The Wine Bars of Canberra you Need to Visit
Canberra might be known as a political city, but it's also home to some great wine bars. Whether you're looking for a place to relax after work or want to explore the local wine scene, these bars are worth checking out. So next time you're in Canberra staying at Deco hotel, make sure to add at least one of these spots to your itinerary!
Rizla
Rizla Canberra. Image Credit Rizla
This Riesling winebarrestaurant (yes all one word), is all about good times, good food and good wine. With a focus on riesling, Rizla features Canberra’s best new vintage and cellared rieslings with some of Australia’s and the world’s most iconic wines. You’re a little limited if you’re drinking by the glass, but if you’re sharing a bottle then this opens up a whole new world with pages of wine. Although dedicated to wine, the share-plates will have you drooling with dishes such as Tuna Tartare, oysters from Rock Point Clure River or one of their special dishes. Conveniently the dishes are designed to pair with the wine list. So for an easy night out, go with the “Sort it out” option, you choose the wine and they’ll match the food.
Location: Unit 146 Mode3, 24 Lonsdale Street, Braddon ACT
Hours: Friday - Saturday 12pm - 12am
Sunday 12pm - 10pm
Tuesday - Thursday 5:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Bar Rochford
Bar Rochford. Image Credit: Ashley St George
Bar Rochford is a regular in the ‘best bars of Canberra’ lists, but with its 120 wines and a food menu that matches the wine, this is one of the top wine bars in Canberra. Inspired by classic wine bars of Europe and hidden away in the iconic Melbourne Building, the atmosphere is cozy but funky. The important stuff like the food and wine changes daily, allowing for the in-season products to be used and the wine list to be fresh. If you’re up for something different, see what exciting wines they might have in the cellar, they’re constantly storing and trying wines that aren’t well known in the region.
Location: First floor 65 London CCR Canberra
Hours: Monday - Saturday 5 pm - Late
Corella Restaurant & Bar
Corella. Image Credit: VisitCanberra
Corella is your Modern Australian wine bar and restaurant in the hub of Braddon. You might be fooled into thinking it’s fine dining when you view the menu, but the atmosphere and staff will have you feeling welcome and enjoying a share plate and a glass of wine. The food is inspired by and uses native ingredients whilst mixed with a bit of nostalgia (think cultured butter blended with vegemite or homemade chocolate freckle imbued with native river mint). With a small section of wine, it’s on the classic side, but don’t be afraid to ask if they’ve got a little something hidden
Location: 14 Lonsdale St, Braddon ACT 2612
Hours: Tuesday - Thursday 5 pm - Late. Friday - Sunday 12pm - late
Paranormal wines
Paranormal Wines. Image Credit: Ashley St George
No pretentious restaurants or wine bars here, Paranormal Wines brings you a casual ‘Cave à mangers’ (think Paris). Just a warm and welcoming bottle shop to sit and sip with some good food and wine to match. Its location makes it the perfect pre-dinner location to sample wines from the surrounding district. Nibble on some antipasti delights like olives, cured meats and local cheeses and choose from the 200+ bottles of wine or one of the 10 glasses of wine.
Location: G27/6 Provan St Campbell, ACT 2612
Hours: Wednesday to Saturday 11 am – 8 pm, Sunday 12 pm – 7 pm
Bacaro - Italian and Sons
Image: Bacaro, the wine bar at Italian and Sons in Braddon. Image Credit: Rohan Thomson
It’s Friday night and you feel like something easy to eat and delicious to drink. Bacaro in Braddon is the answer to your dreams with wood-fired pizza and a wine room. Relax in the intimate setting (fireplace included) and choose from their extensive wine which includes carefully-sourced regional Italian wine and local wines. If pizza isn’t your thing, never mind there are additional Italian treats like house-made cured meats, imported Italian formaggi (cheese) and house-made pasta.
Location: 7 Lonsdale St, Braddon ACT 2612
Hours: Lunch: Wednesday - Friday from 12 pm
Dinner: Tuesday - Saturday from 5:30pm
Rebel Rebel
Image: Rebel Rebel dining in Canberra. Image credit: Keegan Carroll
Rebel Rebel in Acton is a relaxed, funky dining experience with modern Australian food with a European influence. The small menu of share plates focuses on Australian produce, is heavy on vegetables and is inspired by the Iberian Peninsula, southern Italy and parts of Asia. Indulge in oysters, either natural or with Pomelo and pink peppercorn, or why not go all out with Yarra Valley shiraz gin caviar on top. Can’t choose from the menu? Let the chef select the menu for you. Now, for the good stuff, there are 80 labels of wine from local regions and also some top names from international wineries. Love the wine? You can order a bottle to go from their bottle shop
Location: 23 Marcus Clarke St, Acton ACT 2601
Hours: Monday to Wednesday 5pm till late
Thursday to Sunday 12pm till late
Dine in the vines
Image: Van Du Vin wine tours, Canberra
If you want to up the experience and dine amongst the vines, tour the wineries with Van Du Vin Winery Tours. Enjoy a pizza at Four Winds Vineyard or a multi-course lunch with wine, cheese pairings and maybe a chocolate tasting at a vineyard. Choose from five different luxury experiences, half or full day, that include lunch and tastings.
The next time you’re in Canberra, check out some of the top wine bars we’ve listed. And when you do, be sure to book a night at Deco hotel.
(Hero Image credit: Ashley St George)
