15+ New Places to Eat and Drink in January 2024
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Comforting Italian, flavoursome Mexican and suburb sandwiches are all on the menu for Canberra this New Year.
And it sounds amazing.
After a torrent of venue openings in 2023 (you can read the full list here), 2024 is already filling up with new places offering decadent, delicious and innovative cuisine to help you kick your year off with a food-filled bang.
To get you started, here are 15+ new places to eat and drink that are open – or opening soon – in Canberra. Expect something for every kind of culinary craving.
Bada Bing (City)
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Here you’ll find an Italian menu that’s a nostalgic feast for the senses.
Featuring comforting Italian classics sitting side by side with lesser-known Italian dishes (think: White Bolognese), a menu of 48-hour wood-fired pizzas, a few ‘hearty mains’, and a dessert menu of beloved classics, Bada Bing looks like it’ll be your weeknight go-to, your date night and your Friday night before a big night. See you there?
122 Alinga Street, City | badabingdining.com.au
Al’s Deli & Diner (City)
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For those craving a good sandwich in the City, the opening of Al’s Deli & Diner should cause you some excitement.
Bringing New York deli vibes and more quick lunch options than you can point a pickle at, the menu is quick, hefty, and delish – packed with classics (Meat and Pickles, Egg and Lettuce, Schnitty) as well as a Bacon & Egg Roll and a rotating menu of specials. Add it to your list to try in the New Year.
122 Alinga Street, City | alsdeli.com.au
Brooklyn Donut Coffee Co (City)
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New York-inspired donuts? We’ll be there with bells on.
Baked fresh in-house daily, Brooklyn Donut Coffee Co is dishing out donuts and coffee on the Ground Level of the Canberra Centre, near Coles – and with flavours like Apple Crumble (apple, a hint of cinnamon and topped with cream cheese) and the New York Cheese Cake (cream cheese frosting flavoured with a hint of zest, vanilla bean and dusted with a granita cracker topping), all of your donut desires are catered for.
148 Bunda Street, City | brooklyndonut.com.au
Botswana Butchery (City)
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Officially opening on Monday 22 January in Canberra Centre, at Botswana Butchery you’ll be able to enjoy “sumptuous meat, game, and seafood dishes” from Australian and New Zealand produce in a relaxed dining setting (complimented by a wine list of over 200 labels).
Promising to be a great addition to our local hospitality scene, bookings are now open – get in quick so you don’t miss out!
Shop CG14, Bunda Street, City | canberra.botswanabutchery.com.au
Paloma’s (Braddon)
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Located right next door to Hopscotch, Paloma’s is described as three parts bar, one part restaurant (inspired by its namesake cocktail – three parts grapefruit, one part tequila). And it’s now open.
Mexican-inspired, expect to find an impressive line-up of Mezcal, Tequila, cocktails (including frozen margaritas, and a Champagne Pina Colada), local wines, and shareable Latin-style bites – like tacos and moreish bowls of chips and guac. Yum.
2/5 Lonsdale Street, Braddon | palomas.bar
Bittersweet (Kingston)
In exciting news for anyone in the Kingston/Manuka area who is craving some comforting Italian fare, Bittersweet is now open for dinner – and they had us at Gnocchi Gorgonzola.
Serving every Wednesday to Sunday from 5.30 pm, bookings are recommended, because once word gets out that the option of home-made Garlic Prawns, Spaghetti Marinara, and Tiramisu is in Green Square, it’ll be molto occupato.
Cusack Centre, 27 Eyre Street, Kingston | bsc.cafe
Finley Watermelon Café (Torrens)
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Located next door to OMG Donuts in Torrens (and owned by the same family), Finley Watermelon is making sure that everyone can enjoy a morning coffee and donut – and for that we’re very thankful.
Progressively expanding their hours and offerings, at the moment you can grab yourself a coffee, gluten-free OMG donut, cake, slice, frittata and toastie from Wednesday to Sunday. Pop in to treat yourself.
1/24 Torrens Place, Torrens | omgdecadentdonuts.com/act
Manoosh Pizzeria (Weston)
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Freshly-baked pizza and wraps are on the menu for those located in Weston Creek because Manoosh Pizzeria has opened its doors next to Domino’s.
Inspired by the Lebanese heritage of Sydney-based owner and founder Charlie Hoyek, each dish is packed full of fresh, colourful, comforting, and fragrant ingredients that will leave you wanting more. Your lazy Friday night dinners are sorted.
Shop 1/19-27 Trenerry Street, Weston | manoosh.com.au
Zhangliang Malatang (Woden)
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Canberra’s newest hot pot spot can be found on the Southside!
Located in Westfield Woden’s Asian Dining Precinct on Corinna Street, Zhangliang Malatang is popular worldwide for its heartiness, versatility and generous servings – allowing you to play chef and customer. Try it for yourself to see what the hype is about.
Corinna Street, Westfield Woden | westfield.com.au/woden/store/zhangliang-malatang
Prospect Eatery (Kambah)
Avocado Toast, Beef Burger, and Caesar Salad are just some of the classic offerings found at this new Southside café.
Perfect for catching up over a coffee or when you’re craving a burger, all we can say is…lunch, anyone?
19 Primmer Circuit, Kambah
CocoNine (Gungahlin)
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Craving some fresh and filling contemporary Thai food? Popular Kingston Foreshore restaurant CocoNine has opened another location in Gungahlin and there’s plenty to keep you satisfied.
From Tempura Eggplant to Angus Beef Tongue, your day will be made with their mouth-watering dishes.
Unit 3/45 Gungahlin Place, Gungahlin | coconine.com.au
COMING SOON
Boru Ramenbar (Wanniassa)
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Ever thought “Gee, I would love a Japanese ramen bar on the Southside?” Well, in exciting news, Boru Ramenbar is on its way to Wanniassa.
Promising plenty of noodles (and cold drinks to wash them down with), keep an eye on their social media for updates!
4/33 Gartside Street, Wanniassa | @boru_ramenbar
Beltana Farm (Pialligo)
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This stunning boutique truffle farm, restaurant, and accommodation in Pialligo is set to open its doors very, very soon.
Keep your eye on the website because we promise to bring you all of the details.
14 Beltana Road, Pialligo | beltanafarm.au
Karl (City)
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A new destination for dinner? A bar for after-work drinks? Or something else entirely?
All we know about this venue is that it’s opening soon in Constitution Place. Time to do some snooping…
1 Constitution Avenue, City | @karl.canberra
Jarochos (Braddon)
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Their tacos made our Top Dishes of 2023, so when we spotted that Jarochos is heading to Lonsdale Street, you can only imagine the excitement of the HerCanberra team.
With more details to come, this news will give you something new to taco about (sorry) for a while.
Lonsdale Street, Braddon | @instagram.com/jar_ochos
Catbird (Parkes)
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With hopes to open mid-January, Catbird is a new café bringing a taste of SoCal to Canberra.
We won’t give too much away – you’ll have to wait for the scoop on this one – but we will say if you love a big breakfast burrito or a hefty salad, this new eatery will quickly become your new favourite place for a bite.
44 Constitution Avenue, Parkes | catbirdcanberra.com.au
Feature image: James Souter for Beltana Farm.
