Canberra’s dining scene is a hidden gem, blending creativity, diverse flavors, and unique settings that foodies will love. Known for its fresh local produce, innovative chefs, and global cuisines, the city’s restaurants offer meals that are as memorable as their surroundings.
Imagine savoring modern Australian dishes at a lakeside venue like The Boat House, enjoying authentic Japanese omakase at Raku, or indulging in smoky barbecue at a retro-inspired diner like Soul Cartel. Craving something different? Try a vegan feast at Sweet Bones Café or an underground dining experience at Molly, a 1920s-style speakeasy.
Whether you’re after bold flavors, creative plating, or quirky vibes, Canberra’s restaurants bring it all. In this guide, we’re diving into 10 must-visit spots that redefine what it means to dine in the nation’s capital.
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Quirky places to eat in Canberra, Australia
Ready to explore Canberra’s best eateries? We’ve got everything from fusion dishes that blend Indonesian and Japanese cuisines to authentic Burmese meals that will transport you straight to Yangon. Join me on a tour of the quirkiest places to eat in Canberra.
Ever thought about savoring French onion soup in a spot that feels like a cozy Parisian bistro nestled in Deakin? Canberra’s dining scene has it all, ready for you to discover. Let’s dive into the most unique restaurants in Canberra.
1. Naadam Restaurant
- 📍 Location: City Centre
- 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Mongolian / Nomadic Cuisine
- 🔥 Standout Features: Authentic Mongolian dumplings, grilled meats, traditional nomadic decor.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Adventurous eaters, meat lovers, fans of Mongolian cuisine.
Get ready for a culinary expedition to the vast plains of Mongolia at Naadam Restaurant in Canberra’s city centre! This unique spot offers a genuine taste of nomadic cuisine, with traditional decor that transports you straight to a cozy ger. The air is fragrant with the scent of grilled meats and savory spices.
A true Mongolian feast here involves trying their incredible buuz (steamed meat dumplings) or the hearty khuushuur (fried meat pastries). Their grilled lamb dishes are also a standout. It’s a warm, welcoming place that offers a fascinating and delicious glimpse into a rarely found cuisine.
2. Kita
- 📍 Location: Narrabundah
- 💲 Price range: $15 – $30 per person (Primarily breakfast/brunch/cafe)
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Indonesian Cafe / All-Night Breakfast
- 🔥 Standout Features: Late-night Indonesian breakfast cafe, unique all-day comfort food.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Night owls, breakfast lovers, Indonesian food fans.
When those late-night cravings hit (or an super early breakfast calls!), Kita in Narrabundah is your shining beacon of deliciousness! This gem is renowned as Canberra’s only dedicated late-night cafe, often slinging amazing Indonesian-inspired breakfast and comfort food 24/7 on weekends. The aroma of sweet kaya toast and brewing coffee is a welcome scent at 3 AM.
You’ll be delighted by their signature Indonesian fried rice (nasi goreng) or the comforting bubur ayam (chicken congee). It’s a lifesaver for shift workers, students, and anyone who believes breakfast food is an all-day affair.
3. Rama’s Fiji Indian Restaurant
- 📍 Location: Pearce
- 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Fijian-Indian
- 🔥 Standout Features: Fijian-Indian fusion curries, vibrant island flavors, family-run warmth.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Curry enthusiasts, South Pacific flavor seekers, casual family dining.
Bula! Get ready for a flavor-packed journey to the islands at Rama’s Fiji Indian Restaurant in Pearce. This beloved spot serves up authentic and incredibly delicious Fijian-Indian cuisine, a unique culinary tradition born from Fiji’s history. The air is fragrant with exotic spices, coconut, and simmering curries.
A visit here is an invitation to savor their incredible Fijian goat curry or the flavorful fish suruwa (fish curry with coconut milk). Their roti and dhal are also essential accompaniments. It’s a warm, welcoming place that offers a true taste of island hospitality and unique, vibrant flavors.
4. Myanmar Corner
- 📍 Location: City Centre
- 💲 Price range: $15 – $30 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Burmese / Southeast Asian
- 🔥 Standout Features: Authentic Burmese noodle dishes and salads, bold Southeast Asian flavors.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Explorers of Burmese cuisine, salad lovers, adventurous diners.
Discover the delicious and often under-explored flavors of Myanmar at Myanmar Corner! This city centre gem offers an authentic taste of Burmese cuisine, known for its unique blend of savory, sour, and spicy notes, and its incredible textures. The aroma of lemongrass, ginger, and fermented tea leaves is captivating.
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You will be thrilled by their traditional laphet thoke (fermented tea leaf salad) or a comforting bowl of mohinga (fish noodle soup), Myanmar’s national dish. Their curries are also wonderfully aromatic. It’s a fantastic spot to broaden your culinary horizons.
5. Canteen
- 📍 Location: Dairy Road, Fyshwick – within Capital Brewing Co.
- 💲 Price range: $15 – $25 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: American BBQ / Brewery Food
- 🔥 Standout Features: Smoky American BBQ, craft beers inside a brewery setting.
- 🎯 Perfect For: BBQ fans, craft beer drinkers, casual group outings.
Get your craft beer and barbecue fix at Canteen, located right inside the popular Capital Brewing Co. at Dairy Road! This spot is slinging some seriously good, smoky American BBQ and brewpub fare that’s the perfect accompaniment to a fresh pint. The air is a glorious mix of hops and hickory smoke.
A wise choice involves grabbing a tray of their tender brisket or some juicy pulled pork, along with classic sides like mac and cheese or slaw. It’s a super casual, lively, and totally satisfying experience for beer and BBQ lovers.
6. INKA
- 📍 Location: City Centre
- 💲 Price range: $40 – $80+ per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Modern Peruvian / Japanese Fusion (Nikkei)
- 🔥 Standout Features: Sophisticated Peruvian-Japanese fusion (Nikkei), artistic plating, elegant vibe.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Fine diners, fusion food lovers, special occasions.
Prepare for a breathtaking fusion of cultures and flavors at INKA in Canberra’s city centre! This stunning restaurant specializes in Nikkei cuisine, a sophisticated blend of Peruvian ingredients and Japanese culinary techniques. The decor is elegant and contemporary, setting the stage for an artistic meal.
A meal here is an invitation to explore dishes like exquisite ceviche with a yuzu tang, delicate sashimi with Andean influences, or perfectly grilled anticuchos (skewers). It’s a truly unique and memorable fine dining journey that will wow your senses.
7. Street of Asia
- 📍 Location: Braddon
- 💲 Price range: $15 – $30 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Pan-Asian / Street Food
- 🔥 Standout Features: Wide variety of Asian street food, lively atmosphere, quick flavorful meals.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Groups with diverse tastes, casual dinners, street food fans.
Take a whirlwind tour of Asia’s best street food without leaving Braddon at Street of Asia! This bustling spot offers a diverse and delicious menu featuring popular dishes from across the continent, from Thai curries to Japanese katsu and Vietnamese pho. The air is a tantalizing mix of soy, ginger, chili, and countless other aromatic spices.
You can’t go wrong with their flavorful pad see ew, a comforting bowl of laksa, or some crispy spring rolls. It’s the perfect place to go with a group when everyone’s craving something different but equally delicious.
8. Little Istanbul
- 📍 Location: Tuggeranong
- 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Turkish
- 🔥 Standout Features: Authentic Turkish kebabs, traditional meze, family-friendly environment.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Turkish cuisine lovers, casual family meals, hearty eats.
Get ready for a taste of Turkey that’s big on flavor at Little Istanbul in Tuggeranong! This spot serves up authentic and delicious Turkish cuisine in a warm, family-friendly atmosphere. The aroma of grilling meats, fresh herbs, and baking bread is simply irresistible.
For a true Turkish feast, be sure to order a platter of their succulent mixed grill kebabs or a selection of their flavorful meze, including hummus, baba ghanoush, and stuffed vine leaves. Their pide (Turkish pizza) is also fantastic.
9. Dada
- 📍 Location: City Centre
- 💲 Price range: $25 – $50 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Modern Australian / Asian Fusion / Eclectic
- 🔥 Standout Features: Creative modern Australian-Asian fusion, seasonal local ingredients, stylish setting.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Foodies, fans of innovative dishes, upscale casual dining.
Prepare for a culinary experience that’s as artful as it is delicious at Dada in Canberra’s city centre. This stylish restaurant offers modern Australian cuisine with strong Asian influences, resulting in creative, beautifully presented dishes that are a feast for the eyes and the palate. They have a keen focus on seasonal, local produce.
A visit here might include indulging in delicate kingfish crudo with yuzu and chili, or a perfectly cooked duck breast with Asian greens. It’s a sophisticated spot for a memorable meal that’s both innovative and deeply flavorful.
10. Pilot.
- 📍 Location: Ainslie Shops
- 💲 Price range: $100 – $180+ per person (Tasting Menu)
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Modern Australian / Innovative / Fine Dining
- 🔥 Standout Features: Acclaimed tasting menus, seasonal and unique Australian ingredients, creative and artistic plating.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Adventurous foodies, special occasions, fine dining enthusiasts, and experiencing innovative Australian cuisine.
Prepare for a culinary flight of fancy at Pilot. in Ainslie. This highly-regarded restaurant offers an innovative and exciting take on modern Australian fine dining, with a strong focus on seasonal, unique, and high-quality ingredients presented through creative tasting menus. It’s an adventure for your palate.
The menu changes frequently to reflect the best of what’s available. Expect dishes that are both visually stunning and incredibly flavorful, showcasing inventive techniques. You might find unique preparations of local seafood, creative vegetable-forward courses, or perfectly cooked Australian game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the quirkiest restaurants in Canberra
Are you searching for more information about where to eat in Canberra? Here are some common questions (and answers) I get asked a lot about Canberra’s most unique restaurants.
What food is Canberra known for?
Canberra’s food scene is eclectic. You’ll find everything from hearty Australian classics to innovative fusion dishes. The city is particularly known for its truffles, especially during the winter months, and its vibrant café culture that serves up some of the best coffee and brunches around, making it one of the destinations for unique restaurants in Australia.
What is unique about Canberra?
Canberra is unique because it’s a city designed with purpose and nature in mind. Unlike other bustling capitals, it’s filled with green spaces, national parks, and lakes. Plus, its status as Australia’s capital means you’ve got access to some of the country’s most significant cultural institutions and monuments, making it an appealing destination for those who fly to Australia.
What is Canberra best known for?
Canberra is best known as the political heart of Australia, home to Parliament House, the High Court, and numerous national museums and galleries, making it a gem in Oceania.
Is Canberra a walkable city?
Yes, Canberra is surprisingly walkable, especially around the central areas and the parliamentary triangle. For a city of its size, it’s easy to get around on foot to explore Australia’s beautiful spots, including the major sights, parks, and lakes. Plus, there are plenty of bike paths and public transport options when you want to venture further, making it one of the top places to live and visit in Australia.
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