Where to eat, drink and loiter brilliantly at the 2025 Canberra Writers Festival
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Let’s be honest: book festivals are 80 per cent ideas, 20 per cent caffeine, carbs, and somewhere decent to debrief about that one panellist who low-key changed your life.
From Wednesday 22 until Sunday 26 October, Canberra becomes a giant literary playground, and lucky for us, every venue on the 2025 Canberra Writers Festival map comes with excellent snacks, strong coffee and at least one place to sip on a cocktail like you just launched a debut novel.
Here’s your back-pocket guide to where to eat, sip, and gossip closest to the festival venues.
Verity Lane Market (City)
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Closest bite/meal: This venue is a food and drink hub – choose from ramen, tapas, Italian, wine and cocktails under one roof.
50 Northbourne Avenue, City | veritylanemarket.com.au
Festival Village – Patrick White Lawns (Parkes)
Closest bite: Food trucks and coffee vans on the lawns.
Coffee option: Try Little Bird Barton on National Circuit – meals made daily with local and seasonal ingredients.
Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes
National Library of Australia (Parkes)
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Closest bite: Bookplate Café (inside the Library) – coffee, cakes and light meals with lake views.
Cocktail option: Waters Edge (just across Commonwealth Avenue Bridge) – sleek dining and great wine list.
Parkes Place West, Canberra | library.gov.au
National Museum of Australia (Acton)
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Closest bite: Mona Café (inside the Museum) – perfect for coffee before a session.
Cocktail/meal: Parlour Wine Room (NewActon) – tapas and cocktails in a heritage setting, a five-minute drive.
Lawson Crescent, Acton | nma.gov.au
Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House (Parkes)
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Closest bite: Hellenic Club in the City – Barton outpost (a short walk) – casual coffee/meal.
Cocktail option: Rosa’s (just near MoAD) for delicious pizza and wine.
18 King George Terrace, Parkes | moadoph.gov.au
National Portrait Gallery of Australia (Parkes)
Closest bite: Portrait Café (in-house) – coffee, salads, sandwiches.
Cocktail/meal: Ottoman Cuisine (Barton) – elegant Turkish fine dining, 10 minutes away.
King Edward Terrace, Parkes | portrait.gov.au
National Press Club of Australia (Barton)
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Closest bite: Mukbar (across the street) – ideal pre-event wine and share plates.
Cocktail/meal: Louis Dining at Hotel Realm – refined, memorable dining close by.
16 National Circuit, Barton | npc.org.au
The Australian National University – Lowitja O’Donoghue Cultural Centre (Acton)
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Closest bite: Coffee Lab (near Kambri precinct) – great specialty coffee and brunch plates.
Cocktail option: Molly (city, 10 minutes’ walk) – a speakeasy-style bar worth the detour.
Tangney Road, Acton | kambri.com.au
Marie Reay Teaching Centre (ANU Kambri precinct)
Closest drink: Symposium By University House – a wine bar in the heart of the Kambri Precinct.
155 University Avenue, Canberra
Smith’s Alternative (City)
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Closest bite/meal: Smith’s offers a range of savouries – think toasted sandwiches, cheese and vegan platters – and sweets, such as brownies, slices, and banana bread.
Cocktail option: Bar Rochford – award-winning wine and cocktail bar upstairs in the Melbourne Building.
Explore the full 2025 festival program – including by venue – here.
