Belco boom: The northside’s long-awaited foodie glow-up
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From culinary wasteland to foodie hotspot? Belco’s food scene is having a major moment.
Belconnen has never been known as a foodie hotspot. Long recognised (and loved) as Canberra’s sporting precinct – thanks to the AIS and GIO Stadium – and home to a thriving arts scene, it felt for many years like a veritable wasteland when it came to places to eat.
But with an influx of new openings in the area – along with some venues that have stood the test of time – that’s changed. Here, we dive into some of the places you need to know about in Belconnen. Never say there’s nowhere to eat in the north again…
EASY BOY!
A new addition to Scullin, EASY BOY! is Benn and Mork Ratanakosol’s latest project – and it’s something of a homecoming for them. Following the success of Mínima in Yarralumla, the decision to open a new venue in Belconnen was inspired by their own family history – their parents ran the original Morks there between 2008 and 2013.
Taking over the former Muku Ramen Bar site at Scullin Shops, the menu is mostly Vietnamese with broader Southeast Asian influences, and there’s already a waitlist for bookings.
5-9 Scullin Place, Belconnen | @eat.easyboy
Cartel
When Cartel Taqueria opened on the shores of Lake Ginnindera, the game changed for foodies in the Belconnen area. Building on the success of their OG Queanbeyan venue to bring the same food and energy to the north side, the tacos and margaritas are legendary.
5/114 Emu Bank, Belconnen | carteltacos.au
Gianni’s
A neighbourhood Italian from one of Canberra’s most trusted restaurateurs, Gianni’s opened in February 2026 to much excitement from locals. Founded by Gianni Guglielmin – who has built a loyal following for Briscola in the city – Gianni’s transports diners straight to the streets of Italy.
Described as Briscola’s “cool younger sibling” – bigger, brighter, and with more of a suburban feel – the menu is familiar and features iconic dishes that have made Briscola so successful (including the tiramisu).
1/59 Cameron Avenue, Belconnen | giannisitalian.com.au
Society Coffee Co
This speciality café is a hidden gem in Grazier Lane, and it’s become known for its matcha and latte specials. Fusing classic drinks with inventive desserts, each month they rotate the menu, seeing flavour combinations like S’mores, Banoffee and Carrot Cake.
Make sure to try one of their viral toasties as well. With the choice of Birria or Butter Chicken, they stack them full of cheese and protein and serve them with a special sauce for dipping on the side.
4 Grazier Lane, Belconnen | @society.coffee.co
Sweet Bones
Sweet Bones changed the face of food in the capital in 2012 with its hand-crafted vegan menu and has called Scullin home since 2022.
Still serving up the menu that made them so popular (like the cinnabons – IYKYK), pop in to see why this is still one of Canberra’s most iconic cafes more than a decade since it opened.
Scullin Shops, 3 Scullin Place Scullin | sweetbonescompany.com
Grease Monkey
Grease Monkey is another Canberra icon that’s known for its mouth-watering burgers and fried chicken. Opening in Westfield Belconnen in 2025, the northside location brings all the classics Canberrans have come to love.
Westfield Belconnen Shopping Centre, Shop 332B, Belconnen | greasys.com.au
Ramen O
Tucked away in an unassuming building in Belconnen, there’s no doubt that Ramen O has become one of Canberra’s most popular ramen restaurants since opening quietly in mid-November 2020. Serving authentic ramen noodles and gyoza dumplings, it’s a taste of Japan that would impress anyone who has walked the streets of Tokyo.
1F/54 Benjamin Way, Belconnen | ramen-o.com.au
Café MAMÉ
Possibly one of Belconnen’s best-kept secrets, Melba’s Café MAMÉ is well worth visiting. A popular neighbourhood hub with the locals, here the owner’s fine-dining background shines with perfect plating and mouth-watering dishes that wouldn’t look out of place in a magazine (or on your Instagram).
Shop 2/4-6 Melba Circuit, Melba | cafemame.com.au
Drunken Tiger
Located just across the courtyard from Café MAMÉ and owned by the same family, Drunken Tiger is an Asian takeaway where flavour is king. Open for lunch and dinner and serving dishes like Prawn Pad Thai, Chow Mein and boiled pork dumplings, the food is fast and fun – perfect for a night when you don’t want to cook.
Shop 1/8 Melba Court, Melba | drunkentiger.com.au
Pizza Artigiana
Pizza Artigiana has been a Macquarie staple for over a decade, so you know it’s got to be good. Recently taken over by Chef Hem of Sliceria, the menu spans antipasti and salads, pasta and – of course – pizza.
From the Truffle Fourmaggi to the Bianca Patate, it’s the handcrafted, artisanal dough that makes eating here such a noteworthy experience.
Corner of Bowman and Wiseman Street, 2, Macquarie | pizza-artigiana.com.au
IKKO
Authentic udon and donburi are on the menu at IKKO. Another eatery that will transport diners straight to the streets of Japan, this vibrant restaurant is a Grazier Lane gem. Also serving sashimi, sushi and curries, the hardest part will be choosing what to eat first.
Shop C06/2 Grazier Lane, Belconnen | @ikko.cbr
Two Before Ten
The original Two Before Ten, this Aranda café has helped to define an iconic Canberra business for two decades. Transforming the site into a bustling community hub with an on-site café, bar (10 Yards), roastery, yoga studio, mushroom growing rooms, beehives, fruit trees, and an expansive urban farm, it’s well worth stopping here for a top-quality coffee and seasonal meal.
68 Bandjalong Crescent, Aranda | twobeforeten.com.au
Café Stepping Stone
Located in the historic 1920s Homestead at Strathnairn Arts, Café Stepping Stone is so much more than just a café. Serving up delicious vegetarian food inspired by their staff, they’re also a stepping stone for migrant and refugee women, offering employment and tailored training.
Making everything with locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, they’re all about food that’s good for you and the planet.
90 Stockdill Drive, Gullifer Street, Strathnairn | cafesteppingstone.com/strathnairn
Mr B Pastel
A Brazilian street food kitchen tucked into Grazier Lane, Mr B Pastel was born as a passion project to bridge Brazilian nostalgia with Australian food culture.
Just a short walk from Lake Ginninderra at Emu Bank, they began at the Old Bus Depot Markets in Kingston before opening their permanent home. Serving up pastels, sandubas, pão de queijo, and sides fresh to order, go for a fresh taste of Brazil.
C16/2 Grazier Lane, Belconnen | mrbpastel.com.au
DeWok (soon to be Nasi and More)
Hidden in Belconnen Mall, DeWok is all about authentic Malaysian flavours without the fuss. On the menu you’ll find everything from Nasi Goreng to fried chicken wontons, fresh Laska and classics from the wok.
Keep an eye out – the business is currently undergoing renovations and will soon change names to Nasi and More.
18 Benjamin Way, Belconnen | westfield.com.au
54 Benjamin
Café classics are the bread and butter of this hotspot. Open since 2015, 54 Benjamin is a modern cafe and bar located right in the heart of Belconnen. With a focus on breakfast and lunch dishes (with Friday nights reserved for longer opening hours), the menu spans everything from avo toast to tacos.
4/54 Benjamin Way, Belconnen | 54benjamin.com
Tinker Tailor
Tinker Tailor Jamison opened in 2021 and was born out of a desire to upscale the popular Casey store and take the delicious food offerings even further.
Serving lots of grab-and-go goodies like sandwiches, pizzas, pies and sausage rolls as well as some made-to-order meals, it’s the pastries you need to try. Crème brûlée tart, anyone?
Parc Building, Unit 104/4 Henshall Way, Macquarie | @tinkertailorjamison
The Irvine
The sibling of The Knox in Watson, The Irvine has called Florey home since 2024. Serving up breakfast, lunch and dinner, they specialise in brunch and pub classics that utilise local produce.
Boho, rustic and industrial, it’s the ultimate suburban day-to-night venue.
26 Kesteven Street, Florey | theirvine.com.au
Olive at Hawker
There’s no need to book a trip to the Mediterranean with this family-run restaurant specialising in the fresh and flavoursome cuisine.
From pastas to pizzas, risotto to slow-cooked meat dishes and (of course) lots of seafood, the menu will take you on a culinary journey like no other.
2a/78 Hawker Place, Hawker | oliveathawker.com.au
Bunny Beans
Tucked into the Kippax shops in Holt, Bunny Beans does double duty as a brunch fave and sweet nighttime destination.
The daytime menu leans into creative brunch territory (Chicken & Potato Waffle or Okonomiyaki, anyone?) and things get interesting when the sun goes down. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 5 pm until 11 pm, the café transforms into Bunny Beans Night Cafe – a Japanese-style dessert destination serving towering Shibuya toast and shaved-ice bingsu alongside signature drinks like the Ube Coconut Cloud.
U 16/64 Hardwick Crescent, Holt | bunnybeanscafekippax.com.au
Goodberry’s
Who can resist the call of frozen custard? Goodberry’s in Belconnen has long been a Canberra institution, acting as a sister to the original Erindale location in the south. Known and loved for decadent desserts, if you haven’t been, what are you waiting for?
4/25 Lathlain Street, Belconnen | goodberrys.com.au
Capital Food Market
Home to many amazing places to eat, the Capital Food Market deserves its very own dedication in this article. From Three Mills to Florence Gelato, Sweet Business Healthy Living to Hanok Korean Fine BBQ, here you’ll be sure to find something delicious to eat. It truly is a foodie mecca.
10 Lathlain Street, Belconnen | capitalfoodmarket.com.au
Hungry Beagle
Opening soon in Giralang, locals will be sure to love this pizza and pasta bar with pizzas cooked in a full electric oven and pasta handmade fresh daily. Keep an eye out for the opening date!
72 Canopus Crescent, Giralang | hungrybeagle.com.au
