15+ underrated restaurants in north Canberra you need on your radar
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If you know, you know. We continue our ‘underrated restaurants’ series – this time, in north Canberra!
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. This time we’re turning to the north – and from international cuisines to classic cafés, according to you, there’s plenty of hidden gems to uncover.
Awesome Noodle Asian Cuisine (Kaleen)
A little Chinese restaurant hidden in Kaleen, Awesome Noodle Asian Cuisine is a family-friendly dining destination that everyone will enjoy.
Serving all the classic Chinese dishes you know and love, from Crispy Shredded Beef to Laksa, Pineapple Chicken Fried Rice, you won’t leave hungry.
Another highlight? It’s also located right next to a playground so the little ones can play within eyesight while you enjoy a glass of something cold.
Shop 4/6 Gwydir Square, Kaleen
Kinh Do (Macquarie)
Craving Vietnamese? This family-fun restaurant has been serving the local community for years and it’s not hard to see why it’s a favourite.
With a varied menu of flavoursome, traditional dishes and friendly service, no matter if you take away or eat in, it sounds like a fantastic foodie experience.
Macquarie Shop, 6 Lachlan Street, Macquarie
The District (Crace)
This pub might be casual, but with plenty of awards under its belt (including ACT AHA Best Burger 2023), it’s one to pop on your list.
Serving all of the classics – including Panko-Crumbed Chicken Schnitzel, a Porterhouse Surf and Turf as well as nuggets and fries for the kids – there’s something for every kind of palate. Can’t wait until lunch or dinner? They also serve breakfast from 8 am until 11 am.
56 Abena Avenue, Crace | thedistrict.com.au
Tudo Vietnamese (O’Connor)
Ginger Chicken, Honey Prawns, Hot and Sour Soup, Braised Beef with Bean Sauce…hungry yet?
Tudo in O’Connor is another go-to for fresh and flavoursome Vietnamese in the north. Part of the Canberra food scene for decades, you know that they’re doing something good when they’ve been treating tastebuds for this long.
2/7 Sargood Street, O’Connor | facebook.com/tudorestaurant
Flatheads (O’Connor)
A little takeaway serving fish and chips, pizza, burgers, coffee, and more, those who have been to Flatheads never go back.
Known for its battered fish and chips, as well as all the classic fishy combinations – including a loaded fisherman’s basket – you can’t go past the Surf The Turf pizza with chorizo, prawn, roast capsicum, fermented chili mayo, and rocket.
Open seven days a week from 6 am until 9 pm (and located just down the road from the Duxton at the O’Connor shops) you can take the whole family here and know everyone will be happy.
Macpherson Street and Bluebell Street, O’Connor | flatheadstakeaway.com.au
Myanmar Corner (Casey)
Head along to Myanmar Corner to explore the beauty of Myanmar cuisine in the comfort of Canberra.
Serving a unique fusion of dishes from the country’s many ethnic populations (including Indian, Thai, and Chinese cuisines), from delicate soups, wholesome stir-fries, rich curries, and Myanmar’s spin on ‘salads’, your tastebuds will be taken on a culinary journey without having the leave town.
38/68 Dalkin Crescent, Casey | myanmar-corner.com
Spice Affair Indian (Casey)
Serving a variety of dishes from different regions of India, Spice Affair is something of a local favourite, and you’ll have to try it for yourself to see why.
Another ‘IYKYK’ restaurant, from what we hear, the Butter Chicken and Chicken Vindaloo needs to be at the top of your foodie bucket list.
Shop 8/15 Kingsland Parade, Casey | spiceaffaircanberra.com.au
Mirichi Indian (Ngunnawal)
Open since 2008, this Indian restaurant is only a two-minute drive from Gungahlin’s CBD, making what might just be the north’s best-kept secret.
Serving delicacies from Northern India with few dishes from Southern India, you can dine-in or takeaway – and with everything from vegetable samosas to Beef Aloo on the menu, we can see it becoming a fast favourite.
Platypus Centre, 10, 11/4 Riley Close, Ngunnawal | mirchingunnawal.com.au
Muku (Scullin)
It’s only been open for a year, but Muku has quickly grown to be one of Canberra’s favourite ramen spots.
Serving intentional and modern plant-based Japanese food and drinks, the Shōjin and Hokkaido-inspired menu packs a serious punch. And honestly, how can you say no to Asahikawa Shoyu Ramen followed by a Yuzu Cannoli for dessert?
Shop 5/9 Scullin Place, Scullin | mukuramenbar.com.au
Can Tho Vietnamese & Chinese Restaurant (Belconnen)
Serving authentic Asian street food for almost 20 years, this popular spot in Belconnen is known for its Vietnamese, Malaysian, and Chinese menu options.
Dig into everything from Chow Mein to Shang Tung Duck – your tastebuds will thank you.
1/38 Weedon Close, Belconnen | facebook.com/p/Can-Tho-100063511695690
Co Dung (Belconnen)
If you enjoy Vietnamese street food, this one is for you.
A small gem of a Vietnamese restaurant in the heart of Belconnen, you won’t find frills here. But you will find some amazing Banh Mi, Bun, Pho Bo, and more.
31/35 Nettlefold Street, Belconnen | facebook.com/ Dung-Vietnamese-Street-Food
Olive at Hawker (Hawker)
Bringing a modern twist to the Mediterranean dishes you know and love, Olive at Hawker will take you on an unforgettable culinary journey.
With plenty to choose from – including fresh black mussels, moussaka, fried olives, and stone-baked pizzas – you’ll feel like you’re on holiday in the Mediterranean without booking a plane ticket.
2a/78 Hawker Place, Hawker | oliveathawker.com.au
Delhi to Canberra (Melba)
Hidden just a short drive from the Melba shops, this suburban gem is a go-to for many locals in the area.
Open since 2019, you’ll find wholesome Indian and Punjabi food, friendly staff, and such a variety of dishes that you’ll struggle to choose just one. Our advice? Don’t…
12 Chinner Crescent, Melba | delhitocanberra.com.au
Drunken Tiger (Melba)
At this Asian takeaway, flavour is king.
Run by the talented team behind Café MAMÉ, Drunken Tiger is something a little different from the ‘usual’ Asian takeaway shops found in suburbia. Open for lunch and dinner, the menu is designed to be incredibly flavoursome but easy to take home to enjoy. And with the offerings updated regularly, you’ll be making multiple trips to Melba.
Shop 1/8 Melba Circuit, Melba | drunkentiger.com.au
Divine (Jamison)
Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this is an Asian fusion café and bar that ticks all of the boxes.
Focussing on café classics in the morning (with a few specialities thrown in), before moving on to burgers, sandwiches, and fresh Thai cuisine for lunch and Asian/Thai fusion for dinner, no wonder it’s called ‘Divine’.
101/2 Henshall Way, Macquarie | divinecafeandbar.com.au
Herberts at Evatt (Evatt)
A little pub hidden in the north of Belconnen, those looking for a casual location to enjoy a craft beer with some good grub need to add this to their bucket list. Opening in 2020, at Herbert’s, you can find a relaxed atmosphere, a menu that celebrates freshness, and a great selection of drinks.
From bar bites (like baked brie and cheeseburger spring rolls) to burgers, head in to try the seasonal menu and soak in the good vibes.
2/21 Heydon Place, Evatt | herbertsatevatt.com.au
To All My Friends (Cook)
Craft beers and hand-stretched pizzas…do we need to say more?
Serving a diverse variety of pizzas (Butter Chicken? Pork Belly? Smoked Salmon?!), along with a curated selection of over 50 beers from independent brewers across Australia and New Zealand, To All My Friends sounds like the ideal Friday night venue. Bacon and Pickle Pizza, anyone?
24 Cook Place, Cook | toallmyfriends.com.au
Feature image: Muku Ramen via Facebook.
