The Best Restaurants on Canberra's Iconic Lonsdale Street

Crown Street is to Sydney what Lygon Street is to Melbourne. Canberra? Lonsdale Street is our very own strip dedicated to eating and drinking and it is packed with some of the best restaurants in the region. Situated in Braddon – which sits next to the CBD and is possibly the coolest suburb in Canberra – Lonsdale Street is overflowing with great restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars (as well as some of the city’s best fashion boutiques).

To help you navigate this bustling enclave, we’ve put together a foodie’s guide to Lonsdale Street, Canberra. You’re welcome.

Corella

Right across the road from their sister, Assembly, Corella offers fine dining, elegance and blow-your-mind cocktails. The décor is chic and inviting, with soft pastel greens and a pop of blush. Inside seating is intimate, with only 30 seats and the warmer weather promises meals and drinks shared outside as you watch the world go by.

Your taste buds are in very good hands with head chef, Nemanja Babic, and assistant chef, Brandon Hardiman. Together, the pair have had an extensive foodie career in Australia, including at Courgette and Edgar’s Inn. I mean, we go simply for the dessert it’s that good – think cherry ripe and creamy coconut ice cream.

14 Lonsdale St, Braddon

Zaab

Serving up contemporary takes on Southeast Asian dishes and with stellar cocktails to boot, Zaab is one of our top Lonsdale Street picks. You can’t go wrong with anything off the food menu, but we love the Crispy Pork Belly, Larb Bites and Massamun Curry, which comes on a bed of garlic mashed potato. The Snickers Old Fashioned is a delightfully boozy way to finish off your meal.

2/9 Lonsdale Street, Braddon

Rizla

Perched on the corner of Lonsdale and Eloura, Rizla is one of our favourite wine bars in Canberra. Here, you can choose from an incredible selection of wines from around the Canberra region, the rest of Australia and the world. But the bar’s specialty is Riesling, so if you consider yourself a fan of this zingy white, this is the place to go. Make sure to order some share plates to accompany your vino.

22 Lonsdale Street, Braddon

Lazy Su

Lazy Su is a Canberra institution – and for good reason. The Asian-inspired food is top-notch, the drinks are delicious and the vibe is lively and fun. Plus, the restaurant is very versatile: It’s a great spot for a casual date night or a catch-up with friends, and you can either order a few snacks and cocktails or go all in with the lavish feasting menu.

1/9 Lonsdale Street, Braddon

Italian and Sons

If fancy Italian food is your thing then you’ve come to the right place. Italian and Sons is home to authentic pizza and pasta you can depend on. It truly is comfort food at its finest! The seasonal menu changes daily so expect the freshest Italian on the block. 

7 Lonsdale Street, Braddon

Little Phat Rolls

If you need a quick bite to fuel your Lonsdale Street excursion, head to Little Phat Rolls. This food truck is slinging out some truly awesome banh mi filled with tasty fillings like roast pork, chicken and sardines, plus a huge amount of vegan options. If banh mi isn’t your thing, there are other delicious bites on the menu here too, including sticky rice, spring rolls and Vietnamese iced coffee.

17 Lonsdale Street, Braddon

Sweet Bones Bakery and Cafe

Sweet Bones is widely known as one of Canberra’s best vegan eateries, offering a menu filled entirely with plant-based dishes. The ingredients used are wholesome and high-quality too, so you can leave the joint feeling perfectly nourished. If you’re after a treat for later, Sweet Bones’ baked goods are excellent, and so well made that they’re sure to please vegans and non-vegans alike.

8/18 Lonsdale Street, Braddon

There’s plenty more eating and drinking to be done across the rest of the national capital. These are some of the best cafes in Canberra and the best restaurants in Canberra, and if you’re visiting the city’s Southside, here are our picks for the best restaurants in Kingston.