Your exhaustive guide to eating and drinking at the 2026 National Multicultural Festival
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Eat and drink your way around the world at the 2026 National Multicultural Festival. We’ve rounded up (literally) everything that’s being dished up so you can plan your weekend.
We’re heading quickly to what might just be Canberra’s favourite weekend – when the city centre transforms into a vibrant street party celebrating our melting pot of cultures. And food lovers might be wondering what delicious discoveries await.
From savoury comfort food to sweet treats and refreshing drinks, hundreds of stalls will be serving signature dishes from across the globe – meaning one thing is certain: no one leaves the festival hungry.
Here an exhaustive guide to the must-try food and drink stalls to add to your list, organised by region to help you plan your feast.
Looking for a stall?
Search for it here or find it on the festival map.
LATIN AMERICA
Jarochos
A local favourite, Jarochos is the stall to visit if you’re craving tacos, nachos and traditional drinks that transport you straight to the streets of Veracruz. Choose from slow-cooked carnitas, chipotle chicken, homemade longaniza, or go plant-based with cactus or vegan pastor tacos – all served on real corn tortillas and 100 per cent gluten-free. Add a refreshing horchata or hibiscus tea and soak up the Mexican vibes.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday | jarochos.com.au
Mr Papa – Peruvian Street Food
Inspired by Lima’s vibrant street food scene, there’s always a queue at Mr Papa – and for good reason. Known for bold Peruvian flavours, highlights include the signature Chanchito burger, Peruvian fried chicken burger and street-style empanadas. And with their own cocktail bar on hand, it would be rude not to try a Pisco Sour.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday | mrpapa.com.au
ACFA Colombian Association
Expect a lively taste of Colombia with golden empanadas, crunchy patacones topped with pulled beef and guacamole, and generous picada platters loaded with arepas and chorizo. Hearty, satisfying and perfect for sharing with friends.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
ASIA
Taiyaki Ice Cream
Fish-shaped waffles filled with creamy soft-serve, Taiyaki Ice Cream is the ultimate Japanese street-food dessert. Choose classic fillings like red bean, custard, matcha or chocolate, then load it up with toppings.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Super Bao
Super Bao always draws a crowd, which is why it’s become Canberra’s go-to for Taiwanese street food. Famous for fluffy bao buns packed with tender fillings, each bite delivers the perfect balance of herbs, spices and crunch. A local favourite since 2018 – if you haven’t tried it yet, consider this your sign.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday | superbao.co
Crescent Yum Cha
This is authentic Yum Cha with a twist: it’s 100 per cent Halal certified. Expect freshly steamed dumplings straight from bamboo baskets, with chicken, beef, lamb and vegan options ensuring there’s something for everyone.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday | crescentyumcha.com.au
The Dumpling Diplomat
Another local favourite, The Dumpling Diplomat will be serving up Nepalese-style dumplings, or momos, handmade with love and bursting with Himalayan-inspired spices. Choose from pork, chicken, beef or vegetable, or try their comforting signature dumpling soup. Only at the festival on Friday – don’t miss it.
Friday
Macau Sweet Street Bites
Colourful, playful and perfect for food-lovers of all ages, this stall serves tanghulu (sugar-coated fruit), Korean bingsu topped with crunchy treats and eye-catching egg waffles.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
ACT Tibetan Community
Warm, comforting and deeply satisfying, Tibetan momos are the hero here. These handmade dumplings are steamed fresh and served piping hot with sauces – a festival favourite for good reason.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Australia Bhutan Association of Canberra
Discover Bhutanese flavours through traditional momos filled with beef or cheese, paired with signature chilli sauce. You’ll also find spiced potato snacks and refreshing drinks for the perfect balance of heat and comfort.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Australian Dongbei Chinese Association
Serving a popular Northeastern Chinese street-food classic, this stall’s Chinese egg burgers are filled with pork or beef and cooked fresh to order – simple, satisfying and easy to eat on the go.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
BanMe Charcoal Skewer & Catering
Smoky, fragrant Vietnamese-style charcoal skewers are the star here. Choose from pork, chicken, steak or Vietnamese sausage, all grilled over charcoal for maximum flavour. Gluten-free and dairy-free options available.
Friday
Twistto
The iconic Korean twist potato is a festival staple, and Twistto is bringing the goods. Not familiar? Picture a whole potato spiral-cut into a crispy tornado on a skewer, cooked to golden perfection and dusted with flavours like cheese, chicken salt or mild chilli. Completely addictive.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday | twistto.com.au
EUROPE
Frencheese
Who can resist raclette? Follow the irresistible aroma to Frencheese to indulge in one of Europe’s most beloved comfort foods – melted cheese poured over sautéed potatoes, paired with cured meats, crisp salad and tangy cornichons. Rich, hearty and perfect for sharing… or not.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
ITALIAN STREET FOOD CIAO
Gnocchi, arancini, calamari and sweet cannoli, all perfectly paired with Prosecco or an Aperol Spritz. With authentic street food and the spectacular art of traditional flag throwing on display, this stall offers dinner and a show.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Berlin Bangers
A festival classic, Berlin Bangers serves up German favourites like bratwurst and kransky, including vegan options. Expect big flavours, foot-long sausages and indulgent toppings that make this a reliable crowd-pleaser.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Palacinke – Delicious Crepes
These delicate crepes honour Croatian and Hungarian traditions, with sweet fillings like Nutella and banana, lemon and sugar, and berry bliss. With gluten-free, vegan and lactose-free options, everyone can indulge.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday | palacinke-deliciouscrepes.com.au
Dutch Pancakes
Poffertjes are always a hit – fluffy, golden and cooked fresh before being drizzled with syrup or paired with ice-cream. A classic festival indulgence that’s impossible to walk past.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Cyprus Kafeneio
Fuel your festival wanderings with bold Greek coffee brewed in copper briki pots or a frothy Cypriot frappe. Pair it with traditional pastries like baklava, eliopites and daktyla for the full experience.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
AFRICA, THE MIDDLE EAST & THE PACIFIC
Al-Haadi Welfare Association of Australia
Charcoal-grilled Persian BBQ chicken skewers served with fragrant rice take centre stage here. Smoky, juicy and deeply satisfying, it’s a must-try for lovers of Middle Eastern flavours.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
African Gospel Band
Serving traditional Sierra Leonean dishes including rice with cassava leaf sauce, pepper soup and bean-based favourites like akara and moi moi, this stall offers comforting, home-style West African cooking.
Friday and Saturday
Afro Kontri Kitchen
Another standout for West African flavours, expect foo-foo with rich sauces, fried rice, akara fritters and refreshing ginger beer – all made with deep cultural pride and bold seasoning.
Friday and Saturday
Queenpro
Cool down with refreshing Nigerian drinks, including chilled hibiscus tea (zobo), creamy tigernut drinks, plus cocktails and mocktails inspired by West African flavours.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Blessing Eagles – Pacific Is Youth
Island flavours shine here with dishes like palusami, lu pulu and Fijian-style lovo, alongside refreshing tropical drinks and sweet island donuts. A true taste of the Pacific.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Taste of the Pacific
If you only try one drink, make it the watermelon Otai. Creamy, sweet and deeply refreshing, it’s the ultimate tropical cooler for a warm festival day.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Capital Brewing Co
Crisp lagers, easy-drinking pales and seasonal releases make this a reliable stop for a refreshing festival drink.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday | capitalbrewing.co
Cypher Brewing Co
Be sure to try their Indigenous-led beverage series infused with native bush flavours like lemon myrtle, ginger and pepper berry, alongside globally inspired small-batch beers.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday | cypherbrewing.com.au
BentSpoke Brewing Co
Celebrating Canberra’s craft beer culture, BentSpoke will be pouring award-winning beers and ciders, including MaltyCultural – a special festival-only brew inspired by flavours from around the world.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday | bentspokebrewing.com.au
Jervis Bay Brewing Co
Relax and sip sustainably brewed beers from a brewery committed to environmentally responsible practices – from ingredients to packaging.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday | jervisbaybrewing.co
Feature image: Shutterstock. Not representative of the actual stall.
