Why you need to visit Belconnen’s newest foodie mecca
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Canberra has always been a paradise for foodies, but as a new precinct brings market-focused shopping back to the inner west, we’re calling it.
The Capital Food Market is Belconnen’s (and Canberra’s) foodie mecca.
Inspired by Europe’s century-old food markets, the site – previously known as the Belconnen Fresh Food Markets – was recently refreshed and revitalised to offer a unique food offering for Canberra residents to enjoy all year round.
And with new and returning vendors being welcomed into The Capital Food Market, the three-hectare venue has been transformed into a bustling space that’s bursting at the seams with shopping and dining options. It’s enough to make you drool.
From a European food hall atmosphere to fresh food providers and casual dining options, here’s why any foodie worth their salt (…get it?) should visit the Capital Food Market.
OLD FAVES
While the revitalised space is a fresh take on fresh food, the Belconnen Fresh Food Market’s original traders are at the ‘heart’ of Capital Food Market.
Tom’s Superfruits
A family-owned and operated fruit and vegetable shop that’s been trading at the Belconnen Markets for well over 40 years, Tom’s Superfruits is loved by locals who seek fresh produce.
Owned and operated by Sal Jugovac (who worked for the business way back in 1978) Tom’s still strives to provide the freshest, local produce and quality pantry and fridge staples. And from deli meat to season fruits and veg, you’ll be sure to find everything on your shopping list here.
Deli Cravings
Transporting you to the streets of Prague, Paris, Hamburg, and more, this delicatessen is all about fine deli products that you can’t find anywhere else.
Family owned and operated, since 1999, Deli Cravings has specialised in unique imported European and Australian produce – from Tasmanian Brie and Sonoma Bread to Matjes Herrings and Turkish Peber. Always sourcing new products to keep up with the demand of Canberra’s multicultural community, with over 2000 items to choose from, who needs to book a plane ticket to tour the world?
Chicken Coop
Looking for a place to find fresh poultry that’s free from antibiotics and has no added hormones? This family-owned and operated free-range poultry butcher has over 30 years of experience.
Specialising in using the freshest Lilydale free-range chickens (as well as offering a variety of other poultry and game products), Chicken Coop has everything from ready-to-cook stir-fry to mouth-watering chicken Kiev, wings, kebabs, and even homemade dumplings.
Market Meats
For meat eaters looking for some top-grade cuts, you can’t go past Market Meats.
Offering everything from free-range pork shoulder to grass-fed T-bones, there will be something to tickle your ribs.
Canberra Halal Meats
Offering high-quality, fresh halal cuts of meat and poultry that have been prepared with the utmost respect for the principles of Islamic law, Canberra Halal Meats has long been a favourite of Belconnen locals.
Only using the finest ingredients and working with local farmers and producers to ensure their products are of the highest standard, the team has long been committed to providing customers with the best possible quality. Oh, and they have kebabs too!
Sea Harvest
Serving the Canberra community for four decades, when it comes to fresh seafood, Sea Harvest has long been the place to go.
Beginning in the 1800s on a small, picturesque fishing island in Greece, they’ve been bringing a taste of the coast to Canberra since the 1970s. Offering everything from Tasmanian salmon to Southern King Prawns, it’s common to see lines out the door of this vendor during Christmas and Easter.
Who doesn’t love seafood straight from the source? You don’t need to wait until a special occasion to go here.
ARGUABLY THE BEST ARTISAN GELATO OUTSIDE OF ITALY
We said what we said.
Perfect for cooling off on a hot day, at Florence Gelato you can enjoy Italian gelati in a cup or cone (including a gluten-free waffle cone). But that’s not all.
Along with flavours ranging from classic (think: chocolate, hazelnut and pistachio) to contemporary (ricotta choc chip, spiced pumpkin pie, and peanut butter and strawberry), here you’ll also find a simply jaw-dropping selection of layered traditional Italian cakes.
All we can say is: bellissimo.
MORE CHEESE THAN YOU CAN POKE A BAGUETTE AT
Consider yourself something of a cheese connoisseur? Think building a cheese board is an art form? Can’t go a day without a bite of brie? If you haven’t been to Le Cheeserie, it’s time to meet your newest obsession.
Offering a range of amazing and mouth-watering options here they have everything you could want – from gruyere to goat’s cheese. And if that’s not enough, they also make delicious, toasted cheese sandwiches that use both Australian and international produce.
Plus, we haven’t even mentioned that Le Cheeserie is the brainchild of the team behind Melted. Run. Don’t walk.
SOME OF CANBERRA’S BEST BAKED GOODS
Because we understand bread is life and a sweet treat is always needed.
Knead Patisserie
Pastry addicts knead this bakery in their lives (sorry – that joke was too easy). With the philosophy of using fresh, seasonal ingredients to create delicious food from scratch daily, Knead Patisserie has grown something of a cult following.
Serving an array of handmade rustic breads and sweet treats such as tarts, individual cakes, muffins, and pastries, here you can also grab yourself a specialty coffee, sourced and roasted in collaboration with specialty coffee roaster Red Brick Espresso. It sounds like the perfect Sunday morning to us…
Sweet Business Healthy Living
Say hello to Canberra’s own sugar-free and gluten-free patisserie. Yes, really.
Serving everything from keto quiches to caramel slices and coffee, you might have spotted Sweet Business Healthy Living before at the Old Bus Depot Markets – but now they have a brick-and-mortar location for anyone looking for a healthy treat.
The highlights? Housemade gluten-free bread, carrot cake, and even hot pies!
Three Mills Bakery
When it comes to baked goodies, there’s one local business that always comes to mind – Three Mills Bakery.
Beginning in a tiny basement in 2013, for over 10 years this bakery has been giving breadheads everything they could want. And now as it sets down roots in Belconnen, locals can get their hands on everything from hand-formed sourdough to artisan pastries. Go hungry. Trust us.
A TASTE OF ASIA
Whether you want to eat out or cook for yourself, at The Capital Food Markets, east meets west with a delicious range of Asian vendors.
Image: Ben Calvert
Hanok
Opening in the Capital Food Market in July of this year, unlike the 15 other Hanok Fine Korean BBQs in Australia, this location has an entirely new concept.
Drawing inspiration from the bustling markets of Asia, in the Capital Food Markets you can select from a premium range of fresh meats to either cook and devour them on-site or take them home to enjoy later.
Authentic Korean BBQ for dinner? Yes please.
Kushi Japanese
Sushi, ramen, tempura, and more – Kushi’s brings a staple of Japanese culture to Belconnen.
Echoing the tradition of Izakayas (a type of informal Japanese bar that serves alcoholic drinks and snacks), this dining destination has something for everyone with options ranging from snackable items to grilled and fried delights, all designed for sharing.
Bestore
Riding the K-Wave? Bestore is a Korean-based Asian grocery selling quality Korean BBQ meats along with Korean and Japanese liquor.
Holding the title of Canberra’s largest Korean store, head in to find everything from fresh vegetables to unique pantry products. Thank us later.
Asian Savoury
Asian Savoury began as a small online grocery store in February 2020, with a heartfelt mission to bring the flavours of Southeast Asia to Canberra. Now, it’s keeping Belconnen locals fed and happy with a range of products sourced from all over Asia.
Stocking items from the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and other Southeast Asian countries, they have everything you want (along with a few things you didn’t know you did).
CULT FAVES THAT ARE WORTH THE DRIVE
Buckle up baby, because these restaurants are well worth the petrol.
Sushant’s Indian Cuisine
If contemporary Indian cuisine is calling your name, might we suggest some of the fresh and flavoursome offerings from Sushant’s Indian Cuisine?
Serving a mouthwatering array of dishes from seven different regions of India (including Maharashtrian, Punjabi, Bengali, Rajasthani, Goan, Gujarati, and South Indian), from Butter Chicken to Goat Iaal Maas, there’s something for every kind of craving.
What The Pho
That’s right, you can also feast on authentic Vietnamese street food at Capital Food Market.
From Pho Noodle Soup to Banh Mi rolls, everything on the menu at What The Pho will transport you straight to the hustle and bustle of Vietnam. Doesn’t it sound pho-tastic (sorry)?
Vanilla Pod Pizza & Pasta
Looking for a place to grab some breakfast? What about a hearty lunch? Or a delicious dinner, complete with homemade pizza? Vanilla Pod is a one-stop dining destination where you can find every kind of meal.
Serving some amazing Italian cuisine, order yourself some pasta and pizza to share and indulge in a tiramisu for dessert. Sounds like the perfect dinner date to us.
BUT WAIT…THERE’S MORE
Yep, that’s just the beginning of what’s on offer at the Capital Food Market. Keep your eye out for Tathra Place, a new butchery shop that’s on a mission to provide ethical and nutrient-dense protein, and Green Harvest Grocers (which will be opening in early December).
We told you that this market is a foodie’s mecca. The only question is, where will you start?
Images by Taylah Cunningham
