Posted on 27 October, 2025
Spring has well and truly sprung but Canberra’s food scene is still blooming with new openings, award wins, and culinary celebrations that deserve a road trip.
From dedicated charcuterie rooms (yes, you read that right) to hat-worthy restaurants earning their stripes in the Good Food Guide and MasterChef royalty making Pialligo Estate their kingdom, this edition of foodie news is more satisfying than the first warm afternoon spent dining alfresco.
Pull up a chair and dig into what’s cooking across the capital.
Chef Hao Chen reveals all in new cookbook
Ever wondered how you could recreate Raku’s amazing dishes at home? Canberra culinary icon, founder and executive chef Hao Chen is revealing all in Hao’s Canberra, his soon-to-be-released cookbook.
Edited by Chefs Eat Canberra author Chris Hansen and photographed by Ashley St. George, the book will profile the people that dine at Raku (including HerCanberra’s own Amanda Whitley and Emma Macdonald) and the dishes they eat.
Also featuring over 30 recipes (plus some handy tips and tricks), it’s now available for pre-order.
Take the Mediterranean home with you
This takeaway menu is more convenient than having a personal chef on speed dial.
Craving the fresh, Mediterranean cuisine that Med is known and loved for? There’s no need to book a table with a new takeaway menu available for both lunch and dinner.
Serving a fusion of Greek, Lebanese and Turkish Cuisine, the takeaway menu offering is perfect for when you want something yummy without the fuss; whether it’s between meetings in the office or a lazy night at home.
Ranging from pide and dips to pita pockets, meze and more, grab and go between 12 pm – 2 pm and 5.30 pm – 8.30 pm.
Pilot receives two hats in the 2026 Good Food Guide
There’s no shortage of amazing restaurants to choose from in Canberra, so when the winners of the Good Food Guide are announced, we always sit up and take notice. This year, local favourite Pilot has taken home two hats, while new one-hat recipients include Carlotta and Lunetta, joining Bar Rochford, Mu Omakase, Onzieme, Paranormal Wines, Rebel Rebel and Such & Such.
One thing is for sure: you won’t be going hungry anytime soon…
Did someone say ‘A dedicated charcuterie room?’
A road-trip has never sounded so good with the announcement that Ardour Milton Park Bowral is reopening with a new space and culinary concept – including a dedicated charcuterie room.
Transforming their signature restaurant – Horderns – and opening The Polo Bar, the revamp will see refined pan-European cuisine take centre stage, alongside sophisticated all-day dining with charcuterie, and small plates. And with an adjoining charcuterie room that offers a dedicated space where guests can enjoy cured meats and artisan cheeses, you can bet that we’ll be there.
Anticipated to open in early 2026, start planning your weekend away.
A festival of beer is coming to Fyshwick
Love beer? Fyshwick Markets and Plonk are teaming up to host the Beer Day Out festival on Sunday 2 November, and the line-up sounds amazing. Seeing breweries from Canberra and across Australia will be set up across the markets offering free samples, head along from 12 pm to sip on beers from Cypher Brewing Co, Capital Brewing Co, Bentspoke Beer, and more. Register your attendance here.
Spend an afternoon wine tasting at Sapling Yard
Bungendore winery Sapling Yard is hosting a wine launch at their cellar door, and you’re invited! Taking place on Saturday 8 November, head along to enjoy tastings of new releases (including a mystery vintage), winemaker talks with Carla Rodeghiero and Malcolm Burdett, and small bites by Scumber’s Kitchen.
The best part? You don’t need to drive – there will be a mini-bus departing from Kingston train station to help you get there and back again. Find out more here.
From Wild Duck to Ms Wang
For years, Wild Duck was synonymous with quality Asian dining in Canberra, and while the restaurant permanently closed in January 2025, it’s legacy will now live on in Ms Wang.
Following the restaurant revamp, Jack Zhong – the former owner and operator of Wild Duck – will be coming in as the head of the kitchen to bring his refined and traditional flavours to the menu. But his role will also extend beyond Ms Wang as he helps to shape other key venues in the revitalised Tiger Lane precinct, including Lucky Duck BBQ.
Trooper’s Rest turns 180 and they’re celebrating with bespoke gin
Because how else would you celebrate the date the original liquor licence was issued? Hosting an all-day party on Saturday 15 November, Trooper’s Rest (originally known as The Dog and Style) is marking its mile-stone birthday with food, music and more.
Featuring an all-day menu showcasing locally sourced produce and live entertainment from 4 pm, they will also be launching the limited-edition Trooper’s Rest Gin, which features the rare mountain pepper found near the escarpment and Great Dividing Range. Find out more here.
You better be hungry, because this craft bakery-restaurant is about to open
Preparing to transform how we think about Filipino dining in the capital, Manila in Canberra is set to open its doors on Monday 3 November. Now accepting bookings for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the ambitious concept combines craft bakery, restaurant, and bar under one roof, bringing Manila’s vibrant food culture to the heart of the city.
From freshly baked breads and pastries to Filipino-inspired dishes and signature cocktails, we’re hungry to know more.
Heywood is celebrating spring with sips and snacks
Following the success of their first Wine Dinner, Heywood is once again throwing open its doors on Friday 14 November to celebrate spring with a line-up of new Nick O’Leary cuvées. Priced at $159 per person (including paired wines), attendees will be treated to a five-course menu that showcases the flavours of the season.
Think: BBQ Moreton Bay bug with anchovy butter, chive and lemon, Merguez spiced lamb rump with braised radicchio, herb carrots and Tempranillo jus and charred nectarine with biscotti semifreddo, almond praline and basil. With limited spots available, book your seat here.
MasterChef star Laura Sharrad to shine at Pialligo Estate
This celebrity chef weekend is more exciting than scoring front-row tickets to your favourite show.
Laura Sharrad, winner of MasterChef Australia Season 17 will be taking over Pialligo Estate on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 November, and you won’t want to miss this.
Hosting a special weekend of food and wine experiences, Laura is known for her flair with Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. From a refined muti-course dinner to a cooking demonstration and a long lunch, it’s a rare chance for foodies to connect with one of Australia’s most beloved chefs. Book your spot here.
It’s time to visit Canberra’s first Halal charcoal BBQ truck
Bubbas BBQ is Canberra’s newest late-night food truck and it sounds delicious. Opened by two young friends, it will be serving up halal charcoal BBQ chicken, burgers, skewers and more. Find them at 2 Callan Street, Mitchell (behind Blochaus) on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 4 pm.
Grand Café opens in Belconnen
Looking for somewhere new to eat in the north? Grand Café has opened in Westfield Belconnen on Level 3, near ANZ Bank. Serving freshly made Iraqi Uroog and Falafel along with expertly brewed coffee, pop in from 9 am Monday to Saturday and from 10 am on Sundays.
Is this the ultimate lakeside experience this spring?
On Friday 28 and Saturday 29 November, forty Australian and international distillers will be gathering at Spirits on the Foreshore – a lakeside spirit festival. Showcasing over 200 spirits, your tickets will include small sample pours and complimentary Long Rays mixers, a complimentary tote bags, a free tasting cup and more!
Plus there will be food available for purchase with two tasty food truck options and some amazing masterclasses. Find out more here.
Feature image: Ardour Milton Park Bowral.
Dining and Cooking