Your winter Foodie News fix: the return of Terra, Christmas in July goes lakeside and Amici launches a brunch club
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Grab your coat and loosen your belt, because this edition of Foodie News is full of enough delicious distractions to make you forget all about the cold.
This month, you’ll find the inside scoop on everything worth eating, drinking, and celebrating – think European comfort food under twinkling lights, bottomless prosecco and the return of beloved restaurants.
Trust us, your taste buds (and your Instagram feed) will thank you.
Get ready for lakeside raclette because Christmas in July is back to jingle your bells
‘Tis the most wonderful time of year, because with the news that Canberra’s Christmas in July Festival is back for 2025, things are looking extra festive for foodies this winter.
Transforming Patrick White Terrace into a winter wonderland from Thursday 3 until Sunday 6 July – complete with sweeping views of Lake Burley Griffin – this year will see over 20 pop-up restaurants serving an irresistible array of French and European winter cuisine.
Think: bubbling cheese fondue, gnocchi in creamy mushroom sauce, Austrian schnitzels, oversized bratwursts, Belgian fries, and even lobster rolls. And for those with a sweet tooth, sugar-dusted waffles, cinnamon rolls, flaky French pastries, and Nutella-stuffed crêpes are also on the menu. But of course, it’s not a true Christmas in July Festival without hot chocolate stations and mulled wine.
Save the date and keep an eye out, because the full program is expected to drop in the next week or two!
Terra is back in business in a new location
After breaking the hearts of foodies across Canberra when they abruptly closed their doors, Terra has announced that they’re back in business in a new location. Cue a collective sigh of relief. Moving into the space formerly occupied by Miss Van’s in City West, the doors have already reopened to serve the food you know and love. Urging patrons to stop by if they’re hungry, as “moving a restaurant in a week is a costly process”, you don’t have to ask us twice!
Free-flowing espresso martinis and hot toddies? Leyla is heating things up this winter
Winter is here and with it comes the perfect way to warm up at Leyla Bar: free-flowing espresso martinis, hot toddies, Prosecco, and red wine. Taking place every Saturday from 3.30 pm and pouring until 5.30 pm, they’ll be pouring crowd-favourite cocktails and winter drinks, all paired with a curated menu to complement the flavours. It’s the perfect way to toast the season with friends. Did we mention the killer views?
Forget Sunday morning run club – Canberra now has a Brunch Club!
Perfect for those who consider Sunday brunch a sport in its own right, Amici has just launched a brunch club and everyone is welcome to join. Hosting an energetic day of booze, brunch, and party hits (think music from Taylor Swift, Whitney Houston, Beyonce, and more), you’ll go hard and then go home to be in bed all before 9 pm. Including an Aperol Spritz on arrival, cheese and charcuterie platters, burrata, parmesan fries, cannoli and two hours of bottomless prosecco (served with bottle sparklers), book yourself a seat.
Heritage breathes life into the National Triangle’s café scene
A new café has opened in Parkes, claiming one of Australia’s most powerful addresses. Meet Heritage. Breathing life into the newly refurbished West Block Building in the National Triangle, Heritage Café has opened as part of the massive $45 million renovation announced in 2022.
Snagging the space is the team behind Symonston’s Red Baron, a hidden gem in the area with a “if you know, you know” reputation, protected by their dedicated and loyal customers. And while they follow the same ethos of serving top-quality, locally sourced food and pouring OTHERSKY Coffee, Heritage is distinctly different. Read all about it here.
Shaw Estate brings back the classics with wallet-friendly specials
The team at Shaw Estate is serving up some serious comfort food that’ll have you booking tables faster than you can say “prego!” Starting Thursday 12 June, their Locals Pasta Night is the midweek pick-me-up we all need – a hearty pasta dish from their classic menu, crispy garlic pizzetta, and a glass of Shaw wine, all for a very reasonable $30. Even better? The little ones can join the carb-loading party for just $15 with smaller serves of those same crowd-pleasing favourites.
But wait, there’s more! Sunday Roast lovers, rejoice – from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm every Sunday (also kicking off 12 June), Shaw Estate is rolling out their Porchetta Roast featuring succulent herb-stuffed pork belly with that all-important crispy crackling, paired with roasted Tuscan vegetables for $40. Fair warning though – this beauty is available until sold out, so don’t sleep on securing your Sunday feast!
Champi Express brings big breakfasts, brunches and lunches from Laos to Woden
Now open in Furzer Street, Woden, opposite eightysix south and where Bloom Coffee used to reside, Champi Express is refreshing the area with a brand-new offering. Serving hot cooked breakfasts, brunch, and lunches, that showcase traditional Laotian morning staples and a drinks menu that will get the local matcha fans in a lather, read all about it here.
First Edition Canberra is serving up four dishes and five comedians in this special dinner
Who doesn’t love the idea of a comedy degustation? On Friday 20 June, First Edition Canberra is combining the best of both worlds (comedy and food) in their Comedy Degustation dinner. Bringing comedians Chris Ryan, Caitlin Magss, Tanya Losanno, Hamish Hudson and Takashi Wakasugi to the stage, this is one dinner party that’s full of flavour and fun.
Sip on some schnapps at the German Market
Weins, biers, and schnapps are on the menu at the German Market this winter, making it a must-visit for anyone craving a taste of Europe. Taking over the Harmonie German Club on Sunday 22 June, you can eat and drink your way through fresh German sausages, homemade cakes and more. Add in community stallholders and a free jumping castle for the kids, and it’ll be a fun day out for the whole family.
Did someone say “All-you-can-eat pork party?”
Meat lovers, this one is for you. Contentious Character is going whole hog this June with an all-you-can-eat outdoor feast on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 June to celebrate all things pork. They’ll be serving unlimited, locally sourced pork, cooked every which way – we’re talking crispy, juicy, slow-roasted, smoky, tender, and totally irresistible, served with a range of mouth-watering sides.
Priced at $65 per adult and $35 for children under 12, get ready to pig out!
Espresso Rooms is now keeping caffiends caffeinated in Queanbeyan
Those shopping in Queanbeyan’s Riverside Plaza can now top up on world class coffee with the opening of a new Espresso Rooms. The perfect place to grab an ONA coffee and go or sit and enjoy one of Wildflour’s bakery treats, either way it looks like the perfect pit-stop pre-or post-shop.
You can’t miss this red-iculous wine dinner at QT
On Thursday 26 June, QT Canberra is partnering with Clonakilla Wine for a celebration of reds, rare wine finds, and other winter indulgences. With a menu curated by Executive Chef Josh Smith-Thirkell (including smoked Wagyu beef cheek, bone marrow croquettes and SA King Prawns served with smoked butter and green goddess dressing), they’ll be unlocking the Clonakilla archives to pour museum release wines.
Priced at $149 per person, your ticket includes a New York Sour Twist or Mister Negroni on arrival and the delicious feasting style menu paired with Clonakilla current and back vintage wines!
Grease Monkey is turning 10, and you’re invited
That’s right – it’s been 10 years since Grease Monkey first opened to bring us mouth watering burgers, pizzas and shakes, and to celebrate, they’re holding a massive birthday bash. Transforming the Braddon location into party central on Sunday 29 June, from 2 pm, you can dance to live music, sip on all-day slushies, and groove to throwback 2015 playlist hits between sets. Plus, you can enjoy special beverage deals throughout the day while indulging in their famous burger menu that started it all!
Go hungry and leave happy after celebrating this Canberra foodie icon.
Truffle season hits Canberra with a bang
Winter is finally here and with it comes an influx of truffle themed events. From the Regional Truffle Dinner at The Italian Place to the Contentious Truffle Dinner, there’s plenty for foodies to look forward to. Make sure to also pay a visit to Beltana Farm to enjoy their program of events, Mount Majura Vineyard for a truffle and wine experience and The Truffle Farm for their three signature truffle experiences.
There’s a new kid on the block in Braddon
Hungry for something a little bit different? Zero Complex is bringing a bold twist to Braddon with a Korean and Asian inspired menu that will leave you wanting more. From Bulgogi Benny with Yuza Hollandaise to Avo on Toast with medley tomatoes, tofu crumbs and kimbukak along with matcha lattes, Korean soft drinks and more, it’s a fresh take on some of our favourite flavours.
Rice Bang opens in Belco
Comforting Chinese can now be found on Weedon Close with the opening on Rice Bang in Belconnen! Serving classic dishes including chicken dumplings, Mongolian Beef, vegetable spring rolls, Sweet & Sour Pork and more, with everything priced under $21 you’ll get some bang for your buck.
