Region food writers Tenele Conway, Lucy Ridge and Michelle Taylor at Four Winds Vineyard. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
As a food writer in Canberra, I firmly believe I have one of the best jobs in the world. Despite our small size, we have an incredible food scene, and regularly punch above our weight on the national (and international) stage.
This year, we’ve seen the city suffer under construction, but this is good news for the suburbs! The quality of food found all over the ACT is getting better and better, and there’s probably a suburban gem very close to you.
Here are some of our favourite dishes, venues and drinks of 2025.
Gochujang beef tartare at the window seat of Tintino. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
Best newcomer
Perching at Tintino’s window seats on their opening night was an absolute treat. Sip on a big glass of something delicious from the curated wine list and snack on dishes like the gochujang steak tartare. The vibe is perfect, and the food is great, whether you’re having a quick after-work drink or a full sit-down meal.
Shout out to decadent VICE for turning a sports bar into a speakeasy and serving up some of Canberra’s best steak in the process. And Azuma Den in East Hotel was another memorable newcomer, with a seriously tasty Korean-Japanese fusion menu.
The lunches at the food co-op are affordable and nourishing. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
Best Casual Dining
While food writing is an incredible job (and I am well aware of just how lucky I am to do it), I sometimes crave simple, nourishing food. As a board member and regular volunteer at the Canberra Food Co-op, I love heading in for the daily lunch. At $12.50 for non-members (with discounts for students and volunteers), I reckon it’s Canberra’s best value meal and delicious to boot.
Casual food shout-outs also go to Uyghur Cuisine, which serves up amazing handmade noodles and charcoal-grilled meats in Belconnen. And Hancook Korean in Wanniassa for their top-notch Korean dishes.
The mix of Korean street foods and fusion breakfast dishes at Zero Complex is a winner. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
Best Breakfast
After a trip to South Korea this year, I’ve been loving all the Korean places popping up around Canberra.
Zero Complex in Braddon fuses Korean street food classics with Australian brunch favourites for flavourful breakfasts, such as bulgogi eggs Benedict and hotteok pancakes.
Honourable mentions to the reopened A Bite to Eat in Chifley, and suburban gem Cafe Mamé for their prawn omelette.
Outro’s menu features bar snacks, clever cocktails, and minimum-intervention wines. Photo: Ash St George.
Best Place for a Drink
Outro Bar on Lonsdale Street has quickly become a favourite for a drink. I’m yet to make it past the gimlet on the cocktail list, but I trust they will be equally excellent. Their late supper menu is a godsend for night owls, and the sound system will have you tapping your toes to vintage records all night long.
If you’re looking for something grungier, then head to Squeaky Clean for a Death Pasito (and a hella good burger). Or I can also heartily recommend a day trip to Canberra’s wine region on the Wine Hopper bus: sip to your heart’s content without worrying about a designated driver.
I’m not alone in having the title of food writer; in fact, I’m lucky enough to work with two other incredible women. Tenele Conway had a real porker of a year, with her top three dishes: pork belly bahn mi at the Sunday grill at Fox and Bow, the pork belly pho at Noi Noi in Casey, and the Lecon (aka crispy roast pork) at Sharon May’s Filipino.
Michelle Taylor was convinced that White Chaco’s pork and porcini ramen would be her top dish until she recently tasted the kidneys in three mustard sauce at d’Browse in Narrabundah.
As for me? The best thing I ate this year was the incredible laksa at Mínima.
What was your top dish of 2025?
