Spuds, Spanish cuisine and a sandwich bar: 20+ new places to eat this spring
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Spring is in the air—and apparently so is the growling of Canberran’s stomachs as 15+ new restaurants, cafes and bars open all over town to tantalise our tastebuds.
This month enjoy the perfect lunchtime quickie (sandwiches, sweets, pastries), Canberra’s best tacos (so we hear) and butter chicken pizza (yes, really). Ready? Dive on in.
SpudBAR (Belconnen)
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Oven-baked potato, free-range chicken, mild chilli bean, wild rocket, carrot and corn with a sriracha mayo…yum. This Mexican chicken option is one of the goodies coming to Woden with the opening of SpudBAR—a new restaurant that promises mouth-watering loaded potatoes packed with plenty of flavour.
And with every menu option 100% gluten-free and low sugar, (and a wide variety of dairy-free, vegan and high protein options also available), we think it’s a spud-tacular new addition to Westfield.
Shop 195, 18 Benjamin Way, Belconnen | spudbar.com.au
The Marion (Parkes)
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High Tea whilst soaking up the serenity of Lake Burley Griffin? Yes please. Officially opening bookings for their High Tea experience, The Marion will be (finally) opening their restaurant doors opening on Tuesday 6 September.
And with the chance to indulge in freshly baked scones with clotted cream and preserves followed by finely cut sandwiches, savoury pastries and delectable petit cakes, all we can say is see you there?
Barrine Drive, Regatta Point, Commonwealth Park, Parkes | themarion.com.au
E.D. HUT (Acton)
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Coffee, baked goods and laser cut fabrication design? Colour us impressed.
With a bakery cabinet full of Hokkaido cheese tart, Basque cheesecake, light Japanese cheesecake and lava soy cake as well as classic café offerings (hello bacon and egg rolls) those seeking an extremely aesthetically pleasing brunch option need to look no further.
3/28 University Ave, Acton | @e.d_hut
Centrar Café (Braddon)
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Calling all caffiends—there’s a new café in Braddon! Located inside a shared-space in the Branx Building, they’re not only serving up coffee, but also freshly baked goods, a variety of alternative latte options and full traditional tea brewing experiences. See you there?
Shop 103/16 Lonsdale St, Braddon | @centrarbrd
The Tuck Shop (City)
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Bringing South African flair to Verity Lane, The Tuck Shop has officially launched. A street food style menu with a twist, The Tuck Shop is led by head chef Amy Ferreira (ex-Rebel Rebel), with a menu inspired by her Durban upbringing. Serving up a combination of savoury and sweet dishes, highlights include Vetkoek—fried bread with a ground beef curry filling served with chutney and Bunny Chow—Durban-style curry in a bread bowl.
And of course, you can’t go past Ferriera’s famous Melk Tert—a South African-style milk custard tart served with a cinnamon caramel.
Verity Lane Market, 50 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra City | @tuckshop_cbr
Chimmi
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If you love the spice of Argentinian, you better get excited—Belco foodie destination Chimmi has also opened in Verity Lane to dish up a street food style menu of spicy chorizo burgers, loaded fries and flavour-packed empanadas, all served with their namesake Chimmichurri sauce (a blend of herbs, garlic, chilli and olive oil). Yum.
Verity Lane Market, 50 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra City | chimmi.com.au
Tiger Lane (City)
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Canberra Centre has gone big—unveiling a delicious new dining precinct inspired by the hawker centres of Asia. And while the 12 dining outlets and bars (which are split into different sections reflective of their cuisine and country of origin, including Japan, South Korea, Southern China, Northern China and South East Asia) aren’t open yet, the Tiger Lane Test Kitchen is. See you there?
Read more here.
Corner of Bunda and Genge Streets, Canberra Centre | tigerlane.com.au
Saint Malo (City)
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A Spanish-influenced feasting menu and a 70-plus option water list on top of the wine list, cocktail and low and non-alcoholic cocktail list. Meet Saint Malo. Now open, prepare to have your tastebuds transported to a sunny table in San Sebastian in seconds.
Read more here.
23 London Circuit, City | saintmalo.com.au
Negozio by Amelia (City)
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Just like walking through Nonna’s pantry, Negozio by Amelia at Canberra Centre promises sensory overload. And as the she son of Pasticceria Amelia in Belconnen, Negozio will operate seven days as a café, store and bottega, providing fresh-made real panini, piadine (Italian street food—flat bread with two-three fillings), a range of breads and savoury pastries.
Read more here.
Canberra Centre Beauty Garden (behind Raku) | @negozio.by.amelia
Vanilla Pod Pizza and Pasta Bar (Kingston)
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All day breakfast, hand-stretched pizza, pasta and Italian desserts, what’s not to love at Vanilla Pod Pizza and Pasta Bar? Now open in Kingston, it’d be rude not to try it morning, noon and night.
35 Kennedy St, Kingston | vanillapodact.com.au
Kodiak Bar (Kingston)
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Cocktails with a twist, a comfort cuisine menu, and bartenders in ties: Kodiak Bar has officially opened its doors.
Offering an extensive menu that centres around shared plates and classic offerings (think oysters with rum and pineapple, beetroot tartare served with pickled apple, whipped goats cheese and smoked almonds, and a North American style cheeseburger), you can see why Kodiak (and its offerings) is summed up by the pair as “playful and relaxed”.
Read more here.
23 Kennedy Street, Kingston | kodiakbar.com.au
Gravy ‘N’ More (Kingston)
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If we were to describe this pizzeria and Indian cuisine bistro in one word it would be ‘interesting’. If we could use four it would be ‘interesting and bloody delicious’.
Selling pizzas in traditional Indian flavours (including Indian tandoori chicken, chicken tikka masala, and paneer tikka masala) as well as more traditional Indian dishes, each bite promises to be packed full of flavour. Butter chicken pizza anyone?
75/71 Giles St Kingston| gravynmore.com.au
Jojuro Taco Bar (Griffith)
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Are these the best tacos in Canberra? You’ll have to try it to find out.
Providing their take on classic Mexican street food (think deep fried beef birria tacos, torta de cochinita pibil, and even Mexican sandwich covered in a guajillo chilli salsa and filled with potatoes, chorizo, queso and crema), keep an eye on this snack van’s social media to see when they’ll be popping up next.
And trust us when we say ‘run, don’t walk’ because they almost always sell out.
3 Mildura St, Griffith | facebook.com/jojurotacobar
Happy Ending café (Fyshwick)
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Located where one of Fyshwick’s iconic night-time destinations once stood, Happy Ending café and sandwich bar has officially opened its doors to bring locals the perfect lunch-time quickie.
We mean that literally. Serving coffee from a local roaster and a weekly menu of rotating sandwiches, sweets, pastries, and savoury bites, the menu is designed to be ideal for lunch in a hurry. It’s another reason to get excited in Fyshwick!
Read more here.
106-108 Gladstone Street, Fyshwick | @h4ppy.end1ng
Classic Indian Restaurant (Weston Creek)
Dairy free, gluten free and vegan friendly, this new Indian restaurant in Weston Creek has it all. And with delicious menu options like tandoori naan, chilli paneer and garlic butter prawns, there’s sure to be something that everyone can enjoy.
Shop No.11B, Coleman Court, Brierly Street, Weston Creek | facebook.com
Burger Villains (Tuggeranong)
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First they took over Phillip and Page, but now Burger Villain’s has set their sights on Tuggeranong (and world domination). Opening on Saturday 3 September in Tuggeranong Square, you’ll be able to find them (and their delicious burgers) on Reed Street, just off Anketell Street.
And no doubt they’ll be running a tasty launch day special—including 200 free burgers—to help tempt you to the dark side, so mark your calendars and keep an eye on their social media.
10/341 Reed Street, South Tuggeranong | burgervillains.com
Two Before Ten (Majura)
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They’ve caffeinated us all over Canberra, but now those working in (or visiting—hello Costco trip) Majura can treat themselves to a coffee and delicious food at Two Before Ten’s newest location.
Open Monday to Friday, expect everything that’s made their other locations great (local produce, perfect barista made coffee and sweet treats) in their largest café to date.
5 Lancaster Place, Majura | twobeforeten.com.au
Gelato & Coffee Bar (Dickson)
It’s not a New Places to Eat list without a Dickson addition—and this one is for all the sweet tooths out there. Popping up on Challis Street, Gelato & Coffee Bar is serving (you guessed it) gelato, coffee and as well as pastries.
And with gelato flavour choices that include coffee, crème caramel and boysenberry cheesecake, it’s worth a visit for dessert (or just in general).
21 Challis Street, Dickson
COMING SOON
Café Blanco (Kambah)
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While we don’t know much about this small neighbourhood café, what we do know is they will be serving Latino cuisine in Kambah—the south better get excited.
San Churro (City)
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Churro lovers rejoice! San Churro is coming to the City and it’s bringing all the chocolatey goodness. With opening dates to be announced, keep an eye out for all the details.
Wine Room Bar (Braddon)
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Another newbie that hasn’t given us much to go on, the only info that Wine Room Bar is offering us is it’s time to “crack the door to good wine.” We’ll say cheers to that while we (eagerly) await their opening details.
3/24 Mort Street, Braddon | @wineroom.bar
Feature image: Ben Calvert.
