapaneseCuisine

SOUTHERN GROUNDS

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Complementing the recent revitalisation of South.Point in Tuggeranong is Southern Grounds, a new spot for those who know their coffee.

The café has two house blends: full-bodied and milk-based. Food-wise, you can get your mitts on vegan options such as the Southern smashed avocado with smoky tempeh and Mushroom bruschetta, or indulge your meat-loving side with a Cajun chicken burger or Brioche French toast with bacon, caramelised banana and maple syrup.

Inside South.Point Tuggeranong, 76 Athlon Drive, Greenway | Open Monday–Friday 6 am–4 pm, Saturday–Sunday 7.30 am–3 pm | southerngrounds.com.au

COMING SOON

REBEL REBEL

He may have broken a few hearts when he announced he was leaving Monster – one of the heroes of the NewActon food scene – but Sean McConnell’s golden years are far from behind him.

He’ll be launching Rebel Rebel with wife Jenny in the space left empty by TwentyOne Café in NewActon, and taking cues from their predecessors, offering all-day dining seven days a week, a wine bar and a bottle shop.

So don’t fear the changes happening, because this promises to be a stellar addition to the precinct.

Coming soon | Shop 1, 21-23 Marcus Clarke St, NewActon

SoLita Pizza and pasta

Calling all Italian-food fanatics! SoLita Pizza and Pasta is a new Italian restaurant opening on Baileys Corner in the City.

The restaurant will combine two much loved local Italian eateries; Pasta’d and 10” Custom Pizzeria. Expect gourmet mouth-watering pizza and pasta as well as an array of much loved Italian classics perfect for the whole family.

Coming soon l Unit 12, First Floor, Baileys Corner, Corner 143 London Circuit and East Row, Canberra City