Posted on 17 September, 2024
A new cocktail bar is transforming Fyshwick, a Korean café is transporting tastebuds in City West, you can find the northside’s best sandwiches in Gungahlin, and freshly made maritozzo in Kingston.
This is your foodie news for September.
Très Bon! A French pâtisserie opens to bring alllll the sweet treats
And yes, there are freshly baked croissants, baguettes, and tarts.
Starting as a pastry shop in Melbourne before moving to Canberra, Lilette is bringing a slice of Paris to Dickson. Serving traditional French breakfast and lunch dishes (as well as plenty of sweet treats) everything is made in house by two passionate pastry chefs. But you’ll want to get to this café early – they sell out fast.
Are these the best sandwiches in Gungahlin?
Serving Italian sandwiches on freshly baked schiacciata and focaccia panini bread, Caffé al Lago has recently opened to sling what might just be the best sandwiches on the northside – and you’ll have to try one for yourself.
Baked fresh to order, big enough to share and full of fresh ingredients – from the combination of prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and balsamic vinegar to eggs, ajvar, marinated goats cheese, and fresh tomato – there’s sure to be something to make your mouth water.
The best part? Caffé al Lago is located on Yerrabi Pond so you can have your sandwich with a side of lake views.
Craving Indian? Amara is a new restaurant that raises the bar
Indian is always a good idea, but if you’re looking for a restaurant with the perfect balance of spice and sophistication, Amara is the new place to go.
Located in Civic’s historic Melbourne Building, in the kitchen you’ll find two chefs who have more than 50 years of combined cooking experience. The result? A menu that focuses on providing the “best” versions of much-loved dishes – from dosa to Chicken Tikka.
Read more here.
Civic Square has a new pop-up bar and they had us at a cheese toastie and wine pairing
Looking for a new location to wet your whistle? An artisanal bar has popped up in the heart of the city. And with Le Cheeserie, Ravensworth Wines & Capital Brewing Co. joining forces at this drinking destination, the dress code is “stretchy pants required”.
Hosted by the Canberra Museum and Gallery (CMAG) and running until the end of the month, the Civic Pop-Up bar offers an intimate celebration of local craftsmanship.
Read all about it here
EatClub has landed in Canberra
And it’s the stuff cozzielivs dreams are made of! If you haven’t heard of EatClub before, here’s the 60-second summary: it’s an app where diners can find last-minute restaurant deals near them.
It’s great for foodies and those looking for a good-value wine or cocktails because they can enjoy great meals and drinks for less – but it’s also good news for venues, who can attract more customers during their quieter periods. All of the deals are a simple percentage off the total bills (including drinks) with most ranging between 30 to 50% off! The best part? Some of Canberra’s best restaurants have signed up, meaning you get to enjoy eating out more often – we’re talking faves like Zaab, Wineroom, Volstead Repeal, The Italian Place, Paloma’s and more!
Read more here.
Espresso Room finally opens in the Canberra Centre
And there’s enough baked goods to keep shoppers fueled all day long! Located outside of Coles, Espresso Room is open from 7 am during the week and 7.30 am on weekends to ensure you’re caffeinated, head in to get your hands on a cup of ONA coffee and some yummy Wildflour pastries ASAP.
Ambrosia Lounge offers a new cocktail experience in an unexpected location
You’ll soon be making your way to the Dairy Road precinct in Fyshwick with the opening of Ambrosia Lounge – the area’s first cocktail bar.
Moody, sophisticated, and luxurious, it’s the creation of the men behind the Ambrosia Distillery, Andrew Galbraith and his co-distiller Tim Stephens, (whom you might know for their tasty flavour-infused vodkas which include coffee, lychee, toffee, lemon myrtle, passionfruit, apple and cinnamon).
Read all about it here.
Volstead Repeal has been named ACT’s Cocktail Bar of the Year 2024
Love a good cocktail? In exciting news, Volstead Repeal has been named ACT’s Cocktail Bar of the Year 2024 (for the second year in a row)!
Opened last year by Stu Inger in partnership with Sydney businessman Allen Chen, Volstead has built a fan base off of its New York style speakeasy stylings and inventive cocktail list. Also been shortlisted for the National Awards for Best Whisky Bar and Best Cocktail List for Australia, it looks like it might just be the ACT’s most awarded bar – and your next stop for a night out.
We’re calling it – this is the ultimate Saturday sesh
This is one to put in your diary: the Boat House’s outdoor bar, Armada Bar, is back. Well, kind of.
In the ultimate mash-up event that our summer weather fantasies are made of, The Boat House has just announced a party that promises an unforgettable evening by the water, complete with cocktails, canapes, and live music.
Excited yet? Because we’re talking bottomless Collector bubbles and rosé, refreshing Capital Brewing Coast Ale on tap, and a selection of Phoenix Spirits vodka and gin spring cocktails.
Read more here.
Papi Deli pops up at Floriade
Fresh focaccia sandwiches made with Italian provisions – Floriade is sounding delicious. In the public sandwich announcement we didn’t know we needed, Papi Deli is a new food truck in town bringing fluffy, perfectly chewy and salty focaccia sandwiches to the flower festival.
With five options to choose from (including the Papi’s Continental, the Marco, the Luigi, the Hey Tony and the La Porchetta), made fresh by hand in real time, you’ll want to sink your teeth into one of these ASAP.
Canberra’s burger blogger launches his own food truck
It started when a video of a burger review went viral, but now Zac Jerrim (who you might know better as @all.aboutburgers) has launched his own burger truck – and with over 100 taste tests under his belt, you know it’s going to be good.
Keep an eye out to see where he’ll be popping up, cause these burgers are big. They’re juicy. And they’re perfect for those who like their buns full.
They had us at Kimbaps – meet the new Korean café
Now open on Moore Street, this new café is serving your favourite Korean food and drinks in City West. From Kimbaps to Korean kombucha, Seoul Sistaz has it all. Pop in Monday to Saturday to get your hands on some Korean cuisine.
Sapori Lab brings a taste of Rome to Canberra
We’ll take one of every flavour please and thank you.
Bringing Rome’s most iconic pastry is coming to Canberra, Sapori Lab is a micro bakery that is “blending tradition with innovation to create small-batch delights crafted with love and a touch of magic.”
Serving up traditional, freshly made maritozzo – little sweet brioche buns filled with whipped cream – at the Old Bus Depot Markets on Sundays, get one in your mouth ASAP and thank us later.
Live in Tuggeranong? You have a new local
And that’s Bunny Beans Café.
Nestled in the heart of Greenway, this family run café has a menu that doesn’t disappoint. From a B&E Roll with cheese, pickled cucumber, and honey mustard to a chicken and potato waffle with smoked bacon, maple syrup, and paprika, you’ll find something to treat your tastebuds. Plus, it’s dog friendly!
Madame Duong can now be found on Marcus Clarke Street
Craving authentic Vietnamese? Madame Duong can now be found at 54 Marcus Clarke Street in the City and from Pho to Cơm Tấm, they promise a traditional taste of Southeast Asia in a cosy and elegant setting.
See you there?
Eighty/Twenty opens its seventh location in the city (with plans to come to Phillip very soon…)
City workers craving a café that serves nutritious meals, and cheeky treats should be excited by the news that Eight/Twenty has opened a seventh location on Mort Street. All about finding the balance in life, for those who haven’t been to Canberra’s favourite culinary-conscious café before, you can expect everything from a Snickers Acai bowl to a vegan Buckwheat Waffle, a Japanese salad, and a Morocco Spiced Chicken burger.
Working in collaboration with 7 Miles Coffee, there will also be seven blends to choose from, along with fresh juices and smoothies. Spotted on the website, we also noticed that a Phillip location is coming very soon as well. Keep an eye out, south siders…
Flow Restaurant to bring modern Australian food to the city
Located on Northbourne Avenue, a new, intimate restaurant will soon be treating your tastebuds to Mod Oz cuisine this spring.
We currently don’t have a lot of details about Flow Restaurant but this is what we do know: it has a 40 to 50 person capacity, they’ll be serving a banquet menu as well as al a carte and there will be a large variety of wine selections.
It looks like after work dinner and drinks in the city is being given a breath of fresh air.
We uncover a hidden gem for caffiends in Macquarie
Looking for a place to get a cup of speciality coffee in the suburb of Macquarie? Bliss and Espresso is the café you need to add to your radar.
Serving bacon and egg rolls, toasties, pastries, homemade muffins, cookies, and more, you can discover this little gem at 85 Lachlan Street.
Dobinsons is open in Majura Park Shopping Centre
Need a coffee to feel motivated before going grocery shopping? Same. Luckily for those who love going to Majura Park Shopping Centre for their weekly shop, Dobinsons is now open.
Serving all of the delicious treats you love, grab yourself some freshly baked bread and an indulgent pastry for the perfect start to your weekend.
Your next sweet treat can be found at Westfield Belconnen
Calling everyone with a sweet tooth, Mrs Fields Cookies has reopened in Westfield Belconnen. Serving up everything from fresh-out-of-the-oven muffins, to cookies, and cups of coffee, they have everything you need to treat yourself.
Some must-try flavours? You can’t go past an old-fashioned peanut butter cookie, the Snickerdoodle Biscoff loaded cookie, or the combination of coffee and walnut.
Bombay Duck brings a bit of spice to the south
Opening in South.Point Tuggeranong, Bombay Duck is a new eatery offering some delicious Indian cuisine. Serving everything from spicy skewers to comforting curries, you can find it in the food court.
Canberra’s favourite dessert is now available in XL
eightysix have announced that they’re launching their iconic Banoffee Pie in an XL – and it’s now available to order. You need to place your order 24 hours in advance, with each birthday cake-sized pie costing $86 each.
An ideal gift for your foodie friend, get ready to say, ‘Supersize me’.
We heard a rumor that Clement Chauvin of Les Bistronomes is moving to Brisbane…
…And it’s because he’s brought Montrachet, Queensland’s most awarded French restaurant. At least that’s what this article from the Courier Mail says.
While there’s been no formal announcement (that we’ve seen), if it’s true, the question is: what’s the future of Les Bistronomes?
Feature image: Ambrosia Lounge. Credit: Tayla Cunningham.