WHERE TO EAT IN THE NATION’S CAPITAL

THE PARLIAMENTARY TRIANGLE

As frequent Canberra visitors will know, the Parliamentary Triangle commonly refers to the areas around Parliament which contain many of the important government department buildings, including the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Foreign Affairs and Trade as well as Attorney-General’s Department. With this, restaurants and cafes are typically more high-end, as they are catering to high level officials from the public and private sector as well as politicians and their staff.

Here our recommendations for the restaurants and cafes to visit in the Parliamentary Triangle precinct:

1. Maple and Clove

Price: $$

Maple and Clove is our regular at Nexus. Whether you go for breakfast or an afternoon coffee, you’ll almost always see some of our team getting their favourite coffee. Located in the Burbury complex, Maple and Clove give an excellent option whether you’re looking for a hearty and healthy breakfast or looking for a nice place to meet with others.

Address: 7 Burbury Close, Barton ACT 2600

Further information: http://www.mapleandclove.com.au/

Team recommendation by: Team Nexus

2. Doubleshot

Price: $$

A popular café open for breakfast and lunch, Doubleshot offers a range of healthy and hearty meals along with excellent coffee. Doubleshot is also a fully licenced venue and offers a range of local and international red and white wines which make the perfect partner to their extensive lunch menu. Six minutes from Parliament House by car or a 35-minute scenic walk, Doubleshot provides an excellent venue with the ambience to host a working lunch or a catchup with friends.

Address: Shop 7, Deakin Court, Hopetoun Circuit, Deakin ACT 2600

Further information: https://doubleshotdeakin.com.au/

Team recommendation by: Nick

3. Buvette Bistro & Wine Bar

Price: $$$

Cuisine: French

Modern setting with French bistro-inspired dishes, Buvette offers a high-class dining experience with excellent service and atmosphere. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Buvette is located in the Hotel Realm precinct which is walking distance from Parliament House and a number of popular hotels in the Parliamentary Triangle. Perfect for those people entertaining guests and are looking for a venue with a classy and refined atmosphere.

Address: 18 National Circuit, Barton ACT 2600

To book: (02) 6163 1818

Further information: https://buvette.com.au/

Team recommendation by: Kathryn

CITY

Meanwhile, if you are staying around the city there are a variety of different food options ranging from cheap, local favourites to high end restaurants that can compete with the best in Australia.

To whittle down the choices, here are our recommendations for the best places to eat and meet in the city:

4. The Cupping Room

Price: $$

Located in the heart of the CBD, The Cupping Room is considered to be one of Canberra’s premier cafés with large crowds at the café from opening at 7am until they close at 4pm. Owned and operated by the largest specialty roaster and supplier in Canberra, ONA Coffee, the coffee served at The Cupping Room is delicious and sustainably grown. Complementing the coffee is a variety of breakfast and lunch dishes and an atmosphere that makes The Cupping Room the place to visit in Canberra.

Address: 1/13 University Avenue, Canberra ACT 2600

Further information: https://www.thecuppingroom.com.au/

Team recommendation by: Richard

5. Lonsdale Street Roasters

Price: $$

Famous for their coffee beans which are used across a number of locations in the ACT, Lonsdale Street Roasters have their premier location on Lonsdale Street in Braddon. The café is notoriously busy and even with a spacious upstairs seating area to supplement the seating downstairs and outside it can be hard to get a seat during the busy parts of the day. If you are looking to try something that embodies Canberra and its people, Lonsdale Street Roasters is the place to visit.

Address: 7 Lonsdale Street, Braddon ACT 2612

Further Information: https://www.facebook.com/lonsdalestroasters/

Staff recommendation: Matthew

6. Blu-Ginger

Price: $$

Cuisine: Indian

With locations in Canberra and Sydney, Blu-Ginger offers authentic Indian cuisine in a classy venue. Offering an extensive wine list to accompany their wide range of curries with different types of meat as well as vegetarian options. Open for lunch and dinner, Blu-Ginger provides an excellent option for those within the CBD looking for the flavour of the sub-continent.

Address: 2/5-21 Genge Street, Canberra ACT 2600

To book: (02) 6247 2228

Further information: https://www.bluginger.com.au/

Staff recommendation: Nick

7. Charcoal Grill Restaurant

Price: $$$

Cuisine: Classic Steakhouse

A Canberra institution, Charcoal Restaurant is Canberra’s oldest restaurant, operating since 1962. A classic 70’s steakhouse, the rat pack aesthetic of the restaurant, with red leather seats and wood tables compliment the menu perfectly. As a steakhouse, Charcoal serves a variety of cuts of prime beef cooked exactly the way you like it, with an extensive range of wines to partner with your steak of choice. Also offering an assortment of seafood options, this is not the place for the vegetarians reading.

Address: 61 London Circuit, Canberra ACT 2601

To book: (02) 6248 8015

Further information: http://charcoalrestaurant.com.au/

Staff recommendation: Richard

MANUKA AND KINGSTON

Located in inner south of Canberra, Manuka and Kingston are some of Canberra’s higher end suburbs and older suburbs. Located approximately 10 minutes away from the city centre, Kingston and Manuka contain a number of restaurants and cafes that are popular with politicians, staffers and the media.

Here are our favourite places to wine and dine in Kingston:

8. Silo Bakery and Café

Price: $$

Located in the Kingston area, Silo Bakery and Café is well known in Canberra circles for its range of breads, cakes and tarts. The café has a small and homely feel with only a few tables in the café. Silo has become such a popular place in Canberra that even the New York Times has commented on Silo, describing the café as “part Brooklyn, part wartime Parisian bakery…’. Great for those staying around the Kingston area and are looking to try a local institution.

Address: 36 Giles Street, Kingston ACT 2604

Further information: https://silobakery.com.au/

Staff recommendation: Richard

9. Belluci’s Manuka

Price: $$

Cuisine: Italian and Pizzeria

Serving Italian food, one of the most universally liked cuisines, there is something for everyone at Belluci’s, even those of us who are picky eaters. Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, the friendly and home-like atmosphere make this a popular spot for professionals and families alike. With locations in both Manuka and Woden, we are recommending the Manuka location given its proximity to the Parliamentary Triangle and the number of hotels near the restaurant. Full at most times, even during the middle of the week, bookings are essential.

Address: Cnr Franklin & Furneaux Street, Griffith ACT 2603

To book: (02) 6239 7424

Further information: https://bellucis.com.au/manuka.php

Staff recommendation: Sarah

10. Portia’s Place

Price: $

Cuisine: Asian with a particular focus on Chinese

Known as the place to be seen during the Parliamentary Sitting fortnights given its popularity with political staffers, politicians and the media, Portia’s Place is a relatively inexpensive option for those looking for delicious Chinese cuisine. However, given its popularity, Portia’s Place may not be the best option for those people looking for a place to have private and sensitive conversations. Famous for the roast duck and steamed dumplings, Portia’s Place is an essential stop for those people looking to run into political types in an informal setting.

Address: 11 Kennedy Street, Kingston ACT 2604

To book: (02) 6239 7970

Further information: https://sites.google.com/view/portiasplace/home

Staff recommendation: Team Nexus