Gourmet Traveller reveals ACT’s best restaurant, and 20+ new eats
Posted on
Craving some news about Canberra’s culinary scene? We have some portion-controlled bites to keep you satisfied.
Get your fill on everything that’s happening in Canberra’s hospitality scene – from openings to events and the odd bit of hot goss.
Pilot has once again been ACT Gourmet Traveller Restaurant of the Year
In news that surprises no one, Ainslie’s Pilot has been named ACT’s best restaurant in the Gourmet Traveller 2024 Restaurant Awards. Announced last night (Monday 19 August) at a glamorous gala event in Sydney, Pilot has previously been named 2023 and 2022 ACT Restaurant of the Year and finalist for New Restaurant of the Year 2020.
Known for its innovative and ever-changing menu that pushes the boundaries, Pilot is taking the baton back from Louis Couttoupes’ pared-back bistro, Onzieme. It’s another sweet success for this local business.
Eighty/Twenty opens a new café in the city
Canberra’s favourite culinary conscious café has opened another location in the City! Working in collaboration with 7 Miles Coffee, caffiends will have seven blends to choose from along with Eighty/Twenty’s delicious food items.
All about finding the balance in life with clean, natural and unprocessed whole foods and little treats, located on Mort Street (across from Maccas and diagonally from 7/11), pop in Monday to Sunday to experience their wholesome menu.
Is Lil Mama’s Studio the Foreshore’s coolest café?
Opening in the space that once housed Humpty Doo, C Dine, Fisherman’s Hook and Prego Pasta, Lil Mama’s Studio is Kingston’s newest coffee stop with a difference – and it’s bringing some rizz to the foreshore.
Owned and operated by 20-year-old Danica Martin, her partner Jackson Yow, and his mum Amanda Yow, the concept of Lil Mama’s Studio simple: a muti-hyphenate venue to act as the capital’s crib for creatives. Because (in the most GenZ move ever), Lil Mama’s Studio is much more than a café. It’s also a studio space for vintage clothing pop-ups, art nights, live music, and a place for creatives to chill and connect. Read more here.
The Denman brings a new pub to Denman Prospect
From the team behind the Two Before Ten Group comes The Denman Kitchen + Wine Bar, which opened quietly last month. Giving the growing community a family-friendly eatery and café that will be serving from 6.30 am in the morning until 9 or 10 pm at night, the hope is The Denman will become something of a hub for those in the area.
Expect a inventive menu of nose-to-tail dining that is approachable, sustainable and, most importantly, delicious with some twists on some classic pub meals. Read more here.
Recess open at Griffith Shops
Anthony Iannelli, the brains behind Terra in Civic, has opened a new café, Recess, at Griffith Shops.
Recess has a relaxed retro feel with a cute courtyard and will serve breakfast, lunch and snacks, all day, seven days a week.
Belco locals can now get a coffee on the go
From Monday 12 August, northsiders now have a good excuse to stay in bed in the morning – drive thru café Kickstart Expresso is opening in Belconnen Town Centre.
Providing good old-fashioned food and service, and quality coffee, the menu at Kickstart Expresso Belconnen will be the same as their Fyshwick café, sourcing local fresh ingredients and using Toby’s Estate coffee. Offering barista-made coffee, a range of smoothies, homestyle toasties, bacon and egg rolls, freshly-baked muffins, and more (all of which can be accessed from the comfort of your car), it’s the perfect place to Kickstart your day as you drag yourself through the last month of winter.
Taco Boi brings all of the best bits of easy-going eating out to Braddon
Tacos, wings, burgers and other delicious greasy goods. What’s not to love? Taco Boi is officially open in the old Burger Hero headquarters on Mort Street and we’re drooling.
With local chef Yokas Wu (a man behind some of Canberra’s best-known café menus, including The Pialligo Bakesmith), in the kitchen, this new eatery promises good you’ll love to eat. Think Korean Fried “Chicken” Tacos of spicy sauce, plant-based chicken, kimchi radish slaw, sriracha mayo and coriander, Mozzarella Fingers, House-Made Jalapeno Poppers, Loaded Nachos, and a Pulled Pork Burger of house BBQ sauce, pulled pork shoulder, mozzarella sticks and pickled coleslaw. See you there?
We unveiled Canberra’s cult recipes (including eightysix’s Banoffee Pie)
Alongside the announcement of the ultimate Canberra Food Bible, Chefs Eat Canberra, hitting our bookshelves, we did some digging to bring you the low-down on some of Canberra’s cult recipes – and you’re welcome.
You can now recreate eightysix’s Banoffee Pie, Bar Rochford’s Cos Salad, and Rebel Rebel’s Prawns with Bay Leaf Butter from the comfort of home. Find the recipes here and get cooking.
Goodbye Belluci’s Woden, hello The Southern
In news that broke the internet, Belluci’s Woden has closed its doors after nearly a quarter of a century of bringing its special brand of Italian to the southside. But it’s only a temporary break – because the Irving Street landmark will be reborn as a classic pub, The Southern.
Bringing locals quality food, live sports and pub events, read all about it here.
Christine Manfield will be treating tastebuds at eightysix north
Renowned for her culinary prowess, foodies will be delighted by the news that Christine Manfield is coming to Canberra to cook up a feast at our beloved eightysix north.
For two nights only (Friday 23 and Saturday 24 August), you’ll be able to treat your tastebuds to an eight-course tasting menu for $165 per person. Expect East Asian influences with a laid-back Aussie approach with dishes like salt and pepper prawn bao, and grilled fish koftas. Hungry yet? Book here.
Ballyhoo to open with Temporada’s Dave Young at the helm
After much waiting and wondering, Ballyhoo is open in the iconic Parliamentary Triangle – and we know what’s on the menu.
But first things first: in some exciting news, Hatted Chef Dave Young will be helming the kitchen, which is welcome news for foodies mourning the loss of Dave’s beloved Temporada (which closed its doors earlier this year).
With a menu that promises a ‘fiery and zesty personality’ with ‘deliberately bold’ flavours, Ballyhoo will focus on laid-back, fun food with Mediterranean and South American influences. Now taking bookings, read all about it here.
Petite Saigon brings a taste of Vietnam to the Verity Lane Markets
A new vendor is open in Verity Lane Market and the moment we heard they have Banh Mi on the menu, we were sold.
Petite Saigon is a family run business that is bringing a little touch of Saigon to the city with their traditional Vietnamese dishes. Taking over the space formerly occupied by popular Singaporean hawker-style Lim Peh’s Wanton Noodle, head along to transport your tastebuds overseas without having to book a flight.
The Bakehouse is now open in Mitchell, and they had us at Mac and Cheese pies
Holding their official grand opening in July, The Bakehouse Mitchell is now under new ownership – and they’re ready to make you full and happy.
Serving up coffee and comfort food, from sweet treats like a Raspberry Cream Cheese Croissant to hot Mac and Cheese pies and loaded hot dogs, you won’t ever leave this café hungry.
Izakaya-style Japanese restaurant and a new twist on Korean BBQ open in Belconnen
A taste of Asia has come to Capital Food Market with the opening of not one, but two new dining destinations – an Izakaya-style Japanese restaurant and a Korean BBQ.
Blending a traditional market with a contemporary dining experience, it’s a unique taste of Japanese and Korean culinary traditions. Read all about it here.
This café might just have Canberra’s best lakeside views
The newest venue from Bisa Hospitality, Café Sosta, is serving up some of Canberra’s best views as well as all-day Italian dining – and we’re obsessed.
Featuring dishes such as Breakfast Frico and Pane della Casa with classic toppings, it’s exactly what you would expect from the team behind Joe’s Bar, Agostinis & Occasioni by Agostinis. Read all about it here.
Mínima finally opens to bring delicious dining to Yarralumla
Mínima has finally opened its doors in Yarralumla after much anticipation, and it’s as good as it sounds! With brothers Mork and Benn Ratanakosol back to cater to Canberra, the tiny, intimate space will be serving lunch and dinner to those who have missed the award-winning and boundary-pushing food that made Morks so popular.
Read all about it – including what’s on the menu – here.
Goodberry’s is open in Franklin
Life is looking sweeter for Gungahlin locals as the frozen custard and dessert destination opens at the Franklin shops.
Open from 11 am until 10 pm everyday – perfect for when that sweet-treat craving hits – even with chilly temperatures, we predict that Gungahlinites will want to get a frozen custard from Goodberry’s into their mouths ASAP.
The Canberra Distillery is breaking ground in the dark spirits world – and they’re winning awards
They got us all addicted to their award-winning gin but The Canberra Distillery is making a rumble in national and international circles with their newest drop – aged Old George Reserve Rum.
Taking home a Gold Medal in The Australian Distilled Spirits, as well as The Spiced Rum winning both a Gold medal and an overall trophy at the Australian International Rum Awards last month, it looks like rum will soon become our drink of choice. And with warm weather on the horizon, we’ve heard worse ideas…
Read all about it here.
Tasa Coffee House is back
After closing for renovations, this cute little café in the ANU precinct is back with a bang.
Serving Western and Filipino breakfast, brunch, and lunch options from a rosti benedict to a Buddha plate, there are plenty of delicious options to sink your teeth into.
T-Bone is opening a new café and you’ll never guess where
Big things are happening at the Royal Australian Mint – including a brand-new café.
Set to open soon, from the team behind T-Bone in Coombs you can expect coffee and mouthwatering pastries. When we know more, we’ll drop the goss!
Taste of Asia is coming to Weston
It’s only an empty shell but signage has been spotted on Trenerry Street in Weston below Canberra Music Tuition, for a Taste of Asia.
With My’s Vietnamese recently closing its doors, it will be a timely (and tasty) addition to the area.
The Barton Grocer opens a sister business – it’s time to meet Bottega
Serving up tasty delights – including coffee, bagels and Italian drinks – this is your new weekday favourite. Especially when it comes to their pizza.
Pre-cooked and then heated up in the fast-cooking oven, it’s under $10 a slice and they sound delicious. Located right next to the Barton Grocer, pop on in Monday to Friday.
Home Brew Café and Bar opens in Koko Apartments
Wright locals have something to be excited about – there’s a new café and bar in town.
Located in the KoKo Apartments and KoKo Molonglo Centre, Home Brew Café and Bar is open from dawn to dusk, making any breakfast, lunch and dinner plans very, very easy.
Feature image: Pilot. Credit: Ash St George.
