20+ new dining destinations to check out in Canberra this February
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We’re serving up Canberra’s hottest new dining destinations for February – and there’s plenty to sink your teeth into.
It’s time to taste your way through the city with 20+ new and soon to be open venues that should be on your ‘food radar’. And to make this 2024 edition of New Places to Eat extra special, we’ve also rounded up all the new eateries that have opened (or reopened) in Belconnen’s new Capital Food Markets.
Whatever you’re looking for, we have you covered. February? More like Food-bruary cause you’re going to need a month to work through this list.
Boru Ramen Bar (Wanniassa)
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Ramen lovers rejoice! Boru Ramen Bar is now open in Wanniassa. Serving authentic Japanese ramen, with broth made from scratch and plenty of noodles, as well as the option to add some delicious sides (hello, Chicken Karaage and gyoza), the word ‘delicious’ is an understatement.
4/33 Gartside Street, Wanniassa | @boru_ramenbar
Wonderburger (Kingston)
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A hot fudge sundae, a burger groaning at the seams, crinkle-cut fries and a bucket of golden fried Chickenettes – Wonderburger is a foodie’s delight.
Promising a return to the wonder years – the ’50s and ’60s – where taste reigned supreme, and the simple things meant a lot, in our Associate Editor Emma Macdonald’s words, here you can “suspend reality with a soft serve cone with bubblegum sherbet, or a Wonderdog hotdog drowning in liquid cheese, mustard, ketchup, jalepeno, pickles and onion”. See you there?
9/34 Eyre Street, Kingston | Wonderburger.com.au
Beltana Farm (Pialligo)
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With a menu for truffle lovers and non-truffle lovers alike, Beltana Farm isn’t your usual restaurant. Serving a farmhouse-style menu that’s anchored to (and celebrates) local, seasonal produce, and featuring truffles from outside the back door, it’s all designed to be shared among friends and family.
We can attest that from the Potato Damper to the Celeriac Galette with buttermilk and tarragon and the ANZAC Biscuit Cheesecake with Pialligo honey and whisky, every single bite will blow your mind. Bookings are now open from February 16 onwards and we’re calling it now – Beltana Farm is going to quickly become one of the region’s hottest restaurants.
14 Beltana Road, Pialligo | beltanafarm.au
Catbird (Parkes)
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Hello, breakfast burritos! Bringing a taste of SoCal to Canberra, at Catbird the food highlights the amazing flavours found in fresh, seasonal, and vegetable-loaded dishes inspired by the melting pot of cultures found in the beachside state.
Eat your way through overflowing burritos, loaded sandwiches, and big, healthy salads. And that’s just the beginning of this tasty menu.
44 Constitution Avenue, Parkes | catbirdcanberra.com.au
Yakitori 38 (City)
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Hidden in the Sydney Building is new Japanese restaurant and bar Yakitori 38 – and if you’re craving something simple but flavoursome, it’s the place to go for a bite.
Serving traditional Japanese Yakitori (poultry that’s grilled, seasoned, and eaten off a skewer), on the menu you’ll also find lotus chips topped with parmesan, Chicken Katsu, matcha ice cream, and more.
19 East Row, Canberra City | @yakitori38.cbr
Grillin’ Boujee Burger Bar (City)
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This isn’t a new place to eat BUT Grillin’ has a new location – in the city’s heart. Specialising in mouth-watering, overflowing, artisan burgers (that will leave you feeling very full and happy), dig into classic smashed beef cheeseburgers, fried chicken burgers, and even a loaded vegan option.
And you can never go wrong with a side of waffle fries…just saying.
111 London Circuit, Canberra City | grillinonline.com.au
10/10 Café (City)
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Looking for a 10/10 breakfast, lunch and dinner option? Meet Braddon’s newest café.
Serving classic cafe options along with some mouth watering lunch and dinner items, stop in for a filling feed.
Shop 1, 65 Cooyong Street, Braddon | @10_10_cafe
Espresso Room (New Acton)
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Serving grab-and-go-style food, ONA coffee, and some of sister bakery Wildflour’s cult favourite sweet treats (have you even seen their croissant range?), anyone working in the New Acton area is probably doing a little dance with the news that Espresso Room is now open.
And with plans to establish a dark kitchen to offer a wider menu, it’s only going to get better…
2 Phillip Law Building, New Acton | espressoroom.com.au
Dookki Australia (Belconnen)
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Did someone say “all you can eat Korean”? Head to Belconnen for a Korean Tteokbokki buffet that’s travelled all the way from Sydney to treat your tastebuds.
Wondering how it works? Make your own delicious dish by customising your sauce, adding your choice of topokki, fishcakes, vegetables, and noodles, and enjoy (just make sure to leave some room for the fried rice and fried chicken).
2 Grazier Lane, Belconnen | dookkiaus.com.au
Ginninderry Espresso (Charnwood)
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It’s not new (from what we can tell Ginninderry Espresso opened its doors in 2022) but we didn’t know about this little café so it deserves a place on the list!
Serving speciality coffee and classic café fare, head to Charnwood for a true hit of Australian café culture. Avo on toast, anyone?
8/55 Charnwood Place, Charnwood | @ginninderry_espresso
The Strawberry Van
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Who doesn’t love a decadent cup of strawberries, topped with melted chocolate?
Canberran’s can have a taste of chocolate-covered strawberries á la London’s Borough Market thanks to The Strawberry Van – a super cute food truck that will be popping up all over town. Keep an eye on their social media to see where the pink and red van will be next!
Sweet Day
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They had us with egg-shaped smiley face pancakes. Serving Taiwanese street food at various markets around Canberra, this uber cute food stall specialises in pancakes stuffed with delicious filling – like cheese, chocolate, or Nutella.
But the dopamine hit of looking at the little smiley pancakes is almost better than how they taste.
AT THE CAPITOL FOOD MARKETS (Belconnen)
Le Cheeserie
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Is cheese life? Meet Le Cheeserie, your new go-to destination. Offering a range of amazing and mouth-watering options to help you build your dream cheeseboard, from gruyere to goats cheese, they have everything you could want.
But there’s more – they also make delicious, toasted cheese sandwiches that use both Australian and International produce. Did we mention Le Cheeserie is the brainchild of the team behind Melted? Run. Don’t walk.
Shop T43, 10 Market Street, Belconnen | lecheeserie.com
What The Pho
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Breaking foodie news: you can now feast on authentic Vietnamese street food at Capital Food Market.
From Pho Noodle Soup to Banh Mi rolls, sink your teeth into one of these bad boys and you’ll be transported straight to the hustle and bustle of Vietnam. Doesn’t it sound pho-tastic (sorry)?
Shop T06, 10 Market Street, Belconnen | facebook.com/WhatThePhoCanberra
Sweet Business Healthy Living
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Say hello to Canberra’s own sugar-free and gluten-free patisserie. Yes, really.
Serving everything from keto quiches to caramel slices and coffee, you might have spotted this business before at the Old Bus Depot Markets – but now they have a bricks and mortar location for anyone looking for a healthy treat.
Shop T17, 10 Market Street, Belconnen | sweetbusinesshealthyliving.com.au
Florence Gelato
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Home to classic Italian gelati with a modern twist, if you haven’t heard of Florence Gelato let us introduce you to your newest obsession. Created by two passionate foodies, Matteo and Juliana Sassi, Florence was inspired by and named for Matteo’s hometown – a city that is home to some of the world’s best gelati. So, you know it’s going to be good.
But if authentic Italian gelati wasn’t enough, Matteo has also turned his years of patisserie experience into a simply jaw-dropping selection of layered traditional Italian cakes. We won’t go into much more detail because all you need to know is it’s bellissimo.
Shop T15b, 10 Market Street, Belconnen | @florence.gelato
Sashant’s Place
If contemporary Indian cuisine is calling your name, might we suggest some of the fresh and flavoursome offerings from Sashant’s Place?
Serving mouthwatering breakfast options (many of which we’re told are gluten free), we’ll take one of everything please and thank you.
Shop T20, 10 Market Street, Belconnen | capitalfoodmarket.com.au
Knead Patisserie
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You know it. You love it. It’s not a want, it’s a KNEAD. And now Knead Patisserie is back for all of your sweet treat and coffee cravings.
The only question is, what will you eat first? The popular almond croissant or lemon meringue pies?
Shop T23, 10 Market Street, Belconnen | knead-bakery.square.site
Canberra Halal Meat and Kebab Shop
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Turkish snack packs, burgers, breads, banquets, pide, gozlemes, dips, desserts…the list goes on.
Head along to enjoy the flavours of the Middle East and savour delicious kebabs in Belconnen.
Shop T-22, 15 Market Street, Belconnen | turkishkebabpizza.com
COMING SOON
Alia (City)
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Promising late nights and bar bites, Alia is a new Mediterranean restaurant opening in the city in the (hopefully) not too distant future. Share plates and cocktails will take centre stage here, but if you want more details, you’ll have to keep an eye out website.
Recess Coffee (Griffith)
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Spotted where Griffith Vietnamese Restaurant used to feed the hungry hoards of Canberra, Recess Coffee is promising to open its doors soon.
We don’t know much, but the vibe looks very cool – and another café in Griffith is always a bonus.
6B Barker Street, Griffith | @recesscoffeegoodtimes
Rosa’s (Parkes)
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Opening this February as part of the broader Lawns of the Lobby precinct, Rosa’s has been teasing people on social media with some fun and flirty posts.
Transforming the National Rose Gardens into an all-day garden bar, during the day you’ll be able to grab pizza by the pie or by the slice, coffee on the run, as well as sandwiches and pastries and by night it’ll be the perfect location for an afternoon vino and some nibbles.
King George Terrace, Parkes | rosascbr.com.au
Dobinson’s (Majura)
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Love a coffee and choc-chip cookie to start your day? Dobinson’s is opening in Majura Park Shopping Centre to make a day spent grocery shopping so much more enjoyable.
Anywhere we can get two coffees for $8 and a cake to go is a place we plan to frequent often – cause the cozzy lives are cozzy living.
18/26 Spitfire Avenue, Majura Park | dobinsonscanberra.com
Market Street Eats (Belconnen)
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We have some exciting news: for anyone that’s been missing their weekend brunch at Market Street Eats, there’s rumours floating around that they’ll be reopening in the Capital Food Market early this year.
And with a fresh new vibe, there might even be a fresh new menu to match…
Shop T24, 10 Market Street, Belconnen | capitalfoodmarket.com.au
Kushi Japanese (Belconnen)
Opening soon in the Capital Food Market, all we know about Kushi Japanese is here you’ll find authentic Japanese cuisine – including classic sushi, Yakitori, Sashimi and more.
It looks like a Sunday sushi run will become a regular weekend occurrence.
Shop T15a, 10 Market Street, Belconnen | capitalfoodmarket.com.au
Au Lac Food Truck
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Canberra now has a vegan food truck! Brought to life by the team behind the tasty Au Lac Vegan Cuisine in Woden and Dickson, it looks like delicious, plant-based meals on wheels are coming very soon.
Keep an eye out – the announcement of the grand opening location is imminent!
Feature image: James Souter.
