Canberra’s dining scene continues to be a hidden gem of a hospo scene to everyone else in Australia, with two local (and newly opened) favourites earning finalist spots in this year’s Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards.

The 2025 awards are celebrating their milestone 45th year, and this years finalists showcase the diversity of Australia’s dining scene, spanning all six states across six categories: Best New Talent, Best New Restaurant, Best Bar, Best Destination Dining, Restaurant Personality of the Year, and the Readers’ Choice Icon award. Winners are set to be revealed at an exclusive ceremony taking place for the first time in Hobart, Tasmania on Monday 18 August.

Local Canberra restaurants among the standout list of finalists are Lunetta in Red Hill – nominated for Best New Restaurant, and Benn and Mork Ratanakosol of Yarralumla’s Mínima, nominated for Restaurant Personality of the Year.

Since opening late last year, Lunetta has redefined what a special occasion spot in Canberra looks like. Located in a building that’s been part of Red Hill since 1963, Lunetta is now home to a dual-level dining experience that’s turning heads for all the right reasons.

The magazine describe Lunetta as, “a casual trattoria slings excellent pizza and pasta on the ground floor, while upstairs offers caviar, oysters and premium cuts cooked on a wood-fired grill fit for a celebration”. They’re not wrong, it’s the kind of place where big celebrations, long lunches and date nights deserve to be.

Brothers Benn and Mork Ratanakosol are being recognised for the heart and personality they have been bringing to Canberra’s hospitality scene over the many years. The pair launched their new venture Mínima last year, a wine bar blending Asian flavours with European techniques – what they describe as “third culture” cooking. Beloved by the local hospo community, a visit to their 22-seater is like dropping into a friend’s place, warm and welcoming.

Well known for their earlier ventures at Morks in Kingston, and before that, family-run Sukothai in Yarralumla. This latest nod from Gourmet Traveller is a well-earned moment for brothers who’ve helped shape the capital’s dining scene.

Nicky Briger, Head of Luxury, Are Media, says the awards continue to showcase the very best in Australian dining, “for over four decades, these awards have celebrated the innovation and excellence that define Australia’s world-class dining scene – and this year’s 45th anniversary makes it even more special as we gather in Hobart for the first time to honour the chefs and restaurants that continue to shape our dining culture.”

Winners will be revealed in Gourmet Traveller’s September issue, hitting stands Monday 25 August, alongside the annual Top 100 Restaurant Guide.

In the meantime, if you needed another excuse to lock in a dinner with family, friends or someone special – consider this a sign. Two of the country’s most exciting dining experiences are right here in little old Canberra.

Browse the full list of finalists on Gourmet Traveller’s website here.