To celebrate the launch of our new showroom in Canberra we’ve put together a guide to the best places to see, eat, sip coffee and shop in our cultural capital city.
See
There is much for art enthusiasts to admire among Canberra’s museums and galleries. At The National Gallery of Australia, home to Australia’s largest collection of Indigenous Australian artwork, you’ll find fiery desert landscapes and thought-provoking sculptures from Australia artists alongside the works of international artists including Claude Monet.
Budding interior designers might get some grand ideas from the gallery’s current Versailles exhibition, which showcases over 130 treasures from the palace. The exhibition, which even has its own scent, includes opulent tapestries, furniture and artwork belonging to King Louis and Marie Antoinette. Versailles: Treasures From The Palace runs until 7 April 2017; don’t forget to visit the gift shop for some French fancies too.
To burn some calories (and earn the treats we recommend you sample later) take a hike to the Mount Ainslie lookout. You’ll be rewarded with 360-degree views of Canberra’s iconic buildings and the surrounding scenery. Visit at sunrise or sunset for picture perfect lighting.
Eat
If you’re a fan of mouth-watering modern Asian cuisine you’ll love Akiba. Heralded as one of Australia’s Top Restaurants by the Australian Financial Review, Akiba’s atmosphere buzzes as much as the food. Stand out share plates include their Peking Duck Soup Dumplings and Pork Belly Buns but we can’t stop by without ordering the Japanese Fried Chicken with Parmesan.
At Monster Kitchen & Bar, found inside the quirky Hotel Hotel, the menu is as creative as the décor. Their seafood and steak is served to perfection but the most popular item on the menu is a Yabby Jaffle. Giving the humble toasty a grown up spin, Monster’s Jaffle is filled with a mixture of yabbies, horseradish, creme fraiche, chives, lemon juice, gruyere and buttered bread that tastes so good it’s been listed as one of “17 Australian dishes you must try before you die“ by Good Food.
Sip
Work your way through a menu of milk-based coffees at The Cupping Room, a concept café created by Canberra’s largest speciality coffee roaster with the aim of educating customers on the coffee sourcing and tasting process. If you’ve room for something sweet their French Toast with honeycomb, lemon balm and crème anglaise is pretty special too.
For something a little healthier pop along to the Kingston Foreshore and enjoy a freshly made juice at Local Press Café. This shabby-chic café on the waterfront offers a wholesome menu that’s both vegetarian and vegan friendly.
Shop
To shop food and crafts direct from local producers head to the Old Bus Depot Markets in Kingston. Held in two cavernous sheds every Sunday, the Old Bus Depot Market features over 200 stalls selling art, crafts, pastries, paleo jerky and much more besides. With baristas and live bands in each corner there’s always a great atmosphere.
If you’d like to create your own crafts the Canberra Glassworks, found in an old powerhouse next to the markets, offers the unique opportunity to make your own glassware in a 1-on-1 session with a glass artist. The artist guides you though every step of the process so no matter your skill set you’re bound to come home with something beautiful.
If you’re in need of some new cookbooks or quality cookware be sure to pop into our neighbours Essential Ingredient. The Essential Ingredient also stock a range of local produce, including a range of speciality cheeses, and kindly offer customers a free knife sharpening service on the first Saturday of every month.
Discover the world’s best kitchen and laundry appliance brands at our new Winning Appliances Kingston showroom! The building has a rich legacy in retail – it was originally the premises of Canberra’s first department store. Now sensitively renovated, the showroom embodies the Winning commitment to quality products and great customer service, which we are delighted to bring to the nation’s capital for the first time. Visit us at 80 Giles Street, Kingston.
