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Have a very important meeting and need to impress your guests?
Don’t stress—Canberra might be known as a busy business destination, but underneath is a bustling hub for foodies that caters to all tastes, perfect for a long (or light) lunch with corporate clients.
From stunning water views for a leisurely few hours out of the office to tantalising express menu options that offer the chance to try some of the best dishes from Canberra’s dining scene, we’ve rounded up 12 venues that are sure to impress.
The Marion
With stunning panoramic views of Lake Burley Griffin, luxurious décor, and a fine dining lunch menu that focuses on quality, seasonal, and sustainable produce, The Marion promises a memorable experience that’s sure to impress even the fussiest of guests.
Choose from the two or three-course set menu (which includes dishes like Smoked fillet of beef tonnato, crispy capers, finger lime, rocket, and shaved aged parmesan, and Marion’s “Banoffee Pie”) and sit back with a carefully curated glass of wine for an elegant corporate lunch.
Of course, if you’d like to take it up another level, you can always book in for a high tea—after all there’s nothing like stunning water views with a selection of sweet and savoury pastries and champagne to wash it all down.
In addition to its restaurant, The Marion is an idyllic canvas for corporate functions, cocktail parties, private dinners, exclusive events and weddings.
Keep an eye out for their upcoming Truffle Dinner and Christmas in July events. Coming soon.Open Monday to Friday for lunch & daily for high tea | Barrine Drive, Regatta Point, Commonwealth Park, Parkes | Book here.
Such and Such
Photography: James Erskine.
Located near Canberra Theatre Centre and Constitution Place, Such and Such is quirky yet sophisticated with a strong focus on dishes designed to share.
Offering two set menus during the lunch rush, choose from the ‘Such and Such’ for the full experience of 10 courses over two hours or the ‘In and Out’ for a quick—but yummy—lunch that includes two snacks and a salad to share as well as an individual main dish (and the option to add on extras and dessert).
From the team behind one of Canberra’s most acclaimed restaurants—Pilot—it promises to impress.
Open Thursday and Fridays for lunch | Constitution Place, RT08, 220 London Circuit, Civic | Book here.
Capitol Bar and Grill
Serving oysters, steak frites and even a levelled-up cheeseburger (complete with a wagyu pattie, American cheese, provolone, onion, hot American Mustard and house-made ketchup) from 12 pm as a part of their ‘Bar Bites’, Capitol Bar and Grill in QT Canberra brings together the best of bold flavours and Modern-Australian dining.
Perfect for a more relaxed face-to-face with a client, head in to enjoy with a zero-proof cocktail (so you can actually go back to work afterwards).
Open Monday to Sunday for lunch | 1 London Circuit, Civic | qthotels.com
Roy Jr.
Credit: Pew Pew Studio.
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 | Book here.
Meat and Wine Co
Photography: Dom Cherry.
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 | Book here.
INKA
A Japanese-Peruvian culinary experience, INKA is the place to go for an Express 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) for $50 per person you and your client 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 | Book here.
Raku
Chic yet trendy, Raku is a modern Japanese dining experience that everyone will love. Entice your clients with the Express Lunch menu or turn your lunch meeting into a leisurely affair 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 | Book here.
Akiba
A favourite of Canberra locals, a long lunch at Akiba might be the perfect way to connect with your client. 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 | Book here.
Brunello
Perfect for anyone who loves seasonal flavours and Spanish flair, a lunchtime degustation at Brunello will win you serious brownie points.
Derived from their 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 its 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 | Book here.
BlackFire
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 to taste authentic Spanish Mediterranean flavours.
Open Monday to Friday for lunch | 45\38 Mort Street, Braddon | Book here.
Rebel Rebel
Credit: Tim Bean.
Refined and modern, the Chef’s Selection from Rebel Rebel is a must-try. Known for serious food that’s definitely not pretentious, the venue is the perfect mix of relaxed without being too casual and cool without being too over the top. There’s a reason it’s won awards.
Open Thursday and Friday for lunch | 23 Marcus Clarke Street, Acton | Book here.
Eightysix South
Credit: Pew Pew Studio.
Looking for something outside of the CBD? A 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.
Feature image: The Marion. Craig Wall Photography