Canberra is the underdog when it comes to size (it’s true that it doesn’t have the volume that Sydney and Melbourne do), but it sure has taste to rival the bigger cities. We’re developing quickly with restaurants popping up in bunches, and our cool factor is growing too.
One of our coolest suburbs, Braddon, makes it alongside Sydney’s Surry Hill’s and Melbourne’s Northcote and it’s getting even better. We’re spoiled for food on Lonsdale Street alone. The Hamlet collects all our best food trucks, gives them a more permanent home and brings an eclectic range of food to more Canberrans. Braddon and Civic form a reliable two-suburb block of tasty choices and drinks all wrapped up in ambience, and we know that Dickson is chock-full of fantastic Asian food. Luckily for us Southsiders, there are some delicious suburbs on the other side of Lake Burley Griffin too.
Close to my heart, the not-so-little Rose Cottage establishment is a great place to eat and drink, host functions and enjoy the country adjacent air (especially on a Sunday afternoon) with live music and lots of space. They have a home-style restaurant with a warm hearth and warm-hearted service. The place has changed hands a couple of times in the last few years but this historic venue lives on with yummy food in very comfortable surroundings.
Kingston is practically popping with restaurants and scrumptious eateries. The Foreshore has exploded with a potent mixture of burgers, chocolate, rum and water views. Beneath the apartments rising from the edge of the water is food for delicious thought. Walt and Burley, Morks, The Rum Bar and Max Brenner (for dessert) makes Kingston Foreshore a particularly popular place over the weekend.
Not quite on The Foreshore – but not far from it, Brodburger’s permanent lodgings is the place for knowledgeable Canberrans who remember the days of its food truck by the lake. Head on down for the amazing burgers!
There is a corner somewhere in Canberra with the most tantalising, fresh, pizza. That corner is in Yarralumla where, along with Bentham St Bar N Pizza, two other cafes cater to the residents of Yarralumla. Those in-the-know tend to fill up the place on Sundays. The citizens of Canberra recognise the Turkish Halal Pide House as one of the best in town, plus it’s just close enough to spice up a picnic beside the lake if you want to shake things up.
These are just a few suburbs raising Canberra’s cool factor, building on what is there already; wonderful food peeks out from hidden corners in not often thought about places.
Secrets are meant to be told, and this food is meant to be eaten. Enjoy!
