Dining and Drinking

Canberra's wining and dining scene will come as a pleasant surprise to many visitors. For a city of its size, there is a great variety of restaurants, cafes and bars; ranging from upmarket venues catering to politicians and executives, through to cheap and cheerful establishments frequented by university students.

You will find an abundance of international restaurants, trendy cafes,
tapas bars and stylish dining venues. Pavement dining is particularly popular and "Canberrans" can spend hours over a leisurely lunch in the sun! The quality of cuisine in the region is excellent, thanks to a smorgasbord of fresh produce, including seafood and excellent local wines.

Being the well-planned place it is, Canberra's main drinking and dining venues tend to be clustered in certain suburbs. However, there are a few notable establishments located outside the main centres that are definitely worth a visit.

Dickson

Great for families and those heading out for tasty, well-priced food. Wooley Street, Dickson, is dedicated almost exclusively to exciting, international cuisine. For Italian, check out Zeffirelli's which serves inexpensive yet consistently great pizzas and pastas, and Belluci's Trattoria, an old favorite. If you are after Chinese, try the Ruby Restaurant, which has an authentic Cantonese menu and fabulous seafood. New Shanghai has great yum-cha on weekends. For Japanese, head to Sakura for sushi or teppanyaki. If you are after something less exotic,El Dorado's, an American-style bar and grill, serves great steak and chips.

Manuka

Manuka is the home of Canberra's stylish cafe society. The streets are lined with boutiques, restaurants and cafes. Tables and chairs spill onto the street and many people come simply to "be seen" sipping flat white coffees under the trees! A consistent favorite with locals and visitors alike is Caph's, a well-established, bustling restaurant and cafe. For something more up market, try The Tryst, which offers sophisticated, mid-priced modern cuisine; patrons can sit inside or people-watch from the outdoor tables. Fine dining is also well represented with Atlantic and Daniel's regularly patronized by Canberra's discerning diners.

Kingston

Kingston is a bustling, picturesque square, famous for its outdoor cafes. Soak up the sunshine over a coffee and brunch at Zest Cafe, or gossip over champagne and lunch at the Holy Grail. Come evening, the Holy Grail transforms into a trendy night-spot with live bands and an upwardly mobile clientèle. La Rustica, with its Tuscan decor and hearty Italian food, is a perennial favorite and Tang Dynasty serves truly divine Asian cuisine in luxurious surroundings. Kingston is also the home of British pubs, with Filthy McFadden's and the Durham Castle Arms serving up Guinness, fine scotch and live music until late.

Civic

The central shopping area abounds with stylish restaurants and alfresco cafes. During the day, shoppers and executives relax in the sun over Mediterranean-inspired dishes at laid back cafes like Caffe Della Piazza, Red Back Cafe and Woodstock.

For a night out with a group of friends, you can not go past the party atmosphere (and a margarita or three!) at Montezuma's. Other destinations for get togethers are the Australian Pizza Kitchen and the ever-popular Little Saigon. Antigo's, with its friendly service, contemporary menu, modern decor and large outdoor seating area is where revelers ready themselves for a night on the town.

Civic is the hub of Canberra's eclectic nightlife, where virtually anyone is guaranteed a great Saturday night. Heaven Nite Club and the Red Room cater to the hard-core dance crowd, with live local and national DJ acts. Insomnia, Babylon and Pandora's attract the hip young things, with more mainstream dance music and plenty of neon atmosphere. Gypsy Bar is grungier, with pool tables, a dance floor, live music and a friendly, laid back feel. If you are after a beer and a laugh, head to the Wig and Pen or PJ O'Reilly's—both cozy wood-paneled pubs serving Guinness and steak and kidney pies to university students.

West Row

Canberra's new trendy strip is West Row, Civic. Attracting young executives, Touch and Chatfish serve up exquisite dishes for modern gourmets. Next door is Corvo's Wine and Oyster Bar which features an ice waterfall, a large range of imported beers and a well-heeled clientèle.

Braddon

Braddon is a main business district and tends to cater to the after-work crowd. Arguably the best bar in Canberra, All Saints Tapas Bar, with its cool interior, distinctly urban feel and friendly service, is a regular watering hole for many. Also worth a visit in Braddon are O Stratos (where you will actually believe you are on a Greek Island) and Mosaics, a fun, vibrant brasserie and bar.

Suburban

Many of Canberra's suburbs harbor little gems known only to locals. Of particular note is Tilley's Devine Cafe and Gallery in Lyneham, an art deco lunch spot which becomes a great live music venue at night. All Bar Nun in O'Connor is an unpretentious, laid back bar, perfect for a quiet weekend drink. And if you are after top-quality international cuisine, head to Belconnen for Indian (The Tandoor, Taj Agra), to Weston for Thai (River Kwai, Thai House) and to Stavro's Restaurant at Phillip for an authentic Greek meal.

Fine Dining

If you prefer to dine with linen tablecloths, matching napkins and superior wine lists, Canberra has a lovely selection of fine dining venues. Jean-Pierre avec Fringe Benefits serves French with a modern twist and the restaurant features a walk-in wine cellar. The Chairman and Yip is famous for its Asian-inspired cuisine. The Cavalier, located at the Red Hill lookout, and the Boathouse, set on Lake Burley Griffin, lay claim to some of the best views in Canberra. Visitors will be pleased to discover that the food, ambiance, and caliber of these restaurants are most certainly of an international standard.

All restaurants and cafes in Canberra are non-smoking.

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