Late-night desserts, $15 sandwiches and $2 million worth of free chicken. Here’s your serve of the latest Canberra food news.
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From late-night dessert dates to bargain bites and brand-new bars, Canberra’s food and nightlife scene is serving up plenty of reasons to head out this March.
Whether you’re chasing a post-dinner bingsu in Belconnen, sipping your way through a relaxed wine night or planning your next long brunch, here’s what’s new, opening and happening around town.
Deals + delicious specials
Al’s Deli & Diner had us at $15 sandwiches
For the month of March, every sandwich on the menu at Al’s Deli & Diner is $15. You read that right.
Helping to fill your stomach without putting a dent in your wallet, the offer includes bacon and egg rolls and sausage muffins for the morning, and made-to-order sandwiches right through lunch time.
Need to cater lunch for the whole office? They can help with that too. Their catering boxes are $95 and feed six to eight people, with six full-sized sandwiches cut in half and packed fresh.
Fully loaded and made with fresh bread, find them at 122 Alinga Street in the city.
El Jannah is giving away free charcoal chicken (yes, really)
From today (Monday 2 March), El Jannah is giving away 100,000 of its legendary whole charcoal chickens with a side of garlic sauce nationwide – that’s more than $2 million worth of chicken up for grabs.
If free chicken is on the table, we suggest you don’t overthink it – just download the app and move fast.
Red velvet cookie gelato? Don’t mind if we do
Good Neighbour has partnered with Spilt Milk Bar for a super sweet collaboration. Turning the iconic New York-style red velvet cookies into gelato, you’ll be able to pop in for a limited time to try a scoop for yourself.
Think: Rich cocoa, cream cheese notes, and chunks of cookie, all in the form of a delicious gelato.
DJ Bingo hits Brod
Burgers and a $1,000 cash jack-pot – what’s not to love? Every Wednesday from 11 March, head along to Brodburger in South.Pont for the chance to win some cash, along with some weekly prizes.
Free to attend, all you need to do is listen to the DJ, mark artists on your card, and yell “DJ BINGO” for three-in-a-row wins. Nail the full card in 18 songs or less to take home the jackpot. The jackpot rolls over and gets easier to win until someone claims it, so make sure to book your weekly Wednesday night table for your chance.
You can get Australian-made gelato and sorbet delivered straight to your door
Gelato Drops is a local business delivering award-winning Australian gelato straight to your door and honestly? This is a game-changer.
The way it works is simple – choose between the tasting pack, 500ml tub, one litre tub, 1.5 litre combo or two litre combo and fill them your choice of flavours. With options ranging from Lemon Lime Sorbet to Pavlova, Green Apple Sorbet, Turkish Delight, Tim Tam and Passionfruit Cream, who doesn’t love the idea of meal prepping dessert?
They deliver Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings between 6 pm and 8 pm. Make sure to place your order before 5 pm for same-day delivery.
Entries and exits
The Pour House brings all-day breakfast to Phillip
Phillip has a new local, and it’s serving everything from 7 am coffees to stacked haloumi burgers.
Now open, The Pour House in Phillip is dishing up all-day breakfast favourites like smashed avo, big brekkies and protein smoothies, alongside light meals including chicken caesar salads, chilli prawn pasta and loaded wraps.
There’s self-roasted coffee on pour, fresh juices, milkshakes and a cabinet full of house-made sweets – think: orange syrup cake, cannoli and banana bread.
Whether you’re grabbing a quick flat white or settling in for a long brunch, this is your new Woden go-to.
Evoke Bakery opens in Spence
Northsiders, you’re in luck. Evoke Bakery has officially opened its third Canberra location in Spence, joining its much-loved stores in Curtin and at Kippax Fair.
Expect the same flaky croissants, crusty sourdough, stacked focaccias and sweet treats that have earned the bakery its loyal following – best paired with a strong coffee and a slow weekend morning.
Briscola now has a little sister, and you can find her in Belconnen
Belconnen has a new neighbourhood Italian – and it comes from one of Canberra’s most trusted restaurateurs.
Recently throwing open its doors on Cameron Avenue (right underneath The Mercure) Gianni’s Italian is transporting diners straight to the streets of Italy. But the thing we’re most excited for? The in-house gelato bar.
Read all about it here.
Devil You Don’t is shaking up the nightlife in NewActon
Taking over the subterranean space that once housed High Jinks, Devil You Don’t is Canberra’s coolest new bar.
From the team behind award-winning speakeasy Volstead Repeal and popular cowboy bar, Peacemaker Saloon, Devil You Don’t is all about making classic cocktails elevated using modern techniques.
Read all about it here.
Canberra has a new dessert café
It’s time to head to Belconnen!
Oishiigo in the Capital Food Market has recently introduced dessert nights, extending their trading hours until 10 pm, Thursday to Saturday.
Serving croffles, bingsu and matcha, some must-try treats include the Thai Milk Tea Bingsu and the Omatcha (a combination of Oreos and matcha). Grab your dessert buddy!
Sabrina Gelato brings sweet scoops to the south
South.Point has a new gelato bar! Located G-20/210 Anketell Street (just across from Burrito Bar), you’ll find plenty of sweet scoops – ranging from classic favourites to irresistible new flavours.
Also offering a wonderful selection of additional sweet treats and specialty items, pop into Sabrina Gelato for your next dessert-themed date night.
Zeus Street Greek is coming to Woden
Craving Greek food? Zeus Street Greek is coming to Woden. Bringing their bold flavours to Westfield in the Corinna Street Dining Precinct, we don’t have an opening date yet. Keep an eye out to find out when you can get your hands on the flame-grilled pitas, BBQ plates and loukoumades.
Downtown Milk Bar closes its doors
After 59 years of keeping Manuka locals caffeinated, Downtown Milk Bar has closed its doors. Keep an eye out to see what’s next for the space.
Foodie events
Feast like an Italian without leaving the country
For the month of March, the Canberra Southern Cross Club is taking over the specials board at their Woden, Tuggeranong and Jamison locations to put on a classic Italian feast – and you’re invited.
Featuring options including house-made traditional focaccia, Risotto al Frutti di Mare and tiramisù, for just $9.50 you can also enjoy Peroni on tap for a true Italian experience. Plus – if that’s not enough – order any item from the Feast of Italy menu and go in the draw to win a pizza oven, so you can take a taste of Italy home with you.
Find out more here.
Leave your preconceptions at the door during this wine night
Helping to make wine tasting more accessible and less overwhelming (what even are tannins?!), Mount Majura Vineyard is hosting a night where you’ll be free to judge the glass in front of you, for yourself.
With no guide rails and no prior knowledge needed, the evening will showcase eight alternative varietals – including the vineyard’s brand-new Ansonica and Mencia – promising a fun tasting experience to challenge the tastebuds and enliven the senses.
Find out more and book your spot for Thursday 5 March here.
VICE is holding a wine night
Can’t resist a rib eye steak paired with a good glass of wine? This event is for you. On Thursday 12 March, VICE is partnering with Nick Spencer Wines for a delicious three-course meal with paired wines.
Hosted by Mark Davis and Hamish McGowan of Joval Wines Australia, you’ll enjoy VICE favourites like the signature rib eye steak and classic sides, paired with three wines – a 2025 Pinot Gris, 2025 Rosé and 2024 Unum GSM.
Book your seat here.
Matcha, coffee, art and music collide
It’s all happening at the Coffee Collective Pop-Up Day.
For one day only, Coffee Collective Canberra is opening on a Saturday to pour Red Brick coffee while partnering with some other amazing local businesses. Along with Teddys Matcha and Under Bakery (who will be serving matcha and baked goodies), there will also be original art and live illustrations by Eryn Marshall Artistry and live music.
Taking place on Saturday 14 March from 8 am until 2 pm, go for a coffee and stay for the vibes.
Got beef? This masterclass will show you how to cook it to perfection
Calling all meat lovers, Canberra’s own European-style steakhouse Marble & Grain is hosting an interactive beef masterclass on Saturday 28 March.
Led by Capital Hotels’ Executive Chef, Brenden Gradidge, the session will teach attendees how to source, prepare, and cook beef to perfection – perfect for anyone wanting to get more out of their beef.
Add in chef-curated canapés and a share-style feast, and you won’t want to miss out.
Forget The Breakfast Club – this is The Brunch Club
Brunch has levelled up at Capitol Bar & Grill with the introduction of The Brunch Club – a bold re-imaging of your favourite weekend ritual. Taking place every Sunday from 11.30 am, they’ve extended their hours and elevated the menu with options like fluffy buttermilk pancakes, cheeseburgers and even miso grilled salmon.
Our tip? Don’t skip the Bloody Mary station where you can choose how you load up your drink with outrageous garnishes – think: crispy bacon, blue cheese olives, dill pickles, and mussels – as the bartenders build your ultimate drink right before your eyes.
This dinner will have you tasting some of Italy’s most iconic regional cuisines
Get ready for the CIN CIN Dinner Series – a quarterly celebration of Italy’s most iconic regional cuisines from Agostinis.
Kicking off with a visit to the central region of Lazio on Wednesday 25 March, expect an intimate evening of flavour and tradition, hosted by their Roman-born Culinary Director, Francesco Balestrieri. For $75 per person, your ticket includes a four-course shared-style dinner. Book your seat before spots are gone.
Lerida Estate brings back BBQs
Lerida Estate’s BBQ series is back with a bang, resulting in an unexpected (but delicious) combination: sausages and back-vintage wines.
While the next date is yet to be announced, keep an eye on their Instagram page for more details.
