What’s cooking in Canberra? Korean fine dining, new venues, foodie events and more
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From cult Korean fine dining and new café openings to BBQ feasts, street food festivals and book-worthy food stories, Canberra’s food scene is just getting started this February.
Whether you’re planning a Valentine’s Day feast, plotting your next long lunch or looking ahead to the city’s biggest food events, here’s your first bite of everything food lovers need to know right now.
Allta is bringing cult Korean gastronomy to our door
It’s via the National Museum of Australia. As part of its blockbuster exhibition Hallyu – The Korean Wave, they’ll be transporting the team from Sydney’s hottest Korean fine diner Allta to Canberra for a one-off event.
Promising to be a fine dining experience like no other, you’ll want to grab your tickets before they sell out. Read all about it here.
La Veera takes over the space left by Stand By Me
Lyons has a new local with La Veera taking over the space that formerly housed Stand By Me.
Expect classic Australian breakfast and lunch staples with modern, flavourful twists seven days a week. The menu boasts some good vego and vegan options.
7 Cutz Steakhouse is coming
Adding to their Newcastle and Wollongong venues, 7 Cutz Steakhouse is soon landing in Canberra.
They promise “chargrilled premium steaks, refined cocktails and a curated wine list, designed for an elevated steakhouse experience”.
We’ll let you know more details when we have them!
Valentine’s Day transforms the city into a food lover’s delight
There’s nothing quite like a meal out on 14 February, and the year Canberra doesn’t disappoint. Ranging from Mediterranean banquets and Italian feasts to champagne-soaked high teas and indulgent dessert dates, we found over 25 places (and counting) to eat this Valentine’s Day
Here’s your A-to-Z guide – and yes, you can thank us later.
Looking for something better than flowers and chocolate?
How about a banoffee pie from eightysix? Sticking with the Valentine’s Day theme, eightysix is doing the hard work for you by coming up with a gift idea that’s way better than flowers and chocolate: banoffee pie.
Available in big or small portions (because love comes in all sizes), call 02 6161 8686 or email info@eightysix.com.au to place your order.
Mountain Creek Wholefoods adds a café
Known as Griffith’s sanctuary for wellbeing, Mountain Creek Wholefoods has been serving the local community with organic wholefoods for over 40 years. But now the Canberra institution has a new lease on life.
Recently purchased by Giada Peloso and her husband Ignace Diompy (the duo behind L’epi Bakery and Crust at the Fyshwick Markets), there’s now a small bakery café attached to the store. Don’t worry – you can still shop the 8000 products, but now you can enjoy a free-range meat pie while you do so.
Louis introduces Bottomless Frites Fridays
Want fries with that? Louis has launched ‘Bottomless Frites Fridays’, and we’ll be there with bells on. All you need to do is order any main meal and then sit back as the staff bring you as many chips as you can stomach. Available every Friday between 11.30 am until 2.30 pm and from 5.30 pm until late, make sure to book your table in advance.
VICE launches a new $25 lunch, from Tuesday 10 February
VICE has built its reputation around a single-minded focus on steak: one cut, cooked one way, served how it tastes best. Now, that same approach is being applied to lunch.
Launching tomorrow (Tuesday 10 February), VICE’s new $25 lunch special is simple and generous: two dishes, each served with a beer, wine, prosecco or soft drink. Guests can choose Mussels cooked in a House-Made Arrabbiata Sauce, served with sourdough, or a Prime-Rib Beef Burger with Egmont cheese, raw white onion and gentleman’s relish on a toasted bun, served with hand-cut fries.
The $25 lunch special is available Tuesday to Saturday from 12–3 pm. Bookings are recommended, with walk-ins always welcome. You can find VICE in Odgers Lane in the city, with entry via the rear of the Melbourne Building.
Cafè Luzon opens in north Lyneham
North Lyneham has a new cafe with the opening of Cafè Luzon! From the team behind Northside Garden Cafe, the menu fuses Filipino and Western flavours, best paired with a cup of ONA coffee. Open seven days a week, find them at 4/2 Colville Street, Lyneham.
Contentious Character is relocating
Promising the same wine and the same attitude, Contentious Character recently announced on Instagram that they’ll be relocating the urban winery from Dairy Road. With more details to come, we’ll update you when we know more.
A modern Japanese restaurant opens in Braddon
MUGII has joined Lonsdale Street’s diverse dining scene, bringing refined ramen, rice dishes and small plates to the area. Located near Supersweet Cafe and Senn Noods, it looks like a fresh take on one of our favourite cuisines. Now open, the only question is what will you try first?
Rockie Dough Co is bringing something sweet to your door
Traditional Ghanaian doughnuts, anyone? Making small batch orders with a “modern twist”, Rockie Dough Co is opening up pre-orders for their doughnuts on Monday 16 February.
Don’t know what traditional Ghanaian doughnuts are? Think deep-fried, golden-brown dough balls characterised by a crispy exterior and a soft, fluffy, and slightly sweet interior. With limited quantities available, the flavours at Rockie Dough Co include Classic (lightly sweet and coated in cinnamon), Nut Crunch (coated in a sugar glaze with roasted nuts), Rose Petal (floral glaze with soft petals) and Chocolate (dipped in chocolate and finished with sprinkles).
Little Sutton Bakehouse brings back pizza nights
Freshly baked sourdough pizzas from one of our favourite regional bakehouses – what’s not to love? Little Sutton Bakehouse has brought back their pizza nights, kicking off on Friday 20 February.
With two seatings available (4.30 pm – 7.15 pm or 7.15 pm until late), you’ll need to book yourself a seat – these pop-up pizza nights always sell out fast.
They had us at ‘martini flight’
Leyla Bar is known for its stunning views over Canberra, but you now have another excuse to make it your Friday night favourite with the introduction of a mini martini flight. Including their Oyster Shell, Matinez and the Leyla Vesper martini, order yourself a side of Sydney rock oysters to make it a truly luxurious experience.
Weetangerra Bakery closes and Deeks Health Foods opens
Gluten-free foodies, this one is for you. Deeks Health Foods has opened in Weetangera, and they’re baking up a storm. Known for their gluten-free and grain-free goodies (think: breads, pasta, pizza bases, biscuits and flours), the bigger facility means they can bake even more products. Order what you’d like online and pop-in Monday to Friday between 7 am and 11 am to pick it up.
Is this Canberra’s biggest BBQ event?
On Saturday 21 February, The Truffle Farm will be hosting Smokeshow – a laid-back afternoon of smoked BBQ, craft beer, and more. Previously hosting their last Smokeshow event in December, expect the ultimate BBQ experience (including a massive BBQ board to share).
With the menu to be released soon, mark your calendars!
Tikka Stand opens a new location
Those working in the Department of Defence better loosen their belts, because Tikka Stand has rolled into Blamey Square to bring their delicious Indian street food to the area.
Open from 11 am until 3 pm daily, they’re serving all their iconic dishes. All we can say is, your lunch break just got a serious upgrade.
Craving an HSP? Tuggeranong Kebabs is the new place to go
Kebabs, HSP, pide, and more – that’s what you can find at Tuggeranong Kebabs. Now open from 10 am until 9 pm, find them opposite Bunnings at the bottom of SQ1.
You can get two-for-one daiquiris every day
Thank you, Highball. Serving up two-for-one daiquiris every day from 5 pm until 6 pm Tuesday to Thursday and 4 pm until 6 pm Friday and Saturday, there’s no better way to end the day than with a daiquiri (or two) in hand.
All you need to do is buy one, and the second is on them – it’s that simple.
10Yards launches a long table dinner series
10Yards at Aranda have launched a seasonal dinner series designed to bring people together over beautifully crafted food, local wines, and stories shared across the long table.
The dinners complement their already tasty series of regular workshops and masterclasses.
Find out what’s happening here.
‘Recovering chef’ Lucy Ridge publishes a book
Here’s some news for foodies who also enjoy devouring a book – local food writer Lucy Ridge has published a memoir all about women working in food and farming across the country.
Taking her across Australia – from wild-harvesting bush foods with an Indigenous Elder in Broome, to cheese-making in country New South Wales – Fed Up will prompt you to think more deeply about the people responsible for your dinner.
Weekends heat up at Common Grounds Gowrie
Happy hour has had a glow up at Common Grounds Gowrie with some weekend sessions that the whole family will love. On Saturdays, pop in between 12 pm and 1 pm for $6 house wines and beers, and on Sundays, settle in for a long lunch complete with live music and driveway games for the kids.
Weekend plans? Sorted.
You won’t be able to go pasta this food van (sorry)
Gungahlin favourite Mr Pasta has hit the road to bring a taste of Italy to a new location. Parking their food truck next to the Dickson Tradies Club, from 3 pm until 8 pm every day, you’ll be able to grab their pasta and pizza to take away.
PLAN AHEAD FOR…
Merimbula’s Eat Festival serves up a long weekend of flavour
Consider this your sign to start planning for a coast trip. Merimbula’s Eat Festival is back for another year, transforming the Sapphire Coast into a four-day celebration of local flavour, culture and community. Taking place from Thursday 5 until Sunday 8 March, you can expect hands-on oyster shucking, a lakeside dining experience overlooking Merimbula Lake and more.
The perfect opportunity to enjoy local flavours and unique dining experiences with Broadwater Oysters, Bar Superette, North of Eden Gin Distillery, Longstocking Brewery and more, find out more here.
Have dinner under the stars at The Boat House
Dinner under the stars, and champagne on ice. Nightfall promises to be one of March’s most unforgettable events. Taking place on Friday 13 March at The Boat House, for $160 you’ll enjoy canapés before settling into a four-course dinner served lakeside under the stars.
If that’s not enough, there will also be a champagne and oyster bar, Brother J spinning vinyl, and classic cocktails being poured. Book your seat here.
The Japan StrEat Party is coming to Canberra
You’ll want to be hungry when you go to this. The Japan StrEAT Party will be taking over Patrick White Lawns from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 March, bringing some of Japan’s most loved street food dishes, freshly prepared on-site by experienced Japanese chefs and vendors.
With free entry, live painting, printing and DJs bringing the sound of modern Japan, go for the gyoza and stay for the vibes. More details to come.
Over 250 craft beers, ciders, spirits and wine? We’ll be there
You’ll be well hydrated at the Canberra Beer and Cider Festival this March, when some of Australia’s best craft brewers and distilleries take over the Mercure Canberra Carpark in Braddon.
Featuring over 40 local and interstate exhibitors (including 4 Pines Brewing Co, Ambrosia, Wheel Line Cider and more) as well as gourmet food and live entertainment, you’ll want to be fast to secure your tickets – this is one event you won’t want to miss.
This Enlighten-inspired six-course degustation will light up your night
Australian Parliament House’s award-winning Executive Chef, David Learmonth will be transporting your tastebuds during the Enlighten Festival on Friday 6 March. Beginning with a bespoke Enlighten-themed cocktail on the terrace, the menu will take you on a sensory journey celebrating the best of seasonal and local produce.
Enhance your experience with expertly matched wines from a local winery and end the evening enjoying the lights, sounds and energy of the festival. Book your seat here.
Go to Sicily without leaving the city
Live out your dream Italian-inspired holiday without leaving the city this March as Restaurant Two14 brings the soul of Sicily to your table. Curated by Head Chef Federico Pitasi, they’re hosting an elegant 5-course tasting menu inspired by the island’s most beloved dishes. Add on an optional Sicilian wine pairing for $45, and you’ll feel like you’re in the middle of the Mediterranean.
Book your seat here.
Shake, rattle and stroll with this self-guided cocktail trail
Whether you’re a die-hard cocktail fan or just looking for a fun afternoon, this is one foodie event you won’t want to miss. On Saturday 14 March, the Urban Cocktail Trail will be transforming the CBD into a treasure trail as you explore a handpicked selection of Canberra’s best bars.
How it works is simple: start the day with a bite at your chosen venue, then hit the trail with your cocktail vouchers in hand. Wander from bar to bar at your own pace – where you stop (and sip) is completely up to you! Featuring Bar Beirut, Dolly’s, Hopscotch, Highball, Luna and Molly, get your ticket here.
Feature image: Trent van der Jagt.
