10+ underrated restaurants in south Canberra you need on your radar
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If you know, you know.
One thing we love about Canberra is its abundance of amazing places to eat (with more popping up every day) – but with so many to choose from, it’s easy to forget the tried-and-true favourites, miss the hidden gems or skip the suburban superheroes.
So, in classic HC fashion, we called out to our readers to help us rediscover Canberra’s underrated restaurants so we could show them our love.
As voted by you, welcome to the first part of our new foodie series. We’re kicking it off by heading south of the lake. And while the majority of the locals might prefer that we keep these eateries secret, there are one or two underrated restaurants in the south of Canberra that you need on your radar.
Read on. And once you know, you’ll know.
Table by Canberra Gourmet (Greenway)
One of Canberra’s finest hatted restaurants has relocated to an unexpected location – and those in the south are finally getting the sophistication they deserve.
Table by Canberra Gourmet – a two-hatted fine dining restaurant known for its degustation menu – is now open in Greenway to bring Chef Thomas Heinrich’s elegant food back to the south of Canberra. With nothing else like it in Canberra (let alone in the south) dining at Table by Canberra Gourmet is something that can’t truly be captured in words.
It needs to be experienced.
5/146 Scollay Street Corner, Reed Street North, Greenway | tablecanberra.com
Bann Thai (Chisholm)
Located at the Chisholm shops, this Lao and Thai restaurant might look unassuming from the outside, but the food packs a punch.
Ideal for a delicious dinner or a lazy takeaway night, you’ll keep coming back to work your way through the menu.
Shop 6/42 Halley Street, Chisholm | chisholmvillage.com.au
Vanilla Pod (Greenway)
Said to be reliably good for a delicious and affordable breakfast, Vanilla Pod is actually a one-stop dining destination where you can find every kind of meal.
From classic brekkie options to salads, homemade pizza, pasta, and more – breakfast, lunch, and dinner are sorted.
G-10/210 Anketell Street, Greenway | facebook.com/Southpointuggeranong
Ureshii (Greenway)
For those craving Japanese cuisine, Ureshii in South.Point Tuggeranong is the place to go. A fast favourite among locals since its opening in June 2023, from ramen to katsu chicken, sushi, and more, it’s everything you want without having to hit one of Canberra’s eat streets.
A fun fact? In the Chefs Eat Canberra book, Chef Damian Brabender from OTIS Dining Hall named the snapper carpaccio with white soy sauce as one of his three favourite dishes.
SouthPoint G U 22/210 Anketell Street, Greenway | @u_reshii
Indian Affair (Phillip)
This family-run restaurant has been serving authentic north Indian cuisine in Caberra for 25 years and is known for its flavoursome food.
Using fresh ingredients and traditional cooking techniques, from Butter Chicken to Kadhai Paneer, they will transport your tastebuds with every bite.
64 Colbee Circuit, Phillip | indianaffair.com.au
Dada (Phillip)
A hidden gem in Phillip, Dada is what dietary dreams are made of.
Serving Asian fusion food, the menu here is designed to serve many dietary requirements without missing out on the flavour. And flavour it has. Covering everything from savoury to sweet, the combinations at Dada will have you coming back for more.
G4/12 Furzer Street, Phillip | dadarestaurant.com.au
SaPa Restaurant (Mawson)
Beef Pho, Bao Bun Burgers, and Red Duck Curry are just some of the meals on the menu at SaPa.
Serving traditional Vietnamese dishes (with no added MSG), at this restaurant you’ll find all of the fresh flavours that make this cuisine so mouth-wateringly good. Book in to try them for yourself.
Swinger Hill, Shop 14/84 Ainsworth Street, Mawson | @sapaswingerhill
Corvina (Mawson)
Open for over a decade, Corvina is always worth a visit. Very popular amongst locals, at this gem you’ll find traditional Italian cuisine in a modern and relaxed setting.
From mushroom arancini balls to traditional tiramisu, you’ll want to try everything – but the house-made pasta should be at the top of your list. And once you’ve been, you’ll want to visit Corvina again and again.
10/84 Ainsworth Street, Mawson | corvinarestaurant.com.au
A Bite to Eat (Chifley)
Open for over 16 years, A Bite to Eat is Chifley’s go-to café for delicious all-day dining.
Serving everything from a brekkie burger to pulled pork bao bun, you’ll need to book ahead to get a table here for brunch because locals pack it out all weekend. Don’t say we didn’t warn you…
8 Chifley Place, Chifley | abitetoeat.net.au
Brown Boyz Indian (Isaacs)
Looking for authentic Biryani takeaway? Located in Isaacs, Brown Boyz Indian Restaurant is the place to go.
From a half Tandoori Chicken starter to Prawn Goan Curry, thank us later.
6 Farr Place, Isaacs | brownboyz.com.au
Maple and Pine (Isaacs)
This little suburban café always hits the spot.
Serving an array of specialty coffee and tea options, complemented by a diverse selection of sandwiches and main dishes perfect for breakfast or lunch, the Berry Hotcakes, and Smoked Salmon Rosti are standouts.
Shop 3/6 Farr Place, Isaacs | @mapleandpinecafe
Ramas (Pearce)
The definition of ‘IYKYK’, you only need to eat once at Ramas to understand why it has a cult following.
Serving a vast menu of Indian-Fijian-influenced dishes, Ramas is a little different from your traditional Indian restaurant, sink your teeth into everything from your favourite curry to some lesser-known Fijian specialties.
Pearce Shopping Centre, Coner Macfarland &, Hodgson Crescent, Pearce | ramas.com.au
Fox and Bow (Farrer and Red Hill)
With two locations south of the lake, if you haven’t tried Fox and Bow, this is your sign.
Known for simple and tasty food with a slightly Spanish bent (our founder Amanda Whitley has a longstanding obsession with their Spanish Eggs), it’s their passion for the local community that make these cafés so beloved.
4 Farrer Place, Farrer, and 10 Duyfken Place, Red Hill | foxandbow.com.au
Feature image: Table by Canberra Gourmet. Via tablecanberra.com
