Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Canberra

OpenTable

Updated October 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!

REBEL REBEL

4.8

4.8 (1216)

$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

xanthi

Dined on Oct 1, 2024

I had a lovely solo dinner here. The service was attentive and warm and the food was divine. The mix of cuisine is exciting and yummy - Stracciatella with prawn sambal was a highlight!

Briscola Italian

4.8

4.8 (515)

$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

Ron

Dined 2 days ago

Food was very good and restaurant was busy being a public holiday, hence service a bit under pressure. Certainly a go too for good Italian in Canberra.

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Popular dish

Pappardelle al Ragu

Bar Beirut

4.7

4.7 (56)

$41 to $100

Middle Eastern

Canberra City

About the restaurant

Dive into the bold allure of Bar Beirut, Canberra’s late-night hotspot. Named one of the nation's top cocktail bars by The Australian (2023), and Canberra's Best Cocktail Lounge and Small Bar (2022 & 23), and Favourite Middle Eastern Restaurant (2021, 22 & 23), 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

Jacky

Dined 4 days ago

Had a beautiful birthday evening at this great bar!! The Lebanese banquet was very tasty and filling!! Soumi is a wonderful host and always engaging, happy and welcoming!! A great little spot in Canberra!!

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Taste of Beirut: Cocktails & Mezze

Queenies Restaurant & Bar

4.6

4.6 (343)

$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

Michele

Dined 4 days ago

Loved Queenies! I could not believe it was not more packed on the night we were there - and I don't want everyone else to now discover and book. Loved the live music, which was enjoyable without being dominating, loved the bar, atmosphere, and the waitresses were all very attentive.

Saint Malo

4.5

4.5 (122)

$41 to $100

Spanish

Canberra City

About the restaurant

Welcome to Saint Malo, the Spanish restaurant in Canberra that brings the taste and sound of the Mediterranean to your plate. Our passion for Mediterranean cuisine was born from a love for travel and exploration, and we strive to offer an elevated dining experience that transports you to the Spanish coastline without ever leaving Canberra. Our menu is designed to showcase the fresh and vibrant flavours of Spanish cuisine. We pride ourselves on using only the finest ingredients, sourcing local and sustainable produce wherever possible. Our dishes are simple yet elevated, with a focus on grilled meats, fresh seafood, and vegetarian options. From our signature Paella to our mouth-watering grilled octopus, every dish is a work of art. We offer a curated wine and cocktail list featuring some of the best Spanish wines and cocktails, perfectly paired with our dishes.

Top review

Shireane

Dined on Sep 20, 2024

Great food and great service. Very pleasant surroundings.

La Rustica

4.5

4.5 (26)

$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

Leanne

Dined on Sep 19, 2024

Wonderful experience and great food. Staff were amazing and we loved our evening. Thank you.

Monster Kitchen & Bar

4.4

4.4 (1177)

$41 to $100

Vegetarian / Vegan

Canberra City

About the restaurant

Canberra’s only refined vegetarian dining experience, Monster Kitchen and Bar, has a deep respect for locally sourced and seasonal ingredients landing an exciting set of fresh ideas with conscious consumption at the forefront.

As it becomes increasingly popular for people to feel good about what they eat and order, our kitchen team strive to introduce complexity to simple, fresh and quality ingredients finding inspiration to create many layers of flavour to the final result.

Monster’s cutting-edge veg will endorse longevity, fermenting and pickling will feature prominently across the menu allowing the vibrancy of the produce to live on.

The Monster is a herbivore.

Top review

Lauren

Dined 3 days ago

As slways, fabulous food, service and experience . Preyush is amazing!

Alia Bar

4.4

4.4 (22)

$40 and under

Mediterranean

Canberra City

About the restaurant

Step into the opulent realm of ALIA, Canberra’s latest
embodiment of grandeur, where Greek share plates and
holy elixirs take center stage.
A place that seamlessly transforms from daytime lunches,
laid back meeting, casual gatherings into moonlight cocktails
and indulgent family style dinners.
Right in the heart of Canberra CBD

Top review

Lela

Dined on Sep 27, 2024

This is my third visit to Alia. Loved the Greek music playing in the background. Food was Devine and service was fantastic. Look forward to dining there again.

Two Before Ten Aranda & 10 Yards

4.3

4.3 (879)

$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

Andrew

Dined 3 days ago

Been to Ten Yards twice in the last week, both times it's been excellent - service, food and ambience. Lucky enough to have Chris as our server both times who does an amazing job all round

Chifley's Bar & Grill

4.1

4.1 (329)

$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

Charles

Dined on Sep 20, 2024

Very good service and the Dinner we had was most enjoyable. Friday night live music in the background. Tops.

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