Lunch, dinner and drinks
My favourite spots to eat and drink when the clock strikes 12:30pm onward.
Grease Monkey
19 Lonsdale StHighly rated burgers, American style.
CBD Dumpling House
26 Bunda StGreat dumplings and a variety of mains.
Lazy Su
9 Lonsdale StDelicious Asian fusion.
Monster Kitchen and Bar
25 Edinburgh AveTrendy modern Australian.
Bar Rochford
65 London CctHidden bar with great alcohol and food.
Molly
Odgers LaneDimly lit late night bar usually with smooth jazz.
Bit more high end but delicious pizza, they do an all you can eat from wed-fri at the back in their cocktail bar.
27 locals recommend
Italian & Sons
7 Lonsdale StBit more high end but delicious pizza, they do an all you can eat from wed-fri at the back in their cocktail bar.
Hippo Co
17 Garema PlTrendy bar above ground floor overlooking the city square.
King O'Malley's
131 City WalkClassic Irish Pub with live music on a Friday.
Just up the road from my place, Tilleys has a classic jazz bar vibe that does it all - coffee, alcohol, milkshakes and food.
39 locals recommend
Tilley's Devine Cafe Gallery
Wattle StreetJust up the road from my place, Tilleys has a classic jazz bar vibe that does it all - coffee, alcohol, milkshakes and food.
Cheap hole in the wall about 5 minute walk from my house that does the tastiest charcoal kebabs.
Charcoal Rooster
94 Lowanna StreetCheap hole in the wall about 5 minute walk from my house that does the tastiest charcoal kebabs.
Named the best laksa in Canberra and only a short tram ride or drive away.
27 locals recommend
Dickson Asian Noodle House
29 Woolley StNamed the best laksa in Canberra and only a short tram ride or drive away.
Places to visit
A must do - either walk up (low-moderate difficulty) or drive to the top for a great view of Canberra.
61 locals recommend
Mount Ainslie
A must do - either walk up (low-moderate difficulty) or drive to the top for a great view of Canberra.
National Arboretum Canberra
Forest DriveNice views, play area and a great picnic spot.
National Gallery of Australia
Parkes Place EastGreat exhibitions and a nice outdoor coffee shop.
Great fun for the kids learning about science.
146 locals recommend
Questacon - National Science and Technology Centre
King Edward TerraceGreat fun for the kids learning about science.
Lake Burley Griffin
Flynn DriveGreat for picnics and a walk around the water.
Great museum with good art and exhibitions bear the water.
187 locals recommend
National Museum of Australia
Lawson CrescentGreat museum with good art and exhibitions bear the water.
If you're a bit of a law fan, check out this high court and the national portrait gallery next to it for a meal afterward.
16 locals recommend
High Court of Australia
Parkes PlIf you're a bit of a law fan, check out this high court and the national portrait gallery next to it for a meal afterward.
Neighbourhoods
Dickson
Great Asian food.
Kingston
Really nice area with the lake, good food and coffees along the walkway.
"Old Canberra" smaller town vibe with higher range food and drinking spots.
13 locals recommend
Manuka
"Old Canberra" smaller town vibe with higher range food and drinking spots.
Turner
Really nice leafy suburb, great for picnics and bike riding along the bike path.
Brunch/cafes
My favourite spots for a coffee or morning food.
SONOMA BRADDON
21 Lonsdale StDelicious bread and good coffee.
The Cupping Room
1-13 University AveOne of the best cafes in Canberra, if you can tolerate a line.
My favourite of the ONA cafes, nestled in the corner of a gorgeous open plan food and cafe spot in manuka.
12 locals recommend
TYPICA - Former Ona Manuka
4 Palmerston LnMy favourite of the ONA cafes, nestled in the corner of a gorgeous open plan food and cafe spot in manuka.
Terra Canberra
40 Marcus Clarke StReally nice, big portioned hearty food in the city.
Serious about their coffee and for good reason, one of my favourites in the city.
28 locals recommend
Lonsdale Street Cafe
23 Lonsdale StSerious about their coffee and for good reason, one of my favourites in the city.
Traveler advice
Getting around
Public transport is good from my place to the city.
The tram is a good connector to the city from the north.
There are a lot of buses that connect you to the city.
However, they can be limited at night.
Don't miss
Sunday farmers markets.
Sunday farmers markets in exhibition park, a short tram ride north.
Don't miss
Sunset views of Canberra
Walk or drive up Mount Ainslie to get a nice view.
Or if you're feeling lazy, take the view from my rooftop instead :).