Aubergine

Aubergine is a swanky, bright restaurant that serves a wide range of innovative food like hiramasa kingfish, buttered mussels, amaranth, and cured dory roe. The chefs create beautiful and delicious multi-course experiences out of innovative and organic ingredients that blend so excellently with each other.

• Web:

  www.aubergine.com.au

• E-mail:

  restaurant@aubergine.com.au

• Address:

  18 Barker Street, Griffith, Canberra

• Phone:

  +61 2 6260 8666

• Opening hours:

  Wed–Sat 6–10pm

Chairman & Yip

With its innovative menu, Chairman and Yip is blending Asian and Western flavors. The restaurant is located in the heart of Canberra and has received many awards over the years. Make sure to leave room for the delicious desserts.

• Web:

  www.chairmangroup.com.au/chairmanyip/

• Address:

  1 Burbury Cl, Barton

• Phone:

  +61 2 6162 1220

• Opening hours:

  Lunch: Fri noon–2:30pm; Dinner: Tue–Sat 6pm–10:30pm

• More info:

  At the Burbury Hotel

Courgette

This gorgeous restaurant owned by the celebrated chef James Mussillon offers you a brilliant Modern European dining experience in a luxurious space overlooking a walled garden. The creative combinations and the superb cellar of vintage Australian wines make this a popular choice. Order a la carte of go for a multi-course degustation.

• Web:

  www.courgette.com.au

• Address:

  54 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra

• Phone:

  +61 2 6247 4042

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Sat noon–3pm / 5pm–11pm

Eightysix North

Eightysix is an upscale yet unpretentious Modern Australian restaurant in Braddon with an open kitchen. There are no paper menus since the options change so frequently. The second location on 45 Furzer St, Phillip is called Eightysix South.

• Web:

  www.eightysix.com.au

• Address:

  Lonsdale St & Elouera St, Braddon, Canberra

• Phone:

  +61 2 6161 8686

• Opening hours:

  Daily 6pm–10pm

• More info:

  In restaurant parlance, to "86" a dish means to strike it from the menu because it's sold out

Indian Affair Restaurant

This restaurant is said to have the best Indian food in Australia and has won a few awards over the years. Indian Affair restaurant welcomes you to a warm atmosphere with friendly staff that will serve you with a smile.

• Web:

  www.indianaffair.com.au

• Address:

  64 Colbee Court, Philip

• Phone:

  +61 2 6282 1483

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Sat 5pm–10pm

Mezzalira

Pizzas straight from the wood-fired oven, antipasti, and a range of delicious handmade pasta make this an ideal location for a casual meal at reasonable prices. Mezzalira has truly brought the Italian cuisine to Canberra.

• Web:

  www.mezzalira.com.au

• Address:

  55 London Circuit, Canberra

• Phone:

  +61 2 6230 0025

• Opening hours:

  Lunch: Mon–Fri noon–2:30pm; Dinner: Mon–Sat from 6pm

• More info:

  Melbourne Building

ANU Union Bar

Australian National University (ANU) Union Bar is a very popular place for students and off-campus folks. This is a great place to relax with friends and play pool. The crowd is, predictably, on the younger side.

• Web:

  www.anuunion.com.au

• Address:

  3 Rimmer Street, Canberra

• Phone:

  +61 2 6230 4728

Bentspoke Brewing Co.

Bentspoke is a microbrewery and tap house which has been twice crowned Best Australian Small Brewer. They are not afraid of bending the rules of how beer and cider should be made, so get your taste buds ready for a flavourful journey.

• Web:

  www.bentspokebrewing.com.au

• Address:

  48/38 Mort Street, Braddon

• Phone:

  +61 2 6257 5220

• Opening hours:

  Wed–Sat 11am–12am, Sun–Tue 11am–11pm

Casino Canberra

Casino Canberra has everything for prime entertainment. With its 40 gaming tables with roulette, blackjack, poker and keno in a laid-back atmosphere there is plenty to choose from if you are in a gaming mood. The casino has two excellent bars for enjoying a cold beer and relaxing.

• Web:

  www.casinocanberra.com.au

• Address:

  21 Binara Street, Canberra

• Phone:

  +61 2 6243 3700

• Opening hours:

  Daily 12pm–4am

Hippo Co

Hippo C is he quintessential whisky and cocktail experience in Canberra. Huge selection, innovative seasonal cocktails and experienced bar staff will guide you through an educational and fun whiskey tasting. Every Wednesday evening, Hippo Co presents live jazz and blues, and hosts some of the best jazz musicians from Australia and around the world.

• Web:

  www.hippoco.com.au

• E-mail:

  info@hippoco.com.au

• Address:

  1/17 Garema Place, Canberra

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Sat 5pm–late

• More info:

  Alternating between jazz and blues every Wednesday after 8:30pm

Joe's Bar

Joe’s Bar is a bar and an Italian restaurant, where both food and drink are treated with utmost care. Start with antipasti, move on to the lasagne, and the burrata. Foremost, Joe's is an intimate place to gather, experience and engage with family and friends, new and old.

• Web:

  easthotel.com.au/eat-and-drink/joes-bar

• Address:

  69 Canberra Ave, Griffith, Canberra

• Phone:

  +61 2 6295 6925

• Opening hours:

  Tue–Sat 4pm–10pm

• More info:

  Located in the East Hotel in Kingston

King O'Malley's Irish Pub

A wide selection of Australian and International beers accompanied by great pub food await visitors to King O'Malley's. In this busy, noisy but convivial pub atmosphere the friendly staff will take good care of you.

• Web:

  www.kingomalleys.com.au

• Address:

  131 City Walk, Canberra

• Phone:

  +61 2 6257 0111

• Opening hours:

  Daily 11am–late

Bookplate

Located inside the National Library, Bookplate is the perfect spot for coffee and cake after touring the lake or the national institutions close by. Sit back and watch the world go by as you enjoy a cup of excellent coffee and a delightful meal.

• Web:

  www.bookplate.com.au

• Address:

  25 Parkes Place, Parkes

• Phone:

  +61 2 6262 1154

• More info:

  Ground floor at the National Library

Močan & Green Grout

Močan & Green Grout is a stylish, retro-chic cafe in New Acton with inventive meals cooked in an open kitchen. The outdoor space is outdoor space is drowning wall-to-wall in greenery. Finish your meal with a deep chocolaty fair-trade espresso.

• Web:

  www.mocanandgreengrout.net

• Address:

  1/19 Marcus Clarke St, Canberra

• Phone:

  +61 2 6162 2909

• Opening hours:

  Daily 7am–4pm. Kitchen closes at 2pm

• More info:

  Not open for regular dinners, but they do a monthly dinner. Join their mailing list to find out more

My Cafe Manuka

My Cafe serves Modern Australian food breakfast (all-day) and lunch. Sit out on the pavement and watch the passing parade that is busy at all times of the day.

• Address:

  1/22 Franklin Street, Manuka Plaza, Canberra

• Phone:

  +61 2 6295 6632

• Opening hours:

  Daily 7am–4pm

• More info:

  Manuka Arcade, shop 1

Patissez

Patissez in Manuka has been instagrammed and loved by tourists and locals alike. They serve absolutely outstanding breakfast food. Guests are raving about their zucchini and corn fritters, chilli funghi and sensational milkshakes.

• Web:

  www.patissez.com

• Address:

  Unit 2/21 Bougainville Street, “The Lawns”, Manuka, Canberra

• Phone:

  +61 402 808 191

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Fri 7am–2pm, Sat & Sun 7am–2:30pm

Penny University Cafe

Penny University has an eclectic aesthetic, outstanding coffee and serves local produce with a globally inspired twist. The name comes from the term used to describe first coffee houses in London back in the 17th century. Penny U aspires to keep the tradition going by creating a unique environment for the sharing of ideas and conversation. Start your day in good company and try their Middle Eastern Bruschetta for breakfast.

• Web:

  pennyuniversitycafe.com

• Address:

  15 Kennedy St, Kingston, Canberra

• Phone:

  +61 2 6162 1500

• Opening hours:

  Daily 7am–3:30pm

Silo Bakery

Silo Bakery is a cute bakery with a few bistro tables. It offers a wonderful selection of artisanal bread and pastries, along with a walk-in fridge stocked with delectable cheese. Come here for breakfast and lunch, or just a coffee break.

• Web:

  www.silobakery.com.au

• E-mail:

  silobakery@gmail.com

• Address:

  36 Giles Street, Kingston

• Phone:

  +61 2 6260 6060

• Opening hours:

  Tue–Sat 7am–3pm