Looking for a new local? If you love trying new places to eat around the capital, make this your ultimate hit list! Plus keep your eyes out for news of the opening of any ‘coming soon’ venues.
Big Box Barbeque – Narrabundah
Big Box Barbecue, led by chef Michael Box, has hit Narrabundah with its Texas‑style meats serving 16‑hour smoked Wagyu brisket, pulled pork, free‑range chicken and hearty sides that sells out within hours. It’s a smoky sensation bringing authentic, locally sourced barbecued meats to Canberra’s food scene. Open Sundays only from 11:30am until sold out at Iluka St Market.
Sliceria – City
Sliceria is the capital’s newest Roman‑style pizza place, led by world‑ranked pizzaiolo Chef Hem. Stop in and watch on as he serves up airy, 72‑hour fermented slices by the slab alongside loaded schiacciata sandwiches and classic Roman sweets for a laid‑back grab‑and‑go experience.
Lounge Room – Kingsborough
Get cosy at Lounge Room, Canberra’s new go‑to neighbourhood spot with the pair from HighRoad and On Lonsdale behind it. Set yourself up in the relaxed, community-focused space, and sip on a ONA Coffee, while you enjoy Italian sandwiches, bagels and fresh salads by day, or unwind with wood-fired pizza and local wines.
Andre’s Osteria – Weston
Weston’s new Mediterranean dining room and bar, Andre’s Osteria has that cosy neighbourhood charm backed by delicious, seasonal dishes. For lovers of pasta, you’re in luck with standouts including wagyu short rib lasagne, lamb shoulder ragu mafaldine and frutti di mare linguine. Meanwhile, also find plates like carbonara arancini, chicken piccata and Mum’s chocolate mousse.
Shaw Estate Restaurant – Murrumbateman
Murrumbateman’s Shaw Estate has finally reopened with a new Mediterranean-inspired restaurant. Bringing a refined yet relaxed dining experience to the winery, the menu is deeply rooted in Italian tradition while celebrating local and seasonal ingredients. From handmade pasta to wood-fired seafood and rustic shared plates, perfectly pair it with Shaw’s wine list or a curated list of national and international drops.
Fresca – Queanbeyan
Bringing the traditional Tuscan schiacciata bread and authentic Italian ingredients to the heart of Queanbeyan, Fresca is your new hole-in-the-wall sandwich spot. With what took two research trips to Italy to perfect, Fresca’s schiacciata dough recipe takes about 24 hours to make and is much more complex than a pizza or focaccia dough. Once the bread is baked to golden perfection, it is stuffed with delicious Italian meats, cheese, vegetables and sauces. The menu includes flavours like the Mortadella Schiacciata, which is filled with crema di pistachio, mortadella, stracciatella, and crushed pistachio.
Keep your eyes peeled too, there’s one coming to the City Centre!
Lunetta – Red Hill
Reopening as an elevated dining destination, the iconic Red Hill Lookout now boasts two venues – Lunetta, a refined restaurant occupying the first floor and Lunetta Trattoria, a relaxed neighbourhood bar located on the ground floor. A fresh, local and considered Italian-inspired menu cooked with fire, Lunetta leans into elevated dishes like Tathra duck with morcilla, beetroot, currents, radicchio and hazelnut, while Lunetta Trattoria keeps things a little more casual, where spritzes in the sun are encouraged over antipasto and freshly made pasta.
On Lonsdale – Braddon
Lonsdale Street’s newest café, On Lonsdale specialises in Korean-inspired cuisine, particularly sandos. Blending both traditional and innovative flavours with soft shokupan milk bread, the sandos are packed with locally sourced ingredients and include fillings like ‘Nanban Chicken’ with soft-fried sweet soy chicken, chunky tartare and yuzu aioli, and ‘Sando-O-Fish’ with a house-made fish patty, American cheddar, chunky tartare, lettuce, dill pickle and yuzu aioli. Aside from sandos, get your morning coffee or matcha, as well as rice bowls and poke bowls.
Coming soon:
Outro
Teasing their launch on Instagram, the team behind Terra and Recess have another venue on the horizon. Outro is coming soon to Lonsdale St, and from what we can gather, expect an insanely cool listening lounge bar.
Tintino Bar
Also quietly making its debut on Instagram or if you’ve walked past the space in Kingston, Tintino Bar is a specialty wine shop and kitchen promising ‘great juice, small plates, smooth vibes’ – that’s all they’re revealing for now.
Check out our dining page for all the latest food news in Canberra.
