Kinn Thai opens in Woden, Dumpling Social expands to Braddon, and lots of gluten-free goodness: this month’s Foodie News
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Yo-Chi is coming to Canberra. A new gluten-free bakery has opened in Gungahlin. Bar Nova is set to take over the space that houses Onzieme. Winter is looking mighty fine for foodies.
In this edition of Foodie News, we give you the scoop on some very exciting new openings, share some unmissable events, and dive into some big news. Whether you’re hungry for something new or trying to hunt down the latest and greatest in Canberra’s hospitality scene, read on for some bite-sized goodness.
Openings, closings, changes and moves
The wait is over – Kinn Thai is finally open in Woden
Those counting down the days to the opening of Kinn Thai in Woden don’t have to wait any longer – it’s finally here. Cue the cheers of southsiders everywhere.
Serving up authentic Thai flavours (and the dishes you love from the city location), find them on Level 1 near HOYTS.
Dumpling Social is expanding with a second Canberra location
More dumplings are on the menu, because Dumpling Social has announced it’s opening a second venue in Braddon later this month. The team says it will be “the same Dumpling Social, bigger flavours”, with the original location continuing to operate, giving Canberrans two places to get their fix.
Taking over 61/10 Lonsdale Street (next to Bamiyan and The Civic Pub), the new restaurant promises everything fans already love about the original – alongside more space, handcrafted cocktails, refreshing mocktails and, of course, plenty of dumplings.
We’ll keep an eye out for an opening date, but if late-July plans involve soup dumplings and cocktails in Braddon, we’re already sold.
Missing Onzieme? We have the scoop on what’s moving in on Kennedy Street
Since the shock announcement of Onzieme’s closure, Canberrans have been wondering what would happen to the iconic Kingston address. Now, we know.
Bar Nova – the brainchild of Canberra hospitality veteran Kierain Bunton – will bring a fresh new bar and restaurant to the area. There are still a few secrets being kept under wraps (including the menu), but one thing is clear: the team behind Bar Nova has a very specific vision for what’s next.
Read the full story here.
Gungahlin welcomes an artisan 100 per cent gluten-free bakery
And yes, they sold out within hours of opening.
Gluten– and preservative-free pastries, cookies, cakes and bread have arrived in Gungahlin after Freed.Me Gluten Free Bakery opened a physical store on Gribble Street. Launched in 2024 by founder Laura Convers, Freed.Me Gluten Free Bakery has rapidly risen to become a popular artisan gluten-free stall at the Southside Farmers Market, seeing many Canberra coeliacs line up in the early morning air for one of her coveted baked goodies.
Now open inside the Yellowbox Business Centre, you can visit the new brick-and-mortar location on Saturdays from 11 am until 2 pm (or until sold out).
Read the full story here.
This is not a drill: Yo-Chi is coming to Canberra
You read that right. For those who have long lamented the lack of Yo-Chi in Canberra, we have some very exciting, breaking news: that’s soon going to change.
How do we know? The chronically online HerCanberra team spotted an Instagram post showing a job description for an Assistant Venue Leader to help launch Yo-Chi‘s very first ACT venue. While we don’t know the location or the predicted opening date of the ACT store, you can bet that we’re excited. Keep an eye on this space to see the next Yo-Chi scoop when it drops.
Read the story here. And in the meantime, get your fix at these other fabulous purveyors of froyo!
Fricken is now open at Canberra Centre
Fricken’s brand-new store is now open at the Canberra Centre!
The newly expanded menu is bringing the goods with smashed beef burgers, bone-in fried chicken, fresh poke bowls, and what is believed to be Australia’s first 100 per cent gluten-free self-serve frozen yoghurt bar. And yes, that includes all the toppings.
Pop in to see why else it has people chirping. Read the story here.
Dreaming of an island holiday? Keep an eye out for this food truck
If you’d like to be transported to warmer climes but can’t afford a plane ticket, here’s the next best thing: Lia’s Island Café Canberra.
A brand-new food truck on the scene, we don’t know much about Lia’s Island Café – like when it’s opening – but the promise of Pacific Island street food sounds like the perfect antidote to Canberra’s cold winter.
Gungahlin welcomes a new Japanese restaurant
Say ‘kon’nichiwa’ to KOKORO. Now open on Hibberson Street, pop in for sushi, maki, bento boxes, udon, donburi and more.
It’s open Monday to Saturday for both lunch and dinner and Sunday for lunch only, and it’s as close to Tokyo as you can get without actually booking a holiday.
News, events & fresh tastes
Volstead is named a 2026 finalist in the Cocktail Bar of the Year awards
We’ll raise a glass to this news: Volstead Repeal has been named a finalist in Australian Bartender’s Cocktail Bar of the Year awards. Recognised for pushing the boundaries of the cocktail scene, this year’s Bar Awards will take place on Wednesday 16 September at Doltone House in Sydney.
Volstead is listed alongside Sydney’s popular Maybe Sammy, Adelaide’s Blank Street Social and Above Board Bar in Melbourne. We’ll keep our eye out for the results!
Break up the weekend with the Southern Harvest Winter Market
The Southern Harvest Winter Festival is taking over Dairy Road to celebrate winter and all its richness. Bringing together local food, seasonal produce, growers, makers, artists, and experiences from Friday 17 until Sunday 19 July, the festival will showcase the incredible diversity, creativity and passion of the region.
Kicking off with the Flames & Flavours Night Market on the Friday evening, the weekend will see the Winter Market as well as workshops, tours, tastings, demonstrations and seasonal activities. With something for all ages, go along to pick up truffles, wine, garlic, olives and more.
AK’s x Myanmar Corner pop-up
One night. Two cuisines. Plenty of heart.
On Saturday 18 July, AK’s Diner is teaming up with Myanmar Corner for a special collaboration celebrating the vibrant flavours of Myanmar and Malaysia. Bringing together family recipes, bold spices and plenty of soul, the one-night-only menu is all about sharing food that tells a story.
Running from 5.30 pm until sold out, expect a relaxed atmosphere, loud ’90s hip-hop, limited seating (plus a few milk crates), and dishes designed for casual dining. Just don’t expect a menu full of dietary substitutions – this is a one-night kitchen, after all.
Details here.
Tintino is holding its first birthday bash
It’s been one year since the cosy wine bar–bottle shop hybrid Tintino opened in Kingston, and they’re holding a party to celebrate. On Sunday 19 July, they’ll be kicking things off with a Sunday session (complete with DJs and magnums), followed by a week of $0 corkage for wine from the shop and specials on selected bottles.
They’ll also be bringing back some fan-favourite dishes from their OG menu. We’ll fight you for the Beef Tartare with Gochujang. Find out more here.
Transport yourself to Europe with this raclette masterclass
This intimate and guided experience is built around one simple idea: the best way to understand great cheese is to have it right in front of you. We couldn’t agree more.
On Saturday 25 July, Marble & Grain is joining forces with Le Cheeserie for an afternoon celebrating cheese. Priced at $150 per person, your afternoon will begin with canapés and a glass of wine, followed by The Cheese Masterclass where you’ll explore a curated selection of Australian and international cheeses that are hard to find and impossible to forget.
The cheeses are served with handpicked crackers and accompaniments, with three matched wines (chosen to draw out the best in every flavour). For the grand finale, you’ll enjoy raclette melted tableside and served the traditional way – draped over roasted potatoes, shaved ham, pickles, and pickled onions alongside a final matched wine.
Book your tickets here.
Settle in for this Dada x Lerida Estate wine dinner
Six premium Lerida wines, paired with a specially curated menu by Dada – what’s not to love?
On Thursday 30 July, Jacob Law – Head Winemaker at Lerida Estate – will be pouring six standout wines (including two of Single Vineyard and an unreleased gem), alongside a six-course share style menu to match. It’s priced at $160 per person –book your seat here so you don’t miss out.
Don’t miss this Chef-led fireside dining experience
Name a better way to spend a cold winter’s night? On Saturday 1 August, Poachers Pantry is hosting Poachers by Fire – a relaxed and refined evening inspired by the season and its produce.
Priced at $178 per person, the muti-course meal will be hosted outside, where Chef Adam Wilson and Chef Jack Huxtable will start by cooking over an open fire, followed by a seated main and dessert in the restaurant.
The menu will include local truffles, and your ticket includes a glass of Poachers Vineyard Blanc de Blanc on arrival. Once dinner is over, take the time to enjoy a winter cocktail or digestif by the fire – inside or out.
Pialligo Estate hosts bottomless brunch
Mark Saturday 1 August in your calendar, because Pialligo Estate is hosting a bottomless brunch that proves that you don’t need to hibernate when the mercury drops.
From 12 pm until 2 pm, for $89 per person, you’ll enjoy a shared-style menu featuring grazing plates, seasonal favourites and sweet treats, and a curated live DJ set throughout the afternoon.
As for your two hours of bottomless drinks, you can choose from a rotating selection of house prosecco, rosé and sauvignon blanc, house beers, soft drinks and sparkling.
Want to take it up a notch? For $25 per person, you can upgrade with selected cocktails. Book your seat here.
OTIS Dining Hall to host a seven-course degustation
Celebrate truffle season the best way possible: with a seven-course degustation from one of Canberra’s award-winning restaurants. Available for one night only and presented in partnership with Pourfolk, it promises to be an evening of bold seasonal flavours, thoughtful pairings and warm hospitality.
Priced at $220 per person, this is an exclusive experience truffle lovers won’t want to miss. Book here for the details.
Everybody’s trufflin’ at BentSpoke
BentSpoke BrewPub is hosting a truffle-themed day trip to Blue Frog Truffle Farm in Sutton on Sunday 2 August. A bus departs Braddon at 9 am for a guided truffle hunt, followed by a masterclass on truffles and the farm’s history. Guests return to BentSpoke at midday for a four-course truffle-infused lunch, paired with a truffle-infused beer on arrival.
The menu includes roast cauliflower soup, wild mushroom and black truffle arancini, dark ale-braised beef cheek with truffle duck fat potatoes, and a truffle and vanilla bean panna cotta, with a vegetarian gnocchi option available.
Book here.
Book into this soul-nourishing Sunday sesh
Yoga and laksa is the unlikely combination you didn’t know you needed this winter. Following their first sold-out session, DumpLinLins and Asana by Charlie are back with Yoga & Laksa on Sunday 9 August.
Starting at 6 pm, during the session Charlie will guide you through an all-levels one-hour vinyasa flow, followed by LinLin’s signature northern Thai chicken laksa followed by matcha mochi and tea for dessert.
Priced at $66 per person and held at Kind Studio in Fyshwick, be fast to secure your spot here.
Cellar to City comes to Verity Lane Market
Forget booking a flight to Tasmania, because this urban cellar door experience is bringing their best boutique wineries to Verity Lane Market for one night.
Presented in partnership with Dear Prudence, on Friday 14 August Southern Oscillations x CBR Cellar to City is bringing a collection of boutique Tasmanian wineries and some of Canberra’s leading local producers together.
Priced at $49 per person, across two hours you’ll taste your way through each winery’s range while chatting directly with the people who make them. If that’s not enough, Verity Lane Market’s food vendors will be serving delicious dishes to pair with your tastings, there will be live music to set the atmosphere, and a dedicated wine bar will continue pouring featured wines for those looking to extend their evening.
