Canberra Restaurant Tips by tiabunna

Restaurant Name: Cafe Moda

In many ways, Cafe Moda is similar in style of many luncheon cafes in Canberra, with a setting of chairs and tables outside the main food sales area. The food is eclectic, though with a slight emphasis toward Italian. We like it for good service, good food and good coffee. Apart from that, the area where it is located is off to one side from the main pedestrian traffic, so it is a little quieter and we find that a 'plus'.

Favorite Dish: Open sandwiches with salad.

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Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: (02) 6257 1313
Address: Canberra Centre
Directions: Upper level of Canberra Centre, at the end of the side hall area just above the escalators.

Restaurant Name: The Tryst

Thirty years ago, Canberra had only two or three good restaurants. With the explosion in restaurant numbers and quality in recent years, there now is an endless choice. Several good restaurants are to be found in the inner south suburb of Manuka – and that is where this tip leads us.

We had eaten previously at The Tryst and had thoroughly enjoyed the experience. As we were celebrating Pauline’s birthday with friends and family, the choice was hers: The Tryst it was to be!

We were welcomed by the owner, who confirmed our booking, and gave Pauline flowers delivered to the restaurant on behalf of overseas friends. Shortly, our other dinner partners arrived and we settled in to an evening of happy chatter, good food and good wine. The restaurant is licensed and also accepts BYO for a quite reasonable corkage. The food is described as “modern Australian”, which usually means exotic descriptions, a touch of Asian ingredients, and reasonable but not excessive servings.

Favorite Dish: Leaving aside the exotic descriptions, I had the beef fillet served on potatoes and surmounted by a twist of some crunchy root vegetable. My companion (as the formal restaurant reviews always say) had the spatchcock with asparagus. Pauline loves date pudding, but when her dessert arrived the restaurant owner personally brought it out with a candle on top and led everyone in the restaurant in singing “Happy Birthday” – he commented that it isn’t every day a woman turns 45 (which made Pauline very happy). We both were entirely satisfied with our meals, though another member of the party was a little disappointed in one of her courses.

All in all, I would be happy to recommend The Tryst to visiting VTers. It isn’t the most inexpensive restaurant around, but the prices for main courses (price range below) are about right for the standard (compared to mains, entrees are relatively expensive, desserts inexpensive); the service is good; and the atmosphere is relaxed and pleasant.

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Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: (02) 6239 4422
Address: Bougainville St, Manuka ACT 2603
Directions: Streetside, in the 'old' part of Manuka shopping centre. Weather permitting, there are outdoor tables.
Website: The website seems inoperative.

Restaurant Name: Moon Rock Café

If as I suggest (make that highly recommend) you follow my “Off The Beaten Path” tips and take the Cotter Loop/Tourist Drive 5, there are few opportunities to buy a meal (actually, until the restaurant at Mt Stromlo reopens, there is only one). You'll need a full day to take in the places on the drive, so the Moon Rock Café has an importance it might otherwise not have had!

You’ll find the MRC at the Tidbinbilla Deep Space Tracking Station, where you can eat your lunch with the great view of the big dish and the surrounding country seen in the main photo. In winter eating outside would be pleasant, but when these photos were taken it was too warm to be outdoors for long.

The MRC doesn’t profess to be high cuisine: its main role is to provide meals for tourists and Tracking Station workers. As you will see in the second photo there are no table cloths. It does, however, offer quite a reasonable standard of light meals, such as this pie with salad (and, heaven be praised, a small jar of salad dressing). I was also impressed by the flat white coffee I was served, but by the time we arrived I was desperate for a coffee anyway!

Oh yes, while you’re there, and particularly if you have junior family members, there is a reasonable range of space/science related books, puzzles and other souvenir items (photo 3).


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Theme: Local
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 02 6281 2190
Address: Deep Space tracking Station, Tidbinbilla
Directions: If you can find the Tracking Station, you'll have no problem finding the Moon Rock! It's open daily until 1700.