Monster Kitchen & Bar

Name: Monster Kitchen & Bar
Address: 25 Edinburgh Ave, Canberra, AU-ACT, Australia, 2601
Telephone: (02) 6287 6287
Price range: $41 to $100
Rating: 3.8

3.8 (1200)

$41 to $100

Modern Australian

25 Edinburgh Ave, Canberra, AU-ACT 2601

Make a reservation

2 people

Jul 1, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 5 times today

Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

Vegetarian-friendly
Good for special occasions
Innovative

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.

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$41 to $100
Cuisines
Modern Australian, Fusion / Eclectic, Global, International
Hours of operation
Breakfast Mon–Fri 6:30 am–10:00 am Sat, Sun 7:00 am–10:30 am All Day Dining Mon–Thu 12:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 12:00 pm–9:30 pm Bar Mon–Thu 12:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 12:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(02) 6287 6287
Website
http://www.monsterkitchen.com.au/
Payment options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Catering
Full catering menu can be supplied upon request.
Private party facilities
Monster Salon is perfect for one-of-a-kind private events and is available upon request. Contact our events team at events.nishi@ovolohotels.com or 02 6287 6287

Location
25 Edinburgh Ave, Canberra, AU-ACT 2601
Neighborhood
Canberra City
Parking details
Underground paid public parking available
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

Express Lunch
Multiple dates available
Enjoy an express lunch in a space that feels anything but rushed. Monster has started the New Year with an enticing $35 meal and wine menu for your weekday indulgence. Available Monday to Friday. Walk-ins welcome.
Bar Experience
Multiple dates available
Book your table at Monster Bar and enjoy a more casual, bar-style dining experience. Offering an elevated cocktail experience that blends modern techniques and seasonal ingredients. The menu features our own twist on iconic classic drinks, while the wine list showcases a curated selection of top-quality wines from local and international vineyards. While the food menu shares some dishes with the restaurant, the bar version emphasises smaller, shareable plates, perfect for pairing with cocktails or wine. The emphasis is on bold flavours and local, seasonal produce.

Caesar salad cos leaves, anchovies, boiled eggs, bacon, fresh parmesan, crouton, Caesar dressingA$26.00
Guacamole served in stone bowl with seasonal condiments, corn chipsA$26.00
Antipasto for 2 - prok and fennel salami, prsciutto, aged bresaola, served with today's selection of seasonal grilled vegetables, olives, and breadA$39.00
Burrata, basil pesto cherry tomato and Three Mills toastA$29.00

Mains

Monster cheese burger, maple smoked bacon, zuni pickles and friesA$34.00
Riverina Angus Sirloin 200gm, red wine butter jus, fries A$39.00
Pasta Pappardelle, alla norma with parmesan cheese A$32.00
Braised cabbage, red wine lentils, pickled onion, fresh herbsA$38.00

Sides

Shoe-string fries, truffle aioli (A$15.00
Char Grilled Broccolini A$18.00
with sauce gribiche

Desserts

Ovolo misu savoidari, coffee mascarponeA$19.00
Sticky date pudding, salted caramel and vanilla ice creamA$19.00
Vanilla creme brulee with macadamia biscottiA$19.00
Mulled wine poached pear crumble and lemon gelatoA$19.00
3 cheese platter with accompanimentsA$39.00

What 1,200 people are saying

Monster Kitchen & Bar reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

3.8

3.8 based on recent ratings

4.0Food
3.7Service
4.0Ambience
3.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Canberra
Good for groups
Canberra
Healthy
Canberra
Great for fine wines
Canberra
Good for special occasions
Canberra
Vegetarian-friendly
Canberra
Lively
Canberra
Most Booked
Inner North
Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Monster Kitchen & Bar offers a vibrant atmosphere and friendly staff, though feedback highlights a decline in service and menu quality. While some guests enjoyed dishes like "pork belly skewers" and the "ambience," others found the new ordering system and menu changes less appealing. Ideal for a casual, lively experience.

1,200 Reviews

v
vicki
Canberra1 review
1.0
Dined on June 21, 2025
1. Overall 1
2. Food 2
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 4
Big disappointment from previous visits to Monster. Menu has been reduced and is now pub food at more fine dining prices. On a Saturday evening it seemed like there was one bartender, one waiter and one server working. We waited 25 minutes between being seated to ordering anything, then 5 minutes later had the waiter come and ask us if we were ready to order desserts. Food was ok, we enjoyed the arancini but the steak and chips was just so-so. No plates brought to be able to not eat off the share plate and very little chance to get the attention of anyone to have plates brought over. Mocktail (Muddled strawberry?) was fabulous, that and the space itself was the highlight. We can’t recommend the “new” Monster and we won’t be back which is a shame because Monster used to be a special spot.
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S
Swathi
Canberra3 reviews
2.0
Dined on June 21, 2025
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
Disappointing experience for a premium fine-dining venue. We came for a Saturday lunch with a reservation, expecting the quality and service that Monster Kitchen was once known for. Instead, we were told to go up to the counter to place our order — which felt very out of place for a fine-dining setting. The guacamole with corn chips lacked seasoning and felt bland. The only standout dish was the grilled broccolini, which was delicious. The sticky date dessert was underwhelming — more like a dense date-flavoured loaf topped with chopped dates and an overly sweet caramel sauce, rather than the rich, indulgent pudding one would expect. I’ve dined at Monster Kitchen before and been so impressed with both the food and service, so it’s sad to see how much it has deteriorated. Hoping this was just an off-day, but it certainly didn’t match the standard I’ve come to expect from this venue.
Monster Kitchen & BarResponded on June 23, 2025
Hi Swathi, Thank you for your feedback and for being a supporter of Monster. We’re sorry your recent visit didn’t meet your expectations. All Ovolo hotels around Australia are currently seeing an adaptation of our in-hotel dining venues as part of some food and beverage changes more broadly. As such, Monster has not been immune and recently evolved from a premium upscale dining venue to an all-day dining concept designed to be more approachable and inclusive, which includes a shift in some service styles. We understand this change may feel unexpected, and we’re sorry to hear some dishes missed the mark and our kitchen team will review this specific feedback. We appreciate your thoughts and regret any disappointment caused. Regards The Monster team
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S
Scott
Canberra2 reviews
4.0
Dined on June 3, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
We enjoyed sharing a smashed avocado and granola. Service was a little absent at times. Loved the space and engaging decor.
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j
jordan
Canberra1 review
3.0
Dined on May 24, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
It's a nice atmosphere in the restaurant and friendly staff but the food was pretty underwhelming
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J
Jo
Canberra1 review
1.0
Dined on May 24, 2025
1. Overall 1
2. Food 2
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 2
A disappointing experience at Monster. The prices and atmosphere does not match the new order at the bar system. Whilst the food was tasty we had issues with the total lack of service charging what they are. No longer the restaurant it was and I can’t imagine this new approach suits anyone…
Monster Kitchen & BarResponded on May 27, 2025
Dear Jo, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re truly sorry to hear that your recent experience at Monster didn’t meet your expectations. We understand that our transition to an all-day dining concept — including the new order-at-the-bar system — represents a significant shift from our previous service style. This change wasn’t made lightly; it reflects a broader evolution in the hospitality landscape, where we’ve had to adapt in order to remain sustainable and accessible to a wider range of guests throughout the day. Your experience is not what we aim for, and we truly regret that we fell short during your visit. Regards Monster Kitchen and Bar
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Canberra1 review
1.0
Dined on May 23, 2025
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food is expensive and horrible. Food at a country pub is half the price and half a step better than food at this establishment.
Monster Kitchen & BarResponded on May 27, 2025
We're sorry to hear your experience didn’t meet expectations. We’ve recently shifted to a more relaxed, all-day dining style to suit changing guest needs and the evolving hospitality environment. While our pricing is in line with similar venues, we understand the importance of delivering great value and are always working to improve. We appreciate your feedback and hope you’ll consider visiting us again. – The Monster Team
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J
James
Canberra2 reviews
2.0
Dined on May 11, 2025
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
Tired menu with two out of the 4 things on the Mother's day special not available. Steak didn't seem to have any red wine in the jus, kofta was a bit ordinary too. Staff were pleasant but slow and disinterested.
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N
Nicholas
South Australia1 review
4.0
Dined on May 10, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Busy environment, suited best to younger crowd. Staff very friendly and efficient. Couldn’t be faulted . Food good to very good depending on dish. Angus steak and chips , and cabbage plus lentils excellent . Poached pears with ice cream good but very sweet (youghurt would have been better accompaniment than ice cream). Overall recommend but more of an excellent bar with seating than a conventional restaurant .
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D
Dishant
Canberra3 reviews
1.0
Dined on April 5, 2025
1. Overall 1
2. Food 3
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 4
All these new changes to monster have been for the worst. I really don’t see myself coming back here and that’s quite a shame because monster was quite a unique restaurant and I will miss it.
Monster Kitchen & BarResponded on April 6, 2025
Dear Dishant, Thank-you for your feedback, we regret the changes didn't meet your expectations. The changes to Monster come about as changes to all Ovolo hotel food and beverage operations occur across all our Australian hotels. All our hotels are moving toward a more traditional all-day dining concept as we re-orient the hotel toward a more conference and events-based hotel and soon refresh our furniture and spaces. Whilst we are keeping some of the popular Monster dishes, we have moved away from the a la carte/set dining model. We value you appreciated the Monster of old, but in the current market we have had to evolve the model in order to continue to operate and meet the needs of our guests. We do thank-you for patronage irrespective. Kind regards Monster team
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R
Roseline
Canberra2 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 29, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Very exceptional service. Most of the food was very nice. Ambience was to die for.
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FAQs

Monster Kitchen & Bar is rated 3.8 stars by 1200 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Jul 1, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 5 times today

Experiences are available.

25 Edinburgh Ave, Canberra, AU-ACT 2601

Dining areas

Additional information

Neighborhood
Canberra City
Hours of operation
Breakfast Mon–Fri 6:30 am–10:00 am Sat, Sun 7:00 am–10:30 am All Day Dining Mon–Thu 12:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 12:00 pm–9:30 pm Bar Mon–Thu 12:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 12:00 pm–10:00 pm
Price
$41 to $100
Cuisines
Modern Australian, Fusion / Eclectic, Global, International
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
Underground paid public parking available
Payment options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.monsterkitchen.com.au/
Phone number
(02) 6287 6287
Catering
Full catering menu can be supplied upon request.
Private party facilities
Monster Salon is perfect for one-of-a-kind private events and is available upon request. Contact our events team at events.nishi@ovolohotels.com or 02 6287 6287

Monster Kitchen & Bar

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Dining areas

Additional information

Express Lunch

Bar Experience

Snacks

Edamame sesame, chilli saltA$13.00

Corn ribs shio kombu, smoked paprikaA$20.00

Pambula Sydney rock oysters, fermented rhubarb, basil oil A$11.00

Pecorina and green pea arancini with romesco and sumac dukkhaA$18.00

Lamb koftas with tahini labneh (3 pieces)A$19.00

Small Plates

Caesar salad cos leaves, anchovies, boiled eggs, bacon, fresh parmesan, crouton, Caesar dressingA$26.00

Guacamole served in stone bowl with seasonal condiments, corn chipsA$26.00

Antipasto for 2 - prok and fennel salami, prsciutto, aged bresaola, served with today's selection of seasonal grilled vegetables, olives, and breadA$39.00

Burrata, basil pesto cherry tomato and Three Mills toastA$29.00

Mains

Monster cheese burger, maple smoked bacon, zuni pickles and friesA$34.00

Riverina Angus Sirloin 200gm, red wine butter jus, fries A$39.00

Pasta Pappardelle, alla norma with parmesan cheese A$32.00

Braised cabbage, red wine lentils, pickled onion, fresh herbsA$38.00

Sides

Shoe-string fries, truffle aioli (A$15.00

Char Grilled Broccolini A$18.00

Desserts

Ovolo misu savoidari, coffee mascarponeA$19.00

Sticky date pudding, salted caramel and vanilla ice creamA$19.00

Vanilla creme brulee with macadamia biscottiA$19.00

Mulled wine poached pear crumble and lemon gelatoA$19.00

3 cheese platter with accompanimentsA$39.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is Monster Kitchen & Bar restaurant rated?

Is Monster Kitchen & Bar currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information