20+ new places to eat

Posted on 30 June, 2017

No, we’re not kidding. More than 20 new places to eat.

Since our last ‘New Places’ round up, more than 20 new eateries, bars and cafes have sprung up around the city. And there are even more on the way…

Highgate House

Image: facebook.com/highgatehousekingston

Highgate House has opened its doors just in time for Canberra’s coldest months but never fear, the Cali-themed bar is bringing the heat with their SoCal interior and vibrant atmosphere. The venue is the brainchild of four local gals from very different fields, each bringing a piece of unique expertise to the Green Square venue.

On the drinks menu, you’ll find an extensive range of beer, wine and cocktails and as for food, your options include light mains and share plates made with fresh ingredients by chef Mathew Ouwerkerk.

44 Jardine Street, Kingston Canberra, Australian Capital Territory | Tuesday – Thursday 3pm – Late / Friday – Saturday 12pm – late | 6239 6891 | www.highgatebar.com.au 

Trecento

Did someone say pizza? Located on the funky Manuka Terrace, Trecento holds the first and only Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana certification in Canberra. In essence, this certification means that their pizza is as authentic as it comes. The menu also features traditional, Italian mains and a selection of wines and spirits.

Read our full write-up here.

Unit 33, Manuka Terrace, Flinders Street, Manuka | See web for detailed opening hours | www.facebook.com/trecentocanberra

Flatheads

Image: facebook.com/FlatheadsOConnor

Flatheads is the newest space in the Inner North for great takeaway. Nestled next to The Duxton at the O’Connor shops, the petite takeaway joint specialises in freshly grilled and battered seafood, burgers, pizza, chips and, of course, sweet treats. The rustic vibe is fit for any age, group or family who enjoy quick and delicious meals.

Cnr Bluebell St & Macpherson Street, O’Connor | Monday to Sunday: 6am-11pm | 02 6247 7330 | flatheadstakeaway.com.au 

Kith and Nosh

Image: facebook.com/pg/kithandnosh

At Kith and Nosh, enjoy home cooking like never before with options for every Canberran whether you’re vegetarian, celiac, lactose intolerant or eating paleo. Owners Michael and Sandee have also included a generous selection of healthy cereals, bars, and more produce to purchase when you’re on the run. Kith and Nosh means ‘friends and food’ and is a place that definitely makes you feel part of the family.

24 Lonsdale Street , Braddon | Wednesday – Saturday: 7am-4pm Sunday: 8am-2pm, Friday & Saturday Nights: 5:30 – 9pm | 02 6170 1352 | facebook.com/kithandnosh

POLLEN

Credit: Ashley St George

This Hamptons-style cafe is nestled in the Australian National Botanic Gardens and with its gorgeous styling and generous breakfast and lunch menu, it’s fast becoming a destination.

Clunies Ross Street, Acton | Open every day from 9am-3pm | pollencafe.com.au 

Pick Up Stix

Image: facebook.com/pg/pickupstixcbr

The talent behind The Knox in Watson have brought a new kind of venue to the inner north. Located at the National Hockey Centre, Pick Up Stix is a refreshingly different concept for Canberra. Café by day and sports bar by night, the multi-purpose venue is ticking all the boxes, opening at 8am and closing late. The menu caters for its café customers and its bar patrons, featuring everything from light meals to hearty pub feeds.

National Hockey Centre, 196 Mouat Street Lyneham | Give them a call on 6100 2300 to check their opening hours | facebook.com/pg/pickupstixcbr

Lazy Su

Image: Martin Ollman

Inspired by modern Korean and Japanese culture, Lazy Su’s menu includes unique dishes like Mum’s Hainan Chicken and Su Noodles. It’s the perfect place when hitting the town for drinks with friends, so be sure to try their flavourful and colourful cocktails including Pisco Disco for something light and refreshing.

Read our full write up here.

1/9 Lonsdale Street, Braddon |Open for lunch and dinner, check website for detailed opening times | www.lazy-su.com.au

Agostinis

No need to travel far to experience a classic Italian feast. Located in the bottom of East Hotel, Agostinis incorporates Italian culture with marble counters, an impressive range of wines and, of course, the restaurant’s large wood fired pizza oven imported from Italy. The generous amount of space means it’s the perfect location for functions but also for a quiet pizza for two after a busy day.

Read the full write up here.

East Hotel, 69 Canberra Avenue, Kingston | Open seven days. Lunch 12pm-3pm, dinner from 5.30pm | agostinis.com.au

Tallow and Thyme

Image: facebook.com/pg/tallowandthyme

Paleo Café has reinvented itself as Tallow and Thyme and offers healthy and completely gluten and dairy free meals. Looking for something hearty and full of goodness? Try the café’s All day almond berry pancakes or the chicken schnitzel burger for lunch. Open seven days a week, this hidden gem is perfect for your next brunch.

44/38 Mort St Braddon | Open seven days from 7am – 4pm | 6230 1069 | facebook.com/tallowandthyme

Pulp Kitchen

Ainslie’s Pulp Kitchen is the ultimate destination when in the hunt for low key fine dining. Serving lunch and dinner, Pulp’s menu reveals chef Josh Lundy’s passion for local produce done minimally. The beetroot and smoked trout with ash chevre and orange is fresh and light, while the duck tortellini is wholesome and rich.

Read the full write up here.

Ainslie Shops, Wakefield Gardens | Monday to Thursday: 6pm–11pm, and Friday to Sunday from 12pm–11pm | 02 6257 4334 | www.pulp-kitchen.com.au

RAMENTIC

Image: facebook.com/ramenticcanberra

Everybody loves Ramen, especially now that now that Ramentic has rolled into town! Lonsdale Street might be bursting with food already but we’re super excited to try to this newcomer.

It’s high time that Canberra got a dedicated Ramen joint with Melbourne and Sydney’s ramen bars always a staple of trips interstate. We can’t wait to try their Chook Shoyu.

134/24 Lonsdale Street, Braddon | Monday – Saturday from 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5 – 9.30pm | facebook.com/ramenticcanberra

Indulge Tea Garden

Gold Creek’s Adore Tea has now been transformed into Indulge Tea Garden. But don’t worry, they’ve kept their love of quirky tea (over 50 varieties available) and added a delicious brunch and lunch menu. High Tea is also available at 11:30am at 2:30pm daily for those who enjoy a sneaky treat, and there’s live music on Sunday.

Federation Square One, 6/18 O’Hanlon Place, Nicholls | Saturday and Sunday 9:30am-5pm and Monday to Friday 9.30am-4pm | 02 5105 9741 | indulgetea.com.au

Kokomos

Kokomos is the place to warm up this winter. Tropical wallpaper and geometric lights create a contemporary, coastal vibe perfect for escaping the brutal frost this winter. Two separate bars make this an ideal place for hosting an event but there are also lots of intimate spaces for dinners.

Read the full write up here.

1 Genge St, Canberra City | See website for details opening times | 02 6171 2092 | kokomos.com.au

Sanya Bar

For traditional Chinese cuisine with a burst of originality look no further than Sanya Bar along Lonsdale Street. Beijing-inspired, this restaurant delivers a diversity of meals and drinks including walnut wontons, coconut flake scallops and banana chicken wings. If that’s not enough, try their list of alcoholic beverages created by owner JJ, including Lychee Moscow Mule and the Beijing Haze.

Read the full write up here.

5 Lonsdale Street, Braddon | Lunch and dinner, Monday-Sunday (open late Friday and Saturday) | 0421 517 088 | sanyabar.com.au

Darbar

Image: facebook.com/darbarindian

Lovers of great Indian food will be making a beeline for this new Braddon restaurant. Darbar‘s interiors showcase off their collection of wine with dark modern lighting and orange and white accents. Their menu is full of colour, as is demonstrated by their famous vegetable biryani and beetroot bonda.

139/24, Lonsdale Street, Braddon | See website for detailed opening times | 02 6548 5117 | darbar.com.au

Korbq

Recently popping up in Petrie Plaza, Korbq is making quite an impression with their Traditional Korean, Korean-Japanese fusion and Korean-western fusion. If you love Bibimbab, authentic noodle dishes and soups, Korean Fried Chicken and more, this is one to try.

13 Petrie Plaza, 2/131 London Circuit, Canberra City | Open Tuesday to Sunday 11:30am-2:30pm and 5:30pm-10:30pm | 0404 677 867 | korbqcanberra.com

Bourbon Street Kitchen

Owner of Bourbon Street Kitchen, Alicia Ingrim hails from the US and has been in love with Southern style home cooking for over a decade. In her Civic restaurant, however, Alicia has taken the cuisine to new heights by incorporating less oil and fresher produce for a healthier take. Cocktails and music make BST the perfect place for a casual night out with friends whilst still enjoying some finger lickin’ goodness.

G2/121 London Circuit, Canberra City | See website for detailed opening times | bourbonstreetkitchen.com.au

Kanin

Image: facebook.com/pg/KaninAUS

Nestled in Westfield Woden, new Filipino rice bar, Kanin’s menu allows you to build your own mean with plain, garlic, or Arroz Caldo rice, followed by your choice of chicken, beef, or vegetable toppings along with a list of traditional Filipino sauces. It’s from the Kusina team, so you know it’s going to be good.

Food Court, Westfield Woden, Keltie Street, Woden | facebook.com/KaninAUS

Fillos Taverna and Bar

Image: facebook.com/Fillos-Taverna-Bar

Originally located in The Hamlet on Braddon’s Lonsdale Street, Fillos Taverna and Bar has now expanded with seafood, salads and vegetarian dishes for the whole family to enjoy at the Hellenic Club in Woden. Open for lunch and dinner, their fresh take on Greek Street food has now evolved into a great Mediterranean dining experience for the whole family.

Hellenic Club, Matilda Street, Woden | Open Monday to Sunday from 12pm-9pm | 02 6281 1466 | facebook.com/pg/Fillos-Taverna-Bar

Hannara

Image: facebook.com/HannaraKBBQ

Korean BBQ is really gaining in popularity in Canberra, and this one in the heart of the city delivers more than just Korean Fried Chicken. Think Korean savoury pancakes, bulgogi dishes, BBQ sets and hotpots.

Oh, and they have an All You Can Eat Buffet: $69 Premium Wagyu and Seafood, $59 Wagyu BBQ, or $49 BBQ pp.

Unit 1283, 16 Moore Street, Canberra City | Open Monday to Saturday: 5pm-10pm | 0418 204 987 | facebook.com/HannaraKBBQ

Zeus Street Greek

Zeus Street Greek is a welcome addition to the growing area of Genge Street, which is bustling with Canberra foodies venturing beyond the edges of Braddon. Take a collective gasp at baklava ice cream sandwiches, soft shell crab pitas, Feta and Oregano chips, and an extensive pita range.  The interior decor pays tribute to authentic Greek kitchens, while still maintaining a trendy vibrant atmosphere.

Read the full story here.

Sho p6/21 Genge Street, Canberra City | See website for opening hours | 02 6239 6891 | zeusstreetgreek.com.au

Tipsy Bull

Credit: Michelle Brotohusodo

Tipsy Bull is one of Lonsdale Streets newest bars, occupying the space left by Schnitzel Haus. With sharing in mind, the menu is very reasonably priced for the city and all dishes are surprisingly affordable when split between two. While the menu will rotate seasonally, what stands out at first glance is the Sweet and sour pork belly with fried shallots and the Ricotta gnocchi with wild mushroom, peas, duck broth and truffle oil.

The décor is minimalist yet comfortable and facilitates both indoor and outdoor seating. The Bar features a range of cocktails and wine, and they also have an extensive gin list.

2/5 Lonsdale Street, Braddon | Open Tuesday to Sunday: 12pm until late | tipsybull.com.au

NATURAL NINE

Natural Nine, nestled in Casino Canberra, has reinvented its menu with a host of delicious ‘pop Chinese’ favourites. We’re talking shantung spatchcock with magic chilli, and fried ice cream with green tea custard. And that’s before we event get to the mango coconut sago pudding…

Casino Canberra, 21 Binara Street, Civic | Open seven days from 12pm – 10pm | natural9.com.au

Gang Gang Café

The rather excellent trend towards great cafés popping up at local shops continues, and Downer residents are pretty happy to have Gang Gang Café in their ‘hood. Simple but delicious fare, an all-day breakfast and cosy atmosphere hit the spot.

Coming Soon

LOLO and LOLA

They gathered a loyal following during their team at Westside Acton Park and now LOLO and LOLA are getting a permanent home for their delicious Filipino Cuisine.

3 Watson Place, Watson | Opening early July | loloandlola.com.au

Mookie Burger

Mookie Burger will be Canberra’s latest Genge Street hotspot when they open, combining American style burgers with a Japanese twist…

28 Genge Street, Civic | Opening soon | facebook.com/mookieburger

The Goods Wholefoods

The Goods will be all about healthy food options—think a salad bar with light breakfast, smoothies, coffees and cold pressed juice.

No Name Lane, 40 Marcus Clark Street, Civic | Opening Spring | instagram.com/itsthegoods

Stanley’s

In Ellacure’s central Bruce location, Stanley’s has quietly sprung up. The new name is obviously drawn from the suburb’s forefather, Prime Minister Stanley Bruce and it seems that in place of Ellacure’s relaxed fine dining, Stanley’s will be more of a pub atmosphere with local brews. Stay tuned.

2/21 Battye Street, Bruce | Opening soon | facebook.com/pg/stanleysbruce

The Doughnut Department

The Doughnut Department will soon open in No Name Lane under the newly redeveloped Canberra House, but they won’t just be purveyors of sweet treats. Champagne will be on offer every Thursday and Friday for those who need an early start to the weekend.

Read the scoop here.

No Name Lane, 40 Marcus Clark Street, Civic | www.thedoughnutdept.com

The Kingston Collective

This one is still a bit of a mystery. What we DO know is that Kingston Foreshore is set to get another restaurant pretty soon, and it’s planning to be “a place for everyone”. Follow their Facebook page for updates.