Hatted Restaurants in Canberra to Book ASAP

The annual release of the Australian Good Food Guide Awards is always something to look forward to for the foodies in our midst. And this year, plenty of Canberra restaurants have been hatted.

For chefs and restaurants, getting a ‘hat’ is the highest honour. To score a hat (or multiple chef hats), a restaurant needs a minimum grade of 14 out of 20, which considers factors like ingredients, taste, presentation, technique, value, and consistency. Basically, booking a seat at a hatted restaurant is a surefire way to secure yourself a memorable meal. 

Not sure where to start? For food with all the frills, tip your hat to these award-winning, hatted restaurants in Canberra. Which ones will you be booking? 

Pilot

Pilot, hidden away in the Ainslie shops behind a mysterious facade, is a beautiful dining space filled with dark wood, warm lighting and rich velvet. The fine dining experience is exciting from start to finish with no preview menu available beforehand and fresh produce front and centre. The seven-course degustation pairs perfectly with their curated selection of unique and sustainable beers and wines. It's little wonder why Pilot has been awarded two hats again!

1 Wakefield Gardens, Ainslie

Raku

Fusing modern Australian with the art of Japanese cookery, Raku is a destination in and unto itself. Detail is at the heart of the Raku experience from the fine ceramic vessels to the seasonal produce and Robata grilled meats. Order the tasting menu if you can’t decide what to eat. (Quietly, their Nasu Dengaku is sublime.) The atmosphere is also quite romantic, making it perfect for a couple's outing. 

148 Bunda Street, Civic, Canberra

Rebel Rebel

Rebel Rebel is loved by working locals for in between meetings/ casual catch-ups but we think it also makes a great gathering place for special events. Their minimalist menu combines elevated and intriguing ingredients with an Australian twist. Expect the likes of grilled prawns and bay leaf butter and burnt honey and citrus ice cream sangas. With their very own bottle shop, you best bet the wine list is something else. 

Shop 21-23 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra

Such and Such

From the team behind the two-hat Pilot, Such and Such is your friendly neighbourhood watering hole. An all-day restaurant with a focus on wine and chilled vibes, you can drop in for a snack and a glass of vino or a laid-back lunch or dinner. Heavy on nostalgia, the menu shifts with the seasons but features innovative flavour combos, comfort eats and top-notch produce. 

8/220 London Circuit, Constitution Place, Canberra

Bar Rochford

Bar Rochford is found at the top of the Melbourne Building, an architectural icon in Canberra’s city centre. It’s a great spot to watch the world go by below – and to enjoy some truly excellent food and drink. The extensive wine menu is filled with unique drops, making it a fine place to go if you consider yourself a wine connoisseur. 

1st/65 London Circuit, Canberra City 

Onzieme

Onzieme is a wine bar and hatted restaurant that has earned high praise from Australia's leading hospitality institutions, and when you dine and drink here, you’ll understand why. The small plates are intrinsically inventive and insanely good, and the drinks list – mostly filled with natural wines – is undeniably well-curated.

We recommend seeing if you can get a place at the counter. Reserved for walk-ins, it's a great spot to chat and hang out with the staff.

5-39 Kennedy Street, Kingston

Mu Omakase

At Mu Omakase you’re seated at the counter and chefs serve a tasty degustation menu based on the freshest seasonal produce available that day. The sake menu is fantastic, and the interior is intimate and moody.

1 Constitution Avenue, Canberra City

If you're well on your way to becoming a Canberra restaurant connoisseur and keen to discover more foodie gems, be sure to check out our edits of the best restaurants on Lonsdale Street and the best Japanese restaurants in Canberra.