Muk Bar and Bar Outro open, and Cinnascrolls and Labubu dumplings bound for Canberra: here’s your August Foodie News fix
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Ready for your bi-monthly dose of delicious news?
From TikTok’s most viral eats making their Canberra debut to cosy new wine bars and spring celebrations that’ll have you marking your calendar, here’s all the foodie intel you need. Grab a snack and dive into these tasty updates – your stomach will thank you later.
Don’t miss
TikTok trending street eats are coming to Canberra for three food-filled days
That TikTok food you’ve been craving? It’s coming to Canberra as part of the Viral Food Festival, and you better be excited.
Bringing 50 internet-famous eats (including the legendary Cluckin Canes dupe that broke the internet) to Thoroughbred Park from Friday 8 until Sunday 10 August, you’ll be able to eat your way through all the trending street eats you’ve always wanted to try – and it sounds like a very saucy and satisfying experience.
Read all about it (and book your tickets) here.
New places to eat & drink
Verity Lane Market welcomes Mezze Mezze
Get ready for some serious Mediterranean flavours at Verity Lane Market. Mezze Mezze opens this Thursday 7 August, bringing authentic Turkish cuisine from Chef Oğuzhan Orçan, who swapped his career as a data analyst to honour his culinary roots from Osmaniye in southern Türkiye.
Chef Oğuzhan grew up learning Turkish cooking at his mother’s side — rolling vine leaves, balancing spices, and understanding that food is memory, connection, and love. After years with spreadsheets and statistics, he took the leap to turn his lifelong passion into something beautiful.
Every dish is a tribute to his family and the sun-soaked flavours of the Mediterranean. Expect authentic Turkish mezze — slow-braised eggplant, fresh herbs, and dishes that transport you straight to the Mediterranean coast. Open Monday 5–9pm, and Tuesday through Saturday for both lunch (12–2pm) and dinner (5–9pm).
Muk Bar finally opens its doors (and they had us at corn crème brûlée)
It’s finally opening! After much anticipation, the team behind Vincent is ready to open their newest venture, Muk Bar – but this isn’t your average Korean restaurant.
A bespoke take on Korean favourites such as Burnt-on Fried Rice, Korean Beef Tartare, and more, they’ll be welcoming the public from 6 pm on Tuesday 5 August, running with limited seating for the first few weeks. Telling foodies to go along hungry and curious, we’re keen to try the corn crème brûlée, topped with sweet corn sauce. See you there?
Get the full story here.
Bar Outro brings vinyl vibes and natural wines to Braddon
The team behind Terra and Recess has just opened their most intriguing venue yet – Bar Outro on Lonsdale Street. Occupying the former Rye Café site, this wine bar-listening lounge hybrid is literally named for what it is – the final chapter for a space slated for redevelopment in a few years.
Anthony Iannelli and Sungyeol “Sunga” Son have created something special here, complete with vintage JBL 4344 studio monitors, a McIntosh amplifier, Technics turntables, and thousands of vinyl records lining the back bar.
The menu draws from European wine bars – think house-made flatbread with duck liver parfait and hazelnut praline, charred prawns with prawn bisque, and sugarloaf cabbage with hot English mustard hummus. Larger plates include wagyu bavette and ricotta scarpinocc with brown butter and truffle, while bar snacks range from house-made pickles to crispy pig head croquettes.
The drinks lean natural, featuring producers like Gut Oggau and Ochota Barrels, plus clever cocktails like the Jaffa Old Fashioned and Strawberry Gimlet with tomato water and saltbush. Open for dinner Wednesday to Monday, lunch Thursday to Sunday, and here’s the kicker — supper service from 10pm to midnight Thursday through Saturday (hello, late-night dry-aged cheeseburgers).
Get the full story here.
Tintino redefines the neighbourhood wine experience
Is that the ‘tin tin’ of wine glasses clinking we hear? Tintino has finally opened its doors in Old Kingston, bringing a cosy wine bar–bottle shop hybrid to the area. Boasting a curated list of global wines, a full-flavour menu, and a sense of casual sophistication, you can read all about it here.
The Lotus Indian
Nearly three years after Canberra fave Aubergine closed its doors, The Lotus Indian has moved in at Griffith Shops.
According to their website, Mandeep Dhaka honed his skills at Amaya, a Michelin-starred gem in Knightsbridge London celebrated for its refined Indian cuisine while Surena brought her creative flair to the iconic Dorchester Collection, known globally for its luxury and elegance.
After time working with brands like Park Proxi Gibraltar Bowral and Bendooley Estate in the Southern Highlands, they’re now bringing their cuisine (and paired cocktails) to the inner south. We can’t wait to try the Masala Lobster Tail – lobster tail cooked in a rich, spiced masala sauce with rice and naan. Yum.
Teddy’s Matcha takes our addiction to the next level
Matcha lovers are in for a treat, with the launch of a unique matcha-focused pop-up: Teddy’s Matcha. All about serving simple matcha that’s thoughtfully made, they use freshly whisked, premium grade culinary matcha sourced from Uji in Kyoto, infused with handmade syrups to make variations like Salted Maple, Brown Sugar Cinnamon, and Earl Grey. And yes, they’re as good as they sound. Read all about the experience (and where to try one for yourself) here.
Sushi Bell opens a second location
Those living and working in the city should be excited about the opening of a second Sushi Bell location – perfect for a quick-grab-and-go-lunch. Serving sushi, warm meals, and more, find them on Moore Street in the city.
Can you find the best burger in Hume?
In our early July edition of Foodie News, we told you about Burgermaker – a new burger joint from Rabble Group. Described as an ‘no-fuss, all-flavour operation is built for real appetites’, it’s serving smashburgers, brekky buns, toasties and fried chicken that’s worth the detour – but that’s just the beginning. With plans to expand this spring (including additions like a kids’ playground, veggie gardens, a stage for live music and more), make sure to grab yourself a bite to see what the fuss is about when you’re there looking for the perfect family picnic spot.
A new café in Gungahlin is brewing good vibes
Gribble Street in Gungahlin has welcomed a new café serving speciality coffee and fresh bites, designed with the community in mind. Cosy and focusing on comfort food, The Tipsy Mug is open from 7 am until 3 pm, seven days a week and serves everything from a B&E Roll to classic burgers.
Pide, snack packs and kebabs, oh my! Ojaq Baba brings Turkish cuisine to Kaleen
Sometimes you just really need a Halal Snack Pack and a loaded Pide and Ojaq Baba is bringing all that and more to Kaleen. Open seven days a week on Maribyrnong Avenue, this family-run business serves authentic food that will cure your cravings.
Foodie Events
Carlotta celebrates 30 years of Chris Lucas with month-long specials that’ll make you feel like it’s 1995
The hospitality legend behind some of Australia’s most iconic restaurants is marking three decades in the business, and Carlotta is joining the party with a month of offers from 5 August to 4 September.
In a nostalgic nod to 1995 (the year Chris Lucas opened his first venue, One Fitzroy Street), you can sip on $19.95 cocktails all day, every day – choose from a classic Negroni, Spicy Margarita, or Dirty Martini.
And here’s where it gets really fun – Lucas Restaurants is flipping the script and giving guests the birthday gifts. Every table that dines during the celebration month gets a spin on the prize wheel, with chances to win vouchers up to $1000.
Wine N’ Dine | Canberra
Discover Canberra’s food and wine scene at Wine N’ Dine | Canberra on Saturday Saturday 6 September – a culinary journey across four local venues, each offering expertly paired small plates and wines.
Start at Amici Wine Bar & Deli featuring Chroma Wines, then continue to COMPA with Linear Wines, Luna Bar with Whitton Farm, and finish at Wilma featuring Sholto.
It looks set to be a great afternoon celebrating the capital’s vibrant food and wine culture.
The Canberra Distillery needs your help – and it involves sampling gin
It’s something of an annual tradition for the Canberra Distillery – every year they peel over 100 tangelos to make their classic gin. And this year, they need your help. Taking place on Saturday 16 August, gin lovers are invited to a day at the distillery where they’ll have music playing, gin sampling and plenty of snacks to go around as you help them peel the fruit.
Running for an hour and a half, your ticket also includes a cocktail, a chocolate tasting from Fudgemental and the training required to be a distillery assistant for the day! Book your spot now.
Shaw Estate hosts two unmissable events
You’re going to be busy on Friday 22 and Saturday 23 August, because Shaw Estate is hosting two events foodies will love.
On Friday, they’re partnering with Hentley Farm for a celebration of Barossa wines, complete with canapés and a four-course menu paired with standout wines.
Then, on Saturday, go along for a creative and indulgent afternoon of clay and wine where you’ll handcraft your own textural antipasti platter. After your clay session, unwind with a wine tasting experience paired with a small, shared menu featuring cheeses, cured meats, and seasonal accompaniments – the perfect way to end the day.
Noods and Blooms are the spring celebration you didn’t know you needed
Play florist for the day with House de Fleurs while eating some delicious food from DumpLinLins to welcome in spring on Sunday 31 August.
Beginning with welcome drinks and snacks, you’ll be guided through a seasonal stems workshop where you’ll learn some floristry essentials as you make your own take home floral arrangement. Then, LinLin will serve lunch, with the choice of a Northern Thai Chicken Laksa or Thai Green Curry, so you can mingle and munch as you continue work on your designs and browse each other’s creations!
Plus, there will be time for complimentary photos in the studio, mochi dessert and more! Bookings are essential.
If you like your sips sparkly and snacks sophisticated, this is the event for you
Until Sunday 31 August, you can pull up a seat for some knock-out Champagne pairings with Perrier-Jouët at QT Canberra. It’s the smart-casual snack your suit and sneaker combo demands – luxe and laid-back, just the way we like it. Choose from a glass of Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut ($22), or go all out with bottles paired with fries and caviar. As always, QT promises to keep the posh playful.
Learn the essentials of Tuscan cooking
It might be a while away, but this November local chef Cam Jones will be teaching you the tips and tricks for making an authentic and flavoursome Tuscan meal. Hosted by 10 Yards on Sunday 9 November, this event is predicted to book out well in advance, so consider this your sign to snag some tickets.
Coming Soon
Australia’s finest cinnamon scrolls are coming to the Canberra Centre
Don’t scroll (pun intended)past this sweet piece of news, because Cinnascroll is coming to Canberra! Starting out in Merrylands, Cinnascroll quickly became a favourite across Sydney, and now they are opening on the Ground Level of the Canberra Centre. We’re talking freshly baked in-store, hot scrolls topped with some mouth-watering toppings. Choose the classic option or indulge in the Biscoff Scroll, the Blueberry Scroll and the Nutella Scroll for something a little bit different.
Melted is moving into City East
There’s nothing like a good toastie – especially when you have choices like Katsu Chicken Schnitzel, Lasagna and Mi Goreng Noodles on the menu. And in some delicious news, Melted Toasted Sandwich Emporium will be bringing all of that and more to City East as part of Garage Eats, a new food hub inspired by Melbourne’s underground car park eateries like Soi38. Located at street level under a new multi-storey parking garage on the corner of Nangari Street and Rabaul Lane, keep an eye out for more details!
Pialligo Estate to open new cellar door in September
Pialligo Estate will open a new cellar door experience in early September showcasing the Estate’s own wines alongside a curated selection from Canberra region wineries, with additional offerings including artisan spirits, estate-grown produce, barista-made coffee, freshly baked pastries, and florals from the on-site market garden.
The cellar door features a dedicated lounge with fireplace, high-top tasting benches, and garden views, designed to accommodate both casual visitors and private bookings. Programming will include wine tastings, charcuterie boards, weekend live music, and community events.
Japanese elegance meets Korean boldness at AZUMA Den
The team behind Bisa Hospitality is bringing something special to Canberra with the opening of AZUMA Den at East Hotel in August, with fire as the star of the show.
Led by Executive Chef Junho ‘Luffy’ Koh and Sous Chef Jun Kim, AZUMA Den (where ‘Azuma’ means East in Japanese) will combine the simplicity and seasonal elegance of Japanese cooking with the bold flavours and fermentation artistry of Korean cuisine. Keep your eye out for the details.
Industry news
Two local restaurants have won coveted spots in the 2025 Gourmet Traveller restaurant awards
Lunetta in Red Hill and Minima at Yarralumla Shops have won coveted spots in this year’s Gourmet Traveller shortlist of the nation’s best eateries! With the winners announced in Tasmania on 18 August, read all about the amazing achievements here.
Hungry but don’t know where to go? This website is listing Canberra’s best eats
Forget frantically Googling dinner options, Best Restaurants Canberra has made dining out that much easier by listing all the best eats in one place. Created by Daniel, and perfect for locals and visitors alike, he’s always adding to the list based on what he would recommend to anyone looking for anyone looking for a tasty feed. From fine dining experiences to affordable family-friendly options, you can browse by category, cuisine or neighbourhood!
Feature image supplied by Viral Food Festival.
