Canberra, Australia

Canberra's wining and dining scene will come as a pleasant surprise to many visitors. For a city of its size, there is a great variety of restaurants, cafes and bars, ranging from upmarket venues catering to politicians and executives, to cheap and cheerful establishments frequented by university students.

You will find an abundance of international restaurants, trendy cafes, tapas bars and stylish dining venues. Pavement dining is particularly popular and "Canberrans" can spend hours over a leisurely lunch in the sun! The quality of cuisine in the region is excellent, thanks to a smorgasbord of fresh produce, including seafood and excellent local wines.

Being the well-planned place it is, Canberra's main drinking and dining venues tend to be clustered in certain suburbs. However, there are a few notable establishments located outside the main centers that are definitely worth a visit.

Dickson

Great for families and those heading out for tasty, well-priced food. Wooley Street, in Dickson, is dedicated almost exclusively to exciting, international cuisine. For Italian, check out Zeffirelli's, which serves inexpensive yet consistently great pizzas and pastas, and Belluci's Trattoria, an old favorite. If you are after Chinese, try the Ruby Restaurant, which has an authentic Cantonese menu and fabulous seafood. If you are after something less exotic, El Dorado's, an American-style bar and grill, serves great steak and chips.

Manuka

Manuka is the home of Canberra's stylish cafe society. The streets are lined with boutiques, restaurants and cafes. Tables and chairs spill onto the street and many people come simply to "be seen" sipping flat white coffees under the trees! A consistent favorite with locals and visitors alike is Caph's, a well-established, bustling restaurant and cafe. Fine dining is also well represented with Atlantic and Daniel's is regularly patronized by Canberra's discerning diners.

Kingston

Kingston is a bustling, picturesque square, famous for its outdoor cafes. Soak up the sunshine over a coffee and brunch at Zest Cafe, or gossip over champagne and lunch at the Holy Grail. Come evening, the Holy Grail transforms into a trendy night-spot with live bands and an upwardly mobile clientèle. La Rustica, with its Tuscan decor and hearty Italian food is a perennial favorite. Kingston is also the home of British pubs, with Filthy McFadden's and the Durham Castle Arms serving up Guinness, fine scotch and live music until late.

Civic

The central shopping area abounds with stylish restaurants and alfresco cafes. During the day, shoppers and executives relax in the sun over Mediterranean-inspired dishes at laid back cafes like Caffe Della Piazza, Red Back Cafe and Woodstock.

For a night out with a group of friends, you cannot go past the party atmosphere (and a margarita or three!) at Montezuma's. Other destinations for get-togethers are the Australian Pizza Kitchen and the ever-popular Little Saigon. Antigo's, with its friendly service, contemporary menu, modern decor and large outdoor seating area is where revelers ready themselves for a night on the town.

Civic is the hub of Canberra's eclectic nightlife, where virtually anyone is guaranteed a great Saturday night. Heaven Nite Club and the Red Room cater to the hardcore dance crowd, with live local and national DJ acts. Insomnia, Babylon and Pandora's attract the hip young things, with more mainstream dance music and plenty of neon atmosphere. Gypsy Bar is grungier, with pool tables, a dance floor, live music and a friendly, laid back feel. If you are after a beer and a laugh, head to the Wig and Pen or PJ O'Reilly's—both cozy wood-paneled pubs serving Guinness and steak and kidney pies to university students.


Braddon

Braddon is a main business district and tends to cater to the after-work crowd. Arguably the best bar in Canberra, All Saints Tapas Bar, with its cool interior, distinctly urban feel and friendly service, is a regular watering hole for many. Also worth a visit in Braddon are O Stratos (where you will actually believe you are on a Greek Island) and Mosaics, a fun, vibrant brasserie and bar.

Suburban

Many of Canberra's suburbs harbor little gems known only to locals. Of particular note is Tilley's Devine Cafe and Gallery in Lyneham, an art deco lunch spot which becomes a great live music venue at night. All Bar Nun in O'Connor is an unpretentious, laid back bar, perfect for a quiet weekend drink. And if you are after top-quality international cuisine, head to Belconnen for Indian (The Tandoor, Taj Agra), and to Weston for Thai (River Kwai, Thai House) .

All restaurants and cafes in Canberra are non-smoking.

Inner North

The Inner North area of Canberra offers visitors an array of accomodations. Rahula Lodge is just outside the city center, and is an easy distance from the Lyneham and O'Connor shopping areas. Or, be spoilt at the Pasmore Cottage for a fraction of the cost of a hotel.

You will find a great range of hotels and motels of all standards in the inner northern suburbs of Lyneham and Braddon where the Barton Highway from Melbourne joins the Federal Highway from Sydney. There are some excellent restaurants nearby, with the city's attractions only five minutes away. The Quality Inn Dickson is on the doorstep of nearby Chinatown.

On the outskirts of Canberra, as you enter from the Federal Highway, you will come across the wonderfully equipped Rydges Resort at Sutton.

Inner South

To the south of Canberra in the vibrant inner suburbs of Kingston and Manuka, you will find many serviced apartments, such as Medina Classic and Kingston Terrace, which are often used by government departments and private companies for business trips or as temporary housing for new employees. Both offer excellent facilities and are close to some of the best dining experiences in Canberra. Less expensive options include Crestwood Apartments in Narrabundah and Forest Inn close to the diplomatic center of Canberra.

Outskirts

Further south, close to the attractions of Tharwa, Tidbinbilla and Namadgi National Park, try the aptly named Country Comfort Greenway. Bed and Breakfast is available at Birch Corner in Curtin to the south west of Canberra. If you are traveling with pets, Home Stay Bed and Breakfast also in Curtin will welcome your dog.