The venue for Conflux 9, Rydges Capital Hill is very close to Manuka, one of Canberra’s premier restaurant and café districts. It also has a Greater Union theatre and a Coles supermarket and Post Office. It’s ten minutes or so walk down Canberra Avenue and you cross over at the lights. (the opposite direction to Parliament House). (Actually I think Kingston is closer-see entry on Kingston below).
There are a number of restaurants and cafes to choose from. I’m not sure of their opening hours but I will try to include phone numbers because if you are going with a big party or even a smaller one it pays to book. We’ve been to survey all the restaurant so this is now a comprehensive list.
Le Café in in Franklin Street, opposite the theatre. It serves coffees and meals etc.My Cafe info here.
The say they stay open until late so if you are finding it hard to sleep you might wander up here. However, late probably means around 11.00pm.
Next door to My Cafe is Caphs, which is also a cafe/restaurant. I don’t mind them. They have cooked me a meal as late as 11.pm and it was rather nice. There are a number smaller cafes that serve excellent coffee and snacks.
On the otherside of MyCafe is the Downtown milk bar and coffee lounge. I always thought of this place as a chocolate shop but I noticed that they are also doing light meals and are doing cafe trade.
Just up from these cafes is Bambusa, an asian restaurant and then there is Grill’d.
Ginseng is my daughter’s favourite Chinese restaurant. It’d down the end of the central block of cafes on Flinders Way. To book call 02 6260 8346. Timmy’s is also another favourite. Close by to Gingseng are Choices Vietnamese Restaurant (in the alley). Also a Thai restaurant Baan Latsamy in the row. Mee ‘s Sushi is open Friday and Saturday and has excellent hand sushi rolls. A bit pricier than you get in a mall but very good. Always a queue on work days.
Just down from the theatre is Legends, Spanish restaurant. They do great tapas and seafood and do cater for larger groups. Their website has menus and booking details here.
On the other side of the restaurant there is Charlie Black and Saffron. I don’t know much about them. There is Artoven (bakery and you can get coffee) and Zambreros-take away Mexican.
There is a fairly new Korean BBQ restaurant opposite Coles but next to Legends called Tosang Marchall BBQ and while we are in that part of the centre, there is the Public across the road which is a pub/restaurant and it is open on Sunday. A night club called The Vinyl Room open to 4.00am Friday and Saturday. They serve cocktails. I haven’t been to any nightclubs in Canberra so I can’ tell you about this one but I added it in in case people are interested.
A truly excellent restaurant is Abell’s Kopi Tiam, which serves a range of food from Malaysian, Indonesian and Singapore. It’s never failed to please. Phone (02) 6239 4199. It’s on Furneaux Street, that’s the street closest to the hotel and near the lights as you walk down.
There is an Italian restaurant in Manuka called as Belluccis. And continuing up there is Timmy’s (great asian) and Thai Corner. In the little cul de sac there is Urban Pantry on the corner and a couple of great little cafes Ona and Zucchero. There is a place called Grandes, which is quite popular but pricey.
In the next mall down, there is La Rendezvous, a family owned Italian restaurant. Contact details are here.
The Jewel of India is a top Indian restaurant and it’s upstairs in the main block.
A Taste of Himilaya is in the alley between the blocks. Take a wander around and you’ll find it.
The Mecca Bar is down in the far building above Coles. That has a bar and a restaurant with a middle eastern influence. In the same building there is a new Japanese restaurant called Wasabi (open 7 days). I haven’t been there but here is their number (02) 6295 8777
Next to Wasabi is a Gellatissimo, a place for coffee and gelato. Then there is Subway and Maccas in the same row.
Franciscos’ Mexican Cantina is in the little mall. I like this place, particularly their chocolate and cinnamon ice cream.
Further down in the mall type thing there is a new Indian restaurant called Pujabi Hut, upstairs in the Style mall. Next to it is Alanya, a turkish restaurant. Phone number 6295 967. BYO wine only but corkage is $6.00 per bottle. I’ve eaten here but a very long time ago.
So I’ve probably addled your brain. I think there might be more choice for eating in Manuka than in Civic. Canberra is strange like that. Some of the best restaurants are in the suburban areas. Manuka is pretty unique for Canberra.
As I work near the Rydges Capital Hill, and I walk to both Manuka and Kingston regularly, I think Kingston is closer. However, you have to cut across the park. Otherwise you take the long way. I’m happy to point the way on the map. Matt and I went to Kingston to provide you with an overview of the restaurants there. There are a few new ones as the premises have changed hands.
So further down Canberra avenue from Manuka is the Kingston Hotel, known locally as the Kingo and good for cheap steaks. The sign says there was also a pasta place inside called Papas.
Once in Kingston (cut through Telopea Park and up one of the streets will bring you to Kingston. On the corner there is a new restaurant/cafe called Me and Mrs Jones. I went there for tea and muffins one morning and it was fine. I haven’t tried their other meals. Continuing down Kennedy street is the China Plate (new) and Portia’s both asian. There is a Pizza Hut, Figaros (Italian), Crust Pizza (takeaway gourmet pizza), The Kennedy Room (also a night club), Bodega de Piintxos (a very new Spanish restaurant), La Rusitca (Italian), Tandoor Hut (Indian) and Two for Joy Cafe. Turning left down Eyre street, and the next corner is the Kingston Grind cafe, which brings you to Green Square. Here there is a Bittersweet cafe (which has a sign saying it’s all about the coffee), Caffe Lela, which is reasonable. I had some great fish and salad there yonks ago.
The Durham (pub), with food. The Harem Turkish restaurant (upstairs-doesn’t open Sunday), the Thai Armarim (been there heaps-not bad!). Across the road from Green’s Square is the Belgian Beer Cafe (more like a pub),Continuing up Jardine Street is the Chicken Gourmet Take Away. (this used to be an excellent fish shop. I haven’t tried the chicken.).
There is a post office on the corner. Turning left into Giles street you come across Idelic, a up market cafe/lunch shop. Nice food. Next door is a cheap asian bakery that makes sandwiches and pies etc. I don’t think it opens on the weekend, but I’m not sure. Continuing along you get the Hong Hau, Thai Chaig Rai,Bollywood Masala (replacing the yummy Portuguese place I used to go to). Across the road is Art Espresso and Vie (I’ve been to Vie alot for breakfast/brunch). Then back across the road we continue along with Madam Woos, La Dolce Vita and La Campanna (both Italian). The Silo bakery (to die for but may only be open on Friday).
Then taking a longer walk or drive to the lakeside, there is the Wild Duck, a fine asian restaurant.
Phew! (So much choice. So little time.)
Closer to the hotel, there is the Italian Club, which should be accessible to out of towners. I don’t know the rules but there is a restaurant in there. Along National Circuit is the Hotel Realm, which has a restaurant and bar. Further along is the Hotel Kurrajong, which has another bar and another restaurant.
I can also add that the hotel has a restaurant and I had their eggs benedict the other day and it was delicious.
That’s it for now. I’ll try to update again with more information.
Donna
(note information has been added since the original post).
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