20+ restaurants and cafés open for lunch during the week (that aren’t Subway or Maccas)
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Sometimes when you’re on the hunt for a place to eat during the week, it might feel like your options are…very limited unless you’re craving a foot-long or cheeky cheeseburger.
But if you’d like to mix it up a little (and treat yourself to a slightly more sophisticated dining experience), here are some of our favourite places around Canberra open during the week for a delicious lunch.
You never know—you might just find your new favourite lunch break destination.
Roy Jr. (City)
A newbie on the block, Roy Jr. ticks all the boxes if you’re looking for a serious lunch without the serious atmosphere.
Home to what looks like Canberra’s coolest new co-working space (with elegant lounge chairs, large communal round tables, sofas, and benches all arranged like a business lounge setting—and with access to power points), the menu sees options such as the classic Steak Frites, with a 200-gram Grain-Fed Hanger Steak with chips, salad and bordelaise sauce, a Prawn and Crab Meat Linguine with peas and pangrattato, or a Grilled Barramundi with Coconut Curry, baby bok choy and black sesame rice.
Fully licensed, Roy Jr. will also operate a bar and feature an assortment of wine, beer, and breakfast cocktails. This way, everyone is going to get exactly what they need.
Open Monday to Friday for lunch | 7 London Circuit, Civic | royjr.com.au
Inari (City)
As the signature restaurant of Tiger Lane’s own ‘Sushi Shaman’, Shaun Presland, getting into Inari on a weeknight without booking in advance isn’t likely. So, what about a weekday lunch?
Open from 12 pm, Inari’s menu deftly explores traditional Japanese dishes with a modern twist, centred around locally sourced seafood. But if you’re searching for some bang for your buck, grab a signature Inari Bento Box for just $25—your stomach and wallet will thank you.
Open Monday to Friday for lunch | Canberra Centre, 148 Bunda Street | inari.restaurant
Taki (City)
With two distinct dining areas serving up Canberra’s best selection of Shabu Shabu and Yakiniku, Taki is a bespoke dining experience. Open for lunch from 12 pm on weekdays, as well as the drool-worthy menu offerings, you’ll also find lunch specials like Rice Donburi served with miso soup and a fresh side salad for just $19.90. See you there?
Open Monday to Friday for lunch | Canberra Centre, 148 Bunda Street | taki.restaurant
Mrs Wang (City)
Modern Australian Chinese that’s interesting enough for the well-travelled gastronaut, yet familiar enough to call it your new Chinese local, Mrs Wang is the newest addition to Tiger Lane and promises the best of the cuisine’s culinary heritage. Offering an Express Lunch for $35 per guest, it’s the perfect place for a long—and delicious—lunch with friends.
Open Monday to Friday for lunch | Canberra Centre, 148 Bunda Street | mrswang.restaurant
Meat and Wine Co (City)
Top-grade steaks, fine wines, and an Afro-centric restaurant design—if you want to impress, Meat and Wine Co is a steakhouse worth booking into. Offering an Express Lunch all week (which includes a glass of expertly-selected house wine, beer, or soft drink), choose this option for the chance to try some of their most popular dishes. Need some examples?
A 250g Shorthorn Rump that’s been grilled to perfection, slow-cooked pork spareribs and a Roasted harissa cauliflower served with black sesame and chickpea puree, chimichurri, almonds, and soft herbs are just some of the moreish offerings.
Open Monday to Friday for lunch | 220 London Circuit, Ground Level Constitution Avenue, Civic | themeatandwineco.com
INKA (City)
A Japanese-Peruvian culinary experience, INKA is the place to go for a weekday lunch that will leave a lasting impression.
A modern take on Japanese Nikkei style cuisine (combining flavours from both Japan and South America and fusing the wild and tropical) if you can’t decide what to eat, we recommend choosing the Express Lunch menu—for $50 per person you and your friends can dine on a selection of Maki Rolls, Sashimi, Peruvian Tempura and your choice of Tai Sakamushi or Lomo Saltado. Yum.
Open Tuesday to Thursday for lunch | Shop B11a 148 Bunda Street, Civic | inka.com
Raku (City)
Chic yet trendy, Raku is a modern Japanese dining experience that everyone will love. Take yourself on a solo date and try the expansive menu or have a leisurely and long lunch with Hao San’s Tasting Menu—where you can expect starters like Tasmanian salmon tartar with yuzu miso and squid ink crackers and enjoy mains such as 150-day Grain-fed Scotch fillet with wafu, wasabi sour cream and rhubarb salt.
Open Monday to Friday for lunch | 148 Bunda Street, Civic | rakudining.com
Akiba (City)
A favourite of Canberra locals, a long lunch at Akiba with your mates might be what you need. Showcasing many styles of Asian barbecue and fresh flavours, their ‘Feed Me’ menu offers a fast, fun, and flavoursome feed. Take it up a level with their Luxe Menu to have more time to talk—and eat.
Open Monday to Friday for lunch | 40 Bunda Street, Civic | akiba.com
Brunello (City)
Perfect for anyone who loves seasonal flavours and Spanish flair, a lunchtime degustation at Brunello will make your week even better.
Derived from Nonna’s cooking, the unique shared plates are all made in-house. Think: House-made sourdough bread, Crispy fried prosciutto croquettes and a contemporary Caprese salad.
Oh, and it’s worth mentioning that Brunello is Canberra’s only exclusive restaurant and wine bar that offers a state-of the-art Wine Enomatic experience—meaning there are over 40 wines available by the glass to sample weekly from all over the globe.
Open Wednesday to Friday for lunch | 222 City Walk, Civic | brunello.com
BlackFire (City)
Home to some of the best Mediterranean cuisine in Canberra, award-winning BlackFire Restaurant promises imaginative dishes that are a feast for the senses.
Perfect for four or more people, book in for the $49 per person Lunch Group Menu or try the general menu to taste authentic Spanish Mediterranean flavours.
Open Monday to Friday for lunch | 45\38 Mort Street, Braddon | blackfirecanberra.com
Les Bistronomes (Campbell)
A French restaurant that prides itself on delivering high-quality produce, service and wine in a relaxed and homely atmosphere, you have two ways to dine at Les Bistronomes: a la carte or the six-course degustation. Garlic-buttered burgundy snails on a Tuesday have never sounded so good.
Open Tuesday to Friday for lunch | 18 Blamey Place, Campbell | lesbistronomes.net
Lamsheds (Yarralumla)
Only open for lunch during the week Wednesday to Friday, Lamsheds is an upmarket eatery where the food is rich and the atmosphere warm with a decadent blend of flavours that will take you on a culinary adventure—think: striploin steak, mulled wine butter, Jerusalem artichoke, tempura eggplant, white miso, and sesame.
Open Wednesday to Friday for lunch | Unit 2/27 Bentham Street, Yarralumla | lamsheds.com.au
Eightysix South (Woden)
Looking for something outside of the CBD? Lunch at Eightysix South is worth popping into everyone’s diaries.
With an Italian focus, they have a super quick-tasting menu for lunch—full of classics like potato focaccia, salt and pepper squid and pumpkin and mascarpone tortellini with sage burnt butter. Complete with a modern fit-out, go for the food and stay for the hospitality.
Open Wednesday to Friday for lunch | 45 Furzer Street, Phillip | Book here.
Yaki Boi (Woden)
It’s made a name for itself in the city for its weird and wonderful Japanese fusion food, but now Southsiders can rejoice as Yaki Boi throws open its doors at a brand-new location—Westfield Woden.
Located next to Hoyts, the new location will have all of the iconic offerings found in the city—including the notably mouth-watering grilled cheesy oysters. Peking Duck pizza for lunch, anyone?
Open Monday to Friday for lunch | Westfield Woden, Bradley Street Dining Precinct, next to Hoyts Cinema | yakiboi.com
Dada (Woden)
With just the right ‘hidden bolthole’ vibe, lunch at Dada in Woden is a casual but exciting affair. Open from Tuesday to Friday, we recommend the 55 Lunch—a share-style offering that has everything from house-made rice bread to lemongrass pork and salted coconut banana gelato, crumbs and caramel.
It’s the perfect way to celebrate mid-week (and mid-day). The best bit? Almost every dish is gluten and dairy free. Run, don’t walk.
Open Tuesday to Friday for lunch | G4, 12 Furzer Street, Phillip | dadarestaurant.com
Little Istanbul (Tuggeranong)
If you’re looking for something different for lunch in Tuggeranong, go no further than Little Istanbul. Praised for their excellent food, their menu is full of authentic Turkish flavours and plenty of dishes to choose from. Need some examples? Think a meze taste platter, dips and even the special Chefs Selections—because a lunchtime banquet is always a good idea.
Open Monday to Friday for lunch | South.Point Tuggeranong, 9b/210 Anketell Street, Greenway | littleistanbul.com
Mookie Burger (Tuggeranong)
Perfect for when you’re craving a burger but want to take your lunch up a level, Mookie Burger is an American-style burger joint with a Japanese twist. Serving everything from potato gems to milkshakes and beer, this eatery is always a hit for all ages. Try the Hello Kitty concrete and loaded fries for the full experience.
Open Monday to Friday for lunch | South.Point Tuggeranong, 13B Anketell Street, Greenway | mookie.com
Hachiko (Belconnen)
With its diverse menu filled with delectable Japanese flavours, Hachiko is a restaurant that promises a five-star dining experience without fuss. Open for lunch (except for Mondays), it brings the west of Japanese and Western food—almost giving you too much deliciousness to choose from.
Open Tuesday to Friday for lunch | 8/114 Emu Bank, Belconnen | hachikobelco.com
Bella Vista (Belconnen)
If you’re craving a holiday to Italy, we suggest taking a trip to Belco—Bella Vista is an authentic taste of Italy without having to leave the country. And from home-made Lasagne to Pollo al Gamberi, your tastebuds will thank you. Lunch plans? Sorted. Bon appetit!
Open Monday to Friday for lunch | 84 Emu Bank, Belconnen | bellavistarestaurant.com.au
Lion City (Gungahlin)
Craving Singaporean cuisine? Lion City is the place to go. Bringing traditional flavours and street food influences to life, the full menu is available for lunch—including the Wonton Noodle Soup, Hokkien Mee, and Hainanese Chicken Rice. Heaven.
Open Tuesday to Friday for lunch | Shop 87, 275 Flemington Road, Franklin | lioncityrestaurant.com
Saffron Room Persian Restaurant (Gungahlin)
In the Saffron Room, aromatic Persian flavours come to life. A great place to catch up during the week, the menu is overflowing with options—so much so that you might have trouble choosing just one dish.
Our advice? Don’t. Because from vegetarian Fesenjoon to Ghormeh Sabzi, it promises to be a dining experience you won’t soon forget.
Open Tuesday to Friday for lunch | 57A Nellie Hamilton Avenue, Gungahlin | saffronroom.com.au
Feature image: Inari Canberra Centre by Ben Calvert Photography.
