Canberra’s hospo scene has shown no signs of slowing down during the craziness of this year, bringing new innovations and unique places to dine in the capital. Check out all the new cafes, bars and restaurants that have opened in the past few months.
The Alby
Woden’s new watering hole, The Alby is fully decked out. Utilising close to 1,000 square metres, its spaces include a chefs table for private dining, beer garden, games basement, duckpin bowling, pinballs, pool tables and more! For food, enjoy a pub style menu with all your favourites, or if you book in their basement room, dine on a fiery Mexican menu.
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WILMA
Opening just in time for end-of-year celebrations, progressive Asian restaurant WILMA focuses on barbequing using primitive methods. Combining the punchy flavours of Southern Asian cuisine with locally sourced Australian produce, the restaurant’s crowd-pleasing menu will feature classics such as san choy bow, prawn toast and duck pancakes, as well as other thoughtful dishes like egg noodles with Balmain bug, steamed toothfish and scallop hot pot and a half roast duck.
Loquita
Specialising in tequila and mezcal, Loquita is the place to be for a spicy margarita and a few tacos. Located in Garema Place, join them for house made tacos with toppings like tempura fish with white cabbage and salsa, slow cooked beef rib with fried onion and horseradish yoghurt, and fried cauliflower with feta and mint yoghurt.
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Onzieme
Celebrating small plates and cheerful wines, join Onzieme in Kingston if you’re keen to experience seasonal foods and flavours, with no two visits ever the same. Keeping it fresh, for wines the team are all about minimal intervention ‘natural wines’, that are hand-picked with native yeast fermentation, that too will see an ever-changing menu.
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Miss Van’s
Finding a permanent home, the previous food van Miss Van’s has set up shop on Marcus Clarke Street in the city. Owned by Andrew Duong of Lazy Su and Baby Su, the restaurant promises Vietnamese food from the heart. For lunch you can expect delicious banh mi’s and other street foods, while for dinner, dine on a six-course degustation set menu with nostalgic flavours defined by Andrew’s family history.
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85ºC Canberra
In over 1,000 locations worldwide, 85ºC has now made the journey to Australia’s capital, serving delicious breads, cakes and drinks at affordable prices. Not only has it got Canberran’s going for the incredible sweet treats, but its perfectly pink seating area and floral backdrop has Instagram hungry customers fleeing to get the perfect shot.
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L’Americano Espresso Bar
As Canberra welcomes our first Coco Republic store, so too do we welcome their signature café and restaurant L’Americano Espresso Bar. Transporting guests to the Italian Riverina, join them for exceptional artisanal coffee and a modern Italian menu. Open for lunch and dinner, on the menu find dishes like tuna crudo, lamb ragu rigatoni, wood-fired pizza and of course, tiramisu.
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Bar Beirut
Reopening its doors this month, the new Bar Beirut is open for their usual late-night drinks in Garema Place, plus a new Middle Eastern dinner offering. With a whole new look and feel, the bar now offers Lebanese focused shared mezze plates that champion big, bold and punch flavours. A new range of cocktails will also be shaken up behind the bar, including a list of signatures and changing specials.
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5th Avenue
Bringing a new nightlife scene to the city, 5th Avenue is whisking us away to New York City for the night. Serving great cocktails as well as some tasty deli sandwiches and burgers, plus live music, the team are trying to change things up.
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Burger Villains
Helping Canberran’s break their diets but not the bank, Burger Villains in Woden is certainly villainous, but in the best way. Inspired by the humble local takeaway, but one step up, from smash patties, fried chicken and grilled halloumi, their burgers are indeed delicious.
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Coming soon
Although you might not be able to try these before the year is out, here are some venues to keep on your radar.
OMI
Specialising in premium wagyu rice bowls, OMI Japanese has secured a home in the Canberra Centre, set to open early 2022. Using only the highest quality wagyu from renowned local suppliers Sher wagyu, Blackmore and Robbins Island, OMI take their beef very seriously to ensure their customers experience the exceptional flavours of a proper wagyu.
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Super Bao Express
Super Bao have been working on something very special during lockdown, recently announcing they have a new ‘baby’ on the way called Super Bao Express. Opening in Westfield Woden, they have haven’t revealed much yet, but we’re sure you can expect more signature bao buns to-go!
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Louie Louie Gin Bar
Taking over the second floor of Verity Lane, Louie Louie Gin Bar is coming very soon. Revealing little snippets of what’s to come on Instagram, expect fancy gin, rock n roll vibes and live music.
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Looking for somewhere to kick on? Check out the best late-night spots in Canberra.
