The best restaurants in Canberra

What is it? On the very top of Red Hill, this elevated Italian fine diner offers one of the best views over the capital.

Why go? When it comes to Canberra’s best restaurant views, Lunetta takes the cake – or the torta, considering it’s Italian. After a dramatic three-year hiatus, this spaceship-like dome atop Red Hill Lookout has been reborn, with a young superstar chef, Tristan Rebbettes (ex-Mona Farm, Saint Peter, Café Paci) leading the charge. In true Italian style, you must start with spuntini – may we recommend the gnocco fritto with honey and pecorino? Then make way for woodfired flatbreads with antipasti, including a selection of cheeses, salumi and cured fish. For secondi, share baked vodka pasta, a rich duck ragu or a whole market fish with puttanesca sauce. Celebrating a special occasion? Go big with the one-kilogram bistecca alla fiorentina. A lovely little torta caprese with dark chocolate, crème fraîche and orange will finish your night off nicely. 

Time Out tip: Swing by Lunette during aperitivo hour from 3pm to 6pm for $18 cocktails and snacks starting at $6.50. 

Address: 60 Red Hill Dr, Red Hill 

Opening hours: Wed-Sun 11.30am-10pm

Expect to pay: More than $80 for a multi-course meal

What is it? The cooler and colourful younger sibling of Canberra’s award-winning restaurant, Pilot.

Why go? Shimmy on down to Such and Such for a fun, fresh and flavoursome feast that you’ll be raving to friends about for the rest of the year. You could mistake the bright and bold dining room for an art gallery, where the walls pop with artworks, ceramics and sculptures by local artists. Once you’ve had a good old fashioned peruse around the intriguing and/or inspiring dining room, make your way across the terrazzo floor to a cool cushioned booth or timber tabletop where you’ll be equally as enticed by the fare. Each dish is a playful masterpiece with the super seasonal menu featuring contemporary takes on nostalgic snacks and share plates. Think: a soupy sensation of fish in ‘crazy water’ with mussels and white beans, as well as pasta perfection of orecchiette in pistachio pesto – try saying that fast, three times. Don’t take things too seriously and add on a glass (or three) of lo-fi, organic wines from both local makers and far away places.

Time Out tip: If you’re after a quick in-and-out lunch, it’s hard to go past the $55 one-hour menu which will get you two snacks and a salad (to share) as well as a main dish, plus dessert if there’s room post-savouries (there always is).

Address: 220 London Crescent, Canberra

Opening hours: Mon 5pm-10pm; Tues-Thurs 12pm-10pm; Fri-Sat 12pm-11pm

Expect to pay: More than $35 for a main

What is it? This is where you come for beautiful, restrained Japanese food with a focus on seafood. 

Why go? Named after a Japanese style of pottery, Raku blurs the lines between art and sustenance. The menu is extensive, showcasing seafood in all its rainbow glory. You can have it raw in the kingfish served with truffle yuzu, cold in a spanner crab sushi roll, or hot as king prawns doused in XO butter. Masters of the blades, the chefs expertly slice up fresh snapper, tuna belly and scallops into sashimi or nigiri; add crunch with popcorn shrimp on the tempura menu; and grill high-grade Wagyu on a robata charcoal grill. The carefully adorned plates are a spectacle in themselves, nevermind the super sleek, monochrome fit-out to boot. From the $60 express lunch to the $170 royal tasting degustation, Raku will leave you wishing you had the moolah to dine here daily – or maybe you do, but that’s none of our business.

Time Out tip: Gluten-free, gang, rejoice. There’s a five-page menu dedicated to you, featuring treats like chargrilled cauliflower with miso-butter mayonnaise, and soft shell crab tempura.

Address: 148 Bunda Street, Canberra

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30pm-9:30pm

Expect to pay: More than $60 a head for a proper meal without drinks 

What is it? The place you want to be seen on a Saturday night in the Berra.

Why go? If anyone ever complains about Canberra’s nightlife, just nod quietly and then laugh all the way up the stairs to Bar Rochford. This is undoubtedly the best little wine bar in the ACT, and it’s hidden away in one of the capital’s oldest buildings. Once you’re up in the cosy confines of this first-floor bar you could be in Melbourne, Munich or Manhattan. Let their young gun team guide you on a vinous adventure that traverses the world, but if you don’t order food too, it’s a lost opportunity. The $90 set menu isn’t a cop-out; it’s more like a tour of their latest and greatest seasonal hits. Think smoked beef tongue with anchovy mayo; lamb ribs (or cauliflower for vegos) with black bean and honey; and crème brûlée tart, if you’re shooting for the stars. 

Time Out tip: The pretty, edible creations are worthy of a snap. So clean your lens, capture Bar Rochford’s glorious plates and send them to the group chat for safekeeping.

Address: Inside Melbourne Building, 1/65 London Crescent, Canberra

Opening hours: Tues-Wed 5pm-11pm; Thurs 5pm-12am; Fri-Sat 5pm-1am

Expect to pay: More than $60 a head for a proper meal without drinks

What is it? A stylish yet small neighbourhood diner serving up a stand-out seven-course degustation with wine pairings. 

Why go? Nostalgic flavours and playful desserts take flight at this small suburban restaurant in Ainslie. Pilot’s four-, nine- and 12-course set menus are quintessentially Australian, and on any given day, you may be served IPA beer pretzels, Hawaiian pizza scrolls or brandy butterscotch Wagon Wheels. The experimental non-alcoholic drinks pairing is just as impressive as the boozed-up version, with a focus given to small, sustainable Aussie producers which we love to see. Speckled handmade bowls elevate the earthy medleys that are cradled within, where nasturtium leaves and verdant broths are to be expected. Soft light penetrates the 24-seat dining room through off-white fabric curtains if you’re escaping the direct sunlight, otherwise Pilot’s petite outdoor area cornered by miniature olive trees is a divine backdrop for snacking in the rays. 

Time Out tip: On Thursdays, Pilot welcomes BYO. Just choose how much you’d like to contribute and 100 per cent of the proceeds go towards the monthly-rotating charity.

Address: 1 Wakefield Gardens, Ainslie

Opening hours: Wed-Fri 6pm-9:30pm; Sat 12pm-3:30pm, 6pm-9:30pm; Sun 12pm-4pm

Expect to pay: From $115 a head for mandatory menus

What is it? Tucked away amongst 800 truffle trees on a picturesque Pialligo estate, this charming farmhouse serves up rustic Australian share plates and top-notch wines. 

Why go? Although only a ten-minute drive from Canberra’s town centre, Beltana Farm will have you feeling miles away from the big city bothers. Open fields and distant hillscapes are a luxe that Melbourne and Sydney can only dream of, and we wouldn't trade it for the world. The verdant environs aren’t the only desirable at Beltana Farm either – the grandiose restaurant, swanky accommodation, and truffle orchard propel the domain as one of the best to do it. As far as the dining room goes – soak up the sunshine streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows while taking in views of the manicured gardens with a Spritz at arms reach in summer. Come winter, cosy up by the two-sided fireplace and enjoy elevated farm-to-table classics, including potato damper with macadamia dukkah; potato rosti decorated with salmon roe and cured yolk; smoked lamb rump with burnt pear; and Anzac biscuit cheesecake with Pialligo honey for dessert. 

Time Out tip: Tee up your visit with truffle hunting season – usually between June and August each year.

Address: 14 Beltana Road, Pialligo

Opening hours: Thurs 12pm-2pm, 6pm-8:30pm; Fri-Sat 12pm-2:30pm, 6pm-9pm; Sun 12pm-2:30pm

Expect to pay: More than $60 a head for a proper meal without drinks

What is it? The place to go for good Italian in Canberra and to access an award-winning wine list.

Why go? Braddon might be where all the cool kids of food and drink are hanging out, but it’s also home to Italian and Sons – you guessed it – an Italian institution serving up the kind of contemporary yet classic Italo fare that we all crave when the mercury drops. It’s a warm, casual spot where you can just pop in for a plate of pasta and some wine – you don’t need an occasion to dine here, but it’s also very popular, so securing your time slot is a smart move if you’re not willing to risk it for the biscuit…or pasta in this situation. The game plan here is simple to follow: bread, antipasti, s’getti, and mains, then dessert. Pastas are hand-rolled and doused with seasonal sauces, focaccias are baked on wood and served with whipped ricotta, and the tiramisu – well, we don’t know the secret for that, but it’s bloody good. 

Time Out tip: Italian and Sons is pretty well in the midst of all the Canberrian action – highly convenient for a midday feast whilst exploring the city centre.

Address: 7 Lonsdale Street, Braddon

Opening hours: Wed-Fri 12pm-2pm, 5:30pm-10pm; Tues and Sat 5:30pm-10pm

Expect to pay: More than $35 for a plate of pasta

What is it? A raw meets refined fine diner with playful takes on nostalgic desserts.

Why go? This Braddon hotspot has worn a comfortable groove, and most importantly, dining here is fun. Watching all the action at the burners is part of the experience – it’s like being in the middle of a Chef’s Table episode, and this time you’ll be the one eating the habanero steak tartare with prawn crackers, or the surprisingly, hot and sour lamb ribs coated in tamarind and black mustard dressing. The staff here have that knack for making you feel like their personal guest, and their enthusiasm for the local wines on the menu is contagious. However, you can also cash in all your adult life points for a frozen Margarita with caramel popcorn sundae or banoffee pie complete with pretzels – how’s that for some modern day nostalgia in the form of fare.

Time Out tip: Tell you veggie-loving friends about EightySix. They’ve got an entire vegetarian tasting menu up for devouring, and it sounds a little like pumpkin-mascarpone tortellini, as well as eggplant with Sichuan chilli caramel.

Address: Mode 3, corner Eloura Street and Lonsdale Street, Braddon

Opening hours: Mon-Wed 6pm-9pm; Thurs 6pm-10pm; Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm

Expect to pay: More than $60 a head for a proper meal without drinks

What is it? A funky pan-Asian eatery, perfect for lazy lunching or a dashing date night.

Why go? Follow the big city lights to this hip and happening late-night eatery on the street where it’s all happening – Lonsdale Street, that is. Just look for the red neon-lit stairs, head up, and you’ll be well on your way to flavourtown. Once inside Lazy Su, you’ll be met with even more neon and a groovy, illuminated bar that’s decked out with everything from soju to sake. Play your cards right by starting with Lazy Su’s infamous wagyu cheesesteak spring roll. It wraps Japanese, American and Korean cuisines all into one crispy package and serves as a bite-sized taste of how the night will unfold. Opting for the set menu is your best bet, where you’ll sample all of Lazy Su’s greatest hits, including donburi nori tacos, spicy bacon-prawn wontons and the fluffiest of bao buns. And hey, there’s even a totally vegan set menu too that’d be sure to fool any omnivorous folk. Pump up the pan-Asian party with local beers, Japanese Spritzes and hefty strawberry matcha shakes as well.

Time Out tip: Boozy Yum Cha Saturdays are so on! The $75 lunchtime affair will get you a slew of Lazy Su favourites along with free-flowing drinks for two whole hours.

Address: 1/9 Lonsdale Street, Braddon

Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 5pm-10pm; Fri-Sat 12pm-3pm, 5pm-11pm; 12pm-3pm, 5pm-10pm

Expect to pay: More than $40 a head for a proper dinner without drinks

What is it? A swish lakeside restaurant inspired by the Italian coast, run by a celebrated Canberra chef. 

Why go? Are we on the shores of Lake Como or Lake Burley Griffin? Carlo Tosolini’s expansive restaurant will transport you straight to the heart of Italy, with its comforting carbs and deli fridge, stocked to the brim with local and specially imported DOP cheeses and meats. Pair buffalo mozzarella and gnocco fritto with an Aperol Spritz on one of their outdoor tables, and you could call it a splendid day, but you’ll want to order a dish from their woodfire oven. Butterflied king prawns in garlic and chilli oil, or one of their pizzas with a bubbly charred crust. The Patate Pizze topped with fior di latte, Ingelara Farm’s bio-organic potatoes, taleggio cheese and rosemary is a surefire hero in our books. Complete the trifecta with a big ol’ wad of Nonna’s tiramisu, and you’ll have yourself a full house of the stomach.

Time Out tip: Given Molto Italian’s prime lakeside locale, it’d be rude not to head off on a post-feed stroll for a taste of la dolce vita (the sweet life).

Address: 155/43 Eastlake Parade, Kingston

Opening hours: Tues-Sun 12pm-3pm, 6pm-10pm; Mon 6pm-10pm

Expect to pay: More than $30 for a pizza or plate of pasta 

What is it? A fun and fast-paced pan-Asian diner with Australia’s largest sake list.

Why go? You’re meeting a pal, you want to eat, drink and get a bit merry to the familiar tune of ‘Ghetto Superstar’, and you don’t want to have to dress up. Akiba is definitely where you should head. Inside, it’s decked out a little like a cabin in the woods by way of a neon Tokyo karaoke bar. Pull up a stool to a high table and get snacking, though be mindful that serves aren’t small so you can fill up fast. Their dumpling game is on point – shoutout to the Peking duck parcels – and they don’t get lazy on the veggo front, grilling a whole half eggplant with sweet miso and then adding some snap, crackle and pop with pepitas, puffed rice and seaweed. Keep the good times rolling with fresh oysters and tartare from the raw bar, Japanese fried chicken, lemon tofu cheesecake and a sake flight.

Time Out tip: If you’re stuck for choice, opt for the eight-course ‘feed me’ menu for $66 per person. It’s great value for money and you’ll be rolling home by the end of it.

Address: 40 Bunda Street, Canberra

Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 11:30am-10pm; 11:30am-11pm

Expect to pay: More than $60 a head for a proper dinner without drinks

What is it? Canberra’s hottest (and perhaps, smallest) pizza joint tucked away behind the Ainslie shops.

Why go? When the sun goes down and the oven heats up, Mama Dough is where you want to be. The cosy space sits only six people inside but does a roaring takeaway trade and serves their pizzas directly to diners at the local pub, Edgar’s Inn, just next door. Mama Dough gets its name from the ‘mama dough’ used to create their original pizza base, which gets fired up in an imported Forno Bravo pizza oven. Picking a favourite pizza here is like picking a favourite child, so we’ll have to settle on the prosciutto and roquette for carnivores, or the mushroom, caramelised onion and sticky balsamic version for herbivores. The pizza pies are artisanal, too, and utilise gourmet ingredients for mouthfuls that will leave a lasting impression. Cream of the crop mortadella and stracciatella are plonked on generously, while strips of pancetta are placed atop evenly ensuring that every single bite is as good as the last.

Time Out tip: Gluten-free pizza bases alert!

Address: 2 Wakefield Gardens, Ainslie

Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 12pm-9pm; Fri-Sat 12pm-9:30pm

Expect to pay: More than $25 for a pizza

What is it? Canberra’s comfort cravings served up from a converted old mechanic’s garage on Lonsdale Street.

Why go? Lonsdale Street is at it again with another too hot to trot eatery. And these guys are the mechanics you see when you need to grease up your system with burgers, pizza and a milkshake. When you need a full service and oil change, that’s the time to go big with a burger featuring a beef patty, streaky bacon, egg, cheese, pineapple, lettuce, tomato, beetroot, onion, relish and special sauce. However, you can also bring it home with a fat slab of their Detroit pizzas with toppings like beef brisket, truffle mushroom, chilli prawns and Tandoori chicken – who’s the greasy monkey now, huh? Get extra greasy with liquid cheese-topped fries, stringy mozzarella sticks and Greasy Monkey’s famous milkshakes. And although this all may sound pretty full-on, don’t worry vegans, there’s super slicked options across the menu for you too.

Time Out tip: Grease Monkey are doing the most for the kids, providing a ‘little chimps’ menu which is sure to satisfy even the fussiest of eaters.

Address: 19 Lonsdale Street, Braddon

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 11am-9:30pm

Expect to pay: More than $25 a head for a proper meal

What is it? One of Canberra's hottest hospitality venues by Chris Lucas, the hospitality mastermind behind Chin Chin and Kisumé.

Why go? Drawing inspiration from the charming trattorias dotting the European coast, this Mediterranean restaurant sets the stage for long, leisurely lunches that effortlessly roll into aperitivo sessions and beyond. Kick off your evening with a signature Sorrento Fizz at the long marble-topped bar, where you can take in the lively scene of the open kitchen. As food envy kicks in, feast on rosemary and sea salt focaccia, baked to perfection in a custom wood-fired oven from Naples, and complement it with a premium selection of Italian mozzarella and salumi. The pasta is made fresh daily and coated in slow-cooked beef ragu, lobster bisque and chilli, and classic tomato sugo, too. Pair your pasta with Carlotta's showstopping meat and seafood mains, which are cooked over coals and designed for sharing.

Time Out tip: Hitting the streets for a good old-fashioned feasting? The $115, whole-roasted lamb shoulder atop wood-oven eggplant and salsa verde should do the trick. 

Address: 20 Scotts Crossing, Canberra

Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 12pm-10pm; Fri-Sat 12pm-11pm

Expect to pay: More than $60 a head for a proper meal without drinks

What is it? A modern mash-up of Japanese and Peruvian cuisines, served alongside a stellar list of sake and pisco. 

Why go? Let Inka be your introduction to Nikkei cuisine – a contemporary fusion of Japanese-Peruvian techniques and ingredients. You can travel across the world in one night with everything from delicate tuna tostadas and beef tacos to kingfish ceviche and wagyu nigiri. Bring more friends so you can share more dishes, which are prepared in three separate areas: the ceviche bar, the kitchen and the robata charcoal grill. At the latter, expect a non-stop churn of tea-spiced lamb cutlets, Patagonian toothfish, and 48-hour miso short ribs among the more substantial plates. (We won’t even get started on the drinks menu, which spans almost 30 pages of wines, whiskeys, pisco and sake from around the world. The lavish fare is matched with an equally curious dining room, with an elaborate fabric centrepiece draped from Inka’s ceiling, an illuminated cave-like relic wall, and lantern-comparable light fixtures.

Time Out tip: Bit of a coffee fanatic? Get around the wood-roaster espresso for a taste of what’s good.

Address: B11A/148 Bunda Street, Canberra

Opening hours: Tues-Thurs 11:30am-3pm, 5:30pm-10pm; Fri-Sun 11:30am-3pm, 5:30pm-10:30pm; Mon 5:30pm-10pm

Expect to pay: More than $80 a head for a proper meal without drinks

What is it? A bite-sized Parisian-style restaurant focused on nose-to-tail cooking and natural wines.

Why go? This loosely French diner is easily one of the best places for small plates and good wine in Canberra. Onzieme revolves around a super seasonal menu written up on its grid window every day. Foraged ingredients and local produce are cooked over fire and coals, whether it be mutton skewers, kingfish head or duck. Vegetables are an Onzieme feature too in all their earthy glory. The grill only elevates their natural beauty and sugar snap peas, zucchini, and beetroot are on regular rotation. Toasted nuts and seeds are the backup singers which add that essential touch of pizzazz. Meat-heavier dishes will have you coughing up a little more mullah, but if you’re going out, you may as well live large, right? Dine in French style with a minimal intervention glass of wine, before backing it up with round two at Onzieme’s tiny underground bar, 11e Cave.

Time Out tip: If your gang-gang consists of four or more members, it’s important to note that y’all must opt for the prix fixe menu for $95 per person.

Address: 5/39 Kennedy Street, Kingston

Opening hours: Tues-Sat 6pm-11pm

Expect to pay: More than $70 a head for a substantial meal without drinks

What is it? A casual canteen-style spot by day and a sophisticated smoked meat sanctuary by night.

Why go? It’s all in the name at this meat-focused venue, the brainchild of co-owners Anthony Iannelli and Sungyeol Son (a Hartsyard alum). Their in-house smoker and custom rotisserie do the heavy lifting here, with whole chickens, chashu pork belly, lamb cutlets, beef brisket, and tomahawk steaks grilled over an open fire. If you’re swinging by for a mid-week lunch, head up to the ‘Terra Bench’ for a DIY ‘pick-your-protein-and-sides’ situation. And while fauna is Terra’s feature, it may please you to know that your daily serving of flora is on the cards too. Charred oyster mushrooms licked with spicy gochujang, as well as tender, sugar loaf cabbage atop mustard-spiked hummus and preserved lemon should get you over the nutrients line. Balance it all out with a solid dose of brisket fat chips. As for Terra’s ambience, it’s cool, calm and collected – decorated with drank bottles of wine and touches of greenery here and there to off-set the timber beams and concrete floors. It’s modern, but somehow manages to remain a little homely and familiar.

Time Out tip: You might get kicked out at 9:30pm, but luckily Terra is within walking distance to Canberra’s late-night action – get out there, you party animal, you.

Address: 40 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra

Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 8:30am-3pm, 5pm-9pm; Fri 8:30am-3pm, 5pm-9:30pm; Sat 11:30am-3pm, 5pm-9:30pm; Sun 5pm-9pm

Expect to pay: More than $60 a head for a proper dinner without drinks

What is it? A luxe new Mediterranean-leaning restaurant set within a renowned vineyard in the charming Murrumbateman wine region, just a 25-minute drive from Canberra’s CBD.

Why go? If you need a quick escape from Canberra, take a trip to the sprawling Shaw Estate. In March 2025, this award-winning winery unveiled an elegant new restaurant with panoramic vineyard views. The modern concrete pavilion is unrecognisable from its former self, now also boasting a swanky cellar door and beautiful wedding venue. The menu combines Italian traditions with the warmth and generosity of Mediterranean dining, perfect for everything from leisurely long lunches and sunset feasts to a simple glass of wine and antipasti on the terrace. As in the Med, dishes are made for sharing – think warm focaccia with dips, cured meat platters, hearty pastas and bistecca cooked in the Mibrasa oven and grill.

Time Out tip: Keen to explore Canberra’s closest wine region? The capital recently launched a Wine Hopper bus tour, giving you freedom to sip, swirl and stroll through cellar doors – no deso driver needed.

Address: 34 Isabel Dr, Murrumbateman

Opening hours: Wed-Sat 11am-9.30pm; Sun 11am-5pm

Expect to pay: $70 for the sharing banquet

What is it: A creative take on modern Australian cuisine with plenty of plant-based options, plus a takeaway wine shop.

Why go? Whether it’s day or night, this groovy all-day diner – named after the David Bowie song ‘Rebel Rebel’ – is buzzing with both corporate and cultured Canberrans. The dining room feels polished yet bare, with bold graphics and bright wall prints taking cue from the proto-punk early ’70s era when ‘Rebel Rebel’ was released. You could drop by for a light lunch of Sydney Rock oysters, grilled prawns and roasted cauliflower with tahini, or draw out your dinner date with fried quail, wagyu tongue, lamb neck, and a chocolate and hazelnut ice cream sanga to finish it off. But we can’t help ourselves when it comes to the 600-gram, grass-fed ribeye slathered with seaweed butter. It’s 85 bucks, but it ain’t going to eat itself, is it? Wash it all down with a little something-something from the carefully curated wine list – a nebbiolo from Italy or a French grenache, perchance. 

Time Out tip: Dress up or dress casually – there’s no right or wrong at Rebel Rebel.

Address: 23 Marcus Clarke Street, Acton

Opening hours: Mon-Wed 5pm-9pm; Thurs-Sun 11am-11pm

Expect to pay: More than $70 a head for a proper meal without drinks

What is it? A swish Tuscan-inspired steakhouse and grill by chef Matt Moran.

Why go? Since its early 2024 inception, steak has been the star of the show at Compa. There are five different cuts available, from on-the-bone cuts to feed a party, like rib-eye and Bistecca Fiorentina, to smaller Angus scotch fillets or Wagyu rump caps. All steaks are served with rocket and lemon, and your choice of either red wine jus and peppercorns or rich anchovy butter and salsa verde. Order a side of crispy chat potatoes with fermented chilli aioli for the ultimate steak night. As for tipple, cocktails take to the limelight and each one’s name is an ode to a different Italian city – from the bitter-strong Firenze and the spicy-fresh Pompeii, to the herbal-sweet Roma and spritzy Venezia. It’s a smorgasbord and you’re not going to want to fill up on bread. Although admittedly, the stone-baked bread coddled with rosemary and sea salt is rather spiffing.

Time Out tip: Red marble benchtops and custom-made, Compa crockery and coasters allude to a lil’ extravagance. So if you’re looking for an occasion to wear your new suede shoes, you’ve just found it.

Address: 148 Bunda Street, Canberra

Opening hours: Wed-Sun 12pm-2:30pm, 5:30pm-10pm

Expect to pay: More than $60 a head for a proper meal without drinks

What is it? A luxurious Japanese fine diner in the heart of Canberra’s National Triangle.

Why go? Housed in the iconic Lobby building, the award-winning Koto Japanese Restaurant’s Kento Bento features seven cubicles where you can savour the best locally sourced produce in peace and quiet. Chef Shinya Nakano, who until recently guarded two-hatted Kisumé in Melbourne, serves his fluorescent plates in the kaiseki discipline (a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner). Whether you’re guided through their tasting menus or grazing through a bouquet of self-selected platters, every bite ends with an appreciation for simple, fresh ingredients. Try the Yarra Valley salmon roe sashimi is quite the affair, as are the Wagyu gyozas and chicken breast with Sichuan pepper soy and olive miso alike. If you’re a sucker for lunch dessert, order Koto’s lychee paburoba, featuring lychee and matcha meringue with kabosu (Japanese citrus) jelly.

Time Out tip: While Koto’s interior is one to admire, the surrounding grounds are simply sublime. The gravel zen garden – created by master gardener Shinya Ueda – symbolises Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin. At night, a dramatic glow radiates across the gravel which creates quite the spectacle.

Address: 1 King George Terrace, Parkes

Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 12pm-3pm, 5:30pm-10pm; Fri-Sat 12pm-3pm, 5:30pm-10:30pm; Sun 12pm-3pm, 5:30pm-9pm

Expect to pay: More than $120 a head for a proper meal without drinks

What is it? Operating for 34 years in Pearce, this family-run venue is an album of comforting and communal dishes from Fiji and India.

Why go? It’s not every day you stumble upon a restaurant that masters both Fijian and Indian cuisine. Coconut becomes the chorus of meals at Rama’s, with broken flakes of ling, cubes of lamb or beef, and jammy pumpkin stewed with astringent tomatoes, paprika and fresh coriander, to finally be softened with a coating of coconut milk. Though it is known for this region to have a milder palette, the fan-favourites still sing with peppery praise. Try their radiant signature Fijian pork-capsicum curry alongside an inseparable glass of mango lassi. The fish pakoras might just surprise you, as the sweet mango chicken. And while technically located at a shopping centre, the alfresco strip mall allows for pavement dining – white tablecloths and all. It’s a welcome scene compared to the fiercely scarlet walls, ceiling and beyond.

Time Out tip: The two-page vegan menu is a diamond in the rough for those that are on the lookout.

Address: Shop 6, Pearce Shopping Centre, Pearce

Opening hours: Tues-Sat 5:30pm-9pm

Expect to pay: More than $40 a head for a proper meal without drinks