The Jetty and Stripey Sundae are back, Canberra’s getting a matcha house, and durian desserts are being served: the latest Canberra foodie news
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The Jetty returns for the summer, Stripey Sundae reopens, UJIN Matcha House is coming, and weekends are getting tipsy. That’s just a small taste of what’s happening in Canberra’s food scene.
October’s serving up some seriously interesting flavour combinations – from controversial fruit desserts to matcha-spiked margaritas. Plus, Sunday sessions just got a whole lot more musical.
Here’s what’s happening around Canberra’s food scene this week.
UJIN Matcha House is coming!
Obsessed with matcha? Join the club. So this little tidbit makes us very excited.
UJIN Matcha House is set to open in the city next month, whisking each matcha to order using traditional bamboo whisks and digital scales. The team sources directly from Japanese regions including Uji, Yame, and Shizuoka, rotating at least four different blends for their iced matcha lattes.
The menu will include signature matcha drinks, desserts, and a retail section for take-home tea. The minimalist Japanese interior will features unique design elements the owners are keeping under wraps until opening.
The Jetty is back for summer!
The Jetty reopens for the warmer weather this Saturday from 11 am.
Take in the view and live tunes while you enjoy a bite from Fricken or Hem & Co and wash it a BentSpoke beer or Aperol spritz. And don’t forget every Sunday, you can grab a spritz for $10!
Bite & Savor’s controversial crepe cake
Could this be Canberra’s most divisive dessert? Artisan bakery Bite & Savor now offers Durian Mille Crepe Cake, paper-thin crêpes with cream and the rich essence of durian.
Durian’s a fruit that tends to inspire strong reactions either way, so we’re intrigued to hear how it tastes!
Lil Mama’s opens gelato bar (with cookies)
Lil Mama’s Studio launches their gelato bar this Saturday 27 September from 3 pm-6 pm on the Kingston Foreshore.
The event features Signals (Tarisayi) on beats plus housemade cookies by Slug Eater Cookies, celebrating the new addition to their creative hub that already hosts vintage pop-ups, art nights, and live music while serving Reuben Hills coffee.
Stripey Sundae reopens in Gold Creek
Speaking of gelato, Stripey Sundae reopened in Gold Creek’s Federation Square yesterday with house-made ice cream including flavours like Choc Chilli and Vegemite alongside classics. Dairy-free options include Peanut Butter and Chocolate, and Cherry Ripe. It’s one of Canberrra’s coolest spots for a reason.
Tintino adds Pasta & Pinot nights
Tintino has launched Pasta & Pinot nights at their wine bar-bottle shop – pop along every Wednesday for a glass of red and a new pasta dish each week.
Not into pasta? There’s plenty more delicious options (to eat and drink). We love the Beef Tartare + Gochujang, and Flo’s Potato Gems + Yarra Valley Caviar, washed down with a glass from their curated global wine selection.
Paloma’s Hor-Matcha-Rita special
Like your cocktails on the spicy side? Paloma’s introduces the Hor-Matcha-Rita as their Marg of the Week – described as “a sweet little love child of horchata & matcha, spiked with a splash of tequila magic.” The drink is available until the end of the month, perfect for slow sipping and deep chats.
While you’re there, check out their new Floriade cocktails. Think: Rosy Palomas, Elderflower Spritzes, Hibiscus Highballs, and a Strawberry-Rhubarb Marg that’s basically sunshine in a glass.
Stop and taste the rosé at Leyla Bar
October is pink month at Leyla. Pop along between 3:30–5:30 pm every Saturday in October for four pours of handpicked rosés paired with perfectly matched bites.
Whether you’re a seasoned sipper or just starting your pink journey, this is the perfect way to celebrate! Book here.
Amici gets Tipsy on Sundaze with live music
Amici launches Tipsy Sundaze this week, just in time for warmer days, with the perfect mix of sunshine, sips, and smooth live music. Running from 1 pm to 3 pm every Sunday, the event features free-flowing boozy brunch, cocktails, crisp wines, signature cheese platters, and famous hand-stretched pizzas.
The series showcases a rotating lineup of Canberra’s favourite musicians, with performers including Ben O’Loghlin Trio, Mat Paese, Georgia Hurford, Sophie Edwards, Sonace Strings, The Faumuis, Calvin Orosa, Tash Eloise, and Neon Honey Music scheduled through December.
BentSpoke launches hard iced tea
BentSpoke Brewing Co. knows brewing, and now they’ve taken their craft off the beaten track and brewed a hard iced tea with some serious flavour kick.
Say Hello to Hi Tea, a brand-new handcrafted hard iced tea. Locally crafted, this light-bodied brew comes in two delicious flavours: lemon and peach.
Both flavours of BentSpoke’s Hi Tea are currently available to try at both Floriade and the BrewPub in Braddon. They’ll be available to buy in store from November.
Kita hosts the Squiggly Cup
A “head to head Latte event with knock out rounds, random alt milk pours, and lots of prizes”, the Squiggly Cup will see 12 baristas of any skill level go head-to-head in knockout rounds to determine who has the best latte art.
The competition will test baristas on all fronts – technique, creativity, and milk quality – with competitors picked at random on the day.
Open to the public, the event will include snacks from Kita, matcha from Teddy’s Matcha, and music by local DJs.
OzHarvest CEO CookOff to transform Compa
Matt Moran’s Compa Ristorante will host the OzHarvest CEO CookOff on Monday 13 October, where business leaders will swap boardroom strategy for kitchen service, working alongside culinary masters AK Ramakrishna and Mindy Woods to prepare and serve a gourmet meal to special guests from charities OzHarvest supports.
With food relief demand at record highs in the ACT, the event raises crucial funds for OzHarvest’s local operations.
A new chapter for Elemental
Elemental started life over a decade ago as Canberra’s first paleo café (remember that whole mood?). Now it’s under new management and we’re excited to see what’s to come.
natural nine plays host to Hungerford Hill
natural nine hosts Hungerford Hill Estate and Chief Winemaker Brian Currie on Thursday 30 October for a $145 wine dinner.
The menu includes arrival canapés with Hungerford Hill Sparkling, followed by steamed scallop with XO dressing paired with Hilltops Fiano & Chardonnay, house roast duck with pancakes and twice cooked pork belly in sweet soy sauce with Pinot Noir & Pinot Meunier, black pepper angus beef with king brown mushrooms paired with Cabernet Malbec & Tempranillo, and Hungerford Hill Rutherglen Muscat with passionfruit ice jelly and red bean caramel for dessert.
Pilot’s global birthday feast
Pilot celebrates seven years with a “big little party” on Sunday 5 October featuring momos, mimosas and samosas alongside dishes from Finland, India, Nepal, Australia and beyond. The kitchen team of Noora, Syed, Unnat, and Austin will showcase diverse international flavours in casual, à la carte style.
The celebration doubles as a welcome to daylight saving and features courtyard music by Eucalypta. Expect casual à la carte service and a range of cocktails, wines and nons.
Murrumbateman Moving Feast is on this long weekend
The Murrumbateman Moving Feast is on again this October long weekend, showcasing the best of Murrumbateman’s local wineries.
This year, the event goes beyond wineries, featuring a diverse range of Makers of Murrumbateman, from boutique distillers to artisan chocolatiers, cheesemakers, farmers, and more.
Each participating venue will offer a specially curated dish, tasting experience or paddock-to-product experience. Whether it’s a gourmet meal with a glass of premium wine, a handcrafted mead tasting, or a sweet treat from an expert chocolatier, there’s something for every palate.
