The 20 Best Restaurants in Canberra

Raku

Japanese · Canberra CBD

Raku is a Japanese restaurant and bar in the heart of Canberra, and it describes itself as sleek and modern, offering a unique dining experience. Its head sushi chef is Hao Chen. Several readers name it as their favourite restaurant, with one calling it her pick in Canberra and another placing it close behind a long-standing love of her own. It suits a relaxed meal out with good company.

“My favourite restaurant is Raku.” — Ruth

“My favorite restaurant is Raku.” — Sue

“Favourite restaurant is Courgette. Followed by Raku.” — Robyn

Also picked by Guy, Dale, Carmen, Drew — and 7 more.

Shop DG36C/148 Bunda St, Canberra ACT 2601 · Website

Les Bistronomes

Fine dining · Campbell

Les Bistronomes serves contemporary French dining in Campbell, and the venue describes its approach as seasonal menus, degustations, fine wines and exceptional hospitality, led by Chef Clément Chauvin. Several readers name it as a favourite, with one calling it their current choice and another weighing it up against a second local pick. Helen praises the food and the polished service. It suits a long, unhurried dinner for a special occasion.

“A toss up between Courgettes and Les Bistronomes.” — Phil

“Currently it's Pronto. Also love Azima and Les Bistronomes.” — Alison

“I think Les Bistronomes is my fave.” — Paulette

Also picked by Chris, Tony, Josephine, Julie — and 4 more.

18 Blamey Pl, Campbell ACT 2612 · Website

Courgette

Modern European · Canberra CBD

Courgette is a Modern European restaurant in the Canberra city centre, run by Chef James Mussillon. The venue describes its dining as luxurious, with a sophisticated atmosphere and quality fine wines. Several readers name it as a favourite, one calling it their pick for an upmarket meal, and another saying it suits the special dinners out. It is the sort of place people choose when an occasion deserves a proper night.

“Courgette, for the special dinners out.”

“A toss up between Courgettes and Les Bistronomes.” — Phil

“Favourite restaurant is Courgette. Followed by Raku.” — Robyn

Also picked by Dianne, Allan, Stephanie, Lynn — and 1 more.

54 Marcus Clarke St, Canberra ACT 2601 · Website

Bellucci's

Italian · Griffith

“Ottoman for special occasions, Bellucci's for more frequent dining out.” — Ian

Also picked by Julie, David, Valda.

Franklin St &, Furneaux St, Griffith ACT 2603 · Website

Ottoman

Turkish · Barton

Ottoman is a Turkish restaurant in Barton, and it also lists itself as fine dining with Mediterranean influences and a function room. The venue describes its cuisine as innovative Turkish food, and says no one in Australia does it quite like they do. Readers treat it as a place for special occasions, and one is delighted that it has reopened. Several name it as a personal favourite for a celebration.

“Ottoman for special occasions, Bellucci's for more frequent dining out.” — Ian

“Ottoman is my absolute fave! So happy they're back!” — Christa

Named by 4 readers.

9 Broughton St, Barton ACT 2600 · Website

Anatolia

Mediterranean · Wanniassa

“Close to home that we go to regularly.” — Matt

“The most beautiful experience (meal, service).” — Glynis

Named by 3 readers.

9 Gartside St, Wanniassa ACT 2903 · Website

China Tea House

Chinese · Wanniassa

China Tea House is a Chinese restaurant in Wanniassa, in Canberra's south. The venue describes its food as authentic Chinese cuisine, with dim sum, noodles and stir fry on offer. A few readers mention it, which suggests it has a loyal local following. It suits a relaxed meal with family or friends, whether you come for a yum cha-style spread or a simple plate of noodles.

Picked by Gerry, Shell — and 1 more.

2/38-70 Gartside St, Wanniassa ACT 2903 · Website

La Rustica

Italian · Kingston

La Rustica is an Italian restaurant in Kingston, Canberra, and a few readers have named it as a place they like. The restaurant describes its food as authentic Italian cooking and its setting as lakeside. It says guests can either dine in by the water or take their meal home with them.

Picked by Somone — and 2 more.

Eastlake Parade & Trevillian Quay, Kingston ACT 2604 · Website

Lamshed's

Australian · Yarralumla

Picked by Bernadette, Stephen, Sue.

Unit 2/27 Bentham St, Yarralumla ACT 2600 · Website

Lanterne Rooms

Asian · Campbell

Lanterne Rooms is a Malaysian Nyonya restaurant in Campbell, and it calls itself a beloved neighbourhood place. The venue says its cooking is known for bold Nyonya flavours and dishes with an "A-ma" soul, a nod to grandma's kitchen. Readers keep coming back to it, with one calling it a perennial favourite and another placing it high on her personal list. It suits a relaxed meal built around familiar, home-style flavours.

“Lanterne Rooms is a perennial favourite!” — Leanne

“Right up there for me is Lanterne Rooms.” — Michelle

Named by 3 readers.

Ground Floor of ISKIA EAST Building, 81 Constitution Ave, Campbell ACT 2612 · Website

Lunetta

Fine dining · Red Hill

Lunetta is an Italian-inspired fine dining restaurant in Red Hill, set upstairs, with a cocktail bar and rooms for functions as well. The venue describes its setting as romantic and says it offers panoramic views. A few readers name it as a place they return to, and the general feeling is of a restaurant that suits a slow, special evening. It seems made for anniversaries, celebrations and dinners worth dressing up for.

Picked by Carmel, Patsie — and 1 more.

Upstairs, 60 Red Hill Dr, Red Hill ACT 2603 · Website

Pho Hub

Vietnamese · Belconnen

“Pho Hub. Belconnen. family friendly.” — Robyn

Also picked by Sharon, Kerrie.

39 Benjamin Way, Belconnen ACT 2617 · Website

Pilot

Ainslie

Pilot is a small restaurant in the Canberra suburb of Ainslie. The venue describes its food as unique and nostalgic, served as seasonal tasting menus with all-Australian drinks to match. The dining room is intimate, with seating for only a small group at a time. A few readers named it as a favourite, so it seems to suit those who like a relaxed, unhurried evening out. It suits a special dinner worth settling in for.

Picked by Jo — and 2 more.

1 Wakefield Gardens, Ainslie ACT 2612 · Website

Q Dining

Vietnamese · Phillip

Q Dining is a Vietnamese restaurant in Phillip, Canberra, where the menu is modern Saigon cuisine with an Asian influence. The venue also runs as a cocktail bar and offers function options for different occasions. A few readers named it, and one says she could not choose a favourite place but loved her recent meal here. It suits a relaxed night out or a gathering with friends.

“I can't pick a favourite. Did love Q Dining recently though!” — Cathy

Also picked by Jennifer, Stephen.

Albemarle, Albemarle Building, G03/45 Furzer St, Phillip ACT 2606 · Website

Rakkas

Turkish · Kingston

Rakkas is a Turkish restaurant in Kingston, and it describes itself as modern Turkish dining on the foreshore. The menu offers a long tasting experience called Sound of Istanbul, as well as à la carte choices and signature cocktails. A few readers named it, and one says it is the sort of place he saves for special occasions, while he picks other spots for everyday dining out. It suits a celebration meal.

“Ottoman for special occasions, Bellucci's for more frequent dining out.” — Ian

Also picked by David — and 1 more.

18/19 Eastlake Parade, Kingston ACT 2604 · Website

Akiba

Asian fusion · Canberra CBD

Akiba is an Asian restaurant and cocktail bar on Bunda Street in the heart of Canberra. The venue says it brings bold Asian flavours to the city, blending Australia's Asian influences with innovative dishes and a lively bar scene. It is listed as Asian fusion, with a barbecue side and a cocktail bar attached. It suits a relaxed night out with friends, a shared meal and a drink or two.

Picked by Jennifer — and 1 more.

40 Bunda St, Canberra ACT 2601 · Website

Andre's Osteria

Italian · Weston

“One of my top restaurants would be Lazy Su. They never disappoint.”

Picked by Nick — and 1 more.

35 Brierly St, Weston ACT 2611 · Website

Azima

Lebanese · Canberra CBD

Azima is a Lebanese restaurant in the heart of Canberra, and it describes itself as a traditional Lebanese restaurant in the city. A few readers mention it, and one says she loves it, naming it alongside other places she enjoys when she wants a good meal out. Her mention suggests Azima is somewhere people return to happily. It suits an easy city lunch or a relaxed dinner with company.

“Currently it's Pronto. Also love Azima and Les Bistronomes.” — Alison

“Special family occasions - Rubicon / Raku.” — Drew

Unit 1/222 City Walk, Canberra ACT 2601 · Website

Black Salt

Australian · Kingston

Black Salt is an Australian restaurant in Kingston, and it describes its focus as a complete lakeside dining experience built around contemporary Australian food. A few readers recommend it. One of them mentions the wide range of meals on offer, and says the location is quiet and the views are good. That makes it a calm choice for an unhurried lunch or dinner, in keeping with the lakeside experience the restaurant sets out to give.

“Wide range of meals, quiet location, good views.” — Jill

Also picked by Di.

Opposite Go Boat, Unit 28/6 Trevillian Quay, Kingston ACT 2604 · Website

Bookplate

Cafe · Parkes

Bookplate is a cafe in Parkes, inside the National Library of Australia in Canberra. It is known for breakfast, coffee and lunch, and a few readers name it as a place they like to go. Nothing about it is fussy: it is a cafe attached to a library, and that seems to suit the people who mention it. The library says Bookplate is open every day of the week, with its sister cafe, Paperplate, open on weekdays.

Picked by Janine — and 1 more.

National Library of Australia, 25 Parkes Pl W, Parkes ACT 2600 · Website