By Lauren Jade Hill
With its eclectic offering of culinary influences, Australia’s capital Canberra is home to restaurants covering a broad range of styles, which further benefit from bountiful local produce, from smoked meats and foraged truffles to the region’s outstanding wines. We take a look at the best restaurants in Canberra, which together make the city’s dining scene shine.
Instagram @aubergineben
Aubergine
Widely celebrated for its successful execution of Modern Australian cuisine, this fine dining restaurant has continually garnered accolades; food here is contemporary in style while placing the focus on the region’s seasonal ingredients. By working closely with local farmers, the restaurant sources seafood, meats, fruit and vegetables to create dishes such as spanner crab with tomatoes, crispy fish, wakame and dashi custard on a four-course menu with wine pairing.
Instagram @monsterkitchenbar
Monster Kitchen and Bar
Within the four separate spaces—the lounge, mosaic room, the salon and dining rooms— of this industrial-chic restaurant in Hotel Hotel, the Modern Australian plates served are designed for sharing, showcasing local and seasonal produce through each one. Sharing plates such as clams, chorizo, samphire and cider, and pressed ham hock with celeriac, apple and mustard are followed by sweet plates such as poached quince with yogurt sorbet, barberry, rose and pistachio.
Related
Instagram @temporadacanberra
Temporada
At this intimate modern eatery incorporating modern wood-paneled décor, produce-driven tapas and sharing plates are served. Follow the restaurant’s South Coast oysters with savory dishes such as grilled Jurassic quail with pumpkin cooked in embers and cumin yoghurt, as well as sweet plates like Imcah Farm raspberries with white chocolate and bee pollen mousse, shiso and raspberry granite, or opt for the local cheese. A chef’s degustation menu is available too.
Instagram @eateightysix
Eightysix
This buzzing restaurant with an open kitchen is another of the city’s restaurants that stands out for its Modern Australian cuisine and contemporary décor. The menu here features a tightly curated selection of hearty Australian dishes like whole lamb shoulder, and kangaroo with beetroot and balsamic. Desserts like the banoffee pie have won the restaurant continual praise.
Content from our partners
Instagram @italianandsons
Italian & Sons
Providing authentic Italian cuisine and wine in a lively and intimate setting, Italian & Co is the city’s go-to for antipasti, cured meats and charcuterie, as well as wood-fired pizzas and handmade pasta filled with ingredients such as house smoked duck breast with pecorino and pink peppercorns. Don’t forget to try the imported Italian cheeses paired with fortified wines.
For more inspiration on where to eat on your travels, take a look at our list of the world’s Top 100 Restaurants.
