The top 11 family restaurants in Canberra

Your go-to guide to Canberra’s best family restaurants, no matter the age of your kids.

After a long day seeing the sights, sit down for dinner at one of Canberra’s many family restaurants.

The nation’s capital is known for its dining scene and it’s good to know you can find a whole range of restaurants, cafes and food experiences that welcome little ones, tweens and teens to the table.

1. Wildflour Bakery

Canberrans take their leisure time seriously, and you will find many of them starting their weekend right by sitting down to breakfast at Wildflour Bakery. Expect a beguiling cast of locals consuming their body weight in artisan baked goods at this family-friendly Canberra institute, which has an undercover courtyard overlooking play equipment. This will keep the kids happy until their French toast and chocolate croissants arrive.

Take your pick between classic options like smashed avo on sourdough and more intriguing dishes such as ube pancakes. If you’re on the move, get caffeinated with a cup of ONA coffee and pick up paninis to go.

Address: 8 Townsville Crescent, Fyshwick ACT

2. Edgar’s Inn

While Ainslie locals love waking up with a coffee at Edgar’s Inn, they can also be found lingering at The Inn and Wakefield’s Bar & Wine. The two reimagined venues regularly rank on guides to the best places to have a drink in Canberra.

Edgar’s has been drawing families for decades thanks to crowd-pleasing options breakfast burgers and French toast. Order well off the lengthy menu; little ones will love the bite-sized kids pancakes, which come with either bacon or fruit and always topped with a generous dollop of maple syrup.

Address: 1 Edgar Street, Ainslie ACT

3. Agostinis

There’s a lot to take in at Agostinis, located on the ground floor of Canberra’s East Hotel. This family-run restaurant is always full of all ages due to its friendly waiters, and serious dedication to serving great Italian pizzas and pastas that will suit even the pickiest eaters.

It’s airy, light-filled dining room becomes moodily lit after dark, transporting you to Italy via delicious menu staples. Delight in polpette al sugo, slow-cooked Waygu beef mince and Italian pork sausage meatballs. Or try the capricciosa pizza with rosciutto cotto, mushrooms, artichokes and olives – it’s a crowd pleaser.

Address: 69 Canberra Avenue, Kingston ACT

4. Tiger Lane

The neon-bright signs pointing toward the Tiger Lane precinct in Canberra’s heart are hard to miss. Or simply follow the crowds of families and friends meeting up for shabu-shabu (Japanese-style hot pot) at Taki. Kids will love the interactive element of cooking food in the simmering hot pot.

Those with teens in tow can also head next door to Inari, which is a wonderland of fun led by so-called sushi shaman and Tiger Lane executive chef Shaun Presland. Also onsite is Mrs Wang, a contemporary take on traditional Chinese food, and Thai powerhouse, Supalove – as well as numerous take-away stalls for dinner on the go.

Address: 148 Bunda Street, Canberra City ACT

5. East Row

Bring your Instagram-obsessed teenagers to East Row so they can refresh their social feed at this delightful Canberra cafe. With an ever-changing seasonal menu, you’ll be treated to the best produce the state has to offer. Choose from the all-day breakfast menu or opt for something from the lunch list.

Kids can choose from sweet and savoury dishes, including waffles, fish and chips and croissants. The contemporary cafe is housed in the revitalised Sydney Building and is full of hip locals who arrange themselves artistically on the apple-green banquettes.

Address: 101-103 London Circuit, Canberra ACT

6. CBD Dumpling House

You will get dinner and a show at CBD Dumpling House, as the chefs prepare thousands of dumplings a day in full view of their customers and passers-by.

This noted dumpling den – the go-to choice for everyone from fat-cat politicians to students – is a decidedly fun place to enjoy xiao long bao (Shanghai soup dumplings) until you pop. Kids love the ice cream with waffles, which arrive with a snowfall of sprinkles.

Address: 148 Bunda Street, Canberra ACT

7. Verity Lane Market

In suitable weather, the laneway tables within the iconic Sydney Building maximise Canberra’s chilled hipster vibe. But, like most places in the country’s capital, Verity Lane Market is not too cool for school and you’ll get a warm welcome when it’s cold outside.

The street-food market has a convenient CBD location, where families can choose between vendors like Seoul Chicken, Rasa Rosa, Pizza Artigiana, Petite Saigon and La Cocina Pura.

Address: 50 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra ACT

8. Brodburger at Capital Brewing

The original red caravan where Brodburger began is now housed in the family-friendly courtyard at Capital Brewing Co. It’s a wonderful place to stop in, as kids can run around outside while mum and dad watch on, sipping an on-tap brew.

The flame-grilled burgers are beyond brilliant. Grown-ups should get the bigger-than-your-head Deluxe stuffed with eggs, bacon, lettuce and onion. Over 10 of the caravan’s burgers come in a ‘Baby Size’ option, making it the perfect pit stop for hungry tummies.

Address: 3/1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick ACT

9. Snapper & Co

Sit outside at the Southern Cross Yacht Club in Yarralumla and enjoy the crisp Canberra air while the kids kick a ball around. As the name suggests, the eatery is right on Lake Burley Griffin and overlooks Black Mountain.

There are multiple venues on site, but Snapper & Co is a must at least once. Sit on the deck or in the courtyard and order some of the best fish and chips in the region, which arrive wrapped in a custom newspaper printed with dad jokes. What’s not to love?

Address: Mariner Place, Yarralumla ACT

10. Lazy Su

Teach your children to appreciate good food and retro-chic decor at Lazy Su in Lonsdale Street, where these two components collide to great effect. Watch the chefs cook up a storm, with dishes everyone seems to order like Wagyu beefsteak spring rolls, Japanese roast chicken and miso butter carrots.

Don’t look past the desserts either; the whole family will want seconds of the bubble tea crème brûlée. And at $15 a pop, why not? Families should arrive early for dinner at the Japanese-Korean-Americana eatery, as the place turns up the volume as the night progresses.

Address: 1/9 Lonsdale Street, Braddon ACT

11. Monster Kitchen & Bar

Have you got a few vegetarians in the family? Monster Kitchen & Bar is the in-house vegetarian restaurant at Ovolo Nishi and will have something to suit, regardless of how rampant a carnivore you are.

Expect generous portions, pretty plating and fantastic service. The restaurant has big windows looking out onto the leafy street, a statement chandelier and clubby panelling. In short, it has a rebellious, fun spirit that will please the pickiest of eaters.

Address: 25 Edinburgh Avenue, Canberra ACT

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