Diners' Choice: Neighbourhood gem restaurants in Canberra

OpenTable

Updated 05 January 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighbourhood gems in Canberra? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

REBEL REBEL

4.8

4.8 (1244)

$41 to $100

Modern Australian

Canberra City

About the restaurant

REBEL REBEL is a casual eatery, wine bar and bottle shop in Newacton

Top review

Belinda

Dined on 29 Dec 2024

Beautiful food, delicious well balanced and stunningly presented. The Italian wine was a great recommendation, so good we had to buy one to take home. The staff were so friendly and knowledgeable. Will be back next time we are in town. Thanks for a memorable night.

Briscola Italian

4.8

4.8 (529)

$41 to $100

Italian

Canberra City

About the restaurant

Since 2010, Briscola has firmly established itself on the Canberra food scene and is arguably this town's most popular Italian restaurant. Now with a newly refurbished venue, it offers an unpretentious yet stylish approach to an authentic Italian dining experience.
At the forefront it’s about the food: simple, wholesome and traditional without being old fashioned. The “old fashioned” is evident in the service with Gianni and his incredible staff focusing on giving the diner a charming experience.
What sets it apart is how they transport you to Italy. Start with an aperitivo to open the palate, enjoy a local or Italian wine varietal and finish with a soothing digestive.
Briscola is situated conveniently in the heart of the city near hotels and public transport.
Sit inside or alfresco, Briscola seems to suit anyone… families, young couples, group functions and corporate luncheons. You can walk-in, but please book, it gets busy!

Top review

Eva

Dined on 23 Dec 2024

Wonderful place to eat, accomdating on short notice and adjusted the menu as stock levels changed so that we could still have our favourite menu items. 10 out 10 best Italian food in Canberra, the only place better would be if you flew over to Italy 🇮🇹 Always a wonderful time when visiting

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Popular dish

Pappardelle al Ragu

Bar Beirut

4.7

4.7 (68)

$41 to $100

Middle Eastern

Canberra City

About the restaurant

Named one of the nation's top cocktail bars by The Australian (2023), Canberra's Favourite Middle Eastern Restaurant (2021, 22, 23 & 24) and Best Cocktail Lounge and Small Bar (2022, 23 & 24), indulge in daring dishes, top-self cocktails, eclectic beats, and captivating belly dance and burlesque performances.

Nine-to-fivers, local poppers-in, out-of-towners, clocked-off hospo workers, and anyone who knows a good cocktail and bite to eat is knocking on the door from 5pm ‘til late. The vibe is charged with electricity, laughter, and love; everyone is here for the fun.

Whether you’re bringing the whole family to feast, a group to celebrate, a partner to spoil on a date night, or you just want to nibble, drink and ponder the world as you bop your head by yourself into the early hours, the welcome at Bar Beirut is as warm after midnight as it is just before sunset.

Yalla habibi!

Top review

GeorgeVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Dinner for 6 and everything we had was great, delicious food, excellent drinks and really passionate staff. They really cared and ensured they did everything they could to make sure you had a perfect experience.

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Experience

Belly Dance + Dinner

Experience

Fire & Fans: Burlesque @ Bar Beirut

Experience

Lovefest @ Bar Beirut

Queenies Restaurant & Bar

4.6

4.6 (354)

$41 to $100

Dining Bar

Kingston

About the restaurant

Queenies at Kingston is now 100% Gluten Free!

Serving a wide variety of Canberra Region wines, selected spirits and a rotating selection of craft beers from independently owned breweries.

Seasonal and free range produce with a uniquely native twist. Meals to share with friends, your special person or in splendid solitude.

Book online for groups of 8 or more.

What do I do if I want a booking for less than 8 people? Walk In! Don't be concerned as we are a large venue with both indoor and outdoor seating.

Top review

Tina

Dined on 17 Dec 2024

It was a really busy night, a Tuesday night, and I don’t think they were expecting soooo many people, so they were a bit short-staffed (it happens), but we had a great night. Fantastic atmosphere, piano bar music playing live, good cocktails and wine choices and we really liked the food. A great time was had by all.

Kivotos Wine Bar

4.6

4.6 (40)

$40 and under

Greek

Braddon

About the restaurant

At KIVOTOS, We are serving authentic flavour of Greek Foods, imported Greek Wines and liquors. Join us for a Journey of Flavours and Stories!

LIVE MUSIC twice a month, Check 'experience' for details on performances and dates

DECEMBER Operating Hour:
Monday: 7pm-9pm (Dinner Only)
Tues-Sat: 11am - 2.30pm & 5pm - close
25th December: OPEN for Lunch (11.30 - 2.30pm)
26th December: OPEN for Dinner (5.30pm - 9.30pm)
1st January 2025: CLOSE

Please give us a call if having difficulties with the bookings

Top review

Garry

Dined on 25 Dec 2024

The food was delicious. Service terrific. Had a great Christmas lunch. Good price. Many thanks. We will be back.

Two Before Ten Greenway

4.5

4.5 (574)

$41 to $100

Café

Greenway

About the restaurant

Six-metre ceilings, wrapped in beautiful glass, facing north-east with views of the water.

Serving all of our favourites, some of the best coffee in Canberra, and awesome vibes all year long. It’s our sunny site for the south side and we couldn’t be prouder.

Come for breakfast, brunch or lunch, or grab a takeaway coffee, chai or hot chocolate before setting off towards Lake Tuggeranong.

Greenway is a nod to everything we hold dear, not least of all, the fact that it’s a collaboration with friends. Tim and Tristan, who used to manage Aranda but spent 2016-2019 setting up their own successful store Atlas on Hibberson in Gungahlin, helped us make this (rather large!) slice of paradise a reality.

Top review

Heather

Dined 4 days ago

Prompt service. I was offered a coffee whilst waiting for my friend. After brunch another round of coffee was ordered with no issues and more water was brought to the table without asking. Food and atmosphere was great. Will definitely return again.

Wilma

4.5

4.5 (53)

$41 to $100

Asian

Canberra City

About the restaurant

WILMA -
using primitive cooking methods with the very best Australian ingredients

Top review

Stephanie

Dined 6 days ago

6 of us celebrated a 21st at Wilma - we thought it was fantastic. The service / staff were great and food interesting - we opted for the "Feed me" - a Chef's selection of 8 dishes. All beautifully presented - $76pp. We had organised Bombe Alaska at home so didn't stay for dessert, but Honor (server) presented us with 6 small Portugese tarts and a candle. This is the 2nd time we have had staff go out of their way to follow up on a guest comment (previously, they popped across the road to Akiba to get Green Tea as it wasn't available!).

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Experience

Feed Me Menu - High Tops seating. 2 Hours Out-by

Experience

Feed Me Menu 1.5 Hours Out-by

COMPA

4.4

4.4 (143)

$101 and over

Italian

Canberra City

About the restaurant

Step into COMPA, here the servings are generous and
the atmosphere is effortlessly sophisticated. It feels
instantly familiar. Descending into the space is like giving
an old friend a long overdue hug.

For Matt Moran’s ACT debut - antipasto, pasta and charcoal
dishes bring a touch of Tuscany to your table. As with all
his establishments, at the heart of his menu is quality
produce that is fresh, seasonal and locally sourced.
COMPA is built on a simple, often forgotten pairing: good
food and good company.

Top review

Justin

Dined on 18 Dec 2024

We had a lunch with clients the food and services was good,

La Rustica

4.4

4.4 (51)

$41 to $100

Italian

Kingston

About the restaurant

Our team- With 17 years of experience cooking in the finest restaurants, our head chef is excited to present his vision to you and all our guests. Our caring and committed staff make sure you have a fantastic experience.

Dine in or takeaway- We have worked to package our meals in a way that lets you bring the quality of our meals into your home. We always love to see you in person, but even when we can't, we ensure that your dining experience is top notch!

Seasonal & Local- Indulge in the authentic flavours of Italy with our delicious dishes made from fresh, local ingredients. Join us for an unforgettable dining experience.

Top review

Nicky

Dined 1 day ago

Excellent service, excellent food and an all round great dining experience. We will most certainly be back

Two Before Ten Aranda & 10 Yards

4.3

4.3 (899)

$40 and under

Australian

Aranda

About the restaurant

Our Aranda café is located in the old Aranda shops site on Bandjalong Cres. What was once a derelict building is now a bustling community hub where people can come to enjoy a quick coffee after dropping the kids to school, spend a lazy afternoon in the courtyard garden, or meet up with friends for a tasty weekend brunch. BOOKINGS BETWEEN 7AM & 1:30PM

10 Yards - Regional Wine Bar & Tap House
Offering a comprehensive range of Canberra Region Wines by the glass & bottle. A suburban bar since 2016, also offering local craft beer & cider alongside a full kitchen menu. BOOKINGS AFTER 2PM ONWARDS

DISCLAIMER**** Shade is not guaranteed when booking an outdoor table, please specify if shade is a requirement. Sunscreen is available on site.

Top review

Russell

Dined on 31 Dec 2024

A nice relaxing New Year’s Day breakfast with my mum. Great food, coffee & service.

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