Isabel Cant

Canberra’s Italian dining scene is thriving. Whether you're craving simple yet sublime antipasti, woodfired pizzas with a char-ry base or secondi that leave you fully satisfied, the capital's top Italian restaurants deliver authenticity, ambience and exceptional flavour. Our Editor Melissa Woodley has teamed up with freelance food writers to bring you this list of the best Italian restaurants in Canberra. Want a lakeside setting for your pasta? Try La Rustica. Want to savour a long lunch that’s loud and lively? Go to Pronto, pronto! After some sun-kissed Mediterranean vibes and vino? Olive at Hawker is our recco. Yes, Canberra’s best Italian restaurants have something for every palate. Editor's favourite Italian restaurants in Canberra: 🍝 Best local gem: The Italian Place 🍸 Best for special occasions: Italian & Sons ⭐️ Best for old-school charm: La Cantina For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🍕 The best pizza in Canberra🍣 The best Japanese in Canberra

Adelaide owes much of its flavour to its thriving Italian community that's been shaping the city’s culture and cuisine for well over a century. From bustling pasta bars to elegant trattorias, Italian dining is woven into the fabric of the city. Adelaide loves Italian food – and the locals do it exceptionally well.  Whether you’ve got a hankering for the legendary woodfired pizzas at Amalfi, want to celebrate in style at Fugazzi (MasterChef’s Laura Sharrad is a founding owner), or (re)visit a beloved neighbourhood institution, the best Italian restaurants in Adelaide have it all. Take your pick from our favourites below.  Editor's favourite Italian restaurants in Adelaide: 🍝 Best for hand-rolled pasta: Osteria Oggi 🍸 Best for special occasions: Fugazzi ⭐️ Best for old-school charm: Luigi Delicatessen For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines.  🍷 The best restaurants in Adelaide🍕 The best pizza in Adelaide

Our Bush Capital might not always top the charts for nightlife fun, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the best bars in Canberra. Much of the good stuff is fermented right here in the region – from craft beers to cool-climate shiraz and Australia’s only locally produced bourbon – making Canberra the perfect base for a day of winery hopping and cellar door shopping.  But within the city itself, there are buzzing wine bars like Bar Rochford; proudly Australian breweries, namely Capital Brewing Co; and even hidden basement whisky bars, more specifically, Hippo Co. Time Out Australia’s Editor Melissa Woodley, dived head-first into Canberra's nightlife scene across four big years, where plenty of drinking and eating alike was done. So skip the guesswork and drink your way through our guide to the best bars in Canberra. Editor's favourite bars in Canberra: ⭐️ Best new opening: Devil You Don't 🍹 Best for vibey cocktails: Molly's 🌅 Best for top-notch snacks: Bar Rochford 🎶 Best for views: The Howling Moon For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🥘 The best Indian in Canberra🍕 The best pizza in Canberra

Brisbane’s Italian dining scene has long been among the best in Australia – and it just keeps getting better. From handmade pasta and woodfired pizzas to fresh local seafood, the River City’s top trattorias are serving up top-notch Italian fare. To help you find your next great meal, Time Out Editor Melissa Woodley has teamed up with local foodies to bring you this guide to the best Italian restaurants in Brisbane. Whether you’re chasing a hearty ragù inside a cosy neighbourhood joint, a refined pasta feast at a long-standing favourite, or alfresco prawn linguine at a stylish spot with five-star views, these are the top Brisbane Italian spots to book right now.  🍕 The best pizza in Brisbane🥩 The best steak in Brisbane

Hobart may be tucked all the way down the bottom of Australia, but it’s a destination not to be slept on. Tasmania’s capital city is blessed with natural beauty, featuring the glittering waters of the River Derwent on one side and the rugged peak of kunanyi/Mount Wellington on the other – and there’s plenty to do both outside and inside. Whether you’re headed to this waterfront town for a quick weekend getaway or you’ve got time on your side, our expert writers have rounded up the best things to do in Hobart. From mountain walks and self-guided history tours to top-tier restaurants and the incomparable MONA, everyone will find something to do on this list. Our Editor Melissa Woodley's perfect Hobart day starts with pastries from Pigeon Whole Bakers, a sauna boat experience and a trip to the underrated Farm Gate Market. Happy exploring! Editors' favourite things to do in Hobart: 🖼️ Best for culture: MONA 🧺 Best for food: Farm Gate Market 💦 Best for something different: Kuuma Sauna 🍽️ The best restaurants in Hobart🖼️ The best museums and galleries in Hobart🚗 The best day trips from Hobart

Adelaide’s restaurant scene offers the best of both city and regional charm, pairing seriously stylish design with abundant fresh produce from South Australia's world-famous wine regions. The city's forward-thinking mod-Oz cuisine draws on global influences, with everything from Afghan comfort food and Parisian classics to what might be Australia’s first pizza restaurant. Adelaide's wine lists are just as impressive, featuring powerful Barossa reds, spritzy natural wines and boutique SA labels. The best part? Even extended degustation menus sit at a price point that will pleasantly surprise East Coast diners. Time Out Australia’s Editor, Melissa Woodley, has joined forces with local writers to bring you the ultimate guide to the best restaurants in Adelaide. Whatever you’re craving, you’ll find it here! Editors' favourite restaurants in Adelaide: 😱 Best new venue: Omada Bar & Grill 🫶🏾 Best affordable eat: Parwana Afghan Kitchen ✨ Best fine dining: Magill Estate Restaurant 💛 Best for groups: Golden Boy ❤️ Best for dates: Osteria Oggi For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🍷 The best bars in Adelaide☕️ The best cafés in Adelaide

Politicians, wineries, roundabouts, museums, Floriade. They're probably the first things that spring to mind when you think of Canberra. But how about steak? Australia's capital is a surprisingly excellent place to sink your teeth into a top-quality cut. Backed by exceptional local produce and easy access to some of the country's finest beef from surrounding farming regions, Canberra has quietly built a reputation for serving seriously good steak. Whether you're craving premium Wagyu cooked over Japanese robata charcoal, a perfectly charred rib-eye from a wood-fired grill or a classic steakhouse feast with all the trimmings, the city delivers. To help you find Canberra's best steaks, our local writers have curated this list of spots that are truly worth the splurge. Editor's favourite steak restaurants in Canberra: ✨ Best special occasion steak: Raku 🍻 Best pub grub steak: Kingston Hotel 🥩 Best pepper steak: Otis  🍱 The best Japanese in Canberra🥘 The best Indian food in Canberra

With its world-famous golden sands and laid-back holiday vibe, the Gold Coast is a favourite destination for those seeking a relaxed seaside escape. However, this iconic Queensland holiday spot offers far more than just a chill day at the beach.  Packed with vibrant local markets, adrenaline-pumping theme parks, rich Indigenous heritage and a thriving live music scene, there are endless Gold Coast attractions to add to your travel itinerary. Our Editor, Melissa Woodley, particularly loves the food and drink scene, and reckons a day trip to the naturally beautiful Gold Coast hinterland offers a welcome chance of pace. Pack your swimsuit and your sense of adventure – here are the best things to do on the Gold Coast right now. Editor's favourite things to do in the Gold Coast: 🎨 Best for art & culture: HOTA, Home of the Arts 😎 Best for relaxation: Soak Bathhouse – Mermaid Beach 🌳 Best for nature: Burleigh Head National Park 🎢 Best theme park: Dreamworld 🌊 Best beach: Rainbow Bay 🌮 The best restaurants on the Gold Coast☕️ The best cafés on the Gold Coast🌊 The best hotels on the Gold Coast

Beyond its beautiful beaches, the Gold Coast is home to some of Queensland's best cafés – but where should you start? From breezy waterside gems and lush garden eateries to trendy bakeries and boozy brunch spots, the city has a café to suit every taste – all of them, thankfully, have seriously good coffee. Our Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, has combined her personal favourites with insider picks from locals to create this ultimate guide to the best cafés on the Gold Coast. Whether you want to watch the crashing waves at Mermaid Beach with an almond croissant or dive into an Asian-inspired avo toast with a Vietnamese iced coffee, these are the best places for brunch, coffee and all-day bites on the Gold Coast. Editor's favourite cafés on the Gold Coast: 🥑 Best brunch: Elk Espresso 🥐 Best bakery: Tarte Bakery and Café 🌮 Best bottomless brunch: The Winey Cow 🥤 Best smoothies: House of Hälsa 🌱 Best vegan: Blendlove 🌮 The best restaurants on the Gold Coast🏄🏻‍♀️ The best things to do on the Gold Coast

Looking for the best cafés in Australia to fuel your next getaway? You’re in luck. Australia's café culture is famous for a reason: we roast – arguably – the world's best specialty coffee and cook up a damn good brunch to match. Whether your ultimate morning looks like a classic smashed avo paired with a batch brew, crunchy corn fritters and an iced matcha, or fluffy buttermilk pancakes with a Bloody Mary, these are the best brunch spots to visit across Australia's capital cities. Of course, there are plenty more exceptional cafés and coffee shops worthy of a spot on this list – but these are the ones tried, tested and loved by our local food writers, including Time Out Australia’s resident foodie, Melissa Woodley. JUMP TO:Sydney | Melbourne | Brisbane | Canberra | Adelaide | Hobart | Perth | Darwin For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🍽️ The best restaurants in Australia🥐 The best bakeries in Australia☕️ The best coffee in Australia

Australia takes its baked goods very seriously. Between our sourdough-centred meals, we all need a little sweet treat (trust us, you deserve one). Luckily, Australia's best bakeries are giving Parisian pâtissiers a run for their money, creating their own takes on classic baked goods that taste as good as they look. You’ve undoubtedly heard of the big players (hello Lune Croissanterie), but there are plenty of neighbourhood gems to spend your hard-earned dough. While we wish we could shower love on every flaky croissant, pie and sausage roll, our expert food writers, including big bakery fan Melissa Woodley, have narrowed it down to a handful of the best bakeries in Australia right now. NB: There are so many incredible bakeries scattered across the country, but this list focuses on highly-rated spots in Australia's major cities. We'll leave the hidden gems and regional favourites for you to discover for yourself. Want more? Here are the best bakeries in: Adelaide | Brisbane | Canberra | Darwin | Hobart | Melbourne | Sydney | Perth

Looking for the best coffee in Brisbane? You don't have to go far. The River City has got it all: cool inner-city haunts, highly awarded local roasters, chic espresso bars, coffee-tasting experiences, plus enough espresso and cold brew to power the city. In fact, the best coffee shops in Brisbane are without a doubt among the greatest in Australia – led by icons like Coffee Anthology, which has been named on the World's 100 Best Coffee Shops list for two years running. Our expert local writers know a thing or two about what’s good across the city and have given these haunts the stamp of approval for the best coffee in Brisbane. Go on, check out the jitter juice for yourself. Editor's favourite coffee spots in Brisbane: 🏆 Best award-winning café: Coffee Anthology ☕️ Best local roaster: Bellissimo Coffee 😋 Best CBD coffee spot: John Mills Himself For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🥐 The best bakeries in Brisbane☕️ The best cafés in Brisbane

What is it? Part Italian restaurant, part inventive wine bar with a few modern twists up its sleeve. Why go? Traditional Italian dishes mingle with other cuisines at Anchovy Bandit to create playful, inventive dishes. Bucatini is tossed through Goolwa pippies, yuzu kosho and chives, and pineapple on a pizza gets a revamp with prosciutto, pineapple, kimchi and spring onion joining forces on their puffy dough. Anchovy Bandit's pizza crusts are so thick and round, you could roll your hair with them. Except don’t; it’s put to much better use paired with one of the house-made “crust dips”. Choose from garlic butter, taramasalata or XO sauce mayo. Wine is taken very seriously here too, with a great range of South Australian and Italian varieties to try.

What is it? A family-run Adelaide institution operating since 1985.  Why Go? Siblings Jessica Favaro-Richards and Nicholas Favaro have taken the baton from their parents to balance tradition and modernity with grace on their seasonal menu. Start with addictive rabbit croquettes, crunchy and soft in all the right places, and served with dragoncello sauce (tarragon salsa) and pickled carrots. Meaty centrepiece dishes are chargrilled over sangiovese vines, like juicy half-chicken with Jerusalem artichoke and porcini. Explore it all through the five-course menu – excellent value at $95 per person.

What is it? Simple, unpretentious Italian fare tucked away in Kingston Foreshore. Why go? Nab a table outside at this lakeside joint for straightforward, comforting Italian dishes by the lake. House-baked focaccia is warm and fluffy – perfect to dip in olive oil, but even better with their antipasto plate. Their secondi will have you feeling like you’ve just been fed by Nonna. Generous portions of rich veal saltimbocca and a pollo parmigiana are finessed but comforting.

What is it? A woodfired pizza staple with outdoor seating in the heart of town on Lonsdale Street.  Why go? Past the happy revellers parading down Lonsdale Street with takeaway boxes and through the restored stained-glass windows, lies some of Canberra’s finest pizza. For over a decade, Pizza Gusto’s oven has been cranking out pizzas and calzones cooked at a sizzling 400 degrees. Toppings range from classic Margheritas and capricciosas to less traditional (but packed with flavour) butter chicken and other specials, like beef brisket and jalapeño.

What is it? A part cool and casual wine bar, part luxurious takeaway on Lonsdale Street. Why go? Chez Frederic was born on Perth’s Cottesloe Beach in 2002, but has found a home in Braddon. Here, friends can share a cheeky bowl of gnocchi and a glass of vino, or opt for takeaway, where boxes of pasta fly out the door on any given night. The menu is Italian with some playful modern twists here and there. Crisp spring roll wrappers hide Italian flavours inside with garlic prawns and mozzarella, and cheeseburger gnocchi is the devilish dish that will revive you on a cold winter night. 

What is it? Canberra’s only Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana-certified pizza restaurant, located in Griffith.  Why go? Sometimes, no number of toppings will outdo a simple marinara pizza, where the sweetness of San Marzano tomatoes shines against the blistered bubbles of wood-fired dough. That’s exactly what earned this Griffith pizzeria, restaurant and bar certification from the strict Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana. Quick lunches here are also some of Canberra’s best, with their charred bread becoming the vessel for moreish Neapolitan sandwiches.

What is it? An Italian stalwart with more than 20 years under its belt.  Why go? This Italian institution has been serving this city since 1988. Since then, their two venues in Woden and Manuka have become Canberra’s go-to restaurants when it comes to classic Italian food. The Manuka location’s sleek black marble pass sees fluffy house-baked ciabatta with unfiltered olive oil, and crisp zucchini flours stuffed with four cheeses and honey vinaigrette. Both locations offer tried and true pizza and pasta, but the magic happens in their hefty secondi offering, featuring spatchcock with perfectly caramelised skin or hearty slow-cooked lamb shank that falls apart.

What is it? A longstanding family-run restaurant with hand-rolled pasta and an excellent wine list in Narrabundah. Why go? Walking through the brick arches at La Cantina feels like you’ve descended into a secret Italian wine cellar and not a leafy corner of Narrabundah. However, you would be right in some aspects, with stacks of Australian and Italian drops available from their impressive wine collection. Let their warm and savvy waiters steer you towards a drop to go with their traditional Italian menu. Their house-made pasta dough is a highlight here, with dishes like their umami-laden duck agnolotti being a favourite since opening in 2009.

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.

What is it? A handsome seasonally-focused restaurant in a famous Canberra setting since 1996. Why go? Behind the grand arched windows of the landmark Melbourne Building sits one of Canberra’s best and longest-running Italian restaurants. Between their fresh bread and pasta, and the peppering of woodfired dishes throughout their menu, the food at Mezzalira is truly special. Changing with the seasons, you may find pappardelle with smoked duck breast, casarecce with suckling lamb, and the mainstay wood-baked focaccia with whipped ricotta and chestnut honey.

What is it? Considered modern Italian fare in Hyde Park, perfect for your next date night.  Why go? In the warmer months, there may be no better place to be in Adelaide than dining al fresco at this contemporary Italian eatery. On the flip side, the best place to be in winter is with a bowl of ricotta gnocchi tucked into their booths. But before you go for one of their housemade pasta dishes, order as many Australian-inspired bites off their antipasti menu as you can. Their 'rootello bonnato' is a favourite, with diced kangaroo, shallots and bonito grated with cured egg yolk that’s worth its weight in gold. Local produce continues to shine on dishes like wood grilled Coorong mullet with artichoke velouté and a sprinkling of toasted seaweed.

What is it? A relaxed eatery slinging woodfired pizzas and mozzarella plates.  Why go? As the name suggests, come to this laidback restaurant for some of the best wood-fired pizza in this city. And don’t forget about their mozzarella plates! Their fresh buffalo mozzarella with beef carpaccio and pickled green tomato reminds us that simplicity really is bliss. Follow it up with a pizza, fresh out of their two hand-built woodfired ovens, roaring at 400 degrees. Our favourite is the calabrese, sticking to its roots with the addictive Calabrian nduja spread, hot salami and chilli. Learn the secret to their perfect dough at their monthly pizza-making classes.