Caffè al Lago expands south, Kingston welcomes Bar Nova, and lots more multicultural flavours: your foodie news for September
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Canberra’s food scene is absolutely blooming this September.
Ready to eat your way through the new season? Here is your essential guide to the biggest foodie news, drops, and dining updates happening this month.
OPENINGS, CLOSINGS AND MOVES
Caffè al Lago to bring its cult-favourite sandwiches to the Kingston Foreshore
That’s right – Caffè al Lago is opening a second location at Kingston Foreshore (taking over the spot recently vacated by Lil Mama’s), bringing its freshly baked schiacciata, focaccia panini and Italian-inspired fare to a new part of the city.
The Kingston venue will bring that same Caffè al Lago DNA to the Foreshore while introducing a few new touches. Read the story here.
Fresca arrives in the city
Speaking of sandwiches, the much-loved Queanbeyan sandwich shop Fresca has landed in Civic, bringing its signature house-baked schiacciata, Italian deli fillings, coffee, sweets and plenty of Nonna-approved hospitality to the city.
Inspired by owner Melinda Koteski’s 91-year-old Nonna Rosa and generations of family food traditions, the new venue features schiacciata named after family members, including the Carmela, Luigi and Rosa, alongside build-your-own options. There’s also Zest coffee, house-made sweets and Friday afternoon aperitivo on the horizon as the warmer weather arrives.
Find it at 27/40 Marcus Clarke Street, Civic, open Monday to Friday from 7 am to 2.30 pm.
Bar Nova reignites Kingston’s spark
The new bar and restaurant from Canberra hospitality wunderkind Kierain Bunton has finally arrived.
You can read all about it here – we promise that the menu will capture your immediate and lasting attention.
Craving 3 am HSPs? Quean Kebabs & Gyros serves late-night bites in Kingston
Quean Kebabs & Gyros is now open on Giles Street, serving kebabs, gyros, HSPs, gozleme or loaded fries until 3 am every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night.
With a menu packed full of authentic Greek and Turkish takeaway options – including meze platters for sharing and meat boxes – you can pop in to cure your cravings seven days a week.
OOSHMAN opens in Belconnen
Craving authentic Lebanese baked goods with a modern twist? Northsiders can now enjoy fresh and flavoursome pizzaz, wraps, sides and desserts with the opening of OOSHMAN in Belconnen.
Located on Rae Street, we recommend saving room for the PB&J calzone.
Zeus Street Greek is finally open in Woden
Those who have been watching the Zeus Street Greek hoarding at Westfield Woden in anticipation don’t have to wait any longer – the Greek takeaway spot is finally open.
Serving up the flavours you know and love, it’s open from 10 am to 10 pm, seven days a week.
Craving Korean? Civic has a new BBQ spot
Siz Korean BBQ can now be found on Moore Street in the city! There’s not a lot of information about this Korean BBQ restaurant, but it looks like it’s taken over the space that previously housed The Tasty Hill. It’s open for dinner Tuesday to Sunday.
Johnny Gio’s coming to Kingston
Pizza fave Johnny Gio’s is bringing its New York-Italian style to Kingston. Expect hand-stretched dough, generous, flavour-packed toppings, and a carefully curated selection of pasta dishes and desserts.
24 Mort Street, Braddon | johnnygiospizza.com.au
Durk’s takes over Woden
Wondering what’s going on in the space that was home to The Shed in Woden? Durk’s Café branding has been spotted. With locations across New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland and Victoria, this marks the first ACT location.
It looks like they’ll be serving all-day breakfast options along with sandwiches, burgers and other lunch options, along with coffee and smoothies!
FEASTS, FESTIVALS AND MORE: DELICIOUS FOODIE EXPERIENCES
A new fruit and veg market is coming to Dairy Road
Love visiting a farmers’ market on the weekend? Alpha Fresh have partnered with Capital Brewing to hold a mini market at Fyshwick’s Dairy Road.
Pints and Produce will take place on Sundays from 12 pm until 4 pm. As the name suggests, you can accompany your pints with the opportunity to shop fresh produce, face painting, and even a raffle. Find out more here.
There’s a new iced matcha and hojicha pop-up in town!
Keep an eye out for Keva Sips! Launching this September at the Southside Farmers Market, Keva Sips is serving up matcha from Satori Tea House and hojicha from Hojicha House.
Along with classic blends poured over milk, they’ll also be offering some fun twists, including strawberry, chocolate and black sesame hojicha, as well as strawberry, jasmine and black sesame matcha!
Keep an eye on their Instagram to see when they’ll be popping up.
Café MAMÉ farewells the all-day menu
One venue. Two completely different menus. Melba’s Café MAMÉ is shaking things up, splitting their breakfast and lunch into separate offerings. Why? Because they want to bring even more creative ideas to the café.
From September, you can grab breakfast during the week from 8 am – 11 am and lunch from 11.30 am – 2 pm. On the weekend, breakfast is available from 8 am – 11.30 am and you can order lunch from 11.30 am – 1.30 pm. Go along to try the new menus for yourself!
Smelly Buns and Bunny Beans Night Café are coming together for a sweet collab
Sweet treat lovers will want to save room on Saturday 5 September, because Smelly Buns and Bunny Beans Night Café are collaborating for one night only.
Serving up freshly baked cinnamon scrolls specially created to be enjoyed with your favourite matcha drink, you’ll be able to sink your teeth into original warm cinnamon scrolls along with yuzu cheesecake, crème brûlée, Tim Tam, white choco matcha and Biscoff.
With limited scrolls available, this is one sugar rush worth lining up for.
Three Mills and Capital Brewing is the collab we didn’t know we needed
Croissants and craft beer? Colour us intrigued. According to this Instagram post, two of our favourite Canberra businesses are coming together for a very interesting collaboration. While we don’t know the exact details, anything involving Three Mills and Capital Brewing is sure to be good.
A maritozzo party is a shindig we can get behind
Go hungry and leave happy is the motto of Sapori Lab’s maritozzo party. Taking place every second Saturday at Grazier Lane in Belconnen, they’ll be serving up four flavours of freshly made maritozzo in limited quantities.
With past deliciousness including pistachio, blueberry, sundried tomato and mortadella, you’ll want to go early because once they’re gone, these maritozzos will be gone for good.
Find out more here.
TERRA is hosting a BBQ birthday bash
You’re invited to the party. On Saturday 5 September, TERRA is celebrating their eighth birthday, with Sunga pulling the smoker out of retirement. The menu isn’t set yet, but we do know that there will be brisket, sausage, a whole hog, lamb ribs and more!
Taking place from 12 pm until 3 pm, they’ll be accepting walk-ins only. Find out more here.
This Gin Garden promises delicious springtime sips
The Underground Sprits Gin Garden is back for another year! One of our favourite ways to celebrate the start of spring, the Gin Garden is once again returning to Commonwealth Park, bringing a brand-new menu of seasonal botanical cocktails refreshing mocktails and Underground Spirits’ playful new Edible Cocktails.
Also hosting an Underground Spirits Cocktail High Tea – which includes a handcrafted cocktail served from a teapot and a selection of sweet and savoury delicacies created from L’épi Artisan Bakery – you can drop in for a drink from Saturday 12 September until Sunday 11 October.
Find out more here.
Channel your Regency manners at this high tea
This September, QT Canberra is holding a Pride & Prejudice-inspired QTea High Tea in partnership with the Canberra Theatre Centre and it sounds like an elegant affair.
Available on Saturdays from 11.30 am until 1 pm, you’ll enjoy savouries like luxe sandwiches and wild mushroom croquettes, as well as freshly baked scones piled high with rosewater cream and jam.
Add in your choice of one Space Kitchen Cake – alongside a flowing milk chocolate fountain for good measure – and you’re in for a grand time. Keep an eye out as the roaming cake trolley makes its rounds, laden with Space Kitchen’s Elizabeth Bennet strawberry mousse, and the Mr Darcy Roasted hazelnut praline.
Book your seat here.
Rose N Brew is launching a frozen yoghurt bar
The fro-yo craze continues in Canberra and now it’s spreading south. We recently spotted a sign in the window of Tuggeranong’s Rose N Brew, announcing the addition of a frozen yoghurt bar to the popular café.
While we don’t currently have the scoop on when it’ll be opening, we’ll let you know as soon as we do!
Celebrate spring with this chocolate and wine tasting experience
Because what better way to make the most of the warm weather? Murrumbateman Chocolate Co has partnered with Vineyard 1207 for a delicious chocolate and wine tasting experience.
For $30 per person, you’ll get to taste six varieties of chocolate alongside four tasting sized wine pours, plus a glass of choice to enjoy at your leisure. Taking place on Saturday 5 September, book your spot here.
Late night matcha isn’t a dream anymore
In good news for matcha lovers, Ujin Matcha House is extending their opening hours.
From Monday 14 September, you’ll be able to pop in until 10 pm every night for a hand-whisked matcha or Asian-inspired dessert. Matcha soft serve, anyone?
Coffee and beer is the combination you didn’t know you needed
Ambush Brewing has teamed up with Gang Gang Café to create a drink that’s sure to impress coffee and beer lovers alike: an American-style mocha milk stout. Brewed locally with fresh roasted coffee from the café, it’s best described as “coffee and vanilla” but in beer form.
According to this Instagram post, coffee and toast dominate the opening, with a soft and creamy mouthfeel classic to milk stouts. It finishes long and strong with a subtle caramel and a lovely dark chocolate-driven bitterness. The HC team isn’t sure how to feel about this one, but we’re interested to hear what people think!
The Horizontal Festival returns to Bowral this October
Road trip anyone? The Horizontal Festival is back in the Southern Highlands for another year and this year’s program brings major culinary names, including Matt Moran.
Other highlights include local chefs Mark Holland of Horderns at Ardour Milton Park, Stephen Santucci of Moonacres Kitchen, Troy Crisante of Three Blue Ducks at Burradoo Park and Richard Robinson of Graze Catering. Check out the full program online to see what’s happening!
