Nine hidden eats to discover (or re-discover), according to Canberra food influencers
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The HerCanberra team are dedicated foodies—but we’re well aware we can never know the vast extent of Canberra’s diverse food scene.
So we reached out to some of Canberra’s vibrant food influencers to see what ‘hidden gems’ might be lurking around Canberra, ready and waiting for discovery—and boy, did they deliver.
From brand-new restaurants to molecular cocktails and budget-friendly beloved market vendors, here are nine foodie favorites across Canberra—we can’t wait to try them all.
Brontosaurus Bites: Flatout Creperie (Capital Region Farmers Market)
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One of my favourite places to eat in Canberra is not a fancy restaurant or hip café. In fact, it’s not even in its own building. It’s Flatout Creperie at the Capital Region Farmers Market.
While it’s a long-standing vendor there, it rebranded in 2021 to Flatout. I cannot stress enough how delicious their crepes are, and soooo reasonably priced I usually justify buying two—because I often get FOMO and can’t decide, so I’ll get a savoury one to start, walk around the markets and then come back for a sweet one.
With eateries that serve classic dishes, it’s often a good measure of their abilities, as there is nothing to hide behind—no pimped-up decorations for the ‘gram and no hiding behind lots of sauce or embellishments. The traditional lemon and sugar crepe at Flatout is an excellent example of how awesome their crepes are (though the specials are also *mwah* chef’s kiss).
While I usually limit myself to one, I could honestly probably eat three or four or these easily (and remember I’ve usually already had a savoury crepe by the time I order a sweet one).
– Michelle, @brontosaurus_bites
CanberraFood: Canteen (Fyshwick)
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A small venue with big flavours, @canteen_cbr is one of our favourites for so many reasons. I’ve been following Ann and Eddie from their @ramendaddycbr pop-up days to Verity Lane, and now their own venue in Dairy Road.
They make everything from scratch and you can tell. The venue is the perfect balance of cosy yet elegant—so whether you want a few izakaya bar snacks with matching sake or a hearty bowl of ramen, you can pick the vibe!
Our go-to order? Popcorn mushrooms and the ‘Tokyo Bird’ (chicken ramen) for dinner and, of course, the creme caramel for dessert.
– Michelle, @CanberraFood
Experience Eats: Dada (Woden) and Whisk’d Away (Capital Region Farmers Market)
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Winter in Canberra just got a whole lot tastier with the city’s vibrant food scene offering stellar treats to warm your soul. In an effort to support our beloved small and emerging local eats, we’re are sharing two exceptional Canberra gems that are sure to satiate your hunger.
First up, we have @dada_canberra, a gorgeous culinary find with a brilliant concept. The name ‘Da’ in Korean translates to ‘all,’ and it perfectly captures the essence of Dada’s ‘Modern Asian’ dishes.
With a menu that ambitiously navigates a vast array of Asian cuisines, this cozy eatery is a must-visit for food adventurers. From must-try rice rolls to scrumptious fried chicken, Dada’s skilled fusion of flavors promises a phenomenal dining experience.
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Next on your hit list is @whiskd_away, this delightful vendor that has captured hearts at the Capital Region Farmers Market.
Their specialty and our recommendation—the house-made crumpets with the also house-made lemon curd—this is our jam (or our curd…we’ll workshop it).
Imagine warm, fluffy crumpets adorned with tangy lemony curd, a heavenly combination that has become a cult favorite among marketgoers. The passion and attention to detail put into these make them surreal.
This winter, let’s rally together to support these small operators who pour their hearts and souls into creating exceptional eats.
Follow @dada_canberra and @whiskd_away on Instagram to stay updated with their mouthwatering offerings and show some love to these hidden gems that make Canberra’s food scene truly shine!
– Russell and Cathryn, @experience.eats
FoodPornJournal: Jiangnan Talk (Kingston)
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Jiangnan Talk is a reasonably new restaurant that’s opened at the Kingston shops.
I love the char kway teow. It’s got all the good stuff—tons of flavour and such a generous serving of BBQ pork, chicken, prawns, plenty of noodles and chilli. Yes, there’s actual heat from the chilli and chilli seeds.
Yumcha is also a bonus! Offered on Saturday and Sundays, if you’re early enough, the yumcha goodies are rolled out on a trolley. I enjoyed the prawn/prawn and chive/scallop/lobster dumplings (all the dumplings!), as well as the usuals like fried squid, lo mai gai (sticky chicken rice with lap cheong wrapped in lotus leaves) and mango pudding. Yumcha is priced between $8-$15 per dish.
I’ve been very happy with the quality of food and the friendly and welcoming staff. Find them at 54 Giles St, Kingston.
SimplyCheecky: Black Cat Cocktails Bar (Braddon)
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If you’re tired of the same old cocktail offerings for your next bar crawl or special events, then you need to read this. Allow me to introduce you to my hidden gem, Black Cat Cocktail Bar.
Founded by the talented duo, or should we call them ‘Partners in Cocktails’, Laney and Harry, Black Cat Cocktails is revolutionising the cocktail scene in Canberra by offering a truly bespoke experience to each and every guest. It’s worth mentioning they’re also partners in life.
The concept is simple—you name it, they make it. Laney takes the time to understand your flavour preferences, spirits of choice and even your favourite cocktails. Armed with this knowledge, she skilfully crafts a cocktail that exceeds your wildest expectations, making it an experience like no other. To ensure a truly personalised cocktail adventure, she uses preference sheets to gather information on each customer.
Black Cat Cocktails has also recently upped the ante by introducing an addition to their menu—the five-course interactive and molecular cocktails. Keep a close eye on their Instagram for the next exclusive offering.
This place is the cat-alyst for a night of unforgettable “purr-tying” and mew-sical delights. Cheers to a meow-velous experience!
– Erna, @simplycheecky
So Frank Social: Banjo’s Oysters (various locations)
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Our idea of a great weekend is having fresh local oysters just harvested from Merimbula on the South Coast. Whether you like them plain, dressed up to the nines or thrown in Bloody Mary shots—oysters are that delicacy that always seems to impress.
The Banjo’s Oysters van pops up at Canberra’s local markets and we love that we can grab seafood platters, oysters and shellfish for lunch and dinner. You can grab pre-shucked oysters or shuck them yourself (so much cheaper by the dozen).
Banjos Oysters have been farming oysters since 1991, and while they may not be new to the Canberra food scene, we think they fly under the radar.
The Food and Wine Marshall: Zaab (Braddon)
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I’ve recently discovered Zaab in Braddon, and, I’m loving this discovery, though technically it’s not new, just new to me.
What makes them my new fave place is getting to know the owner, Becky, and her move to champion local Canberra female winemakers, specifically in this case Sapling Yard wines. Becky wanted to work closely with a Canberra winery and engage with a winemaker who had the same hard-working ethos, a producer of delicious and relatable wines and Carla fit this bill.
I love a good food and wine pairing, this is important to me when choosing somewhere to eat, the wine is as important as the food, the right balance of food and wine makes a dining night out just a bit more magical.
The food at Zaab is super fresh, super tasty and produced super quickly. My fav dishes are the UFC chicken and the crispy tofu, paired with the Four Pinots. But the confit duck and the gamay is also a banger!
A solo Friday lunchtime visit kicks my weekend off, love the vibe and I always leave happy and well-fed. I’m excited that Becky is moving into the wine dinner space as well, certainly my area of interest!
Becky and the Zaab team are on to a good thing.
– Fran, @thefoodandwinemarshall
The Jugernauts CBR: 11e Cave (Kingston)
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We love things that are hidden in plain view. Canberra is home to many such things.
Did you know there’s a short bushland walking track between State and Capital Circles, or that there’s a full-size panel from the Berlin Wall next to a veterinary clinic in Narrabundah?
And did you know behind an unassuming red door on Eyre Street in Kingston you’ll find a stairwell leading you to one of Canberra’s best cocktail bars?
The downstairs bar, called 11e Cave, was once a bank vault and is operated by the excellent Onzieme restaurant which sits just above. The bar doesn’t take bookings and availability works on this simple concept: if the door is open there’ll be space for you, if it’s closed you’ll have to come back another time.
Inside it’s a cosy space with soft lighting offering excellent cocktails and fun wines. The bar snacks are quickly whizzed downstairs from Onzieme and change regularly, but if the potato gallete is on the menu, order it!
– Liam, @thejugernauts.cbr
Feature image: Canteen. Credit: Ashley St George / Pew Pew Studio
