10 healthy café and dinner options in Canberra (according to a nutritionist)
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If you’re trying to eat in a more healthful way, eating out can feel overwhelming.
As a nutritionist, one of the things I’m always reminding clients is that healthy eating has to work in the context of an actual life. That means work lunches, brunch with friends, date nights, family dinners and occasionally ordering that thing you’ve been craving or dying to try, because food is also meant to be enjoyed and savoured.
To me, a healthy meal out doesn’t have to be the lowest-calorie thing on the menu. It’s usually something with a decent serve of protein, some plants, and delicious enough that you don’t feel like you’ve missed out.
These are the Canberra spots I’d happily recommend to clients who want to eat well without turning every meal out into an overthinking episode.
Good Neighbour (Kingston)
Good Neighbour is perhaps best known for their cookies, matcha and Mont Blancs – and those items are well worth the hype.
But they’re equally good when it comes to healthier choices. For breakfast, their açaí bowls and shakshuka are delicious. For lunch, try their donburi bowls packed with vegetables like edamame and Japanese pickles, or the salmon soba, with teriyaki salmon, crunchy vegetables and soba noodles.
1/55 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston | @goodneighbour.cafe
Under Bakery (Fyshwick)
Under is regarded as one of Canberra’s best bakeries, and for good reason. And while they may be purveyors of all things butter-laden and sugar-dusted, they also know a thing or two about using fresh, seasonal ingredients.
The bakery plate (only available from the Dairy Road store) includes sourdough with herbs, crunchy pickled veg, ham, cheese and an egg alongside butter and mustard. Very Scandi, wholesome fare.
1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick | under-bakery.com
Deakin & Me (Deakin)
The dishes at this family-friendly café are always bright and colourful. The menu highlights seasonal vegetables with flavourful accompaniments. Many dishes also have the option to add extra protein, like salmon, chicken or eggs.
The roasted vegetable salad with beetroot, pickled pear, zaatar-spiced pumpkin and lentils, plus some shredded roast chicken is a favourite.
7 Geils Circuit, Deakin | deakinandme.com.au
The Goods Wholefoods (City)
Wholefoods are the focus of this inner-city health food café. Plants take centre stage, with plenty of options across their breakfast and lunch menus.
The Berrygood smoothie is an excellent choice for breakfast, with plenty of fibre from berries, LSA and chia, plus added whey protein. For lunch, choose a salad from the menu (like the kale chicken or sesame tofu), or build your own to suit your craving.
Shop G9/40 Marcus Clarke Street, City | itsthegoods.com.au
Terra (City)
I always suggest that clients prioritise plants and protein when ordering at restaurants, as these are the things that tend to drop off. This isn’t the case at Terra, where protein and vegetable sides are their bread and butter (so to speak).
The protein options include rotisserie chicken and wood-fired or chargrilled meats and seafood. The vegetable sides are seasonal and there’s usually a mix of fresh and fried options.
Unit 4/115 Marcus Clarke Street, City | terracanberra.com.au
Raku (City)
Japanese food can be a great option when you’re looking for something fresh, satisfying and protein-rich, especially when you lean into sashimi, grilled dishes, and vegetables.
You’ll find plenty of that at Ruku. It’s an excellent choice for a special occasion where you want to indulge while enjoying plenty of nutrient-dense, fresh food.
Shop DG36C/148 Bunda Street, City | rakudining.com.au
Med (Barton)
Med’s food is inspired by Eastern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines, with a big focus on protein and vegetables.
Choose from a range of proteins and vegetables cooked on their charcoal oven and grill, including roasted cauliflower with pomegranate and tahini dressing, whole market fish and roast chicken. The vegetable and rice choices are the perfect flavourful accompaniments.
1/1 Burbury Close, Barton | domarb.com.au/venue/med/
Pho Phu Quoc (Dickson)
Pho Phu Quoc has a very extensive menu – including plenty of fresh, nutritious options.
Their rice vermicelli noodle salads are fresh with plenty of vegetables. Skip the spring roll options and choose the king prawns, chicken, beef, pork or tofu with lemongrass. For something more comforting, it’s hard to go past the rare beef Pho.
5 Badham Street, Dickson | phophuquoc.com.au
My Rainbow Dreams (Dickson)
This spot is an institution for vegetarians and carnivores alike. It’s been around for ages with a menu that’s consistently delicious.
The rainbow wraps and salad bowls include beetroot salad, tabbouli, carrot and sprouts with a lemon tahini dressing. Add the marinated tofu for some protein.
25 Dickson Place, Dickson | myrainbowdreams.org
EightyTwenty (Various)
With nine locations across Canberra, you’re never far from a healthy meal at EightyTwenty. They have lots of plant-heavy breakfast items (think: avo on toast with tomato or mushroom, green eggs with beans, or the granola bowl).
As always, portion size and add-ons matter, but if you’re looking for something colourful and protein-forward, it’s a pretty reliable choice.
The salads here are the standout, with plenty of variety and options for plant- or animal-based protein add-ons. The green nourish bowl, Japanese salad and chermoula lamb are all delicious.
Locations across Canberra | eightytwentyfood.com.au
If in doubt, look for plants and protein and remember that one meal out won’t make or break your health.
Healthy eating isn’t about choosing the most virtuous-looking thing on the menu every time. It’s about building an overall way of eating that helps you feel good, supports your goals, and still leaves room for brunch, birthday dinners, date nights and ordering the Mont Blanc when you really want it.
Feature image: Med. Supplied.
