Recharge and Renew at These Five RCA-winning Canberra Restaurants.

Canberra is renowned for being a 100% renewable energy city, with about 70% of the ACT dedicated to nature parks.

After expending all that energy checking out what is on offer in our nation’s capital, visitors and locals alike need to take time to refuel and recharge at an award-winning dining destination.

Continuing on our delicious drive around Australia of 2023 Readers’ Choice award-winning restaurants, we have five multicultural ACT locations that will satisfy any hunger growl:  

Bathed in morning sunlight, Braddon Merchant on Elouera Street in Canberra is a bright, modern deli-style eatery with a smart European feel. Nestled on the ground floor of the Midnight Hotel in the heart of Braddon, this restaurant is sophisticated in presentation, smart in service and authentic in dining experience.

 

From breakfast to dinner, relax in surrounds of blond wood and potted greenery and peruse a menu offering choices like grilled oyster blade Wagyu chimichurri and charred broccolini.

Those looking for a cosy corner café to hang out with a coffee in Holt head to Bunny Beans Café on Hardwick Crescent. Named after owner Bernard’s nickname, this café exudes rustic charm from recycled timber, exposed brick and dark wood table settings; while on balmy Canberra days, take to the alfresco area with your fur baby to people watch.

 

Pair a brew of choice with breaky plates like smashed avocado, feta, sourdough, poached eggs, mushrooms, sesame and Nigella seeds and pepita; or buttermilk crispy fried chicken, a Parmesan waffle, bacon and maple syrup.

For authentic Italian run by Canberra stalwart Carlo Tosolini, look no further than Molto Italian at the Kingston Foreshore. This seaside trattoria boasts modern interiors of high ceilings, dark wooden table settings and an open kitchen and bar, alongside a wood-fired pizza oven.

 

Best enjoyed with family and friends, Molto’s menu reads like a romance where hand-cut pasta and extensive stuzzichini choices beckon to be shared. Delve into signature spaghetti cacio e pepe straight from the wheel of pecorino and served at the table.

Situated on Kingston Foreshore, Wild Duck Fine Asian Cuisine fuses the vibrant flavours of the Orient delivering them in warm, elegant surrounds. Using the classic elements of golden-hued lighting, white linen, plush beige chairs and teardrop lanterns, this stylish restaurant sets the tone for intimate dining, where the décor is as well presented as the dishes that follow.

 

Taking diners on a journey through Asia’s various regions, the menu features dishes like pan-seared Hokkaido scallops, green curry, kale and leek oil; before larger plates of aged duck breast, baby spinach, mixed forest mushrooms, tempura enoki and porcini powder.

Take in the sounds of sizzling hot pots and tantalising aromas wafting from the kitchen at Portia’s Place on Kennedy Street in Kingston. This restaurant comes alive with the consistent hum of lively chatter in warm and inviting surroundings, making it a hub of food and fun for Canberra locals.

 

Showcasing around 50 main dishes, Portia’s impressive à la carte menu is a feast for the eyes and an experience for the senses; think char siu roast pork in plum sauce with sides of seasonal mixed vegetables and steamed rice.