Matt Moran exits Bunda Street, Nash & Smashed comes to Tuggeranong, and we’ve found 14 winter feasts to warm you up
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It’s looking like an extra juicy month. This month’s edition of Foodie News brings a massive wave of fresh flavours, winter solstice celebrations, and some major shake-ups.
Whether you want to test your luck rolling for a free lunch in Fyshwick, dance under a winter solstice brew deck at a heavy-metal mass or indulge in a five-kilogram bucket of biryani in Dickson, Canberra is pulling out all the stops.
We’ve rounded up the biggest venue shake-ups, newest local openings, and the must-book culinary events hitting the capital this month.
Here’s everything you need to know.
News & new spots
Nash & Smashed brings Nashville-style sandwiches to Tuggeranong
Halal Nashville hot chicken, smashed burgers, and shakes. You can find all this and more in Nash & Smashed’s first Australian location: South.Point Tuggeranong.
With over 20 locations open across the USA, this chain is known for its crispy hand-breaded chicken sandwiches, juicy smashed burgers, loaded fries, tenders, wings, shakes, and more. The portions are big, the flavours are bold, and yes – there is Mac & Cheese on the menu.
It’s goodbye to Matt Moran’s Compa and &Sando
In good news, it’s also hello to two new ventures run by The Fresh Collective.
That’s right – the Sydney celebrity chef is taking a step back, handing the venues to Fresh Collective to operate exclusively, and saying goodbye to his Canberra association. The result? Bunda Street has welcomed the fresh faces of Stacks sandwich bar and wine bar Curiosa.
Get the goss here.
The Aegean Pantry brings a taste of Greece (via the Fyshwick Markets)
Not only home to shelves lined with the best imported ingredients Greece has to offer, the newly opened Aegean Pantry boasts a comprehensive Mediterranean salad and coffee bar serving Greek hot dishes (made fresh daily).
Think Pastitsio (Greek-style lasagna) Vegetarian Moussaka, Lemon Garlic Chicken and Plaki (oven-baked fish over vegetables and lemon potatoes) as well as a Greek-themed sandwich bar. You simply must try it.
Read all about it here.
Tusa comes to Canberra (via Nepal)
If you’ve been wondering what took over the space that was home to Vincent, we have the answer: Tusa. Set to open soon, this progressive restaurant will use Australian produce to create authentic Nepalese dishes.
Interested in learning more? The team also have a restaurant in Nepal called Tusa, and is the perfect example of what they’re planning. Find out more here.
Ground & Graze graces Grazier Lane
Belconnen, you have a new local. Ground & Graze has opened on Grazier Lane to serve you brunch seven days a week. The menu includes ONA coffee, eggs Benedict, crispy chicken burgers, bacon & egg rolls and more.
Find them at Unit 7, 6 Grazier Lane, Belconnen.
IORI reopens in the city
After much anticipation, IORI has finally reopened with a fresh new kitchen for a new chapter. Keeping the same flavours and spirit that have always been at the heart of IORI, pop in to celebrate the new look with the team.
Zeus Street Greek opens in Manuka
Zeus Street Greek is now bringing its fresh and flavoursome food to the inner south, taking over the space previously home to Wok Me.
Open from 10 am until 10 pm seven days a week, they’ll be serving up everything you know and love – from Yia Yia’s Chips to the Tzimmy pita wrap.
So does Duck and Goose
L’Orange Patisserie has taken up its new position on the Manuka Lawns – the space it left in Manuka Court is now home to Duck and Goose. Expect to find an array of sweet and savoury Turkish treats.
Craving mandi and biryani? This new restaurant has just that (and more)
A new Indian/Arabian restaurant has opened in Dickson, and it’s not hard to guess what Shahi Mandi & Biryani specialises in. Open seven days a week from 2 pm until midnight, the menu here is overflowing with mandi and biryani – from their Chicken Mandi Plate to a 5 kg bucket of Mutton Biryani (you read that right).
Make sure to order a Mango Lassi to wash it all down and find them at 76/2 Cape Street, Dickson.
Did you know that you can find Slovenian hospitality in Phillip?
Dober Tek opened earlier this year in the Slovenian Club to serve honest, home-style food. With a menu packed with dishes like chicken and chorizo gnocchi, Slovenian kransky and apple strudel, visit Wednesday to Sunday between 5.30 pm and 8.30 pm to try it for yourself.
Portia’s Place closes
In some sad news, Kingston’s Portia’s Place has closed without fanfare, serving its final Cantonese dish on 10 May. First opening on Kennedy Street in Kingston in October 1996, the restaurant has long been an icon of the area.
It was much loved and will be much missed.
Events, fresh tastes & pop-ups!
There’s no need to travel to Italy for an Italian summer
This June, Leyla Bar is bringing Italy to you with their bottomless apreitivio hour. Taking place every Saturday, choose between two sessions (3.30 pm – 5.30 pm and 7.30 pm – 9.30 pm) and indulge in an Italian charcuterie board along with two hours of free-flowing Montegroni Sbagliatos, Beericanos prosecco, red wine and white wine.
Priced at $95 per person, it’s your Euro summer without the plane trip.
Warm up your Friday evenings with this Winter Wine and Providore Series
Who can resist a complimentary fireside tasting series in one of our city’s most historic lounges? Head down to the elegant Griffin’s Lounge at the Hyatt for a cosy, relaxed hour discovering the fascinating stories behind the vines.
Happening every Friday night from 5 pm until 6 pm, you can sip on incredible drops crafted by some of Australia’s finest independent winegrowers and makers. No prior bookings are required.
Celebrate the King’s birthday with a feast at natural nine
Who wouldn’t want to spend the long weekend indulging in an exquisite culinary feast? Held from Friday 5 until Monday 8 June, for $78 per person you’ll eat your way through a multi-course dining experience at natural nine that’s designed to make you feel thoroughly sated. Think: pork and chive pan fried dumplings, chicken and truffle steamed mini bao and sliced lamb with shallow soy sauce.
Book your seat here.
Did you say “15,000 free quarter chicken and chips”?
Pop Wednesday 10 June into your calendar because Oporto restaurants across Canberra are giving away 15,000 free Portuguese flame-grilled quarter chicken and chips to mark Dia de Portugal.
Kicking off from 12 pm, they will be available to the first 67 Flame Rewards loyalty members until sold out. And for those who miss out, Oporto’s cult-favourite Bondi Burger will be going for just $5 all day long. With the limit of one per customer and in-store only, visit any one of the 10 Canberra locations for your chicken and chip fix.
1085 wines, three hours and a tasting glass. Do we need to say more?
Canberra’s ultimate girls’ day out is back this June as The National Wine Festival makes its way to town – and its headline Wine Tasting & Expo might just be the most indulgent (and impressive) afternoon out.
Held at Hyatt Hotel Canberra on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 June, it’s the only opportunity to try every wine entered in the National Wine Show of Australia, the nation’s most prestigious wine awards. And let’s be honest, if you’re going to indulge, you might as well indulge in the best.
Read all about it here.
BentSpoke is celebrating 12 years of beers!
Whether you’ve been with them since day one or you’re just interested in some birthday beers, this is one party you won’t want to miss. On Friday 5 June, BentSpoke is turning up the fun for a full day of birthday festivities, complete with flowing taps, live music, birthday cake and a fresh limited-release birthday brew pouring all day long.
Find out more here.
The Brunch Club comes to Canberra
It’s not The Breakfast Club; it’s The Brunch Club – and it’s coming to Canberra. Launched in 2020 in the United Kingdom before making its way to Australia in 2025, The Brunch Club has become the biggest international party brunch brand.
The concept is simple: each brunch is different, as they switch up the theme to host a delicious day party with bottomless booze, mouthwatering bites, DJs and live performers.
Upcoming themes include ABBA, Shrek, Spice Girls and Kath & Kim. Nice, different, unusual.
Ambrosia Lounge launches a new menu and a new Friday tradition
Fyshwick’s intimate cocktail lounge is taking things up a notch with a brand-new menu designed to be shared over cocktails (and conversation). Featuring elevated dishes like bocconcini and tomato skewers, baked brie with apricot compote and fried chorizo served with semi-dried tomatoes and stuffed olives, they can now be enjoyed during Friday lunchtime.
Extending their opening hours to serve lunch from 12.30 pm, if that’s not enough to entice you to go, let us introduce you to The Ambrosia Gamble. At the end of every Friday lunch service, one diner at each table rolls a special Ambrosia dice. If they land on the Ambrosia symbol, the entire table’s bill is completely free. Need we say more?
Find out more here.
Put this four-course dining experience into your diary
In partnership with Eden Road Wines, First Edition Canberra is hosting an intimate evening that foodies are sure to love: ‘A Taste of Eden’. Taking place on Friday 19 June, for $139 per person, your ticket not only includes sparkling on arrival and a curated four-course dinner but also premium Eden Road Wine pairings and an exclusive “meet the maker” experience with Celine Rousseau.
Book your seat here.
This is your sign not to miss Midnight Mass
Now this is a winter solstice celebration we can get behind. Following its massively successful debut last year, Capital Brewing Co is bringing back Midnight Mass to transform its Fyshwick taproom into a dark, immersive celebration of heavy music and winter revelry.
Taking place on Saturday 20 June from 7 pm, the elevated brew deck stage will feature an explosive lineup, headlined by Canberra’s own unapologetically loud five-piece Mac The Knife, followed by local punk favourites Box Dye and Problem Green, and DJ Eric Layers.
To top it off, a live fire performer will ignite the taproom during the final changeover.
Did we mention that it’s free? Now that’s a way toast Canberra’s alternative music scene with a few dark, seasonal brews in hand.
Take your tastebuds on a journey to Friuli Venezia Giulia
Agostinis is back with their CIN CIN dinner series and this time you’re invited to take your tastebuds to the Friuli region of Italy on Wednesday 24 June.
Prepared by Roman-born Culinary Director Francesco Balestrieri, for $75 per person you’ll enjoy a four-course menu that includes delicious dishes like Polenta con Funghi e Formaggio, Cjarsons, tiramisu and more.
Book your seat here.
Truffle lovers, this one is for you
Truffle season is finally here, and Capitol Bar & Grill knows how to do it in style. Partnering with The Truffle Farm, they’re hosting a one-night-only experience worth leaving the house for this winter.
Beginning with a chauffeured journey from the hotel lobby straight to the farm – where you’ll hunt for your own truffles – you’ll move back to Capitol Bar & Grill for an indulgent four-course dinner centred around the day’s hero ingredient. Priced at $300 per person, the menu is perfectly capped off with a truffle-infused Tiramisu.
Spots are strictly limited. Book your seat here.
Nicky Kim x Canteen is the cosy collaboration you need
It’s a one-night-only collaboration between Eddy from Canteen and his longtime friend, Nicky Kim – and they caught our attention with a ‘playful mix-and-match of Japanese and Korean flavours’.
Serving a set menu that’s designed to be shared, for $130 per person, you’ll eat Nicky’s signature Stuffed Chicken Wings, prawns and scallops, organic farm vegetables, and enjoy plenty of comforting winter flavours woven throughout the night.
Book your table for Monday 29 June here.
Denman Village has a new weekend brunch spot
Denman Kitchen will open its doors for weekend breakfast from Saturday 20 June and they’ll be serving up delicious twists on café favourites. Honestly, they had us at Hong Kong style French Toast.
Along with the decadent-sounding golden egg coated peanut butter sandwich served with berry compote and vanilla mascarpone, White Miso Eggs Benedict, and a Drunken Pig Breakfast Burger (thick cut bacon braised with apple cider and bourbon in a Clementine bun with a fried egg, slaw and house-made chili jam) are menu standouts. Run, don’t walk.
Is that the smell of melted cheese and mulled wine drifting through the cold air? The countdown to the Christmas in July Festival is on
Canberra’s cosiest winter tradition is officially making its return – and this year, it’s going back to where it all began.
From Wednesday 1 until Sunday 5 July, the Christmas in July Festival will once again transform the National Triangle into a glowing European-style winter village complete with mulled wine, melted raclette, fire pits, falling snow and twinkling lights.
Expect roaring fire pits, artisan market stalls, roaming entertainment and the smell of melted cheese and mulled wine drifting through the cold air.
Pop it into your diary now and read the full story here.
Feature image: Capitol Bar & Grill. Truffle Mushroom Mafaldi. Supplied.
