Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in Canberra

OpenTable

Updated April 05, 2025

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants 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!

Flui Restaurant - Canberra

4.9

4.9 (31)

$41 to $100

Modern Australian

Canberra City

About the restaurant

we serve modern australian food, with fine local ingredients, the vibe is casual yet relaxed, immerse yourself in a heritage building with high quaility food and wine

Top review

John

Dined on Apr 3, 2025

This was my fourth visit and the excellent food and service has been consistently great each time. New Autumn menu has just started and it was as good as the previous menu options. Definitely becoming one of my favourite places to return to.

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Experience

Flui's Chef Selection

REBEL REBEL

4.8

4.8 (1281)

$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

Kathy

Dined on Apr 23, 2025

I had a recent booking at Rebel Rebel, and it was a genuinely pleasant and enjoyable experience. The atmosphere was relaxed yet vibrant, perfect for a casual evening out. The staff were friendly and attentive without being overbearing, and everything felt well-paced and thoughtful. From start to finish, it was a great time

Briscola Italian

4.8

4.8 (557)

$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

Debra

Dined 7 days ago

Nothing but compliments for Briscola, so welcoming from the moment we entered, lovely alfresco dining, gorgeous, friendly staff, a very nice Chardonnay and the food was sensational- simple very tasty bruschetta, linguine with seafood to die for, veal with veggies and we finished off with affogato. Highly recommend.

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4.8

4.8 (30)

$41 to $100

Indian

Canberra City

About the restaurant

Amara Indian Restaurant in Canberra is a must-visit for fans of authentic, flavorful Indian cuisine. Located on 51-53 Northbourne Avenue City, Amara specializes in dishes made with fresh ingredients sourced from local producers. Their menu offers a variety of options, including Banquet, Express, and Takeaway lunch menus that feature popular dishes like Daal, Palak Paneer, and Butter Chicken. For dinner, standout dishes include Chicken MoMo, Bangalore Dosai, and Bhindi Dopiyaza.

The restaurant has over 25 years of culinary experience, including a history of working in one of Sydney’s top Indian restaurants. Amara is open for lunch from Monday to Saturday and for dinner every evening, with extended hours on weekends

Top review

Lee

Dined on Apr 20, 2025

Fabulous dinner on Easter Sunday at Amara. Delicious food especially the dosai, happy friendly staff and pleasant decor. The Sunday manager was great, we appreciated his chat with us and his excellent service and attention to detail - he deserves a pay raise! We thoroughly enjoyed our authentic meal.

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4.7

4.7 (59)

$40 and under

Greek

Braddon

About the restaurant

EASTER OPENING HOURS
Friday: 11:30-2.30pm & 5pm-10pm
Holy Saturday: 11:30-2.30pm & 5pm-Late
Sunday: 3 sessions available
Monday: 6pm-10pm

Anzac Day: 5pm-10pm

Step into the heart of Greece at KIVOTOS, an intimate and authentic Greek food and wine sanctuary nestled in the pulsating rhythm of Braddon, Canberra. Offering an unparalleled culinary voyage through the flavors of the Mediterranean, KIVOTOS invites you to Indulge in authentic Greek food, lovingly crafted with fresh ingredients and a passion for traditional recipes. Accompany your meal with a glass of carefully selected, fine Greek wines and liquors, chosen to complement the culinary journey. KIVOTOS promises an unforgettable dining experience that celebrates the essence of Greek cuisine, wine, and warmth, creating a sanctuary for those who yearn for a taste of Greece.

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

Please give us a call 0430363683 if having difficulties with the bookings

Top review

Leonie

Dined 6 days ago

This was our second time last was August 2024 and it was fantastic! The food outstanding and service. Chef is amazing and Anita wonderful. The music was an added bonus and I believe this to be one of the best Greek restaurants in Australia. The moussaka tapas portion is so Devine 🥰

Queenies Restaurant & Bar

4.6

4.6 (365)

$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

Samantha

Dined on Mar 26, 2025

Amazing atmosphere and a 100% gluten free menu made this coeliac very happy. Can’t wait to go back.

Bar Beirut

4.6

4.6 (93)

$41 to $100

Middle Eastern

Canberra City

About the restaurant

Named one of the nation's top cocktail bars by TimeOut and The Australian; Canberra's Favourite Middle Eastern Restaurant (2021, 22, 23 & 24); and winner of 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 6pm ‘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

Robert

Dined on Apr 22, 2025

Fantastic restuarant, a must visit. Super friendly owner and helpful staff. Vegan feed me was incredible. Vibe was great, with good music playing and a mix of patrons eating or drinking at the bar

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Experience

Belly Dance + Dinner

Experience

Belly Dance + Dinner + Drinks 150pp

Experience

All In: Free-Flowing Sips + Beirut Set Menu

COMPA

4.5

4.5 (160)

$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

David

Dined on Apr 11, 2025

The steak, spatchcock and octopus was well cooked and beautifully flavoured and balanced with all the ingredients on the plate. To add to the delight was how well the vegetables were cooked and flavoured.

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Experience

$110pp Compa Set Menu

Experience

$130pp Fiorentina Set Menu

Experience

$49pp Compa, Pronto! 1-hour express menu

La Rustica

4.4

4.4 (76)

$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

Ian

Dined on Apr 16, 2025

Overall our experience at La Rustica was fantastic.

Monster Kitchen & Bar

4.0

4 (1198)

$41 to $100

Modern Australian

Canberra City

About the restaurant

Monster Kitchen and Bar wanders through the ground floor of Ovolo Nishi and embraces a fresh and contemporary approach to dining, championing locally sourced and seasonal ingredients to create dishes that are approachable yet full of depth and character.

The menu is designed to be shared and enjoyed in a social and welcoming environment, ensuring every meal is a celebration of good food and great company.

Monster Bar offers a curated beverage experience, featuring thoughtfully crafted cocktails that highlight seasonal ingredients and modern mixology techniques. Our drink menu pays homage to classic cocktails while infusing them with a unique, playful twist.

Complementing our dining philosophy, the wine list is an eclectic mix of locally and internationally sourced selections, ensuring that each glass is a perfect match for the relaxed and inviting ambiance of Monster Kitchen & Bar.

The Monster is an omnivore.

Top review

Roseline

Dined on Mar 29, 2025

Very exceptional service. Most of the food was very nice. Ambience was to die for.

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Experience

Express Lunch

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