Foodie News, incoming: new venues, 60+ viral dishes, the Mornington Peninsula’s wine region comes to Canberra, a cheese festival and more
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Consider this your warning: do not read this edition of Foodie News on an empty stomach.
From Labubu buns (and more) landing at Thoroughbred Park to a Canberra Cheese Festival on the horizon, the next month is shaping up to be a big one for your appetite – and your social calendar.
Here’s your latest serving of Canberra foodie news.
Dates for your diary
The Viral Food Festival is bringing 60+ trending dishes to Canberra
From birria-dipped pizza to cloud-like soufflés and the cutest steamed Labubu buns, the Viral Food Festival is serving up the internet’s most talked-about eats at Thoroughbred Park from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 March.
Bringing more than 60 trending food creations for a three-day celebration of the internet’s most talked-about eats, read all about it here.
Compa partners with Quealy Winemakers for a delicious dinner
You won’t want to miss this – on Thursday 16 April, Compa is presenting a four-course Italian dinner in partnership with Mornington Peninsula’s Quealy Winemakers.
Pairing food with six wines from the Quealy range, they will be showcasing the versatility of Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir across a thoughtfully designed seasonal menu. Think: scallops with anchovy butter, duck lasagna and Angus striploin, finishing with Basque cheesecake and a late harvest Pinot Gris.
Get your tickets here.
Smokeshow at The Truffle Farm
If your ideal weekend involves smoky BBQ, paddock views and a glass of something good in hand, Smokeshow at The Truffle Farm is calling your name this Saturday 21 March. This relaxed, open-air event brings together slow-cooked meats, local drinks and live music for a laid-back day in the Majura Valley. Set against the farm’s scenic backdrop, it’s all about settling in, sharing plates with friends and soaking up the atmosphere. Tickets include food, with drinks available to purchase on the day. It’s on from 11 am to 5 pm.
Get your tickets here.
Red Mill Rum Co. Tasting
Rum lovers, this one’s for you. Pilot is set to host John Fesq and Garth Foster from Red Mill Rum Co. for a special event celebrating some of Australia’s finest small-batch rums on Tuesday 31 March. Expect a relaxed afternoon of sipping, stories and good company, with the makers on hand for a yarn and a dram.
Find out more here.
This Ainslie IGA fundraiser will leave you feeling good (and full)
Canberrans already know that the cheese aisle at Ainslie IGA is a destination in its own right, but this Saturday there’s even more reason to make the trip to Edgar Street – the beloved local supermarket is hosting a fundraiser for ACT Rescue and Foster, supporting animals in need.
From 10.30 am, there’ll be a sausage sizzle and a bake sale of sweet and savoury treats outside the store, with every dollar raised going directly to help vulnerable animals find their footing. Go hungry, come often, and bring the whole family.
Experience a real Italian Happy Hour with DeVINO
Leave your passport at home, because you’ll only be travelling to Woden for this event.
On Thursday 26 March, DeVINO is hosting a Aperitivo Italiano evening that includes unlimited Italian cicchetti and tasty bites, a drink of your choice on arrival and proper Italian hospitality.
Priced at $49.99 per person, there are only 30 spots available, so make sure to book your seat here.
This free Japan StrEat Party will take your tastebuds to Tokyo
We’re counting down the days until the Japan StrEAT Party takes over Patrick White Lawns to bring some of Japan’s most loved street food dishes to Canberra.
Taking place from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 March, from classic favourites to modern creations, every dish will be freshly prepared on-site by experienced Japanese chefs and vendors, making it an authentic experience.
Go for the gyoza and stay for the vibes.
Have a Night Under the Stars with the Viva Italia Festival
How does a night under the stars at The Jetty eating Italian street food and sipping on wines, Aperol and limoncello sound? Pretty amazing to us.
The Viva Italia Festival is hosting A Night Under the Stars on Friday 27 March so you can do all that and more. With tickets priced at $25, you’ll also get a welcome drink on arrival, live entertainment from the Viva Dance Band and more. Book your spot here!
Canberra Made Series – The Canberra Distillery x Fudgemental Tasting Experience
Join The Canberra Distillery X Fudgemental for an hour of delicious indulgence in a Spirits and Chocolate Experience at the Canberra and Region Visitors Centre this Saturday 28 March.
The class matches beautifully handcrafted vegan chocolate fudge with The Canberra Distilleries award winning gins, liqueurs and whisky. Texture, flavour, balance, what more could you want?
This experience runs for about an hour – sessions are at 11 am and 1 pm – and will be held at the Canberra and Region Visitors Centre at Regatta Point. Book here.
Thai charcoal chicken takes over TERRA
No plans on Sunday 29 March? Think again. Melbourne restaurant Yang Thai is taking over TERRA for one day only to serve their iconic Thai charcoal chicken.
Available from 11.30 am until sold out, there will be no frills or fuss, but you will need to book a seat so you don’t mis out.
Sunset Pilates and margaritas? Say no more
Margot Bar is hosting Margo-lates on Saturday 28 March, and honestly? We’ll be there.
Collaborating with Strong Pilates Braddon, your $55 ticket includes an afternoon Pilates session followed by margaritas, pizza and a DJ set from JUST TNEEK. Find out more here.
Bar Beirut’s Lebanese Easter Seafood Feast
There are two types of people when it comes to the Easter long weekend – those who go camping and those who do not. And those who do not seek out seafood.
Bar Beirut is doing an eight-dish Lebanese seafood feast on Friday, 3 April – oysters with pomegranate mignonette, kingfish tartare, tuna kebab, crispy barramundi with muhammara, spiced calamari, Teta’s tabouli and mahalabia to finish.
It’s $89pp, with a minimum two people. Book here.
Hop to this Easter Sunday High Tea
Looking for a special way to spend Easter Sunday? The Hyatt is hosting an elegant afternoon tea that the whole family will enjoy.
Featuring a three-tiered Autumnal High Tea stand and a curated patisserie display with house-made cakes, it’s priced at $125 per person and $62.50 per child (aged six to 12 years). Book your seat here.
Say ‘goodbye’ to summer with Snapper & Co.
One last round before the cool down? Don’t mind if we do.
Snapper & Co is hosting a shindig to farewell the summer before the Canberra cold officially hits, and they had us at frozen slushies, live music, charcuterie, lawn games and tacos. Taking place on Sunday 12 April from 11 am until 3 pm, all ages are welcome and it’s free to attend! Find out more here.
Openings and closings
East Traders Hall set to launch in Campbell with some of Canberra’s biggest food names
Canberra’s food and drink scene is set for an exciting shake-up this April, with the launch of East Traders Hall, a vibrant new food and lifestyle destination at ANZAC Park East.
Bringing together leading local provedores and makers under the one roof, the precinct covers more than 800 square metres of space and features a curated collection of some of Canberra’s biggest hospo names, including Capital Brewing Co., Chairman Group, Sliceria and Lava Coffee.
Get the story here
A new bar opens in Broulee
Consider this your sign to take a road trip – The Outpost has officially opened its doors in Broulee, making a visit to the coast sound even more enticing.
On the food menu, you’ll find coastal produce like lightly cured tuna with chives, ginger and pickled eschalots and grilled prawns with saffron aioli, while drinks include cocktail options like a Lemon Myrtle Margarita and a South Coast Old Fashioned.
Open Thursday to Saturday from 3 pm until 9 pm and Sunday 12 pm to 6 pm, find them at 9/40 Train Street.
Are these the best cinnamon rolls in Canberra?
You’ll have to try one for yourself. @smellybuns_cbr is a new small business baking homemade cinnamon rolls that sound so good, you can basically smell them through the screen.
But the flavours go beyond a classic cinnamon roll. Here, you can also order options like ube, white choc matcha, Kinder Bueno, Biscoff, pistachio and Oreo. Absolutely moreish.
All you need to do is DM the page to order and to organise pick-up.
Muku Ramen closes its doors (for now)
In some sad news for northside locals, Muku Ramen Bar has announced it will be closing its doors on Instagram. Explaining in the post that they felt that “we had creatively achieved what we wanted to as a ramen restaurant” and “We’d made our mark on the food culture in Canberra,” the team will be welcoming some new operators to the space.
Muku will continue after a short break, so make sure to keep following them for future announcements.
Braddon has a new premium bottleshop and café
Because what’s not to love about a one-stop-shop for coffee and craft beers? Braddon Café & Liquor has opened on G10/45 Ainslie Avenue and is stocking beers, wines and spirits (as well as coffee and pastries).
Pop in seven days a week to pick up some curated sips and fresh bites.
Queanbeyan welcomes new Italian restaurant Eleven on Monaro
House-made tiramisu, bolognese arancini, and pappardelle ragu… Eleven on Monaro is serving up authentic Italian food in Queanbeyan.
Focusing on simple dishes made using quality ingredients, the extensive menu spans pastas, pizzas and all the classic Italian mains you know and love.
Find it at 11 Monaro Street.
101c Hotpot brings a hotpot buffet to Dickson
You won’t leave this restaurant hungry. For $49 101c Hotpot offers an all-you-can-eat buffet featuring a large range of fresh ingredients – including seafood, meats, noodles and vegetables.
How it works is simple: you choose from six different soup bases for the table and add your choice of meat and vegetables from the buffet. And the best part is the self-serve dessert is included in the price! Find it at 5/6 Cape Street, Dickson.
PLAN AHEAD FOR…
A cheese festival is coming to Canberra!
You better brie-live it.
Presented by Le Cheeserie and Grainger Gallery, the Canberra Cheese Festival will be taking place from Friday 8 until Sunday 10 May, bringing together exceptional cheesemakers from across Australia for both casual consumers and hardcore curd nerds alike to enjoy.
There will be caviar, cocktails, raclette, Parmesan wheel pasta and more – read all about it here.
The Narooma Oyster Festival returns
Returning to the foreshore of Wagonga Inlet from Friday 1 to Sunday 3 May, the Narooma Oyster Festival is back for its 19th celebration of Australia’s iconic Rock Oyster, bringing together growers, chefs, musicians and oyster–lovers for a weekend of merroir, culinary excellence and coastal charm.
Find out everything you want to know here.
