Top Restaurants in Canberra
Top Things to do in Canberra
Countries
Where to Eat in Canberra: The Best Restaurants and Bars
You can fit a lot into a visit to Australia’s capital city. Surrounded by nature parks, Canberra is best known for a vast collection of history and culture that provides a snapshot of the nation. Discover precincts housing, thriving local arts and foodie scenes, family friendly attractions, outdoor experiences and the acclaimed cool-climate wineries that dot the surrounding area.
Things to do in Canberra
1. Aubergine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 447 reviews
Reviewed By AussieSK - Canberra, Australia
Aubergine is still one of our top Canberra restaurants for a dining experience, especially to celebrate special occasions. A special decade birthday was the occasion for this visit to Aubergine. It didn’t disappoint. From the subtle and subdued lighting to the quality table settings and, most importantly, the highest quality food in terms of flavour and presentation, Aubergine continues to maintain an ultra high standard. We started with glasses of celebratory sparkling Australian wine followed by a 2-course meal ($90 for each 2 course dinner) with matching wines ($50 per person) and concluding with strong and flavoursome macchiatos. A three-course option is also available but we generally find that two courses is enough for us. The wine waiter explained the wines in detail and how they were chosen to match the food. It was a fabulous dining experience that celebrated the special birthday in an appropriate manner. The total for food and drinks was $319 and that amount suited the superb quality for all aspects of the dinner from staff interaction to the setting and the food and wines. It was well worth the money. A fabulous evening.
2. Maestral Mediteranean Seafood Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 159 reviews
Reviewed By erf1302 - Brisbane, Australia
If you're visiting or a local you must head out to Weston - easy drive, easy-to-find - a try this great family-run seafood restaurant. Just fantastic. Great food, super friendly service with a real buzz, even on a mid-week night....took the TripAdvisor reviews on trust and Maestral delivered in spades. A feast!
3. Ottoman Cuisine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 804 reviews
Chef & owner Serif Kaya has been wooing diners at Ottoman Cuisine with his much awarded Turkish food since 1992. Modern day Turkish food is a result of the vast Ottoman Empire, spanning over three continents, with access to many markets & cultures. The menu at the Ottoman Cuisine consists of classic Turkish dishes that have withstood the test of time. There are also the dishes that Serif has created; inspired by his culinary heritage & his new home. The specials of the day bring you the best of the seasonal produce. In the Ottoman tradition, we recommend sharing your dishes in order for you to experience the fantastic range of flavours on offer. Please ask your waiter if you would like to try a tasting menu.
Reviewed By Kym W - Australia
Went there with a group and had the banquet. It was delicious. The prawn being the highlight for me along with the chicken. The staff were great and catered to the people in our group who had dietary requirements responding with beautiful alternatives. Priced reasonably well for the quality of both food and service.
4. Sage Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 772 reviews
A hidden gem just few minutes away from the city centre, Sage offers an escape from the hustle and bustle with an exciting and ever-evolving menu and beverage list.
Reviewed By sara r
I was going to give sage a good review but we went to an expensive taste testing night... it was meant to be new dishes... however I was given the same main as Lucy B complained about two months ago.... a lump of carrot.... that was it for a main at $100 a head....
Other food was good but totally disappointed by the dish that was simply a lump of carrot for the main when there are P many beautiful vegetarian options and this is hardly a new menu/ dishes so new you are asked to rate them as a one off experience if others were commenting on it months ago!! Duped!!
5. The Boat House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 234 reviews
Situated in private parkland on the absolute water lapping edge of Lake Burley Griffin, The Boat House by the Lake offers the best lake view the capital has to offer. The stunning views are matched by outstanding modern cuisine, friendly and attentive service, and a sophisticated atmosphere.With an award winning restaurant and three private dining rooms each with access to a water-front deck and landscaped Gardens, the Boat House is the perfect location for an intimate dining experience, wedding, or corporate event.
Reviewed By 440Christine440 - Sydney, Australia
Were fortunate to dine here on our recent trip to Canberra.
The chef is a genius!! The clever combining of ingredients produces the most interesting flavours that are just delicious.We had 5 courses (opted for the cheese as well) and loved everything.The location is superb as well.Will love to return to taste some new creations. Thanks again for an amazing evening.
6. Turkish Halal Pide House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 283 reviews
Reviewed By TristanEF - Canberra, Australia
First, I have to profess my love for this place. The food is incredibly reasonably priced and the serves are generous. The stuffed pide are very good and you cannot get a better kebab/donair anywhere else. My only complaint -- and disappointment -- is that they signed up for UberEats. In theory this should be a good thing but after the first couple of weeks, they never seem to have it activated and it always shows as "temporarily unavailable". If you call them they always say "tomorrow we will be on" or " we have a big catering job today" or " we are really busy". Oddly enough, they will offer to deliver if you order over $100 -- but the one time that I did have an order of over $100, they told me they were too busy and I would need to pick it up. You really can't get better Turkish anywhere but I wish they would remove themselves from UberEats as it is always so tempting but always "temporarily unavailable". In a way, it is probably a good thing as I would end up eating from there 2-3 times a week instead of the once or twice a month I can find the time to go do takeaway. We did a big banquet order from them at the beginning of December and it was spectacular.
7. Courgette Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 907 reviews
Reviewed By steveBatemans - batemans
Celebrating “Her” 70 th birthday with close family. Ambience muted tones, pleasant table Seating, plenty of space between tables, hushed conversations, just right for this demographic on this night.
Food quality 7.5 out of 10, most memorably the stuffed courgettes for everyone, and an interesting wine list, one of which has entered the family cellar.
Comparing prices around town it squeaks in at just ok, (440 for four inc wine).
As a total “ product” it falls in the “reliable” category rather than “edgey “ but on some occasions that’s just right.
8. Ramas Fiji Indian Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 221 reviews
Reviewed By Stephen J - Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
We went on a Friday night, the place was packed, and the noise level was way over the top. This means at least Ramas is popular and it was just the same when we visited several years ago.
On the night we visited there were several large groups with some diners shouting their heads off - management can't do much about this and the ambient noise was at uncomfortably high levels. Some of our group gave up trying to have a conversation.
The food is good, but not to the point that makes this place is so popular that you can't get a fable. Clearly Ramas is an institution on this side of town. The restaurant did pretty well service wise given the numbers of diners. We had a banquet style meal with all the usual suspects (Rogan Josh, vegetable curry, butter chicken etc).
Staff were friendly but were under the pump. The small bowls of sauce accompanying the samosas and other dishes were soon empty and were not replaced. The entrees needed the sauce and were a bit on the dry side without it. The curries were tasty enough and management was concerned to get the heat levels right for our group. We also had a vegetarian diner who was well catered for.
It was an enjoyable night, we will be back. Am keen to try the place again on a quieter night when just the two of us can explore the menu in less noisy circumstances.
The owner, Mimi, is a gem and has that unique quality of a good restaurateur of remembering the history and preferences of all her regulars. No mean feat for such a popular place.
I just wish some diners might recognise they are eating in a restaurant and are not at the footy encouraging their team over the line when they are up by a point with two minutes to go!
9. Lanterne Rooms
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 536 reviews
Reviewed By Ree_Views1 - Goulburn, Australia
Wanted a special lunch to celebrate our anniversary and was very pleased we chose Lanterne Rooms. A little surprised by the restaurant tucked away in the Campbell shops. It looks. Itching special and you would easily just walk past. Inside it is tidy and clean but nothing spectacular. The service was impeccable and we were given plenty of attention. We chose the executive lunch as this let us sample all the things that had caught our attention from the menu. Meals came out very quickly and were an explosion of flavour. Good quantity of everything. A little rest between courses would have been welcomed. Overall it was a lovely meal, we left extremely satisfied. Photos don’t do justice to the flavors.
10. Olive at Mawson
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 383 reviews
Reviewed By TWal1 - Canberra, Australia
If you are heading in a group to Olive, then the banquet options are highly recommended. Not only have they done the thinking, they have prepared a feast that will make the most discerning patron envious. After the initial courses, you are presented with chicken, lamb and pork mains that will be difficult to resist. The only problem is having enough room to fit the food in. The staff are lovely, and the service is first rate. This is an excellent fun dining experience. Worth a visit!
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