10+ Floriade-inspired menus serving up a slice of spring
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From floral cocktails to beetroot and Belgian chocolate ice cream and sweet seasonal matchas, this list promises the perfect bite of spring.
This year, Floriade is extending its magic beyond Commonwealth Park, with special seasonal events blooming all over the city. And in good news for foodies, that also includes some limited-edition menus and dining experiences, all highlighting fresh regional produce and the flavour of flowers.
Whether you’re looking for a pre-flower festival pick-me-up or some springtime sips, here are 10 Floriade-inspired menus serving up a slice of spring. Looking for even more? Check out the Floriade About Town page to discover all the exclusive spring experiences happening across Canberra.
Clover Dining (City)
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Inspired by blossoms, sunshine and the colours of spring, Clover Dining has created a vibrant menu celebrating the beauty of Floriade.
Alongside three speciality cocktails – the Blush Blossom, Sun-Soaked Peach, and Petal Fizz – they’re also serving up a fresh Yuzu Tiramisu that will have you licking the plate clean. Available only until Sunday 11 October, walk over from Commonwealth Park for a dessert and drink combination that’s sure to put a spring (pun intended) back into your step.
197 London Circuit, City | cloverdining.com.au
Amici (City)
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A whole wheel of brie, baked and served with honey, pistachio crumb, garnished with flowers, and served with freshly baked Laurent sourdough. Making an exclusive return for Floriade, this 1kg Baked Brie from Amici is worth saving room for.
To wash it down, they’ve also added a handful of floral additions to their drinks and wine list, all poured from Canberra region wineries and distilleries. We suggest trying the Hugo Spritz with mint, elderflower, prosecco, and soda.
27 Northbourne Avenue, City | amici.bar
The Cupping Room (City)
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Why not start your morning at The Cupping Room? They’re serving up vibrant seasonal specials inspired by Floriade like a spring bowl packed full of seasonal produce (think roasted pumpkin, pesto brown rice, rocket, avocado, hummus, feta, toasted Spanish onions and cherry tomatoes).
They’re also whisking up a cherry blossom iced matcha. It’s as sweet as it sounds.
1/1-13 University Avenue, City | thecuppingroom.com.au
MONSTER| Phin & St Bites (Braddon)
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These three spring sips are made for the Floriade season. Only available during the flower festival, pop into Monster to sip on the Vanilla Matcha Rose Foam, Lychee Rose Tea and Rose Foam White Coffee.
Shop G06, 2 Batman Street, Braddon | @monsterphinst
BentSpoke Brew Pub (Braddon)
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After a morning spent exploring, there’s nothing like cooling off with a glass of something cold. Along with seasonal springtime specials, BrentSpoke Brew Pub in Braddon is pouring two limited edition drinks – the Floriade Pale Ale and Floriade Water.
A pale ale brewed from an old recipe dating back to the early 1900s, the Floriade Pale Ale has subtle piney notes from Chinook hops and a delicate floral finish, while the Floriade Water is a lightly sparkling hibiscus-flavoured water. They’re also available at the BentSpoke Beer Garden (if you don’t want to travel all the way to Braddon).
Unit 48/38 Mort Street, Braddon | bentspokebrewing.com.au
Midnight Bar (Braddon)
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This collection of cocktails celebrates the colour of Canberra’s spring season. Created in partnership with Underground Spirits, the four limited-edition drinks include the floral Violet Affair, tropical Island in the Sun, the Shiraz Gin Sling and elegant Velvet Orchid.
They all taste as good as they look, so make sure to make your way through the collection before the season ends.
1 Elouera Street, Braddon | midnightbar.com.au
Highroad (Dickson)
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Have a sweet tooth? Highroad has two Floriade-inspired menu items you need to try: orange blossom sticky buns and Earl Grey matcha with strawberry foam. They’re only available until the end of the flower festival, so run, don’t walk.
1 Woolley Street, Dickson | homeallday.au/highroad
Monster Kitchen and Bar (Acton)
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Looking for something a little more elegant to end your day? Monster @ Ovolo Canberra is hosting a Floriade-inspired afternoon tea.
Featuring elevated floral grazing, 11 premium teas, infused botanical cocktails and more, it’s only available on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays – and it starts at $29 per person. Sounds bloomin’ good to us!
Ground/25 Edinburgh Avenue, Acton | ovolohotels.com
Badger and Co (Acton)
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Nothing says ‘spring’ like Floriade French Toast. Made with thick-cut brioche, Biscoff spread, salted caramel, vanilla mascarpone and Biscoff crumb, and finished with edible petals, it’s the sweetest way to start your spring day.
The Australian National University, 156-11, Joplin Lane, Kambri Precinct, Acton | badgerandco.com.au
Les Bistronomes (Campbell)
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Lean into some French flair this spring with a six-course menu inspired by the herbs, flowers and produce of the season.
Only available at Les Bistronomes on Thursday 24 September, the menu has been designed to capture spring in Canberra, course by course and includes dishes like lemon verbena-infused kingfish and elderflower, strawberry and cucumber vacherin.
It’s priced at $180 per person (with the option to add a wine pairing for an additional $100 per person).
18 Blamey Place, Campbell | lesbistronomes.net
Lava (Campbell)
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If you’re looking for a Floriade special, Lava in Campbell is the place to go. On the food menu, The Garden combines herbs and spinach with beans, poached eggs, fresh greens, and whipped feta, while the Spring Blossom is croissant French Toast sticks served with rose-infused khuwa cream, crushed pistachio, and rose. Topped with fresh fruit and fairy floss, it’s a sweet start to the day.
To wash it all down, the Spring Fling is iced filter coffee with Leatherwood honey and rose cold foam, topped with bee pollen and floral confetti, and the Lavender Haze is an Earl Grey and lavender soda with fresh lemon.
62 Constitution Avenue, Parkes \ lava.coffee
Stripey Sundae (Nicholls)
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Hand-made from scratch and made straight from the spring harvest, the Scoops of the Garden line-up is for the more adventurous foodies.
Along with serving scoops of traditional flavours, this spring you can head to Stripey Sundae to try some unique ice-cream flavours. Think: beetroot and Belgian chocolate, sweet corn, and avocado with lime and coconut. Other flavours include pumpkin spice, carrot cake, strawberry coconut, and cucumber and mint – all available in cones, sundaes, banana splits, affogatos and thickshakes.
Shop 4/18 O’Hanlon Place, Nicholls | stripeysundae.au
