Canberra's Top Ten

1

 

It's no wonder Sammy's is number one. A Canberra institution, it serves up Chinese and Malaysian goodness, plus, you score a lot of bang for your buck. Join the hordes; they're onto a good thing.

2

 

As the name says, the crew here are covering all bases. It has an eclectic vibe, kitschy yet cosy, with randomly placed furniture and a courtyard that tempts in the warmer months. A stand-out in the Canberra scene oozing personality, food is made fresh to order from an ever changing menu. Settle in.

3

 

Leave the ACT behind and head to northern Africa without taking your passport. The atmosphere in this Moroccan themed restaurant is seductive long red paper lights with gold leaf printing hang from the ceiling, exotic cushions are scattered on seats with stunning fabrics. Throw in tasty tagines served in hand painted ceramics and you have a recipe for restaurant success.

4

 

A favourite with serious foodies, Rubicon, nestled just south of the Parliamentary Triangle, ticks all the boxes. Elegant lighting, subtle d?cor, gentle music and European cooking make this a place to rub shoulders with Kevin.

5

 

The Kennedy Room will not be a surprise to boutique booze hounds who have been on the scent of one of the funkier bars in Kingston. Both bar crawlers and lounge dwellers slink through the doors to settle in and be seen in the scene.

6

 

There are oodles at noodles at this jumping joint. Dickson's eat-street is the closest thing Canberra has to a Chinatown and this is the pick with Malaysian, Thai and Lao food (try the laksa). It's busy and bustling, but what else would you expect in an authentic, small slice of Asia?

7

 

For some more creative Asian, park your chopsticks at Ginseng. It has typically polished d?cor Manuka-style, but it's the food that will blow you away. Having won the 'Best Chinese Restaurant' gong in 2004 and 2005 from Restaurant and Catering Association NSW, you'll find it is still hitting the mark. Prepare for some unexpected flavours.

8

 

No list is complete without an Italian representative, and Figaro comes in with a Latin flourish. Pizzas explode with flavour, the wine list does a dance across some of the best wine regions and seasonal produce is the flair of Rome-trained head chef Nino Pagano.

9

 

Minnie Gaudnar never forgets a customer, come here once and you'll be treated like a local forever. Likewise, if you haven't explored Indian cuisine, you'll be a convert after trying the Fijian Indian at this place secretly guarded by those in the know. Amm chicken in mango sauce? Yes please! For home spun hospitality with the best Indian in the ACT, this is the pick.