Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Canberra

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Canberra? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

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 7 days ago

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

REBEL REBEL

4.7

4.7 (1240)

$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 1 day ago

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.

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Experience

RR-NYE-24-25

Bar Beirut

4.7

4.7 (65)

$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

Sohel

Dined on Dec 20, 2024

We had such an amazing time being looked after by the attentive staff and felt absolutely treated by their spectacular burlesque and belly dance performers. Their set menu provided the perfect amount of delicious food that set of fireworks in our minds. Perfectly cooked meat that melted in our mouths with flavour that left you in awe. An absolute treat to anyone that has the chance to try their signature cocktails and atmosphere.

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Experience

Taste of Beirut Set Menu

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 Dec 17, 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.

Wilma

4.6

4.6 (48)

$41 to $100

Asian

Canberra City

About the restaurant

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

Top review

Franca

Dined 3 days ago

From the moment we entered Wilma’s it was wonderful- attentive service, great drinks and very tasty dishes - my favourite being the kingfish sashimi and sticky sweet eggplant! Thanks for a great afternoon- especially to Sophia and David

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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

4.5

4.5 (140)

$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

Kathryn

Dined on Dec 21, 2024

The food, drinks and service were all excellent. Highly recommend this as one of my favorite Canberra restaurants.

La Rustica

4.4

4.4 (50)

$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

Katrina

Dined on Dec 18, 2024

My son loved the food - pizza and sorbet! My partner really enjoyed the risotto with seafood. All round great food & service

Monster Kitchen & Bar

4.3

4.3 (1190)

$41 to $100

Fusion / Eclectic

Canberra City

About the restaurant

Monster Kitchen and Bar remains committed to offering a dining experience that is not just about food, but about the values we hold dear: inclusion, sustainability, innovation, and conscious consumption. Our new omnivorous menu is a natural extension of these values, and we believe it provides a more inclusive and holistic dining experience for our guests.

We are excited to continue evolving, offering a menu that celebrates the best of both plant-based and animal-based cuisine. From locally sourced vegetables to responsibly raised meats, every dish at Monster is a reflection of our commitment to quality, flavor, and sustainability. And as we continue to explore the vast possibilities of what food can be, we look forward to creating even more memorable dining experiences for you.

"WE MEAT AGAIN."

Join us at Monster Kitchen and Bar for an unforgettable culinary journey—where both herbivores and omnivores can celebrate the very best of seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.

Top review

Sally

Dined 6 days ago

We had a family dinner for 10 on Xmas eve. Food was fantastic, had a lot of share plates which were easy and plentiful. Service and atmosphere was good, we did not get rushed out and stayed until late. Would definitely come back again.

Two Before Ten Aranda & 10 Yards

4.3

4.3 (897)

$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

Helen

Dined on Dec 19, 2024

Great surroundings, excellent food, great service. Thoroughly recommend.

Chifley's Bar & Grill

4.0

4 (337)

$41 to $100

Australian

Barton

About the restaurant

Chifley’s Bar & Grill pays homage to the region’s wineries and boutique food producers with a seasonal, modern menu. Chef Saju Rajappan and his team cater to discerning travellers, diplomats, and businesspeople with classic but inventive dishes that are as delicious as they are gorgeous to look at.

Steaks, seafood, chicken, and other dishes cooked on the grill are a speciality. The menu also features pasta, risotto, a wide range of vegetarian options, dishes designed for sharing, and tempting desserts. A wide range of local and international wines, cocktails, craft beers and ciders are available for your drinking pleasure.

Chifley’s Bar & Grill is named after the 16th Prime Minister of Australia, Ben Chifley, who loved dining here and frequently enjoyed a tipple in the bar. In honour of his favourite drink, the whisky bar has a specially curated menu taking guests on a sensory journey of whiskies around the world.

Top review

yuri

Dined on Dec 4, 2024

Excellent service, the Chef is the best in Canberra. I would recommend Chifley's Bar & Grill.

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