20+ new Canberra eats, the goss on what’s replacing Brunello + Pizza Artigiana’s new Civic venture
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Another month, another swag of new places to eat in Canberra.
From big names to small spaces that pack an impact, we’ve rounded up the latest venues to open in the city. Perhaps treat it as your May to-do list?
&Sando (City)
A dedicated sandwich bar from Matt Moran. Think deli-style sandos made from combinations of classic ingredients including salami, mortadella, ham, provolone, pickles, and veg.
All the delicious details here.
148 Bunda Street, Canberra City | @and_sando
Centro Cafe
Food from the folks at Pizza Artigiana, Illy coffee and premium giftware? We’re all in for Centro Cafe – just opened in Canberra Centre’s Beauty Garden precinct in the space vacated by Negozio.
148 Bunda Street, Canberra City | instagram.com/centrobyartigiana
Compa (City)
Matt Moran’s Italian steakhouse is here – just in time for the cooler months.
The menu heroes beef and shows off some of Australia’s best producers including Westholme Wagyu and Brooklyn Valley (all cooked on the custom Montague grill). You’ll also find a range of pastas including cacio e pepe mac and cheese.
Take a look here.
148 Bunda Street, Canberra City | comparistorante.com.au
Contentious Character Dairy Road
Morning coffees and pastries to lunch and even after-work wines – you no longer have to drive to Wamboin to experience the magic of Contentious Character.
Canberra’s first urban cellar door is now open in one of Canberra’s most exciting new precincts: Dairy Road.
Read more about it here.
4/1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick | contentiouscharacter.com.au
Early Edition
With early opening hours (hello, 7 am), a location that takes advantage of Canberra’s natural beauty (the Kingston Foreshore), a menu of fresh twists on classics (avocado toast with heirloom tomatoes, feta, radish and salsa verde; buttermilk pancakes with nectarine) and owners who have spent years catering to Canberran tastes, Kingston’s newest café is poised for fame. And that’s before you taste their signature Iced Rosey Matcha.
Check it out here.
4/2 Trevillian Quay, Kingston Foreshore | @earlyeditioncbr
Gaon Canberra
The newest addition to the Sydney building is inviting you to cook up delicious Korean BBQ in a chic industrial setting.
30 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra City | instagram.com/gaon.canberra
Go Tato
An eatery celebrating the brilliance of the humble potato? They had us at waffle fries.
Expect to find everything from crinkle cut chips to sweet potato fries, potato scallops and potato tots (plus a sneaky hot dog or burger).
Hibberson Street, Gungahlin | marketplacegungahlin.com.au
Howie Espresso
Great coffee and tasty grab-and-go options in a cute-as-a-button space and convenient city location. What’s not to love?
73 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra City | instagram.com/howie_espresso
Jarochos
Tasty and legit – that’s the best description of Jarochos. A family-run small business that’s dedicated to creating authentic Mexican food, recently opened on Braddon’s Lonsdale Street.
All gluten-free, order one of their six-inch tacos (that range from marinated pork, spices, pineapple, onion, and coriander to Mexican mushrooms and corn landed on cheese, with onion and coriander) to spice up your life.
Get the details here.
10/60 Lonsdale Street, Braddon | jarochos.com.au | @jar_ochos
Karl Bar (City)
A micro bar dedicated to the humble margarita is now open in Constitution Place – meet Karl, the newest venture from Chairman Group.
This pocket-sized space serves up beautifully crafted cocktails and is the perfect spot for an after work drink.
Take a peek here.
1 Constitution Avenue, Canberra City | chairmangroup.com.au/karl-bar
Master Goose
Gungahlin’s Master Goose specialises in crispy, juicy roast duck and authentic Chinese cuisine –from noodles to dim sum.
It’s getting rave reviews, so perhaps it’s worth a trip north?
Hibberson Street, Gungahlin | marketplacegungahlin.com.au
Midnight Mocha
Taking over the space left by Short Eats on Furzer Street, Midnight Mocha offers Nepalese and Indian fusion cuisine.
Don’t miss the buffet every Saturday and Sunday.
35 Furzer Street, Phillip | facebook.com
Milky Lane
It’s baaaack. Fans of fully loaded everything will welcome the return of Milky Lane to its original Braddon digs.
Best wear your stretchiest pants.
21 Lonsdale Street, Braddon | milkylane.co
Moo Moo Frozen Yoghurt
A luxe DIY frozen yogurt spot with all the trimmings.
Moo Moo offers signature blends of premium flavours (sourced locally as well from Italy) and loads of delicious toppings such as fresh fruits, fruit and creamy sauces, cookie crumbles and doughs, chocolate, lollies and so much more!
Peep the deliciousness here.
Shop 65, 30 Lonsdale Street Braddon (inside the Ori Building) | instagram.com/moomoo_frozenyogurt
Pop Pizza
Gregorio is dishing up delicious pizzas ranging from the traditional to the ‘Aussie Way’ at Fraser shops.
We can’t wait to get our mouths around the Regina, and are somewhat intrigued by the Chooks & Bacon!
8 Daley Crescent, Fraser | poppizza.bitebusiness.com
Rakkas
The prime Kingston Foreshore spot formerly occupied by the iconic Morks has been filled by Rakkas, promising traditional Turkish fine dining. We’re excited!
18/19 Eastlake Parade, Kingston Foreshore | rakkas.com.au
Rosa’s
Opening from 7 am until late every day, during the day you can grab pizza, coffee on the run, as well as sandwiches and pastries and by night it’s the perfect location for an afternoon vino and some nibbles.
Ideal for a lazy autumnal picnic or a late night catching up with friends in a beautiful location, Rosa’s has everything you need for a good time.
First look here.
King George Terrace, Parkes | rosascbr.com.au
TC House
TC House is helmed by Yuuki and his wife Gift, both experienced chefs who emigrated from Hong Kong and Thailand respectively.
Recently opened on Emu Bank in Belconnen, they are offering up Modern Thai and Cantonese food as well as Chinese BBQ duck and pork roasted inhouse in a massive Chinese-style oven.
Their signature dishes include fried whole barramundi with green apple salad, red curry duck and lychee, and roast BBQ combination.
3/114 Emu Bank, Belconnen
The Irvine
The Knox family has expanded to Belconnen, welcoming a new sibling in Florey – The Irvine.
Expect a line-up of pub classics with a twist in an airy, boho industrial space.
Get the goss here.
26 Kesteven Street, Florey | theirvine.com.au
Three Mills Woden
Three Mills Bakery has just opened a new cafe-bakery coming to Woden. Offering the full range of Three Mills’ delish artisan breads, pastries and hot bakery items, the space also boasts a cafe, offering “a new take” on their existing cafes in Fyshwick, Belconnen and the city and be open Mondays to Fridays.
Get the story.
193/35 Furzer Street, Phillip | threemillsbakery.com.au
Tuckshop Tamada
Tucked away on Bible Lane in Civic (next door to Akiba and where Flash Eats burgers used to live) is a sparkling new lunchtime curry-stop boasting three generations of Thai food.
Expect traditional favourites such as a chicken green curry, pork with chili and basil with a fried egg, prawn choo chee curry, and a spicy pumpkin curry for the vegos. There’s also a chicken larb, a Thai beef noodle salad and prawns in tamarind sauce. All curries come with rice. Snacks include chicken satay sticks with peanut sauce, pork and prawn cakes, among others.
Read the gorgeous family story here.
1 Bible Lane, Civic | instagram.com/tuckshop_tamada
Tumut River Brewing Co
Taking over the space once filled by Parbery Lane, Tumut River Brewing Co has landed in the courtyard of Kingsborough Village near the Kingston Foreshore.
Expect to find their entire menu of small batch craft beer plus delicious wood-fired pizzas!
10 Parbery Street, Kingston | trbc.com.au
Two Before Ten Denman Prospect
Two Before Ten has unveiled its newest outpost in Denman Prospect. As with all Twobies, expect great coffee and a variety of eat-in and take away breakkies and lunches!
Denman Village Shops, Shop 5/1 Felstead Vista, Denman Prospect | twobeforeten.com.au
Coming Soon
Azima
Middle Eastern Restaurant Azima is set to take over the City Walk space soon to be vacated by Brunello. Owner Adam Elchakak (Inka, Koto) says “the food of Lebanese culture is a celebration of life; it’s fresh, colourful, and incredibly diverse. At Azima Restaurant, we pay homage to the authentic flavours of Lebanese cuisine combining traditional dishes with a modern twist.”
Ballyhoo
Rounding out The Lawns’ offering will be Ballyhoo, a restaurant serving ‘uniquely Australian food and wine-fuelled by fermentation and fire’.
Carlotta
Lucas Restaurants – of Chin Chin, Baby, Kisumé, Chin Chin Sydney and Hawker Hall fame – will soon bring their signature flair to Canberra in the form of Mediterranean eatery Carlotta. Get the goss.
Cartel Belconnen
Does October count as soon? You’ll have to wait six months to get your northside serve of Cartel’s fully loaded tacos but we’re confident it’ll be worth it! Find out more.
Lunetta & Lunetta Trattoria
Mid-century modernist icon 60 Red Hill Drive (otherwise known as the space-age-looking building at the top of Red Hill) will come back to life this summer with not one, but two new restaurants taking up residence in its hallowed walls. Tracey Keely (Bookplate, Pollen) and her two sons Matthew and Nick will unveil Lunetta and Lunetta Trattoria later in the year.
Ottoman
Despite news in 2021 that they were moving to a new location, Ottoman Cuisine has recently announced that they’re going full circle – back to the Barton space they occupied for many years.
Much-lauded for their elevated take on Turkish, the new venue is due to open in May.
Recess
Anthony Iannelli, the brains behind Terra in Civic, has teamed up with coffee aficionado Scott Brewer (formerly of Barrio) to bring a long-held vision for a classic café serving superior dishes and exemplary cups of coffee to life at Griffith Shops. Read the story.
The Denman
Moving into Honeysuckle’s old Denman Prospect digs will soon be a brand new kitchen and wine bar from the Two Before Ten team. We hear it will have a nose-to-tail ethos so are intrigued to see how it shapes up.
Feature image of Compa: Buffet Digital
