Canberra’s Flourishing Foodie Scene

The ‘foodie’ craze that hit the world might’ve taken a little while longer to hit Canberra, but when it did, it hit hard.

Over the last few years, the growing interest in thoughtful and well-prepared food has led to an influx of new eateries and watering holes, which in turn led to an invasion of food bloggers – a recipe for a perfect foodie storm that has since put Canberra on the culinary map.

2016 saw an abundance of new restaurants, cafes, bars, food trucks and pop-ups pop up all over the place, much to the delight of indulgently eager locals and visitors. And 2017 was no different.

With open mouths, Canberra welcomed venues like Au Nguyen Vegan, a pop-up at ANU, RAKU, Kokomo’s, Brodburger, Agostinis, The Kingston Collective, Olive at Hawker, Bourbon Street Kitchen, Circula, Highgate House, Gus’ Place, Lolo and Lola, Stanley’s, DL Collective, MOLO Live, Mookie Burger, The Doughnut Department, Olleyville, Capital Brewing Co brewery, Highroad, East Street Canberra, 88mph, Podilato, Baked, Mama Dough, Meadow, Hello Hanoi … and the list goes on.

In addition to that lengthy (and incomplete) hit list, here are a few stand outs that are worth loosening the belt for.

Blood n Bones

Started by three good mates in their 20s, Blood n Bones is a pop-up restaurant that serves up “sustainable, nose to tail” dishes aimed at proving that offal and offcuts can be delicious.

Milkys Diner

Located in the original spot of its sister eatery (Milkcrate), Milkys Diner pays homage to old-school American diners. Get stuck into short stacks of pancakes, cajun fried shrimp, hot dogs, Philly cheese steak sandwiches, Po’ boys, shakes and cracking sausage and poached egg bagels.

Pialligo Estate

After surviving a fire last October, Pialligo Estate was back up and running in record time to serve up their new (less fine dining and more laid back eating) menu. You’ll have trouble finding a more picturesque setting to wine and dine than the estate gardens.

The Goods Wholefoods

You can find this salad bar in Civic’s No Name Lane. Their rotating menu is made up of freshly made and mostly gluten-free, dairy-free salads, brekky bowls, smoothies, and life-changing toast with toppings. We’re talking about beetroot hummus on thick cut Sonoma wholemeal miche with roasted rosemary pumpkin and hazelnut dukkah. Toast has never been this good.

Maple Bar

Go upstairs at Civic Bar Treehouse and you’ll find the new Maple Bar, which besides being a decent place for a tipple, has a cheeky or ridiculous (depending on the individual) house rule that men are forbidden from approaching women and women have to make the first move.

words by niall roeder